As of April 1, 2025, Japan has officially lifted the mandatory aflatoxin testing requirement for U.S. almonds that comply with the new U.S.- Japan Almond Export Protocol. Going forward, almond shipments meeting the protocol's conditions will be exempt from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's (MHLW) ordered inspections upon arrival. In 2024, U.S. almond exports to Japan, classified under HS codes 0802.11 (in-shell) and 0802.12 (shelled), were valued at $193 million.
This bilateral export program is specific to almonds from the United States and is jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the Almond Board of California (ABC). It was developed in coordination with MHLW to maintain food safety while streamlining almond exports.
To qualify under the protocol, U.S. almond shipments must originate directly from the United States and be handled by processors registered on MHLW's approved list. The almonds must be tested for aflatoxin in USDA-approved laboratories registered by AMS. Each shipment must include a Certificate of Analysis confirming that total aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2 combined) do not exceed Japan's regulatory limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb). All trade documentation, such as the Bill of Lading, handler's list, and Certificate of Analysis, must contain identical and consistent handler information.
Handlers seeking to export under this program are advised to coordinate closely with AMS and ABC for operational guidance.
Japan's Food Sanitation Act designates the MHLW as the competent authority for food safety oversight. Under Article 6 of the Act, food imports that fail to meet regulatory safety standards are prohibited. Article 27 further stipulates that imports are subject to an annual Imported Foods Monitoring Plan, which includes aflatoxin testing. Historically, due to the natural presence of aflatoxins, U.S. almonds were placed under a 100 percent hold-and-test inspection order beginning in 1996.
According to the monitoring plan, MHLW may lift inspection orders for specific countries or commodities if there are no violations for two consecutive years or if there are 300 consecutive compliant shipments over a minimum of one year. This must be supported by a root-cause investigation, preventive measures, and verification through bilateral discussions, inspections, or a consistent record of compliant testing.
The USDA and MHLW have now agreed to the implementation of this almond export protocol, lifting the inspection order for U.S. almonds that meet the agreed criteria. The new framework is expected to strengthen U.S. almond exports to Japan while continuing to uphold rigorous food safety standards.
For more information:
USDA
Tel: +1 (202) 720-2791
Email: [email protected]
www.usda.gov