Bringing Kobe Beef to Singapore (Procedures Simplified in 2025)

For our customers in Singapore who would like to bring Kobe Beef back home as a souvenir or for personal consumption — here is the latest information on what you need to know.

A Brief Background

Since January 2016, Japan and Singapore have allowed travellers to bring up to 5kg of Japanese beef and pork into Singapore for personal use, provided certain conditions were met.

Until recently, this required an inspection at Japan's Animal Quarantine Service at the airport, where a small "Export Quarantine Certificate" sticker would be attached to the package. At Tatsuya, we used to prepare your order with this certificate already attached, so you could skip the airport inspection counter.

What Changed in May 2025

As of 12 May 2025 (Reiwa 7), Japan's Animal Quarantine Service inspection is no longer required for beef and beef products (up to 5kg) brought into Singapore as personal-use souvenirs.

This means the Export Quarantine Certificate sticker is no longer needed. You can simply pack your Kobe Beef in your luggage and travel — making the whole process much simpler than before.

(Reference: Japan Animal Quarantine Service — Souvenirs of Meat Products)

Conditions That Still Apply

Although the inspection has been removed, the following conditions remain in place:

• For personal consumption only (souvenirs, gifts, etc.)
• Up to 5kg per person
• Must be derived from cattle born and raised in Japan
• Brought directly from Japan to Singapore (including international post and courier)

For the most up-to-date information, we recommend checking the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) website or the Japan Animal Quarantine Service before your trip, as regulations may change without notice.

Delivery Options from Tatsuya

We can deliver to your address in Japan, including hotels and other accommodations, timed to fit your travel schedule.

Taking Kobe Beef as a Souvenir

We normally ship Kobe Beef chilled (refrigerated), but if you plan to bring it back to Singapore as a souvenir, we strongly recommend frozen delivery. Please let us know in the order remarks (備考欄) field at checkout.

Based on dozens of cases from our previous customers, if the beef is kept frozen until just before departure, it will typically still be frozen — or at most partially thawed but well-chilled — by the time you arrive in Singapore, preserving its quality during the journey. Thicker cuts such as blocks or steaks tend to stay frozen longer than thinly sliced meat, so this is worth considering when choosing your products.

Receiving at a Hotel

If you plan to have the order delivered to your hotel, please check with the hotel in advance whether they can store the beef in a freezer until your departure.

If freezer storage is not available at your hotel, you can also have the package held at your nearest Yamato Transport (ヤマト運輸) pickup centre, where it will be kept frozen until you collect it. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to arrange this.

Direct Shipping to Singapore

We also offer direct international shipping to Singapore. Please note that shipping costs currently start from approximately JPY 20,000. We will be happy to provide a quote based on your order — please contact us for details.

If you are unsure which option suits you best, please don't hesitate to reach out. We will be glad to recommend the best approach based on your travel plans and circumstances.

We hope you'll consider Kobe Beef as a special souvenir from Japan to share with family and friends back in Singapore.