Importing Matcha into the UK and EU: Pesticide Limits and Documentation

By the Origin Leaf Japan team | Reviewed by Yasuhiro Odajima, Chief Matcha Officer | Last updated: October 2026

Short answer: In the EU and the UK, the biggest compliance issue for Japanese matcha is pesticide residues. Both apply strict maximum residue levels (MRLs), with a default limit of 0.01 mg/kg for pesticide and food combinations that have no specific MRL. Importers should obtain residue analysis against the destination's limits, ensure compliant labeling, and use the preferential tariff available under Japan's trade agreements with the EU and the UK. This is general information, not legal advice.

Key takeaways

• EU MRLs are set under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005; the UK retained this framework but now maintains its own GB MRL Register, and the two can differ.
• Where no specific MRL exists, a default of 0.01 mg/kg applies.
• Anthraquinone has an MRL of 0.02 mg/kg for tea and has caused tea rejections internationally.
• Japan's EPA with the EU and CEPA with the UK provide preferential tariffs for qualifying Japanese tea.
• The importer, as the food business operator, is responsible for compliance.

Pesticide maximum residue levels

The EU operates a positive-list system: each pesticide and commodity combination has a specific MRL, and anything not listed defaults to 0.01 mg/kg. Japan's permitted pesticides and limits differ from the EU's, so tea that is fully legal in Japan can exceed EU or UK limits for a substance that is authorized in Japan but not in Europe. Tea is tested as dry leaf in Europe, which makes limits harder to meet than if they applied to the brewed drink.

Since leaving the EU, Great Britain applies its own MRLs through the GB MRL Register. The rules started from the same base but are diverging over time, so check the specific register for your market. Northern Ireland follows EU rules.

Anthraquinone

Anthraquinone is a compound with an MRL of 0.02 mg/kg for tea in the EU. Exceedances have affected tea trade from several producing countries, and contamination can come from sources other than direct pesticide use, such as processing or the environment. Ask suppliers whether they test for it.

What documentation should you request?

• Residue analysis from an accredited laboratory against EU or GB MRLs, for the lot you will import
• Specifications and certificate of analysis
• Origin documentation supporting preferential tariff claims
• Farm and factory certifications
• Organic certificates if marketing as organic

Radioactivity controls

The EU and the UK removed their remaining post-2011 import restrictions on Japanese food, including tea, in 2023 and 2021 respectively. Importers should still monitor official notices in case requirements change.

Tariffs under Japan's trade agreements

Tea falls under HS heading 0902. Under the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and the UK–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, qualifying Japanese green tea can enter at preferential tariff rates, typically zero, when the importer holds a valid origin statement. Confirm the current rates and origin procedures with your customs adviser.

Labeling and organic claims

Retail packs sold in the EU must comply with Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information, including name, net quantity, country of origin where required, food business operator details, and labeling in the language of the market. In the UK, equivalent retained rules apply. Products certified under Japan's Organic JAS can be imported as organic into the EU under the EU–Japan organic equivalence arrangement when conditions are met; check the latest requirements and import certificate procedures.

Practical steps for UK and EU buyers

1. Confirm the specific MRL register for your market.
2. Request lot-specific residue testing before shipment.
3. Agree on who holds origin statements for preferential tariffs.
4. Prepare compliant labels.
5. Keep records to demonstrate due diligence.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is Japanese matcha safe for the EU market?

A: Much Japanese tea meets EU limits, but compliance depends on the specific pesticide program used. Lot-specific testing is the reliable answer.

Q: Are UK and EU pesticide limits the same?

A: They began the same but are diverging. Check the GB MRL Register for Great Britain and the EU Pesticides Database for the EU.

Q: Does Origin Leaf Japan ship to the UK and EU?

A: Yes, we work with buyers in the UK and EU. Tell us your market and we will discuss testing and documentation.

Related reading: 40. How to Source Wholesale Matcha from Japan: A Buyer's Checklist; 43. Importing Matcha into the US: FDA Registration, FSVP and Prior Notice Explained; 45. What Is ASIAGAP, and Why Should Matcha Buyers Care?

Sources and further reading: European Commission, EU Pesticides Database and Regulation (EC) No 396/2005; UK Health and Safety Executive, GB MRL Register; JETRO export guidance for green tea to the UK; FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea.

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