Regulations related to Exporting Drugs

Cannabis Control Law (1948)

Marijuana (marijuana grass and marijuana grass products. In English, it is called marijuana.

Cannabis researchers are not allowed to export unless they are licensed to do so (Article 4).

Stimulant Drug Control Law (1951)

Methamphetamine (e.g., amphetamine, methamphetamine)

Export is prohibited (Article 13).

Methamphetamine raw materials (e.g. ephedrine)

General Remarks

Permission is required for export (Article 30-6, Paragraph 3)

For individuals

Permission may be granted to carry and export “methamphetamine materials that are medicinal products” (e.g., sleeping pills and sedatives) for the purpose of treating one’s own illness. A “Portable Export Permit” or a copy thereof is required.

Exports by designated exporters of methamphetamine materials

Designated exporters of methamphetamine materials may obtain a permit to export methamphetamine. An export permit or a copy of the permit is required.

Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law

Narcotics

(e.g., heroin, cocaine, morphine, MDSA)

General Remarks

Permission is required for export (Articles 17 and 18).

For individuals

A permit may be granted to a person who has been instructed by a physician to take a “narcotic drug” (morphine, fentanyl, etc.) for the purpose of treating his or her own illness and to export it as hand luggage. Customs requires a “Portable Export Permit” or a copy thereof.

Licensed drug exporters

Customs requires an export license or a copy thereof (Article 18, Paragraph 5 of the Law).

Psychotropic drug

General Remarks

Exporting basically requires an export license (Article 50-11 and 50-12).

For individuals

A permit may be granted to carry and export “psychotropic drugs that are medicines” (diazepam, triazolam, etc.) for the purpose of treating one’s own illness. Customs requires a Portable Export Permit or a copy thereof.

Licensed psychotropic drug exporters

〇Among (i) exports of Class 1 psychotropic substances and (ii) exports of Class 2 and Class 3 psychotropic substances, which are specified psychotropic substances³⁰ and are destined for specified regions, exports cannot be made without an export license (Article 50-12 and 50-13). Customs will require an export license or a copy thereof.

〇 For the export of Class II psychotropic substances other than those listed in (ii) above, notification is required in accordance with the Law. Customs will require a duplicate of the export notification (Article 50-14, paragraph 2) and a copy of the export business license.

〇In the case of exports of Class 3 psychotropic substances other than those listed in (ii) above, neither permission nor notification is required. Customs will require a copy of the export license.

Export by Establishers of Psychotropic Drug Testing and Research Facilities, etc.

No export is allowed without an export license (Article 50-12, Paragraph 2). Customs requires an export license or a copy thereof.

Raw materials for narcotic psychotropic drugs

(e.g., acetone, toluene, acetic anhydride)

General Remarks

When exporting narcotic psychotropic raw materials, an export license based on the Narcotics Control Law is not required, but an export approval based on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law is basically necessary.

If a business

(= In the case of repeated and continuous export)

Both a notification of commencement of business at the time of commencement of business and a notification for each export are required (Article 72, Article 50-30).

If not a business

〇Notification of commencement of business is not required.

〇Notification is required when exporting narcotic psychotropic materials in excess of the amount specified for each narcotic psychotropic material (Article 50-32).

Opium Law (1954)

Opium 32

Export is prohibited except to those who have been entrusted by the government (Article 6, Paragraph 1).

Poppy seed or“keshi-gara”

Export is prohibited in principle. A license is required for export (Article 6, Paragraph 2).