Organic matcha wholesale, and the paperwork behind it
If your product carries an organic claim in the US, the certification chain matters as much as the powder. Here's how Japanese organic certification maps onto the US system, and what a buyer should confirm before ordering.
JAS organic and USDA organic are recognized as equivalent
Japan's organic standard is JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards), administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The United States runs the National Organic Program (NOP) under the USDA.
Since 1 January 2014 the two countries have operated an organic equivalence arrangement: JAS certified organic products can be sold as organic in the United States, and USDA certified organic products can be sold as organic in Japan, without needing a second certification. The arrangement has been expanded since — livestock and processed products with livestock ingredients were added in July 2020, and alcohol beverages in 2025.
For a tea buyer this is the useful part: a JAS organic matcha does not need to be re-certified to USDA in order to be labeled organic in the US. What it does need is the right documentation at import.
The NOP Import Certificate is not optional any more
This is where organic programs most often get stuck, and it is worth knowing before you place an order.
Under the USDA's Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule — published in January 2023 and fully in force since 19 March 2024 — every organic shipment entering the United States must be declared as organic and be covered by an electronic NOP Import Certificate.
- The certificate must be issued from the USDA Organic Integrity Database.
- It must be issued by the certifier of the exporter, not the importer.
- It must be issued before the date of export — it cannot be produced retroactively once the shipment has left.
- It records the quantity and origin of the organic product, so the figures have to match the rest of the entry paperwork.
Practically, that means the organic chain has to be agreed before the container is booked. A supplier who can't name the certifying body that will issue the certificate is a supplier whose shipment may not clear as organic.
What to ask any organic matcha supplier
- Which body certifies the farm, and which certifies the processing and packing facility? They are often not the same.
- Can you see a current certificate, with the scope and expiry visible?
- Is the specific product you're buying inside that scope — including the packing format?
- Who issues the NOP Import Certificate, and at what point in the process?
- If you blend or repack in the US, is your own facility certified? Handling an organic product can require certification of your operation too.
None of these are unreasonable questions, and a supplier used to export work will answer them without friction.
Organic is a claim, not a flavor grade
Worth separating in your head: organic certification tells you how the leaf was grown and handled. It does not tell you the cultivar, the harvest, the shading period, or how finely the tencha was milled — and those are what determine whether the matcha tastes good in your drink.
A certified organic matcha can be excellent or mediocre. Evaluate the powder on its own terms alongside the certificate, using the same checks described in our ceremonial grade and culinary grade guides.
How we handle organic requests
Organic availability depends on the harvest and the producer, so we don't make blanket claims about our full range on this page. Tell us the market you're selling into, the claim you need to make on pack, and your volume — we'll confirm what's available and make sure the certification chain works end to end before anything ships.
Frequently asked questions
Can JAS organic matcha be sold as USDA organic in the United States?
Yes. Under the US–Japan organic equivalence arrangement in place since January 2014, JAS certified organic products can be sold as organic in the US without a separate USDA certification, provided the import documentation requirements are met.
What is an NOP Import Certificate?
It is an electronic certificate, issued from the USDA Organic Integrity Database by the exporter's certifier, recording the quantity and origin of an organic shipment. Since 19 March 2024 it has been mandatory for organic shipments entering the United States, and it must be issued before the date of export.
Does organic certification tell me how good the matcha tastes?
No. Certification covers how the leaf was grown and handled. Cultivar, harvest timing, shading, and milling determine flavor and color, so evaluate the powder separately from the certificate.
Do I need my own organic certification as a buyer?
If you repack, blend, or process the matcha and want to keep the organic claim, your own operation may need to be certified. If you sell it in sealed retail packaging exactly as received, requirements are generally lighter. Confirm your situation with a certifying agent.
Sourcing certified organic matcha
Tell us which market you're selling into and what claim you need to make, and we'll confirm what's available and how the certification chain would work.