Insights & Guides
Practical knowledge on Japan market entry — from company setup and visas to trade logistics and branding.
Do You Need an IOR in Japan? The Signs You're Ready (2026)
Most foreign companies find their way to an Importer of Record (IOR) conversation for one of two reasons: a shipment already got stuck at Japan Customs, or someone on the team asked "wait, who is...
Japan IOR for HVAC, Climate Control, and Industrial Cooling Equipment: Import Compliance for Foreign Manufacturers (2026)
Foreign manufacturers of HVAC systems, industrial chillers, precision climate control units, and cooling systems for data centers, cleanrooms, and manufacturing facilities are shipping...
ACP vs Tax Representative in Japan: Two Different Non-Resident Appointments Importers Often Confuse
Non-resident companies setting up to import into Japan routinely assume that appointing an Attorney for Customs Procedures (税関事務管理人, ACP) covers their entire non-resident compliance obligation. It...
Japan ACP for Singaporean Manufacturers: Non-Resident Importer Setup Under JSEPA (2026 Guide)
Singapore occupies a distinct position among the jurisdictions in this series: it is Japan's oldest bilateral economic partner agreement, and it functions as a regional headquarters, sourcing, and...
Can One ACP Cover Multiple Brands or Subsidiaries? Shared ACP Arrangements for Portfolio Companies
A private-equity operator with three portfolio brands shipping into Japan, or a multi-brand direct-to-consumer group with several distinct legal subsidiaries, will naturally ask whether one...
Can You Grant Stock Options to an Employee Hired Through EOR in Japan?
A SaaS company hiring its first Japan-based engineer or salesperson through an Employer of Record (EOR) arrangement almost always asks the same follow-up question once the offer letter is drafted:...
Japan IOR for Dropshipping: Who Is the Importer When the Merchant Never Touches the Goods
Dropshipping and merchant-fulfilled e-commerce share one structural feature that marketplace-warehouse and bulk-DTC models do not: the goods never stop at an intermediate point the merchant...
Japan IOR Consignment Stock and VMI Guide: Stocking Inventory in Japan Before the Sale Is Final
A foreign manufacturer selling into Japan through a vendor-managed inventory (VMI) arrangement or a consignment stock model faces a question its standard Importer of Record (IOR) setup was not...
Japan IOR and ACP Repair Re-Export Guide: Sending Equipment Back for Repair Without Losing Duty Relief on Re-Import
Equipment that has already cleared Japan Customs (税関) once does not simply sit still for the rest of its operating life. Industrial machinery, laboratory instruments, aerospace components, and...
Japan ACP Provider Transition Guide: How to Switch Your Attorney for Customs Procedures Without a Clearance Gap
Companies that appoint an Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP, 税関事務管理人) in Japan tend to plan carefully for the initial setup and then never think about the arrangement again until something...