Country/Territory profiles

Japan

  • 1. Are laws and regulations published in official journal? (Art 1 TFA)

    Yes

  • 2a. Is there an opportunity to comment on new regulations and changes to existing ones prior to implementation? (Art 2.1.1 TFA)

    Yes (It is reviewed by Council on Customs and Tariff.)

  • 2b. After the authorities have decided on new or changed regulations is there advance notice of the effective date (or a delayed effective date) to allow traders to make necessary changes and arrangements? (Art 2.1.2 TFA)

    Yes

  • 3. Does Customs issue advance (pre-entry) rulings, binding on all Customs ports, on classification and valuation questions?

    Sometimes / Other (add remark) (When impoters ask, yes. Not always.)

  • 4. Is there a public and regularly updated website available with

    • a. Laws and regulations? (Art 1 TFA)

      Yes

    • b. full description of all Customs procedures? (Art 2 TFA)

      Yes

    • c. access to appeal procedure? (Art 2 TFA)

      No (Not in web.Call or visit the JP customs. We can get the information on web.)

    • d. all forms and documents required for import and export? (Art 2 TFA)

      Other (add remark) (Not sure about "ALL". Most of cases are available on web.)

  • 5a. Are there other rules or procedures by Customs or any other government entity that in your experience restrict the operation of express delivery services in your country, such as:

    • a. Restrict the use of clearance procedures for express items by weight, quantity or value? (Art 7.8.2c TFA)

      No

    • b. Other? Please specify:

  • 5b. If the answer to Q5a-a is "yes", what is the

    • a. weight

    • b. quantity

    • c. and/or value (local currency / USD)

  • 6. URL for Customs website

    https://www.customs.go.jp/index.htm

  • 1a. Does Customs accept and process electronically the data required for release of shipments in advance of their actual arrival so that they can be released either prior to or immediately after arrival? (Art 7.1 TFA)

    Yes

  • 1b. Can formalities for final clearance be completed through electronic means post-release?

    Yes

  • 2a. When are the following shipments typically released (WCO Immediate Release Guidelines)?

    • a. Letters and Documents (Cat. 1 of IRG)

      Other (add remark) (All necessary information(importer info, weight, value, etc.) are ready, will be released before arrive. (pre-clearance))

    • b. Low-value non dutiable items (e.g de minimis) (Cat 2 of IRG)

      Other (add remark) (Depends on commodities. What is IRG?)

    • c. Low value dutiable items (Cat. 3 of IRG)

      Other (add remark) (Depends on commodities. What is IRG?)

    • d. High value dutiable items (Cat. 4 of IRG)

      Other (add remark) (Depends on commodities.)

  • 3. Is physical release of goods separate from clearance? (Will Customs release goods prior to completion of all formalities and final settlement of accounts?) (Art 7.3 TFA)

    No

  • 4. Is full-time (24/7) automated processing for the customs ports at which you operate available?

    Yes

  • 5a. Are the official working hours of the Customs office and personnel adapted to commercial needs and applied at local level? (RKC Std 3.1)

    Yes

  • 5b. Are there fees for Customs services during normal working hours?

    No

  • 5c. Does Customs and other agencies provide clearance services outside of the official office hours?

    Yes

    • and if so, is there a published set of fees?

      No

  • 5d. Will Customs provide dedicated clearance services away from the Customs office for a fee? (e.g. clearance at Express Consignment Facilities and Hubs)

    No

  • 6. For shipments arriving by air, does Customs inspect and release goods at the operator's facility or require their transfer to another facility? (Art 7.8.1a TFA)

    Other (add remark) (JP Customs inspects many shipments in our facility.)

  • 7a. Does Customs apply risk-management and risk-based selectivity to select items for documentary and/or physical examination? (Art 7.4 TFA)

    Yes

  • 7b. Does any other agency apply risk-management and risk-based selectivity to select items for documentary and/or physical examination? (Art 7.4 TFA)

    Sometimes (add remark)

  • 8a. Are there multiple inspections (inspections by agencies other than Customs)?

    No

  • 8b. Are they fully coordinated? (Art 8.1 TFA; RKC Std 3.35)

    Yes

  • 9a. Does the customs administration apply a de minimis regime that allows goods the value of which does not exceed a certain amount to be exempted from duties and taxes? (Art 7.8.2d TFA; RKC Std 4.13)

    Yes

  • 9b. If the answer above is "yes" what is that amount in local currency?

    JPY 10,000 or less (Varies by HS code. Some commodities are dutiable below the de minimis.)

    • What is the rough equivalent in USD?

      60 USD (62 USD as of 2 July 24)

  • 9c. Is de minimis based on intrinsic value (i. e. the cost of the goods without transport and insurance costs)?

    Yes

  • 9d. If the answer to 9a is "yes", are those goods subject to simplified procedures e.g. consolidated release/clearance or 'off manifest'? (Art 7.8.2a TFA)

    Yes (Manifest clearance is available)

  • 10a. Does the customs administration apply an informal/simplified entry threshold that allows dutiable goods the value of which does not exceed a certain amount to be exempted from formal declaration procedures (WCO IRG Cat 3) e.g. as in the US for goods valued between $800 and $2500?

    Yes

  • 10b. If the answer above is "yes" what is that amount in local currency?

    JPY 200,000 or less

    • What is the rough equivalent in USD?

      More than 600 USD (1248 USD (As of Jul2,24))

  • 11a. Does Customs or any other agency require in connection with importation of goods that the importer provide any of the following items:

    • a. a consular invoice or a consular visa for a commercial invoice or other trade document (as evidence that particular goods are of a particular origin, or have arrived in a particular importing country, or have been applied to a particular end use)?

      Yes

    • b. a certificate from a pre-shipment inspection agency? (Art 10.5 TFA)

      Yes (Some are yes. Some are no. Depends on HS.)

    • c. a certificate of origin from a chamber of commerce or similar agency?

      Yes (Some are yes. Some are no. Depends on HS.)

  • 11b. Does Customs or any other agency accept electronic supporting documents? (Art 10.2 TFA)

    Yes

  • 11c. Does Customs or any other agency accept scanned copies of supporting documents?

    Other (add remark) (Some are yes. Some are no. Depends on documents.)

  • 12. Is the express carrier allowed to clear import shipments on behalf of the consignee without having to use a third-party licensed customs broker? (RKC Std 8.1)

    Yes (The express carrier must have customs broker business license.)

  • 13a. Are there processing fees for:

    • a. express clearance?

      No (But if additional service is required, yes.)

    • b. on-site Customs facilities?

      No

    • c. IT systems?

      Yes (NACCS transaction fee is charged per transaction.)

    • d. electronic transmissions by number or volume?

      No

    • e. other?

      Yes (Depends on service)

  • 13b. Are these fees based on the value of the goods? (Art 6.2 (ii) TFA)

    No

  • 1a. Is there a limit on the time within which Customs is allowed to demand additional duties? (RKC Std 4.2)

    Yes

  • 1b. If the answer above is "yes", what is the time limit?

    5 years

  • 2a. May decisions of local Customs officials be appealed to a higher administrative level? (Art 4 TFA)

    Yes

  • 2b. May decisions of local Customs officials be appealed to an independent court? (Art 4 TFA)

    Yes

  • 2c. If the answer to either question 2a or 2b above is "yes" is there a time limit for filing such appeals?

    Yes

  • 2d. If the answer to question 2c is "yes" what is the time limit?

    Other/It depends (add remark) (Depends on level. See link https://www.customs.go.jp/english/c-answer_e/sonota/9401_e.htm)

  • 2e. If the answer to either question 2a or 2b is "yes", is there a time limit to rule on such appeals? (Art 4.4 TFA)

    Yes

  • 2f. If yes, what is the time limit?

    Other (add remark) (3 months for the Director-General of Customs 1 year for the Minister of Finance)

  • 3. Does Customs regularly use valuation databases with reference prices or other arbitrary uplifts to invoice values? (WCO Guidelines on the use of valuation databases)

    Sometimes / Other (add remark) (Not sure. JP customs may not disclose it. )

  • 4a. In case of seizures of illicit items (e.g. IPR), does Customs or any other agency require the express carrier to store the seized goods at its own premises and cost?

    Yes

  • 4b. If the answer to question 4a is "yes", how long is the period that the carrier is required to store the goods?

    Other (add remark) (JP customs asks ASAP, but not sure about the exact when.)

  • 4c. If the answer to 4a is yes, does Customs take care of the final disposition of the goods...

    Yes (Some prohibited items are handled by JP customs.)

    • ...or is the express carrier required to destroy them?

      Yes (Some are yes. Depends on the commodities.)

  • 1. Signatory to the Revised Kyoto Convention (Customs Reform)

    Yes

  • 1. TFA ratified?

    Yes

  • 2. Has the country set up a National Trade Facilitation Committee?

    Yes

    • a. Who leads it?

      Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    • b. Is the private sector part of it?

      Yes

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