Chemical Substances Importer of Record Japan (化審法 / 毒劇法)
Chemical imports into Japan fall under 化審法 (Chemical Substances Control Law) and 毒劇法 (Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law). Aplash coordinates inventory checks, new-chemical PMN (Pre-Manufacture Notification) where required, and Japan-format GHS-aligned SDS, then files customs declarations in Aplash's name under 関税法 (Customs Act).
Class 1 Specified Chemical Substances, narcotics precursors, and chemicals used in dual-use applications are restricted scope and require pre-engagement assessment. Aplash declines chemicals routed to sanctioned parties or sanctioned countries.
Engagement scope
化審法 import notification coordination: confirming whether a substance is on the Existing Chemical Substances inventory, or whether new-chemical PMN is required.
毒劇法 handler permit and import permit coordination via licensed partner.
GHS-aligned SDS review and Japan-format SDS preparation in bilingual English-Japanese where required (JIS Z 7253:2019).
Importer of Record for: (a) Existing Chemicals on the inventory, (b) new chemicals where the small-volume R&D exemption applies (≤1 ton per year per importer), (c) Class 1 Specified Chemical Substances with the assessment pathway cleared.
安衛法 (Industrial Safety and Health Act) name-disclosure compliance coordination for notifiable chemicals.
Outside scope
Originate a PMN dossier from raw lab data without manufacturer cooperation — manufacturer owns the toxicology data and submits as the data owner.
Narcotics and narcotic precursors per 麻薬及び向精神薬取締法 (Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law) — decline; refer out.
Class 1 Specified Chemical Substances flagged for restricted use under 化審法 第17条 — restricted scope; default outside engagement.
毒物 (Poisons) without a registered handler — Aplash does not currently hold 毒物劇物営業者 registration; must coordinate via licensed partner.
Radioactive isotopes — decline.
Sanctioned-party or sanctioned-country routing — decline.
Substance-classification decision tree
(a) Existing on the inventory — standard customs filing path.
(b) New (PMN required) — pre-import notification window.
(d) 毒物 (Poison) under 毒劇法 — coordinate via licensed partner.
(e) 劇物 (Deleterious Substance) under 毒劇法 — coordinate via licensed partner.
Pre-engagement checklist
CAS number.
GHS-aligned SDS.
Toxicology data summary.
Intended use description.
Expected annual import volume.
Timeline expectations
Path
Pre-import window
Existing Chemical on inventory
Same-shipment customs filing
Small-volume R&D exemption
1 to 2 months
Full new-chemical PMN
3 to 12 months
Pricing band
Standard chemicals (Existing on inventory, small volume, no permit required): from $4,800 per shipment. Permit-required imports or Specified Chemical handling: from $7,500 per shipment + permit coordination fee. New chemical PMN coordination: scoped per engagement.
Customs duties and Japanese consumption tax (JCT) pass through at cost. Aplash earns no margin on the goods, only on the service.
Frequently asked questions
What is 化審法 (Chemical Substances Control Law)?
Japan's primary law governing the manufacture, import, and use of industrial chemicals. It classifies substances into Existing, New, Class 1 Specified, and Class 2 Specified, with different notification and assessment obligations for each.
Do I need to file a PMN for every new chemical?
PMN (Pre-Manufacture Notification) is required for new chemicals not on the Existing inventory, unless an exemption applies. The small-volume R&D exemption (≤1 ton per year per importer) is the most common path Aplash coordinates.
Can Aplash IOR for chemicals on the 毒物 (Poison) list?
Aplash does not currently hold 毒物劇物営業者 (Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Business Operator) registration; we coordinate the import via a licensed partner who holds the registration.
How long does new chemical notification take?
Full PMN review typically takes 3 to 12 months, depending on substance complexity and METI / MHLW workload. The small-volume R&D exemption is faster at 1 to 2 months. Aplash sequences customs filing only after the path is confirmed.
Does Aplash handle narcotics precursors?
No. Substances on the 麻薬及び向精神薬取締法 (Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law) precursor list fall outside Aplash's IOR scope and require referral to a specialist with the relevant 麻薬輸入業者 (narcotics importer) licensing.
Applicable law and standards
関税法 (Customs Act)[R1]
化審法 (Chemical Substances Control Law)[R1]
毒劇法 (Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law)[R1]
安衛法 (Industrial Safety and Health Act)[R1]
麻薬及び向精神薬取締法 (Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law)[R0] — Identified; not applied here.
Aplash sequences customs filing only after substance classification is confirmed and any required permits are in hand. Engagement begins with a pre-engagement document review.
Request a no-cost commodity assessment. We confirm IOR feasibility and quote against the public pricing band before any commitment.