How to Import Matcha from Japan to the USA (2026): FDA, FSVP, Duty & Documents
To import matcha to USA warehouses and brands legally, you do not need FDA “approval,” but you do need four things in place: an FDA-registered facility with a US Agent, a Prior Notice filed before each shipment, a compliant FSVP on the US importer, and correct customs classification. The good news for cost: pure, unflavored matcha imported in bulk is generally duty-free (US tariff heading 0902.20.90). This is a US-specific companion to our global guide to importing matcha from Japan.
Key Takeaways
- Pure bulk matcha (HTS 0902.20.90) is generally Free of US duty; flavored green tea (0902.20.10) is 6.4% — keep them classified separately.
- Every shipment needs an FDA Prior Notice before arrival; a foreign facility must be registered and name a US Agent.
- FSVP is the US importer’s responsibility, and the FSVP importer can differ from the CBP importer of record.
- Retail packaging needs US labeling — Nutrition Facts, ingredients, allergens — and “Product of Japan” country-of-origin marking.
- The export side (invoice, packing list, COA, organic certificate) is where a Japanese supplier removes most of the friction.
For Companies Seeking Matcha Powder
We source matcha from Japan’s premier production regions including Kyoto Uji, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, and Shizuoka, offering comprehensive grade ranges from organic JAS-certified ceremonial grade to processing-grade matcha.
Common Challenges:
- “We have projects but cannot secure stable matcha supply…”
- “We want to incorporate matcha into new café menu items!”
If you face these concerns, consult with Matcha Times. Feel free to contact us for initial inquiries.
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→ Matcha Export Isn’t Easy: How FDA and EU Regulations Impact Matcha Brand
Is matcha allowed into the US, and what is required?
Yes. Matcha is a regulated food, not a restricted product. Clearance depends on four US requirements handled in parallel:
- FDA facility registration — the foreign facility registers with FDA and names a US Agent; registration renews biennially in Oct–Dec of even years (FDA).
- FDA Prior Notice — filed for each shipment before it arrives (FDA guidance).
- FSVP — the US importer verifies the foreign supplier (21 CFR Part 1, Subpart L).
- CBP entry — a broker files the customs entry with a bond and the correct HTS classification.
＼Read More／
→ Why New Jersey Is the Smart Gateway for Matcha Imports into the New York Market
Prior Notice timing by transport mode
File Prior Notice before the shipment reaches the US port, within these minimums (you may file up to 30 days ahead through ABI/ACE, or 15 days through the FDA system).
| Transport mode | Minimum before arrival |
|---|---|
| Truck (road) | 2 hours |
| Rail | 4 hours |
| Air | 4 hours |
| Ocean (water) | 8 hours |
Miss the window and the shipment can be refused, so Prior Notice timing is scheduled, not improvised.
HTS classification and US duty on matcha
Classification decides your duty. The distinction that trips buyers up is pure versus flavored.
| Product | HTS heading | General (MFN) duty |
|---|---|---|
| Pure green tea > 3 kg (bulk matcha) | 0902.20.90 | Free |
| Flavored green tea > 3 kg | 0902.20.10 | 6.4% |
| Green tea in retail packs ≤ 3 kg | 0902.10 | 6.4% (Japan special 3.2%) |
Verify the exact current line on the USITC HTS; classification is corroborated by CBP rulings. Additional trade measures can change, so confirm the current total with your broker before you quote a landed cost. Our matcha customs & duties guide goes deeper.
Documents and US labeling
Two document sets matter: what clears customs, and what must appear on the pack.
| Needed for clearance | Needed on retail labels |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice + packing list | Statement of identity (“matcha / green tea powder”) |
| Bill of lading / airway bill | Net quantity (metric + US units) |
| Lot-matched COA | Nutrition Facts + ingredients + allergens |
| Organic certificate (if USDA organic claim) | “Product of Japan” country-of-origin marking |
At entry, FDA may allow the shipment to proceed, examine it, or detain it; tea can be subject to import alerts (for example radiological or pesticide screening), so a clean, lot-matched COA is your best protection (FDA Import Alerts).
The US import workflow, step by step
- The Japanese facility registers with FDA and names a US Agent.
- Confirm you are the FSVP importer and build your hazard analysis + supplier records.
- Classify under HTS 0902.20 and confirm pure (Free) versus flavored (6.4%).
- The exporter prepares invoice, packing list, lot-matched COA, and organic certificate if claimed.
- File FDA Prior Notice within the mode-specific window.
- Your broker files the CBP entry with a bond and pays any duty.
- FDA screens the entry; ensure US labeling and “Product of Japan” marking are correct.
- Retain your FSVP records.
Common mistakes when importing matcha
Most US clearance delays are avoidable. When buyers import matcha to USA ports without preparing, the same problems recur — here is what to watch for.
- Classifying flavored blends as pure matcha — a flavored green-tea blend is dutiable at 6.4%, not Free; keep pure and blended SKUs on separate HTS lines.
- Assuming the exporter owns FSVP — it is the US importer’s legal duty, so build your records before the first shipment.
- Letting FDA facility registration lapse — it must be renewed biennially, and a lapse makes the product refusable.
- Filing Prior Notice too late — respect the mode-specific minimums or the shipment can be held.
- Shipping without a lot-matched COA — it is your best defense if FDA examines the entry.
- Forgetting “Product of Japan” country-of-origin marking on retail packaging.
Why Buyers Choose JMEX (Japan Matcha Export Organization)
US importers work with JMEX (the Japan Matcha Export Organization) because clean export documentation is what keeps FDA and CBP clearance predictable.
JMEX prepares the export-side package — commercial invoice, packing list, and lot-matched COA, plus organic certificates when claimed — and supplies the supplier records your FSVP program relies on, backed by a verified export track record to 43 countries including the USA. That is the difference between a shipment that clears on schedule and one held for missing paperwork.
FAQ: Importing Matcha to the USA
Direct answers to the US import questions buyers ask most.
Is matcha duty-free into the US?
Pure, unflavored bulk matcha generally classifies as HTS 0902.20.90 with a Free general duty rate; flavored green tea is 6.4%. Verify the current line on the USITC HTS and confirm any additional measures with your broker.
Do I need FDA approval to import matcha?
There is no premarket approval, but the foreign facility must be FDA-registered and each shipment needs a Prior Notice.
Who is responsible for FSVP?
The US importer (the FSVP importer), not the Japanese exporter — and it can differ from the CBP importer of record (21 CFR 1.500–1.502).
How early must Prior Notice be filed?
At minimum 2 hours (road), 4 hours (rail/air), or 8 hours (ocean) before arrival (FDA).
Does the label need “Product of Japan”?
Yes — country-of-origin marking is required under 19 CFR Part 134, alongside FDA food labeling.
Learn More About Global Matcha Trends at Matcha Times
Matcha Times is a specialist media platform covering the global matcha market — sourcing and wholesale, supply and pricing, trade and regulations, production and origins, and the companies shaping the industry.
From market analysis and price trends to café case studies and interviews with tea farmers, we help buyers, importers, distributors, and manufacturers stay ahead of where matcha is heading. Explore more and put the global matcha market to work for your business.
Conclusion
Importing matcha to the USA is routine once the four pillars — facility registration, Prior Notice, FSVP, and correct HTS classification — are in place, and pure bulk matcha enters duty-free. Line up your documents and let the export side prepare the COA and invoice package, and clearance becomes predictable.
Looking for wholesale or OEM matcha samples? Contact us — we will recommend the optimal origin and grade based on your application and target markets.
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