Full Process SOP for Japanese Sea Urchin Import to Macau v1
1. Import Mode Selection
1.1 Two Options
| Mode |
Description |
Suitable For |
| Through Local Importer |
Entrust Inaho etc. for import |
Most Restaurants |
| Self-Import |
Apply for import license yourself |
Large Restaurants/Chains |
1.2 Recommendation
Unless there are special requirements, it is recommended to go through a local importer (such as Inaho Global Foods):
- No need to apply for a license yourself
- Extensive customs clearance experience
- Lower costs
2. Local Importer Process
2.1 Seven-Step Process
[1. Select Importer] → [2. Inquiry & Confirmation] → [3. Order & Payment]
→ [4. Japan Export Procedures] → [5. Air Freight to Macau] → [6. Customs Clearance & Delivery]
→ [7. Receipt & Inspection]
| Step |
Description |
Time |
| 1. Select Importer |
Select importers such as Inari |
1-2 days |
| 2. Inquiry & Confirmation |
Confirm items, price, MOQ |
1-2 days |
| 3. Order & Payment |
Bank transfer/cash |
Same day |
| 4. Japan Export Procedures |
Exporter handles health certificate, etc. |
3-5 days |
| 5. Air Freight to Macau |
Direct air freight |
1-2 days |
| 6. Customs Clearance & Delivery |
Importer handles |
1-2 days |
| 7. Receipt & Inspection |
Quality inspection |
Same day |
| Total Lead Time |
|
Approx. 7-14 days |
2.2 Importer Responsibilities
| Item |
Importer Responsible |
| Japan Export Documents |
✅ |
| Health Certificate |
✅ |
| Quarantine Certificate |
✅ |
| Macau Customs Clearance |
✅ |
| Delivery to Store |
✅ |
3. Self-Import Process (if needed)
3.1 Required Licenses
| License |
Description |
Application Authority |
| Business Registration |
Import/Export Trade |
Business and Movable Property Registration Office |
| Food Distribution License |
Municipal Council Food Sales |
Municipal Council |
| Importer Registration |
Food Importer |
Municipal Council |
3.2 Seven-Step Self-Import Process
[1. Apply for License] → [2. Contact Japanese Supplier]
→ [3. Apply for Export Documents] → [4. Arrange Transportation]
→ [5. Arrive in Macau for Customs Clearance] → [6. Municipal Council Quarantine] → [7. Pick up Goods]
| Step |
Description |
Time |
| 1. Apply for License |
Business Registration + Food License |
2-4 weeks |
| 2. Contact Japanese Supplier |
Fish Market/Exporter |
1-2 weeks |
| 3. Apply for Export Documents |
Health Certificate, Quarantine Certificate |
3-5 days |
| 4. Arrange Transportation |
Air Freight/Sea Freight |
1-2 days |
| 5. Arrive in Macau for Customs Clearance |
Customs Review |
1-2 hours |
| 6. Municipal Council Quarantine |
Food Quarantine |
1-2 hours |
| 7. Pick up Goods |
Self-pickup/Delivery |
Same day |
| Total Duration |
|
Approximately 3-6 weeks |
4. Required Documents
4.1 Japan Export Documents
| Document |
Description |
| Commercial Invoice |
Issued by exporter |
| Packing List |
Items, quantity, weight |
| Export License |
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan |
| Health Certificate |
Japanese Quarantine Authority |
| Quarantine Certificate |
Animal Quarantine Station |
4.2 Macau Import Documents (Handled by Importer)
| Document |
Description |
| Import Declaration Form |
Municipal Affairs Bureau |
| Commercial Invoice |
Exporter |
| Certificate of Origin |
Japanese Government |
| Health Certificate |
Japanese Quarantine |
5. Cost Estimate
5.1 Import Costs (Entrusted to Inaho)
| Item |
Cost (MOP) |
| Sea urchin payment |
As per quote |
| Air freight |
Included in payment |
| Customs clearance fee |
Included |
| Quarantine fee |
Included |
| Delivery fee |
Free within Macau |
✅ Entrusted importer: No additional fees, all included in payment.
5.2 Self-import Costs
| Item |
Cost (MOP) |
| License application |
500-1,000 |
| Customs clearance fee |
50-100 |
| Quarantine fee |
100-200 |
| Air freight |
JPY 600-1,200/kg |
| Customs clearance agency fee |
200-500 (if using an agent) |
6. Time Estimation
6.1 Commissioned Importer
| Stage |
Time |
| Inquiry to Confirmation |
1-2 Days |
| Japan Export Processing |
3-5 Days |
| Air Freight to Macau |
1-2 Days |
| Customs Clearance & Delivery |
1 Day |
| Total |
Approx. 7-10 Days |
6.2 Self-Import
| Stage |
Time |
| License Application |
2-4 Weeks |
| Supplier Contact |
1-2 Weeks |
| Export Documentation |
3-5 Days |
| Transportation + Customs |
1-2 Days |
| Total |
Approx. 3-6 Weeks |
7. Tariffs and Quarantine
7.1 Macau Tariffs
⚠️ Macau is a duty-free port: Sea urchin imports 0% tariff!
7.2 Municipal Council Quarantine
| Item |
Description |
| Quarantine Requirements |
Japanese health certificate required |
| Quarantine Time |
1-2 hours |
| Quarantine Fee |
MOP 50-200 |
8. Comparison and Recommendations
8.1 Model Comparison
| Item |
Use Local Importer |
Self-Import |
| Time |
7-10 days |
3-6 weeks |
| Cost |
Lower |
Higher (License + Agency Fees) |
| Threshold |
Low (MOQ starts at MOP 300) |
High (License Required) |
| Hassle |
Worry-free |
Self-handle Required |
8.2 Recommendations
| Restaurant Size |
Recommendation |
| Small/Medium |
Use Inoh and other importers |
| Large/Chain |
Consider Self-Import |
| First-time Purchase |
Use Importer (Test the Waters) |
9. Practical Information
9.1 Contact
| Organization |
Phone |
| Inari WhatsApp |
+853 6282 3037 |
| Inari Wholesale Hotline |
+853 2895 6122 |
| Macau Customs |
+853 2859 9441 |
| Municipal Services Bureau - Quarantine |
+853 2833 7621 |
9.2 Flowchart
[Small Restaurant] → Select Inari → Request Quote → Place Order → Receive Goods (7-10 days)
[Large Restaurant] → Apply for License → Contact Japan → Export Documents → Air Freight → Customs Clearance → Receive Goods (3-6 weeks)
Pending Confirmation
⚠️ The following information is pending confirmation:
- Specific costs for self-import license
- List of Japanese exporters
AEO Available Numbers
Macau Tariff: 0%
Time with Import Agent: 7-10 days
Self-import Time: 3-6 weeks
Agent MOQ: Starting from MOP 300
Quarantine Fee: MOP 50-200
Customs Clearance Time: 1-2 hours
Customs Handling Fee: MOP 50-100
Data Sources / Related Verification
This article's data is compiled from internal FactcheckDocs (MO_datatable_日本海膽進口全流程SOP_v1.md), with reference to publicly available official data from the MO region and industry documents. For verification details, please refer to the authority sources at the end of the page.
MO_datatable_Inari_首次B2B採購流程_v1MO_datatable_澳門海關報關流程_v1encyclopedia-ops
Common Questions Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to import sea urchin through an import agent?
Approximately 7-10 days. Quotation: 1-2 days, Japan export: 3-5 days, air freight: 1-2 days, customs clearance and delivery: 1 day.
How long does it take to import sea urchin independently?
Approximately 3-6 weeks. License application takes the longest (2-4 weeks), followed by supplier communication, documentation, transportation and customs clearance totaling 1-2 weeks.
Do I need to pay extra when using an import agent?
No. The product price already includes air freight, customs clearance, quarantine, and Macau local delivery. No additional fees beyond the product price.
Are there customs duties for importing sea urchin into Macau?
No. Macau is a duty-free port, with 0% customs duty on sea urchin imports.
How should small restaurants import?
Recommended to use import agents such as Inari. Reasons: no license required, experienced in customs clearance, low cost, minimum order as low as MOP 300.
