Dangerous Goods Importer of Record in Japan (IATA DGR / IMDG)
Want to ship hazardous cargo to Japan but have no company there to clear it? Aplash becomes your Importer of Record (IOR): the legal company on the import. We take ownership at the border, file the customs entry in our own name under the Customs Act (関税法), and pass the goods to your Japan-side buyer. We cover dangerous goods classed under the IATA DGR (the air-transport rules) and the IMDG Code (the sea-transport rules): Classes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 8, and 9. When a shipment needs licensed storage, we arrange the Fire Service Act (消防法) permit too.
How it works
An Importer of Record (IOR) is the company legally responsible for bringing goods through customs. Aplash takes that role so you can sell into Japan without a local entity.
- 1Free commodity assessmentSend your product details. We confirm whether Aplash can be your importer and give you a quote, at no cost.
- 2We import as your Importer of RecordAplash clears customs in its own name under the Customs Act (関税法) and arranges any permits or certifications your goods need.
- 3Delivered to your Japan buyerWe hand the goods to your Japan-side buyer and invoice transparently, so you sell in Japan with no company of your own there.
What Aplash handles
- Classify your goods against the current IATA DGR and IMDG Code editions, and check the UN number, packing group, and packaging.
- Act as the named Importer of Record for Class 2 (gases), Class 3 (flammable liquids), Class 4 (flammable solids), Class 5 (oxidizers), Class 6.1 (toxic substances outside Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (毒劇法) Class 1), Class 8 (corrosives), and Class 9 (miscellaneous).
- Prepare and check the shipping paperwork: the Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD), the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and the shipper's certification.
- Coordinate with bonded warehouses licensed for dangerous goods and a customs specialist (通関士) certified to handle them.
- Arrange the Fire Service Act (消防法) storage permit when a shipment needs licensed dangerous-goods storage above the legal threshold.
What we do not handle
- Class 1 explosives, including fireworks and pyrotechnics. We can refer you to a licensed specialist instead.
- Class 7 radioactive materials: not handled by default (restricted scope).
- Anything covered by the Explosives Control Law (火薬類取締法) or the Firearms and Swords Control Law (銃刀法).
- Dangerous-goods lab testing such as UN classification, drop, or vibration tests. We arrange these through accredited labs rather than run them ourselves.
- Live ammunition or military dangerous goods (Aplash holds no defense security clearance).
- Any routing to a sanctioned country or sanctioned party.
Which dangerous-goods classes we handle
| UN Class | What it covers | Aplash position |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Explosives, pyrotechnics, fireworks | Not handled (referral) |
| Class 2 | Compressed and liquefied gases | Handled |
| Class 3 | Flammable liquids | Handled |
| Class 4 | Flammable solids, spontaneously combustible | Handled |
| Class 5 | Oxidizers and organic peroxides | Handled |
| Class 6.1 | Toxic substances (outside 毒劇法 Class 1) | Handled |
| Class 7 | Radioactive materials | Not handled by default |
| Class 8 | Corrosives | Handled |
| Class 9 | Miscellaneous (lithium has its own page) | Handled |
How the process works
- (a) We review the SDS and confirm the dangerous-goods classification.
- (b) We audit the packaging and prepare the Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD).
- (c) We file the customs entry as Importer of Record with a licensed customs specialist (通関士).
- (d) We arrange the Fire Service Act (消防法) storage permit where it is required.
Pricing band
Standard dangerous goods (a single class such as Class 2 gases, Class 3 flammables, or Class 8 corrosives; EAR99; one shipment): from $2,800 per shipment, plus customs duty and consumption tax at cost. Complex dangerous goods (more than one class, Class 6.1 toxic substances, or a Fire Service Act (消防法) storage permit): from $4,800 per shipment.
Customs duty and Japanese consumption tax (JCT) are passed on at cost. Aplash earns no margin on the goods, only on the service.
Not sure if your goods qualify?
Send the product details. We confirm whether Aplash can import it and quote against the public pricing band before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship lithium batteries to Japan?
Lithium batteries follow their own rules (UN38.3 testing, IATA Section II vs Section IA). See the dedicated Lithium Battery IOR page for the process and pricing.
What is a DGD?
A Dangerous Goods Declaration is the compliance document the shipper prepares for any IATA DGR or IMDG-classified shipment. Aplash checks and validates it before filing customs, so the shipment is not held at the border.
Do I need a Fire Service Act (消防法) storage permit?
You need one when the stored volume goes above the per-class limit in the Fire Service Act schedule. Aplash arranges the permit application and the registered-handler appointment through its local partner network.
Can Aplash be the importer for fireworks or explosives?
No. Class 1 explosives, including fireworks and pyrotechnics, are outside Aplash's scope. We can refer you to a specialist licensed under the Explosives Control Law (火薬類取締法).
What SDS format does Japan accept?
Japan follows the JIS Z 7253:2019 standard, which is aligned with GHS. Aplash reviews your SDS and, where needed, prepares a Japan-format version in English and Japanese before the shipment is filed.
Applicable law and standards
- Customs Act (関税法): The law your customs entry is filed under.
- Fire Service Act (消防法): Permits for storing dangerous goods.
- Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law (毒劇法): Overlaps with Class 6.1.
- IATA DGR + IMDG Code (international dangerous-goods rules)
Related pages
Every engagement starts with a free commodity assessment. We confirm whether Aplash can be your importer, flag any permits you need, and quote against the public pricing band before you commit to anything.