How to Import Japanese Tea with Halal Certification?

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How to Import Japanese Tea with Halal Certification?

The word “Halal” is being heard more in Japan and other parts of the world as more Muslims are moving to different countries.

The population is growing, and the young generation is looking for “halal” food options on the shelves leading to increased demand. Importers seek Halal certification to ease import to cater to customers who practice the Halal way of life. While it was previously only attached to the Muslim population, now it is seen as a lifestyle, and people are thinking of it beyond a “Muslim thing” only. However, Muslim countries and populations take care of the products being Halal more than others, and some only import products that have the Halal certification.

What is Halal?

Halal means “permissible by Islamic law” and is the way of living followed by Muslims globally. It includes eliminating some components such as pig, animal-derived gelatin, alcohol, and others that are not allowed in Halal. In the past, the term “Halal” was only related to food. But, now it is seen in a broad dimension according to changing times. You will see Muslims worldwide opting for Halal cosmetics and medicines, ensuring no animal-derived products are present in them (except for those allowed).

Halal is not only accreditation of food being fit for consumption by Muslims; it symbolizes environment-friendliness and quality. Being practiced by Muslims for centuries, the Halal food concept meets modern environmental requirements and ensures all nutrients that a human body requires.

Why Do You Need Halal Certification?

It is worth mentioning that Muslims make up 1.7 billion of the world’s total population. According to OIC, Muslims spent above $1173 million on food globally in 2020. As it is expected that the Muslim population will grow up to 2.2 billion by 2030, the potential number of food consumers will also rise. Besides locally produced vegetables, meat, and other food items, Muslim countries import 47.8% of vegetables and 18.9% of meat products annually. Organic food items like organic tea are also in the limelight nowadays, as most Muslim countries are among the top tea drinkers and importers.

According to Statista, Pakistan imported tea worth $589.76 million, while tea import to Egypt was around $197.22 million in 2020. If you are looking to target the highest tea importers like Pakistan, the USA, the UK, and others, the Muslim population makes up a considerable fraction. Having Halal certification makes it easy to import products to Muslim countries that prefer bringing in products that are already certified Halal to be sure of what they are offering to the masses.

Does Japan offer Halal Certified Green Tea?

It might surprise you, but yes, you can find Halal Japanese brands in the market that offer Halal Green Tea. It is primarily because of the need for Halal certification for Muslims in the country. While choosing a vendor for product import, it is better to get one with Halal certification in Japan to avoid any issues in the country of import.

How to import Japanese Tea with Halal Certification

To import Japanese Tea with Halal Certification, you will need to get a Halal certification that allows you to add a “Halal” label to the organic tea import. Different organizations work in particular regions to provide certification.

What is Halal Certification?

The Halal Certification is an internationally acclaimed mark that all Muslims trust and is issued by a third party that evaluates the manufacturing facility, raw material, spices, additives, services, and all other Halal requirements before issuing a certificate fit for import. In current times, 120 organizations work as Halal certification bodies around the world. However, you must ensure that the Halal certification you get is compatible with the country’s import rules.

How to Get Halal Certification in Japan for Organic Tea?

Although you are importing Japanese tea, you may be interested to learn how farms get Halal Certification in Japan.

Farms connect to various organizations like JAKIM Halal certification, HJC Muslim friendly certification, etc. JAKIM Halal Certification has collaborated with Halal Japan Corporation to Halal-certify products in Japan. It is one of the most strict certification organizations in the world and is accepted in around 56 Muslim countries. JAKIM logo on product labels makes it trustable as Halal in all these Muslim countries. It is suitable for both manufacturing and import businesses.

Halal Certification and Application Procedure for Organic Tea Import

While you are not applying for a warehouse or manufacturing area Halal certification, you need to submit a quality inspection record and details of the work procedure. When applying for a logistics Halal certificate, you must also consider:

  • You must have a certified copy for the product manufacturer.
  • You cannot handle or transport products other than labeled Halal if you opt for JAKIM Halal certification.
  • If you also transport products that are not Halal, you must use specific vehicles for Halal products.

Halal Certification and Application Procedure for Manufacturing Facility

If you are getting the Halal certification for a manufacturing facility for the convenience of import, the factory, once certified Halal, cannot produce other products. Other factors you must keep in mind include:

  • You have to provide a sample inspection certificate regarding the raw material and the product.
  • The application must have a schedule showcasing the manufacturing procedure of the product along with a quality inspection record.

JAKIM Halal Certification Costs

If you farm in Japan, the JAKIM Halal Certification in Japan for Organic Tea import costs around JPY 2,000,000, including application, inspection, and renewal fees. Here’s a detailed explanation of all JAKIM costs for HALAL certification in Japan.

Process Cost
Application Fee for Global JAKIM Certification 300,000 JPY / location or item
JAKIM Audit (Travel, transport, and accommodation of two JAKIM auditors and one ENERTECH personnel for 3 days) 1,000,000 JPY
JM Specimen inspection including DNA testing 50,000 JPY/ item
Application support and translation assistance 500,000JPY/ time
Assistance for application update 50,000 JPY/ certificate
Certification renewal cost 300,000 JPY

Benefits of Halal Certification

Getting the Halal Certification for organic tea not only makes it easy to import to other countries but provides numerous other benefits that accompany it.

  • Having Halal certification for organic tea and other food items ensures that it is free from many such elements that Muslims do not find hygienic.
  • Being Halal certified means you can reach around 2 billion more potential customers if you target countries with a significant Muslim population.
  • You can import products to countries with strict Halal laws requiring Halal certification to import Organic Tea.

FAQs

Can only Muslims consume Halal products?

While Muslims do not eat anything other than Halal, it is not for Muslims only. Anyone can enjoy Halal as it is a healthy lifestyle that provides all important nutrients to your body and complies with the modern environment-friendly factors.

What other Halal certifications can you get in Japan?

  • Industrial
  • Restaurant
  • Warehouse
  • Product endorsement
  • Abattoir scheme

Does Halal Certification Require Organic Certificate as well?

As Halal is a term used for all the ingredients that are permissible for Muslims, it does not depend on any other certification. If you are willing to import organic tea to Muslim countries and places with a Muslim population, it is better to get Halal certification along with Organic. Organic certification is not equal to Halal certification because it only ensures that the product is entirely free from chemicals. In contrast, Halal certification ensures that no intoxicating element is present in the organic tea. You may have Halal certification and not organic as they are not codependent.

Which countries import Halal-certified products?

Some countries allow products that mention “the product does not contain pork and alcohol,” whereas others only sell products with a creditable Halal certification. The countries that need you to have Halal accreditation include Pakistan and Brunei, along with some of the strictest Halal certification regions like Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Malaysia, and Bahrain.

Do Canada and the USA import Halal-certified products?

In various states of the USA, it is an offense to label food Halal that has not been prepared in a Halal-certified facility or contains any non-Halal ingredients. Canada also requires all the details of the certification body, such as their name and the person who certified the product Halal for import.

Key Takeaway

If you are willing to import organic tea from Japan, the provider or manufacturer must have a Halal certification for you to import to Muslim countries and regions with Muslim populations. Halal Certification for Organic tea allows the importers to reach a broader customer base as Muslims make up around 1.7 billion of the total world population. You must follow strict laws and regulations while getting the certification, including importing organic tea products under Halal laws. JAKIM and a few other bodies provide Halal certification in Japan according to globally accredited standards.

Need Assistance on Japanese Tea Importation?

You may want to collaborate with shippers that handle importation from your specified country to make the process smoother. Usually, these shippers would send you shipping computations or links for shipping calculator to have estimated as to the total amount of fees and customs duty you have to pay for the importation depending on the bulk or quantity of the Japanese tea to be imported. You may also include other items for importation alongside your imported Japanese tea, and it will all be considered as one shipment.

This shipping and importation of Japanese tea in your country have been a long-standing service that we offer. Therefore, if you are interested in Japanese Tea importation either as a business or you simply want to have a taste of quality, authentic Japanese tea, you may contact us through this website, and we are more than happy to assist you.

Click here to contact Green Tea Merchant.

Importing Japanese Tea with Halal Certification — FAQ

What does Halal certification mean for tea?

"Halal" means "permissible by Islamic law" — a religious and lifestyle framework followed by Muslims worldwide. For food products, Halal certification confirms that the item contains no ingredients banned under Islamic dietary law: pork, animal-derived gelatin, alcohol, and similar restricted components. For tea, this is generally straightforward, since green tea is naturally plant-based — but the certification process also covers the manufacturing facility, equipment, additives, and supply chain to verify that no cross-contamination occurs.

What is ECOCERT for Tea Importing?
What is ECOCERT for Tea Importing?

Why do tea importers need Halal certification?

The global Muslim population is approximately 1.7 billion and projected to reach 2.2 billion by 2030 — a substantial customer base. Many Muslim-majority countries import only Halal-certified products, and even outside those markets, Halal labeling has become a quality and trust signal for many non-Muslim consumers. According to OIC data, Muslims spent more than $1.17 billion on food globally in 2020. For tea specifically, top importers like Pakistan ($589.76M in 2020) and Egypt ($197.22M) include large Muslim consumer populations where Halal certification is a competitive advantage.

Do Japanese brands offer Halal-certified green tea?

Yes — a growing number of Japanese tea brands now offer Halal-certified green tea. The demand has been driven both by the Muslim population in Japan and by Japanese tea companies seeking to expand into Muslim-majority export markets. When selecting a Japanese supplier for Halal-certified tea import, look for a vendor who already holds Halal certification within Japan — this avoids complications at the destination country and ensures the chain of custody is documented from origin to delivery.

How is Halal certification issued?

Halal certification is issued by a third-party certifying body that evaluates the manufacturing facility, raw materials, spices, additives, equipment, services, and any other elements that bear on Halal compliance. About 120 Halal certification bodies operate around the world, each with its own audit procedures. Once the certifying body is satisfied that all requirements are met, it issues a Halal certificate that allows the product to bear the Halal label. Importers must verify that the specific certifying body is recognized in the destination market.

Is Halal certification only for food?

Historically yes, but the concept has expanded significantly. Today Halal certification is sought for cosmetics, medicines, and personal care products — anywhere consumers want assurance that no banned animal-derived ingredients are present. For tea specifically, the focus remains on food-level Halal compliance, but the broader Halal lifestyle context means Halal-certified tea fits into a wider product portfolio that Muslim consumers actively look for. Some importers find that the Halal label improves overall market positioning beyond purely Muslim customer segments.

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About the author

Kei Nishida

Kei Nishida

Author, CEO Dream of Japan

info@japanesegreenteain.com

Certification: PMP, BS in Computer Science

Education: Western Washington University

Kei Nishida is a Japanese green tea connoisseur, writer, and the current steward of ShizuokaTea.com and Green Tea Merchant.

ShizuokaTea.com was originally founded by Kent Roy Rhoads, a pioneer of online Japanese green tea sales who helped introduce authentic teas from Shizuoka and Kagoshima to customers around the world. Kei and the Dream of Japan team continue to honor Kent’s legacy by preserving the same commitment to high-quality Japanese tea, reliable service, and long-standing relationships with tea producers in Japan.

In 2020, Dream of Japan acquired ShizuokaTea.com, KagoshimaTea.com, and Green Tea Merchant, with the goal of continuing Kent’s work while bringing renewed care, storytelling, and tea education to a new generation of tea lovers.

Today, the ShizuokaTea.com blog, also known as the Green Tea Merchant Blog, is especially focused on helping wholesale buyers, cafés, restaurants, retailers, and tea-related businesses make informed decisions when sourcing Japanese tea. Building on Green Tea Merchant’s decades-long history of serving wholesale customers, the goal is to make this blog one of the best online resources for companies buying tea—offering practical guidance, product knowledge, sourcing insights, and educational content rooted in real experience.

Kei’s mission is to share the depth, beauty, and tradition of Japanese tea with the world while supporting businesses that want to serve authentic Japanese tea with confidence.

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