Importer and Exporter of Record in Japan

No Japanese company? We can be the importer.

For an accepted shipment, Aplash is the importer or exporter of record, in its own name. We check the product rules and documents before anything ships.

Check my shipmentIs this the right route for me?

Can a foreign company import into Japan without a local entity?

Yes. But someone in Japan has to answer for the shipment.

Aplash can be the importer of record (IOR). Your own company can stay the importer and appoint an agent in Japan (ACP). Your own Japanese company can act in its own name. The chart below walks through it one question at a time.

Which route fits you?

Answer three questions from the top. Or tap a result to see the path to it.

Show path to
  1. Do you have a company, branch or office in Japan?a Japanese company, a registered branch or an office
  2. YesUse your own entityYour Japanese company acts as the importer or exporter in its own name.
  3. No
    Can your overseas company be the importer or exporter itself?depends on your goods and on having no office in Japan
  4. YesACP routeYour company stays the importer or exporter and appoints a Japan-based agent.
  5. No
    Are the goods coming in or going out?into Japan, or out of Japan
  6. Going out
    Exporter of Record (EOR)Aplash is the exporter, once the destination, end use and any permit are cleared.
  7. Coming in
    Importer of Record (IOR)from USD 2,800per shipmentAplash is the importer in its own name for your accepted shipment.

IOR: Aplash is the importer.

ACP: Your company stays the importer and appoints a Japan-based agent. ACP covers exports as well as imports.

Is your product regulated in Japan?

If it falls in one of these eight groups, a specialist reviews it before we offer a scope. Each group has its own rules.

Not on the list? It usually takes the standard assessment. Either way, nothing ships until the route, the roles and the evidence are confirmed.

Who does what, step by step.

Five steps from your first message to the declaration and the Customs decision. Read across for each step, down for each party.

  1. Step 1

    Choose the route

    You: Send the product, buyer, seller and destination
    Aplash: Find the route that fits your goods
    Fee: No fee for the first reply on ordinary shipments
  2. Step 2

    Sign the written scope

    You: Approve the scope and pay the first invoice
    Aplash: Accept the importer or exporter role for these goods
    Fee: from USD 2,800 per shipment
  3. Step 3

    Check product evidence

    You: Send test reports, labels and permits
    Aplash: Check classification, value and origin
    Authorities: Decide any permit application
    Fee: Testing and certification, quoted separately
  4. Step 4

    Clear the shipment gate

    You: Ship only after the gate clears
    Aplash: Send the broker its instructions
    Customs broker: Receive the instruction pack
  5. Step 5

    Declare and record

    You: The goods reach the buyer; you receive the records
    Aplash: Importer or exporter on the declaration; keep the record file
    Customs broker: File the declaration
    Authorities: Decide inspection and release
    Fee: Import duties and consumption tax, paid to Japan Customs

What will it cost? Two questions set the band.

Each figure is the starting fee for one shipment where Aplash is the importer of record; Exporter of Record work is quoted after review. The exact fee is set in a written scope after we review your shipment, before filing work begins.

Show path to
  1. Dual-use or export-controlled?goods or end users that need extra checks
  2. Yes
    ControlledfromUSD 13,000per shipmentTaken on only after a separate, paid review, case by case. Permit applications and screening are quoted separately.
  3. No
    Does it need a permit, test or certificate?a permit, test report or certificate beyond the usual shipping documents
  4. Yes
    RegulatedfromUSD 4,800per shipmentPermit and testing work is scoped and quoted on top.
  5. No
    StandardfromUSD 2,800per shipmentGeneral or IT goods with a clear seller, buyer, value and end use.

We confirm your band in the first review. The product, its value and any permits it needs also move the final fee.

Other costs on the same shipment

  • Import duties and consumption taxpaid to Japan Customs, funded by an advance before we file
  • Customs broker work beyond the declarationpaid to the licensed broker, at cost
  • Freightpaid to your carrier or forwarder
  • Laboratory testspaid to the laboratory, at cost

Your written scope lists each of these before you approve.

Could your own company stay the importer?

Then the ACP route may fit. It is a separate service with its own fees: your company stays the importer and appoints a Japan-based agent. We will say so in the first review.

Check my shipmentSee the ACP route

Next step

When volume grows, import through your own company.

Form a KK or GKFrom USD 2,500

Common questions

Choose a question

What is an Importer of Record?

The company named as the importer on the customs declaration.

It is responsible for that shipment as the importer. Aplash takes this role only for products and transactions confirmed in a signed engagement.

Does EOR mean Employer of Record?

No. Here EOR means Exporter of Record.

It is the company named on an export from Japan. Aplash does not employ your staff. Whether it works depends on the product, destination, end use, the parties and any export permit.

How is IOR different from ACP?

It comes down to who is named as the importer.

IOR: Aplash is the importer and files in its own name. ACP: your overseas company stays the importer and appoints a Japan-based agent.

Who actually files with customs?

Aplash files as the importer, through a licensed customs broker.

Aplash files the declaration, keeps the regulatory file and coordinates clearance through a partner licensed customs broker.

Will you accept any regulated product?

No. Being on the list does not mean automatic acceptance.

We look at the exact model, materials, use, origin, parties, destination, permits and evidence before we offer a scope.

Do I need a Japanese company?

Not always.

It depends on the facts. The route chart above walks through it one question at a time, and our first review confirms which setup applies.

What should I send for the first review?

The product, the parties and the shipment plan.

Product and model, use, origin, destination, value, Incoterms, seller, buyer, who you expect to be importer or exporter, the shipment date, and any permits or test reports you already have.

Tell us about the shipment.

You do not need the HS code.

We normally reply within one business day with:

  1. The route that fits, and who is named
  2. The facts or documents still missing
  3. Anything that needs a specialist review
Which way are the goods going?
We ask for documents securely after the first review.

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From the journal.

Field notes on Japan import, export and product-compliance routes.

View all articles
IOR & EOR

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