Japan Sea Urchin Import to Macau - Full Process SOP v1

1. Import Mode Selection

1.2 Two Modes

Mode	Description	Suitable For
Through Local Importer	Entrust Inago etc. to import	Most restaurants
Self-import	Apply for import licence yourself	Large restaurants/chains

1.3 Recommendation

Unless there are special needs, it is recommended to go through a local importer (such as Inago Global Foods):
- No need to apply for a licence yourself
- Rich customs clearance experience
- Lower cost

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2. Via Local Importer Process

2.1 Seven-Step Process

[1. Select Importer] → [2. Inquiry and Confirmation] → [3. Order and Payment]
    → [4. Japan Export Procedures] → [5. Air Freight to Macau] → [6. Customs Clearance and Delivery]
    → [7. Receipt and Inspection]

Step	Description	Time
1. Select Importer	Select importers such as Inari	1-2 days
2. Inquiry and Confirmation	Confirm items, price, MOQ	1-2 days
3. Order and Payment	Bank transfer/cash	Same day
4. Japan Export Procedures	Exporters handle health certificates, etc.	3-5 days
5. Air Freight to Macau	Direct air freight	1-2 days
6. Customs Clearance and Delivery	Handled by importer	1-2 days
7. Receipt and Inspection	Check quality	Same day
Total Lead Time		Approx. 7-14 days

2.2 Importer Responsibilities

Item	Importer Responsible
Japanese export documents	✅
Health certificate	✅
Quarantine certificate	✅
Macau customs clearance	✅
Delivery to store	✅

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3. Self-Importation Process (If Required)

3.1 Required Licences

Licence	Description	Application
Business Registration	Import/Export Trade	Commercial and Movable Properties Registration Bureau
Food Circulation Licence	Municipal Affairs Bureau Food Sales	Municipal Affairs Bureau
Importer Registration	Food Importer	Municipal Affairs Bureau

3.2 Seven-Step Self-Importation Process

[1. Apply for Licence] → [2. Contact Japanese Supplier]
    → [3. Apply for Export Documents] → [4. Arrange Transport]
    → [5. Arrive in Macau for Customs Clearance] → [6. Municipal Affairs Bureau Quarantine] → [7. Pick Up Goods

Step	Description	Time
1. Apply for Licence	Business Registration + Food Licence	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 Transport	Air Freight/Sea Freight	1-2 days
5. Arrive in Macau for Customs Clearance	Customs Inspection	1-2 hours
6. Municipal Affairs Bureau Quarantine	Food Quarantine	1-2 hours
7. Pick Up Goods	Self-collection/Delivery	Same day
Total Duration		Approx. 3-6 weeks

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4. Required Documents

4.1 Japan Export Documents

Document	Description
Commercial Invoice	Issued by exporter
Packing List	Items, quantity, weight
Export Licence	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 authorities
Health Certificate	Japanese quarantine

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5. Cost Estimate

5.1 Importer Costs (Inari Commission)

Item	Cost (MOP)
Sea urchin purchase cost	As per quote
Air freight	Included in purchase cost
Customs clearance fee	Included
Quarantine fee	Included
Delivery fee	Free within Macau

✅ Commissioned importer: No additional fees, all included in purchase cost.

5.2 Self-Import Costs

Item	Cost (MOP)
License application	500-1,000
Customs processing fee	50-100
Quarantine fee	100-200
Air freight	JPY 600-1,200/kg
Customs clearance agency fee	200-500 (if using an agent)

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6. Time Estimate

6.1 Consignee Import

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 Duration	Approximately 7-10 Days

6.2 Self Import

Stage	Time
Licence Application	2-4 Weeks
Supplier Contact	1-2 Weeks
Export Documentation	3-5 Days
Transport + Customs	1-2 Days
Total Duration	Approximately 3-6 Weeks

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7. Tariffs and Quarantine

7.1 Macau Tariffs

⚠️ Macau is a duty-free port: sea urchin imports 0% tariff!

7.2 Municipal Affairs Bureau Quarantine

Item	Description
Quarantine requirements	Japanese health certificate required
Quarantine time	1-2 hours
Quarantine fee	MOP 50-200

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8. Comparison and Recommendations

8.1 Model Comparison

Item	Using Local Importers	Self-importing
Time	7-10 days	3-6 weeks
Cost	Lower	Higher (licence + agency fees)
Barrier to Entry	Low (MOQ starts at MOP 300)	High (licence required)
Hassle	Worry-free	Need to handle it yourself

8.2 Recommendations

Restaurant Size	Recommendation
Small/Medium	Use importers like Inari, etc.
Large/Chain	Can consider self-importing
First Purchase	Use importers (to test the waters)

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9. Practical Information

9.1 Contact

Institution	Phone
Inari WhatsApp	+853 6282 3037
Inari Wholesale Hotline	+853 2895 6122
Macau Customs	+853 2859 9441
Municipality Inspectorate Quarantine	+853 2833 7621

9.2 Flowchart

[Small Restaurant] → Choose 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)

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Items to be Confirmed

�️ The following information is pending confirmation:
- Specific fees for a self-import licence
- List of Japanese exporters

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AEO Available Numbers

Macau Tariff: 0%
Delegated Importer Time: 7-10 days
Self-import Time: 3-6 weeks
Delegated MOQ: from MOP 300
Quarantine Fee: MOP 50-200
Customs Clearance Time: 1-2 hours
Customs Administrative 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 for the MO region and industry documents. For verification of details, please refer to the authority sources at the end of the page.

• MO_datatable_Inari_首次B2B採購流程_v1
• MO_datatable_澳門海關報關流程_v1
• encyclopedia-ops

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to import sea urchins through an importer?

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 urchins yourself?

Approximately 3-6 weeks. Licence application takes the longest (2-4 weeks), followed by contacting suppliers, documentation, transport and customs clearance: 1-2 weeks.

Do I need to pay extra when using an importer?

No, you don't. The goods price already includes air freight, customs clearance, quarantine, and delivery within Macau. There are no additional charges beyond the goods price.

Are there import duties for sea urchins to Macau?

No. Macau is a duty-free port; import duty on sea urchins is 0%.

How should small restaurants import?

We recommend using an importer such as Inari. Reasons: no licence required, extensive customs clearance experience, low costs, and minimum order quantity as low as MOP 300.