Import Alert: Import Restrictions on Japan due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Issuance date: March 28, 2025 

 5:52 AM, U.S. Eastern 

Newly restricted zone(s) 

None 

Newly released zone(s) 

Effective date(s): March 28, 2025—Chiba Prefecture 

Effective on the date(s) listed above and until further notice the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is lifting restrictions on the importation of poultry, commercial birds, ratites, avian hatching eggs, unprocessed avian products and byproducts, and certain fresh poultry products originating from or transiting the prefecture(s) listed above due to the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in domestic birds. 

The prefecture listed above was the last remaining prefecture under APHIS import restrictions for HPAI. Effective on the date listed above, no prefectures in Japan are under APHIS import restrictions for HPAI. 

APHIS placed avian commodity import restrictions on these prefecture(s) due to the diagnosis of HPAI in domestic birds. The Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has now demonstrated complete resolution of the HPAI outbreak(s) in domestic birds in these prefecture(s) and met the requirements to regain the previous HPAI-free status in accordance with Article 10.4.6 of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Therefore, APHIS is lifting the HPAI-related import restrictions on avian commodities originating from or transiting these prefecture(s).  

More information is available on the APHIS website: