How to Import Organic Japanese Tea to Canada (2026 Updated)

Updated July 2026: This guide has been revised to reflect Canada’s current import rules — including the Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence you now need through a My CFIA account before your shipment reaches the border, importer registration through the CBSA CARM Client Portal (mandatory since October 2024), the fact that green tea (HS 0902) is duty-free under the Customs Tariff 2026 and is sold as a zero-rated grocery at 0% GST/HST, the Japan–Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement that still recognizes JAS organic tea, and the front-of-package nutrition-labelling rules that became enforceable on 1 January 2026.

Millions of people out there are die-hard fans of tea, especially the people of Canada. Canadians’ love for tea has surpassed their love for mineral water and soft drinks. In the past few decades, tea consumption in Canada has skyrocketed. Canadians usually love their traditional black tea, but their taste buds need some more flavors as the world is emerging. To quench their thirst, organic Japanese tea can prove to be extremely effective. That is why it is about time Canada should start importing these organic treats but how can it do that?

What is Organic Japanese Tea?

Organic Japanese tea dates back to the 8^th century when it was only popular within the borders of the country. However during the late 1900s, Japan started exporting tons of organic tea to the United States. Organic Japanese tea is basically all organic herbs and plants. So, why is it better than the rest of organic teas? All such herbs and plants are steamed before they are packed into containers. This steaming process helps in preventing the oxidizing process of the herbs and keeps them fresh. It also helps in preserving the natural taste and odor of all the herbs. Same beauty, better taste.

It took Organic Japanese tea no major amount of time to win the hearts of millions of people. Its unparalleled quality, exceptional taste, and exotic odor always make you crave more. According to various studies, about 72.3% of Japanese people drink organic Japanese tea on a daily basis, while 89.6% of people drink Japanese tea at least once a week. Tea has that soothing effect that everybody needs after a tiresome day and that is why it is one of the most consumed beverages in the entire world. Organic Japanese tea comes in myriads of varieties that make each cup a perfect delight.

How can you import Organic Japanese Tea to Canada?

Canada and Japan have always had cordial relations when it comes to trade. However, the word “organic” comes with its own sets of rules and regulations that Japan needs to follow in order to export organic Japanese tea to Canada. Why did we say Japan? Because Japan is one of the countries through which Canada can import such exhilarating and high-quality organic tea.

There is also a food-safety step to clear first. To bring tea in commercially, the importer needs a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence, which you apply for online through a My CFIA account. You have to hold the licence before the shipment reaches the border — it is not something you can arrange on arrival — and its number is declared on the CBSA Integrated Import Declaration, where it is verified automatically. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been checking licences against the correct commodity scope, with a round of comprehensive inspections planned through October 2026.

Are the products covered under JCOEA (Japan – Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement)?

If anyone wants to import any organic product to Canada, make sure that it is equivalent to the conditions stated by Part 13 of the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations, according to the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act. All the organic products certified by the Japan Agriculture Standards (JAS), in your case, organic Japanese tea, must be certified by the Japanese Accredited Certification Body. For this certification, the product needs to be assembled, processed, and packaged within the borders of Japan and in accordance with the Japanese Organic System. Only then, the product can find its way to be imported to Canada as an “organic” product without any extra certification.

However, all the Japanese organic products must be exported with an export certificate given out by a Japanese Registered Certification Body present in the List of Accredited Certification Bodies. The JAS Accredited Certification Bodies have to fill out an export certificate to complete the whole procedure.

What are the labeling requirements of Canada?

If any organic product comes within the premises of Canada, it must fulfill the labeling requirements of this country. All the organic products must have the Canada Organic logo fastened to them. Canada can even request a copy of the logo from the chosen Accredited Certification Body. Each organic product imported to Canada must fulfill the necessary requirements under the Food and Drug Act and Regulations and Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations. One point that trips up new importers: prepackaged tea has to carry its mandatory label information — common name, net quantity, dealer name and address, ingredients and any allergens, and country of origin where it applies — in both official languages, English and French. That bilingual rule is federal and applies across every province, not just Quebec. Health Canada’s front-of-package nutrition symbol also became enforceable on 1 January 2026 for products high in saturated fat, sugars or sodium; a plain single-ingredient tea generally will not trigger the symbol, but flavoured or added-ingredient blends are worth checking against the CFIA Industry Labelling Tool.

Costs of Importing Organic Japanese Tea to Canada

When something is imported to Canada, the person is liable to pay a sales tax, customs duty tax, or import tax. This tax is applied collectively on the total cost that includes the cost of the item, insurance cost, and shipment cost.

In Canada, we see three different kinds of sales tax:

• GST (Goods and Services Tax)
• PST (Provincial Sales Tax)
• HST (Harmonized Sales Tax)

The below-mentioned table gives the duty and sales tax for Canada:

For grocery tea the current numbers are gentler than that table might suggest. Green tea sits under HS heading 0902, and the Customs Tariff 2026 sets its Most-Favoured-Nation duty rate at “Free” — 0% — no matter the country of origin; Japan also comes in duty-free under the CPTPP. On the sales-tax side, tea sold for home brewing (loose leaf, tea bags, plain unflavoured tea) counts as a zero-rated basic grocery under the Excise Tax Act, so 0% GST/HST applies in every province and territory. In practice that means no GST is collected when qualifying tea is imported, and none is charged when it is sold at retail. The main exception is tea served ready-to-drink and heated, such as a hot cup poured at a café, which is taxable. For context, Nova Scotia’s HST dropped from 15% to 14% on 1 April 2025, though that change does not touch zero-rated grocery tea.

Business Number

A business number is a unique 9-digit number that is given to all legal entities or businesses. Each legal entity has its own business number. People generally need a business number when they need to incorporate their businesses with the program accounts of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). By incorporating your businesses with the revenue agency, you can get payroll as well as GST/HST reductions in your imports.

How can you get a business number?

You can acquire a business number if you register using Business Registration Online, register for any program account of CRA, or incorporate your business with the federal government. One change worth flagging: the import-export (RM) program account you need for bringing tea in is now set up through the CBSA CARM Client Portal. Since 21 October 2024 that portal has been the official system of record for import declarations, duties and GST, so register the RM account there well ahead of your first shipment to avoid release delays. You can also get your hands on a business number if you incorporate your business with these Canadian provinces:

• Manitoba
• Ontario
• New Brunswick
• British Colombia
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan

Registration for CRA Program Accounts:

If you want to register for more than one program accounts of CRA, you’re free to do so. CRA offers a wide range of program accounts such as:

• GST/HST program account (RT)
• Import-export program account (RM)
• Registered charity program (RR)
• Information returns (RZ)
• Pay-roll deductions program account (RP)
• Corporation income tax program account (RC)

FAQs

Where can you import organic Japanese tea from other than Canada?

You can import organic Japanese tea wherever you want. From the United States to Europe, organic Japanese tea can be imported anywhere.

Which provinces of Canada have to pay HST?

• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Ontario
• New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island
• Nova Scotia

Which provinces of Canada have to pay GST as well as PST?

• Manitoba
• Saskatchewan
• British Columbia
• Quebec

Which provinces of Canada have to pay only GST?

• Northwest Territories
• Yukon
• Alberta
• Nunavut

Is JAS-certified organic Japanese tea recognized as “organic” in Canada?

Yes. The Japan–Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement has been in force since September 2014 and still covers tea in 2026. JAS-certified organic tea can be sold in Canada as “organic” without re-certifying it to the Canadian Organic Regime, provided each shipment travels with an organic export certificate from a Japanese certification body accredited under JAS. The arrangement has only grown over the years — livestock was added in 2020 and organic alcoholic beverages in 2023 — while tea has stayed covered the whole time.

Are there any radiation or Fukushima-related restrictions on importing Japanese tea?

No. Canada’s enhanced post-Fukushima import controls on Japanese food have been lifted, and the CFIA lists no residual radiation controls aimed at tea or any specific Japanese food. Health Canada still keeps a general watch on imports through its ongoing Total Diet Study, where the products it has sampled came in below its actionable radioactivity levels.

The Bottom Line

Tea lovers are scattered all over Canada and they are always on the hunt for something new. Although black tea is their favorite so far, they are moving on to different teas. Organic Japanese tea is not only enriched with flavors, but it is also appealing to the eyes which always make you want some more. However, if you want to import organic Japanese tea, there is a certain procedure that you will have to go through. You will also bear the sales tax depending on the province you’re currently in. The sole producer of organic Japanese tea is Japan. So, if you want to import this tea from Japan, make sure you know what you have to do.

Need Assistance with Japanese Tea Importation?

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.

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