Determining the import category/import conditions of goods into Japan
Not all types of goods are allowed to be imported into Japan and not all imported goods are subject to the same import regime. Similar to Vietnam and other countries in the world, Japan also sets out regulations on import prohibitions, import restrictions or specific controls for certain goods. Therefore, before importing goods into the Japanese market, importers need to carefully consider whether the goods are allowed to be imported into this country or not and, if so, what are the import conditions/requirements for those goods.
- Goods prohibited from import
Some goods are not allowed to be imported into Japan for the purpose of protecting national security, protecting the lives and health of humans, animals and plants... The list of goods prohibited from being imported into Japan includes:
- Opium, cannabis, stimulants and other narcotic drugs (except those specified by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare);
- Weapons, ammunition and their parts;
- Explosives (dynamites, gunpowder, etc.);
- Precursor materials for chemical weapons;
- Bacteria that can be used for bioterrorism purposes;
- Coins, banknotes, checks, negotiable instruments, credit cards that are imitations, counterfeits or altered;
- Books, paintings, sculptures and any other items that are detrimental to public safety and morals (e.g., pornographic materials);
- Items that infringe intellectual property rights.
- Goods requiring import license
Japan restricts the import of certain goods that pose a risk of negative impacts on Japanese industries or on public safety and morality, such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, wildlife, etc.
Goods on the list of restricted imports must obtain an import license in accordance with the Customs Law and regulations related to each specific good (for example, the Law Concerning Wildlife Protection and Hunting, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law, the Fertilizer Control Law, etc.).
- Goods subject to special control/specialized inspection
Imported goods into Japan may be subject to different types of controls, such as:
- Food (milk, livestock/poultry meat, etc.) must have a certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country, confirming that these foods are free from diseases (such as cholera, pleurisy, foot-and-mouth disease, rabies, etc.) as prescribed by the Japanese Food Sanitation Act;
- Imported plants must have a plant quarantine certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country, confirming that there are no pests/harmful organisms (as prescribed by the Japanese Plant Protection Law), etc.
Source: Center for WTO and International Trade
