Can JAS organic matcha be labeled as USDA Organic?

Yes, under the US-Japan organic equivalency agreement, JAS certified matcha can be sold as USDA Organic in the United States, provided a NOP Import Certificate is completed at the time of export.

What is the HS Code for Japanese organic matcha?

The primary HS Code for Japanese green tea powder (matcha) in packages under 3kg is 0902.10.0000 (US) or 0902.10.00 (EU).

JAS Organic Certification Explained for Matcha Importers

Executive Summary (TL;DR): Importing organic matcha from Japan requires navigating strict agricultural standards. Under the current Organic Equivalency arrangements, Japanese JAS-certified organic matcha can be imported directly into the USA and EU and sold as USDA Organic/EU Organic. However, importers must obtain the original JAS certificate (issued by a registered Japanese certifier) and verify customs HS codes, FDA prior notices, or EU TRACES registrations before shipping.

1. Understanding the Organic JAS Standard (日本農林規格)

In Japan, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) regulates the term "Organic" under the Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS). For matcha to receive the green JAS circular logo, the farm, milling facility, and packaging operator must be audited annually by a registered certification body.

The JAS standard is one of the most demanding organic regimes in the world. It prohibits not only synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides but also requires a strict 3-year transition period for fields, physical buffer zones to prevent drift from neighboring sun-grown fields, and dedicated processing machinery to prevent cross-contamination with conventional teas.

2. The US & EU Organic Equivalency Agreements

For international B2B buyers, the key legal framework is the National Organic Program (NOP) Equivalency (with the USDA) and the EU-Japan Organic Equivalency Agreement. Under these mutual arrangements:

USDA Organic: JAS-certified matcha grown and processed in Japan can be imported into the United States and labeled as "Organic" or "USDA Organic" without needing separate US auditing.
EU Organic: Similarly, JAS matcha can enter the European Union and bear the EU organic leaf logo.
Required Document: The exporter must provide a "Certificate of Import" (known as the NOP Import Certificate for the US, or COI via TRACES for the EU) issued by the Japanese certification body at the time of export.

3. Mandatory Customs & Compliance Checklists

To prevent costly customs seizures or clearance delays at your port of entry, make sure your sourcing exporter provides the following documents:

Import Region	Required Documentation / Registrations	Common Pitfalls
United States (FDA)	FDA Facility Registration Number, Prior Notice Filing, USDA NOP Import Certificate	Failing to file Prior Notice before the cargo lands; incorrect HS Code (0902.10.0000)
European Union (EU)	JAS Certificate of Inspection (COI) via TRACES system, customs entry declaration	Mismatched quantities between the COI and the bill of lading
Global (All regions)	Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate	General labeling errors; lack of clear allergen declarations if required

4. Why Partnering Directly with Yame Farmers Matters

Because organic certification requires extensive bookkeeping and auditing costs, many small-scale Japanese tea farmers cannot afford the certification process independently.

By sourcing directly from Yame Matcha Direct, you are buying from a consolidated network of cooperative farms that share certification resources. This allows us to offer consistent, certified organic output while directly supporting family farms with fair-value prices.

Karen Hashimoto

Curator & Export Compliance Director · Yame Matcha Direct

Karen sources directly from Japanese producers and handles export compliance for B2B buyers in 50+ countries. Based in Fukuoka, Japan. @konnichiwa.karen