We assume full legal responsibility for your cross-border shipments into and out of Japan — delivering clearance certainty, regulatory peace of mind, and a single point of accountability for hazardous, controlled, and regulated goods.
Without a compliant Importer of Record on file, shipments to Japan face seizure at the border, customs fines under 関税法, indefinite holds — or destruction of goods at your cost.
Scope of responsibility is defined in our engagement terms.
Whether your goods are entering or departing Japan, Aplash holds the legal designation required to ensure full compliance at every stage of the customs process.
Note: Non-resident clients who wish to retain their own status as Importer of Record while delegating customs procedures to Aplash should use our ACP service (Tax Customs Administrator / 関税法 第95条) instead. IOR and ACP are structurally distinct legal frameworks.
Aplash G.K. becomes the Importer of Record — assuming all statutory obligations imposed upon the importing entity under Japanese customs law.
Aplash G.K. bears direct responsibility as Importer of Record; customs declarations are executed in practice by our licensed customs broker partners.
Foreign enterprises without a registered Japanese legal entity, or those importing regulated, licensed, or controlled goods requiring specialist designation.
Aplash G.K. becomes the Exporter of Record — ensuring all export control obligations under Japanese and international trade law are thoroughly discharged.
Aplash G.K. bears direct responsibility as Exporter of Record; customs declarations are executed in practice by our licensed customs broker partners.
Companies exporting goods from Japan who require export control compliance, classification advisory, or end-user verification before shipment.
We specialise in commodity types that require specialist permits, licences, or multi-agency regulatory coordination — managed as a single, accountable engagement.
Classification, documentation, and customs declaration for shipments governed by IATA DGR and IMDG Code — fully managed for both air and sea freight.
IATA DGR / IMDG Code compliant handling
UN38.3 testing compliance and Section II / IA packing instruction management handled end to end, including declaration and clearance by Aplash as Importer of Record.
UN38.3 · IATA Section II / IA certified process
Import management for chemical substances subject to pre-manufacture notification and toxic materials controls — permit acquisition included.
化審法 — Chemical Substances Control Law: pre-manufacture notification required before import · 毒劇物取締法 — Poisonous & Deleterious Substances Control Law
Class I through IV device designation, import permit acquisition, and customs clearance — the complete 薬機法 pathway managed by Aplash as Importer of Record.
薬機法 — Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Act: import permit required for all device classes I–IV
PSE mark coordination and technical conformity management for electrical appliances and radio equipment entering the Japanese market.
電安法 — Electrical Appliance Safety Act · 電波法 — Radio Act: type approval (型式確認) mandatory before market entry
Customs clearance and regulatory support for food, beverages, supplements, and functional foods — notification obligations managed by Aplash as Importer of Record.
食品衛生法 — Food Sanitation Act: inspection notification required on every shipment · 機能性表示食品制度 — functional food labelling notification
Certification coordination for equipment subject to hazardous materials handling and high-pressure gas regulations before entry or deployment.
消防法 — Fire Service Act · 高圧ガス保安法 — High Pressure Gas Safety Act: hazardous materials handling certification required
該非判定 advisory, end-user screening, and multi-jurisdiction coordination for goods with strategic or export-controlled applications.
外為法 — Foreign Exchange & Foreign Trade Act: export controls and 該非判定 classification required · ECCN/EAR US jurisdiction overlay
For commodity types not listed here, contact our team for a confidential assessment.
Every engagement is conducted in strict accordance with Japanese customs, trade control, product safety, and international regulatory frameworks.
We collaborate with licensed 通関士 (customs specialists), bonded freight forwarders, and regulatory professionals embedded at Japan's principal ports of entry and departure.
Narita International · Haneda Airport · Yokohama Port
Chubu Centrair International · Port of Nagoya
Kansai International · Port of Kobe · Osaka Port
Fukuoka Airport · Hakata Port
Naha Airport · Naha Port — Okinawa Free Trade Zone
A disciplined, five-stage framework designed to deliver clarity, legal certainty, and operational efficiency at each juncture.
HS Code classification and commodity eligibility confirmed — regulatory obligations identified before a single document is filed.
All required permits, licences, and export control positions confirmed — no surprises at the point of customs.
Engagement structured to match your port of entry, commodity profile, and regulatory requirements — the right specialists, in position.
Customs declaration submitted and cleared — duties and taxes settled so you never interact directly with Japanese customs authorities.
A complete, audit-ready record retained for the statutory period — your compliance position protected.
IOR removes the entity requirement for market entry — but as your Japan import volume grows, establishing a KK or GK unlocks lower per-shipment costs, direct customs relationships, and full operational independence in the market.
Explore Company Setup (KK / GK)Lithium Batteries, Compressed Gases, Chemicals, and Hazardous Materials: What Japan Requires Before Your Shipment Clears Customs
Why the Wrong HS Code Costs More Than Just the Duty Rate
Most ACP providers handle customs declarations. But when your shipment triggers FEFTA, Radio Act, or HS advance rulings — standard ACP stops and regulatory execution starts.
Choosing the wrong import structure in Japan can cost you millions of yen in unrecoverable tax. Here's how to decide between IOR and ACP — and when you need both.
When to Stay Light with ACP, When to Incorporate, and How to Calculate the Break-Even
Get It Wrong and Face Penalties. Get It Right and Optimize Duties + JCT.
Japan's Mandatory Safety Marks and What Changed in December 2025