Japan import structure · ACP (税関事務管理人)
Aplash supports non-resident importers with Customs Procedure Agent administration, in-house customs review, regulated-application coordination, and a licensed customs-broker workflow.
Check ACP eligibility
Direct answer
An ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures / 税関事務管理人) is a Japan-based representative appointed under the Customs Act (関税法) by a non-resident importer for specified customs procedures. The overseas company remains the importer; Aplash coordinates the ACP file, and the named licensed customs broker files the declaration and handles clearance formalities.
Read Japan Customs FAQ 9601Choose the legal structure first
The right answer depends on who qualifies as importer, who controls the goods, and which product rules apply. We test those facts before recommending a route.
Use ACP when the non-resident company qualifies as importer and can evidence the transaction, valuation, product information, tax funding, and records.
Consider IOR when a Japan-side party must buy, import, invoice, hold a regulated role, or accept liabilities that the non-resident importer cannot carry.
Responsibility map
Each shipment record shows who provides the facts, who coordinates, who reviews and who files the declaration.
Owns the import decision, provides accurate transaction and product evidence, funds duties and JCT, and retains importer responsibilities.
Confirms the commercial facts used by the team.Supports appointment and notification records, coordinates stakeholders, maintains the agreed ACP file, and manages communications within scope.
Maintains the ACP record and stakeholder handoffs.The customs specialist reviews the transaction and declaration inputs. A qualified administrative scrivener handles applicable regulated applications within their professional scope.
Adds the specialist work required by the product.Files import declarations, conducts customs brokerage, responds through the clearance process, and completes release formalities.
Owns the licensed declaration and clearance workflow.Three-layer eligibility check
An ACP appointment does not cure an unsuitable importer structure or missing product compliance. We qualify all three layers together.
We map the seller, buyer, title transfer, platform, fulfilment flow, valuation method, and who acts for the purpose of import.
We screen the product, intended use, HS classification assumptions, labelling, testing, permits, and Japan-side responsible-party requirements.
We confirm origin, port, Incoterms, frequency, value, broker, records, and readiness for the first declaration.
Five recorded handoffs
Each gate adds a named owner and a reviewable output. The licensed customs broker receives the filing pack only after the commercial, product, and shipment facts have been checked.
Review the importer, business model, product, destination, and current broker arrangement.
Identify client inputs, Aplash ACP scope, specialist review, regulated applications, and licensed-broker work.
Assemble the power of attorney or delegation evidence, corporate records, transaction flow, and notification pack.
Check invoice, valuation, classification inputs, permits, labels, and the declaration data prepared for the licensed customs broker.
Record open points, issue the reviewed shipment file to the named licensed customs broker, coordinate queries, and retain the release record.
通関業者引継票
The handoff sheet records the evidence reviewed, open points, responsible specialist, and the exact data released to the named licensed customs broker.
Transaction parties, title and payment flow, assists, royalties, transfer pricing, and evidence for the declared value.
HS-code assumptions, product description, invoice, packing list, origin evidence, and declaration-data consistency.
Amazon FBA, platform, DTC, warehouse and delivery-party data aligned with current declaration requirements.
Early identification of PSE, Radio Act, food, medical, chemical, quarantine, or other-law work and the responsible licensed party.
A controlled channel for questions, revisions, authority responses, release records, and shipment-level audit trail.
Reassessment when the product, supplier, price, Incoterms, sales channel, destination, or importer facts change.
ACP fee ledger
Start with ACP setup, keep an existing broker, or ask us to coordinate the licensed-broker workflow. Third-party costs are itemised separately.
For the initial importer-structure check and ACP appointment file.
For clients that already retain a suitable licensed customs broker.
For a coordinated workflow covering ACP administration, in-house customs review, and licensed-broker clearance coordination.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers for planning the first shipment and deciding which route fits.
No. Aplash is a private market-entry and trade-compliance company. We support ACP administration and coordination, but Japan Customs and other authorities make their own decisions.
A licensed customs broker files declarations and conducts customs brokerage. Aplash coordinates the ACP role, performs in-house customs review, and works with the licensed broker identified for the engagement.
The official process is advance notification of the appointed Customs Procedure Agent to the relevant customs office. Customs may review the filing and request additional information. We do not promise acceptance, clearance, or a fixed government processing time.
Yes, when the ACP route is appropriate. The non-resident company remains the importer and retains the corresponding responsibility for accurate information, transaction evidence, duties, JCT, and compliance.
No. Eligibility depends on the transaction and who qualifies as importer, not merely where the seller is incorporated. We review the commercial flow before recommending ACP, IOR, or a Japan entity.
Sometimes, but ACP alone does not satisfy product-specific laws. An administrative scrivener handles applicable regulated applications within their professional scope, and other licensed or registered parties may also be required. Some structures are better suited to IOR.
Timing varies by customs office, document quality, transaction structure, product controls, and broker readiness. We provide an estimated schedule after the eligibility assessment rather than promising a fixed approval period.
It covers the Aplash ACP role for a shipment when the client already has a suitable licensed customs broker. The broker's work and all taxes, freight, inspections, storage, testing, and other disbursements are separate.
It covers Aplash ACP administration, in-house customs review, and coordination of the licensed-broker clearance workflow for one shipment. Duties, JCT, freight, inspection, storage, testing, permits, and third-party disbursements remain separate unless expressly included in writing.
Eligibility intake
Tell us what you sell, who will import, and how the first shipment will move. We will identify the likely route, missing evidence, and next step.
Regulated or complex goods
Use IOR when a Japan-side importer must hold the commercial or regulated role.
Explore IOR & EOROngoing Japan operations
A Japan entity may provide more control once volume and operations justify it.
Explore company setup