Clearing customs is only half the import challenge. Even with a perfect ACP setup, your goods will be stopped if they don't meet Japan's product safety regulations. And since December 2025, foreign sellers face new obligations that extend Japanese safety law beyond the border.
Lighters, hot water equipment, oil heaters, oil water heaters
🆕 December 2025 Reform — Child PSC Mark
🔴 Effective 25 December 2025: All toys intended for children under 3 years (36 months) must carry the Child PSC Mark. This is a new mandatory certification — products without the mark cannot legally be sold in Japan.
Requirement
Detail
Scope
Toys for children under 36 months
Testing
Mechanical safety, physical hazards, flammability
Standards
Japanese technical standards (aligned with ISO 8124 / ST2025)
Mark
Child PSC Mark on product and/or packaging
Age warning
Must be displayed in Japanese
Registration
Business notification to METI required
3. December 2025 — Extra-Territorial Obligations for Foreign Sellers#
What Changed
Previously, only Japanese importers bore compliance obligations under the Four Product Safety Acts. The December 2025 amendment extends these obligations to foreign sellers who sell regulated products directly to Japanese consumers (e.g., via e-commerce platforms).
Obligation
Before Dec 2025
After Dec 2025
Business notification to METI
JP importer only
Foreign seller too
Domestic Representative (国内管理人)
Not required for foreign sellers
Mandatory
PS Mark display
JP importer's responsibility
Foreign seller's responsibility
Accident reporting
JP importer
Foreign seller too
Product recall
JP importer
Foreign seller too
Record retention
JP importer
Foreign seller too
Domestic Representative Requirement
Foreign sellers of PSE/PSC-regulated products must now appoint a Domestic Representative (国内管理人) in Japan — a JP-resident individual or entity that:
💡 Some ACP providers now offer combined ACP + Domestic Representative services, creating a single compliance partner for customs and product safety.
Import notification to MHLW quarantine station before or at import
Food additives
Must be on Japan's positive list
Food-contact materials (kitchenware, packaging)
Material safety testing per MHLW standards
Designated toys (for children who may mouth them)
Chemical safety testing (paints, coatings, adhesives)
Import Flow for Food Products
① Prepare product documentation + test reports
│
② Submit import notification (輸入届出) to quarantine station
│
③ Quarantine inspection (document check / physical inspection / lab test)
│
④ Receive import notification certificate (if passed)
│
⑤ Customs clearance via ACP/IOR
│
⑥ Distribution
⚠️ Labeling: All food products sold in Japan must carry Japanese-language labels with ingredients, allergens (27 specified items), nutritional information, expiry date, and the name/address of the importer.
What are you importing?
│
┌────┴────────────────────────┐
│ │
Electronic? Non-electronic?
│ │
▼ ▼
PSE required Consumer product?
(+ TELEC if wireless) │
┌────┴────┐
│ │
For kids Other
under 3?
│ │
▼ ▼
Child PSC Check PSC
Mark categories
required
ALL PRODUCTS: Check Food Sanitation Act if food/food-contact
