Insights & Guides
Practical knowledge on Japan market entry — from company setup and visas to trade logistics and branding.
Does One Japan ACP Appointment Cover Every Port of Entry, or Do You Need a Separate Filing per Customs Office?
No. A Japan ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures / 税関事務管理人) appointment under Article 95 of the Customs Act (関税法第95条) is recorded with one Customs office at a time. Bringing goods through a second...
Does a Bag's Outer Material Change Its Japan Import Duty Rate? (2026)
Yes. Japan Customs (税関) classifies bags, cases and wallets under Harmonized System heading 42.02 primarily by outer surface material, not by product name or intended use. The same style of tote or...
Can a Non-Resident Be the Importer of Record for a Food Shipment Into Japan?
No. A non-resident cannot be the importer of record for a food shipment into Japan, and appointing an Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP, 税関事務管理人) does not change that answer. Quarantine station...
Who Is Legally Responsible for a Japan Dangerous Goods Shipper's Declaration? (2026)
The signatory of a Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) carries full legal responsibility for that shipment's regulatory conformity and must hold current IATA/ICAO dangerous goods training...
Can a Japan ACP Appointment Be Backdated to Cover a Shipment That Already Cleared Customs? (2026)
No. An Attorney for Customs Procedures (税関事務管理人) appointment cannot be backdated to cover a shipment that already cleared. The notification that creates the appointment must be on file with Japan...
Does an Imported Food Product Need a Japanese-Language Label to Sell in Japan? Food Labeling Standards Explained (2026)
Yes. Any food product sold at retail in Japan, imported or domestic, must carry a Japanese-language label meeting the Food Labeling Standards (食品表示基準), administered by the Consumer Affairs Agency...
Does an Imported Food Product Need a Business Notification (営業届出) to Sell in Japan?
No. Importing a sealed, retail-packaged, ambient-stable food product and reselling it unopened does not require a business notification (営業届出) under the Food Sanitation Act (食品衛生法). The Act...
Does a PSE Certificate Expire in Japan? Diamond vs Circle Renewal Rules (2026)
Yes for Diamond PSE, no for Circle PSE, but with a catch. A Diamond PSE (特定電気用品) certificate carries a fixed validity period of 3, 5, or 7 years and must be renewed before it lapses. A Circle PSE...
What Is AEO Status With Japan Customs, and Does It Actually Speed Up Import Clearance? (2026)
Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status (AEO制度) is a Japan Customs (税関) authorization, administered under the Customs Act (関税法) and overseen by the Ministry of Finance (財務省), that recognizes an...
HS Code for Aircraft Parts, Drones, and Balloons in Japan: 2026 Classification Guide
A complete unmanned aircraft (drone) is classified under HS 8806, a complete balloon or airship with no independent propulsion falls under HS 8801.00, and a part or payload of an aircraft or...