Import Regulations Checklist — Other Laws and Related Rules
Interlink編集部Other Laws and Related Regulations to Check at the Time of Import
Other laws and related regulations to check at the time of import refer to the permissions, notifications, inspections, labeling, safety standards, sales restrictions, etc., for each imported item that are not completed by customs import declarations alone.
In import logistics practice, checking only the HS code and tariff rates may be insufficient. For cargo such as food, tableware, plants, animal-derived products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, electrical appliances, dangerous goods, chemicals, and items related to intellectual property, there are laws to be confirmed separately from customs declarations, either before import or at the time of import.
What is important for freight forwarders is not to make specialized legal judgments internally, but to review the cargo contents and promptly point out issues to the importer, thereby preventing causes of customs clearance delays in advance.
This article organizes the other laws and related regulations to be checked at import from the perspectives of the Food Sanitation Act, quarantine, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, product safety, intellectual property, dangerous goods/chemicals, and EPA/origin rules.
Scope Covered in This Article
| Topics Covered | Organization within This Article | Topics to be Organized Separately |
|---|---|---|
| Differences Between Customs Procedures and Other Law Checks | Customs declarations, tariffs, consumption tax, HS code confirmation, and item-specific permissions, notifications, inspections, and labeling checks are organized separately. | Details of import declarations, taxable value, and customs valuation are covered in the import customs procedure article. |
| Food, Tableware, and Packaging Materials | Notifications, inspections, materials, food contact goods, and sales purpose under the Food Sanitation Act are organized. | Details of food import notifications and food labeling are covered in the Food Sanitation Act and food labeling article. |
| Quarantine-Related | Plant quarantine, animal quarantine, wood, seeds, dried plants, animal-derived products, and natural materials are organized. | Individual procedures for plant quarantine and animal quarantine are organized in their respective quarantine articles. |
| Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, Cosmetics, Medical Devices | Possible applicability of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical devices, sanitary products, and health-related products is organized. | Business licenses, manufacturing and marketing notifications, and advertising regulations under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act are covered in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act article. |
| Product Safety and Labeling Regulations | Confirmations for PSE, PSC, Household Goods Quality Labels, infant products, electrical appliances, etc. are organized. | Details of each mark system and labeling obligations are organized in the product safety article. |
| Intellectual Property and Counterfeit Goods | Checks related to trademark rights, copyrights, design rights, branded goods, character products, OEM goods, parallel imports are organized. | Procedures for seizure of intellectual property infringing goods by customs are covered in the intellectual property and customs seizure article. |
| Dangerous Goods, Chemicals, EPA | Practical confirmations for SDS, UN numbers, dangerous goods transport, chemical substance regulations, EPA, and origin rules are organized. | Details of dangerous goods transport and EPA origin certification procedures are covered in their respective individual articles. |
Differences Between Customs Procedures and Other Law Confirmations
Customs procedures focus on import declarations, tariffs and consumption tax, HS codes, taxable values, country of origin, and import permits. In contrast, other law confirmations check whether the cargo can be imported at all, whether notifications or permits are required, if inspections are needed, and whether labeling or safety standards are necessary for domestic sales.
In other words, even if the customs declaration is accurate, if other law confirmations are lacking, issues may arise such as being unable to proceed with import approval, being unable to sell the cargo, being required to submit additional documents, or needing to consider returning or destroying the goods.
In import logistics practice, "whether clearance is possible" and "whether it can be sold or used domestically" need to be considered separately. Even if import approval is granted, there could be problems with sales labeling, safety standards, permits, or advertising expressions that may lead to sales suspension or recalls after clearance.
Comparison Table: Differences Between Customs Procedures and Other Law Confirmations
| Comparison Item | Customs Procedures | Other Law Confirmations | Practical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Purpose | Processing import declarations, tariffs and consumption tax, and import permits. | Confirming permissions, notifications, inspections, labeling, and safety standards for each cargo. | Import logistics is not necessarily completed by customs declarations alone. |
| Main Objects of Confirmation | HS code, taxable value, country of origin, invoice, quantity, and price. | Item, usage, ingredients, material, sales method, labeling, certification. | Confirmation covers not only product names but also ingredients, materials, and intended uses. |
| Common Causes of Delay | Declaration errors, insufficient pricing documents, insufficient origin documentation. | Unreported notifications, missing permits, pending inspections, lacking certificates, labeling deficiencies. | Discovery after arrival can lead to storage fees and delivery delays. |
| Post-Clearance Impact | Import permit issuance completes customs procedure. | Issues may arise relating to sales labeling, safety standards, advertising expressions, and permits. | Sales suspension or recalls can occur even after import permit issuance. |
| Freight Forwarder's Role | Organizing required documents and cargo information for import declarations with customs brokers. | Identifying cargo potentially subject to other laws and prompting importers for confirmation. | Early confirmation and record-keeping are important rather than final judgment. |
Basic Flow for Other Law Confirmations
| Stage | Contents to Confirm | Common Causes of Delays | Practical Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quotation / Order Stage | Confirm product name, purpose, material, composition, sales purpose, and quantity. | When product description is vague or the importer does not recognize the item as regulated. | Verify at the initial quotation stage if the item is likely to be subject to regulation. |
| Before Booking | Check if applicable to food, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, PSE, quarantine, hazardous goods, chemicals, etc. | When required documents cannot be obtained from overseas or the contact for confirmation is unknown. | Request ingredient lists, SDS, catalogs, certificates prior to shipment. |
| Before Shipment | Confirm ingredient lists, SDS, catalogs, inspection reports, certificates, label information. | Issues with insufficient certificates, unclear label content, or inadequate explanation of use may be discovered. | Secure documents that can only be obtained in the exporting country beforehand. |
| Before Customs Clearance | Check declarations, permits, inspections, other regulatory codes, and consistency with customs declarations. | Cannot proceed to import approval due to unresolved regulatory issues. | Coordinate with customs broker to cross-check required documents against declaration details. |
| After Customs Clearance | Confirm domestic sales labels, safety standards, advertising expressions, recall measures. | Possible sales suspension, returns, recalls, or issues raised by trading partners. | Ensure importer completes sales pre-checks. |
Checks for Food, Tableware, and Packaging
Food, beverages, food additives, tableware, cooking utensils, and packaging that contacts food may require verification under the Food Sanitation Act.
When the importer brings in goods for sale, food import notification, ingredients, materials, manufacturing processes, inspection certificates, and past records may be issues. Especially, not only the food itself but also items that come into direct contact with food are subject to checks, so careful attention is required.
In freight forwarder practice, it is necessary to confirm not only whether the item is “food” but also whether it contacts food, if it may be put into the mouths of infants, whether it is a sample or product for sale, and whether it is for personal use or commercial import.
For example, even product imported as “kitchen sundries” must be verified under the Food Sanitation Act if they are actually plates, cups, bento boxes, silicone molds, or cooking utensils that contact food. If identified after cargo arrival, reporting, inspections, and ingredient verifications may take time, leading to CFS storage fees and delivery delays.
Checks for Plant Quarantine and Animal Inspection
Plants, seeds, wood, cargo with soil attached, straw, dried plants, animal-derived products, and livestock products may require confirmation related to plant quarantine or animal inspection.
Even if the importer considers them as mere sundries, raw materials, or decorations, plant quarantine certificates, animal quarantine certificates, certificates from the exporting country, and prior confirmation may be necessary.
Especially for wood packaging materials, natural materials, dried plants, feathers, leather, animal hair, or items containing animal-derived ingredients, failure to confirm before import may cause cargo to be held at port or airport.
Freight forwarders need to ask the importer not only about product names but also about materials, raw materials, processing conditions, presence of soil or bark, and presence of animal-derived ingredients. If necessary certificates have not been issued by the exporting country, it may be impossible to respond after arrival, possibly leading to return shipment or disposal.
Checks for Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices
Pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and in vitro diagnostic agents may require confirmation under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act.
Even if importers recognize them as sundries, beauty goods, health products, supplements, or sanitary products, their displayed efficacy and effects, ingredients, intended use, form, and advertising expressions may result in regulatory issues under the Act.
For example, a product intended only as a beauty cream may fall under cosmetics, quasi-drugs, or pharmaceuticals depending on efficacy claims and ingredients. Also, massage devices, measuring instruments, sanitary items, and health-related appliances may fall under medical devices.
Freight forwarders should not decide based only on product names but should confirm usage, sales method, labels, advertising text, ingredient lists, and importer’s sales format, encouraging importers to seek specialized confirmation if necessary.
Checks for Product Safety and Labeling Regulations
Electrical goods, gas appliances, consumer products, infant goods, and household items may require verification of product safety and labeling regulations.
PSE marks, PSC marks, household product quality labeling, accident reporting, and recall measures are often problematic issues at the post-clearance sales stage.
Even after import customs clearance, if required domestic sales labels and safety standards are not met, this could result in sales suspension, recalls, returns from customers, or additional inspections.
Products such as AC adapters, chargers, home electronics, mobile batteries, heating appliances, infant products, and household items that contact the body need to be checked before import as to whether they are subject to regulation. Freight forwarders should encourage importers to confirm planned domestic sales, model numbers, specifications, ratings, certification marks, and presence of user manuals.
Checks for Intellectual Property and Counterfeit Goods
Cargo related to trademarks, copyrights, design rights, patents, etc. may be subject to issues with customs as intellectual property infringement goods.
For brand products, character goods, logoed items, parallel imports, OEM products, and promotional items, confirming whether they are genuine, have licensor permission, and can explain the supply chain is important.
With parallel imports, even if genuine, issues may arise regarding sourcing routes, overseas sellers, relationships with domestic rights holders, trademark use, quality control, and warranty labeling. Even if the importer claims “legitimate purchase overseas,” inability to document that supply chain may require confirmation at customs clearance.
For OEM products, it is necessary to verify the manufacturer, orderer, brand labeling, sales area, and scope of trademark license. Even if the goods are manufactured by an overseas manufacturer, the importer may not necessarily have the authority to use the brand name or logo for sales within Japan.
Freight forwarders are not in a position to make the final judgment on rights matters. However, for cargo clearly bearing brand labels, unusually priced cargo, or cargo for which the importer cannot explain rights relationships, it is necessary to prompt early confirmation.
Verification of Dangerous Goods and Chemicals
Chemicals, paints, adhesives, sprays, batteries, lithium batteries, detergents, reagents, fragrances, inks, resins, cosmetic raw materials, etc., may require checks for transport-related dangerous goods regulations and domestic laws.
Depending on the nature of the cargo, checks may include SDS, UN numbers, packaging group, IMDG Code, IATA dangerous goods regulations, GHS labeling, Fire Services Act, Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act, High Pressure Gas Safety Act, and others.
Even if the importer considers the item a "normal product," it may meet the criteria of dangerous goods for transportation. Particularly for products containing lithium batteries, spray cans, products containing alcohol, paints, adhesives, detergents, and reagents, it is risky to judge just by the product name.
Freight forwarders need to confirm ingredients, form, volume, packaging, presence of SDS, presence of UN numbers, and whether it is air or sea transport. Delay in confirming dangerous goods applicability can lead to booking cancellations, loading refusals, CFS entry prohibitions, additional packaging, and shipping delays.
Verification of EPA and Rules of Origin
When using EPA or FTA, it is necessary to check the rules of origin, certificates of origin, self-declaration systems, shipment criteria, direct shipment requirements, and the like.
EPA relates to customs duties, but simply having a "certificate of origin" is not sufficient. It is essential to confirm that the cargo's origin, the information on the certificate, the invoice, B/L, transport route, and whether it passes through a third country are consistent.
When routing through a third country, shipment criteria and proof of non-processing may become issues. Mistakes or inconsistencies in the certificate or transport route can result in the preferential duty rate not being applied, and the cargo being declared at the standard duty rate.
In forwarding practice, it is important to confirm early whether the importer requests EPA application, whether all necessary documents are prepared, and whether there are no contradictions between the shipping documents and the certificate of origin.
Common Practical Issues
| Case | Issues | Items to Confirm | Practical Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goods imported as general merchandise turned out to be food contact items | Notification or inspection under the Food Sanitation Act may be required. | Material, food contact status, sales purpose, inspection certificate | Prompt the importer to file food import notifications or expert checks. |
| Quarantine checks were required for wooden or natural material goods | Plant quarantine certificates or confirmation of processing status may be necessary. | Material, processing status, presence of bark or soil, export country certificates | Confirm quarantine applicability and certificate availability before arrival. |
| Beauty products may fall under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act | Depending on ingredients, efficacy claims, and usage, they may be treated as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or medical devices. | Ingredient list, labels, advertising text, sales methods, intended use | Encourage the importer to obtain expert checks under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act. |
| Products containing lithium batteries were treated as general general merchandise | Dangerous goods confirmation for transport is necessary and may impact booking and cargo acceptance. | Presence of batteries, capacity, UN number, SDS, packaging, transport mode | Confirm dangerous goods applicability and obtain necessary documents before shipment. |
| Rights relationships were unclear for brand-name or character goods | Customs may verify or detain such items as intellectual property infringing goods. | Authenticity documents, distribution channels, licenses, rights holder information, sales authorization | Request the importer to provide documentation explaining rights relationships. |
| EPA application was requested but the documents were inconsistent | Mismatches between origin certificates, invoices, B/L, and transport routes may prevent application of preferential duty rates. | Certificate of origin, shipment criteria, third-country transit, invoice details | Check consistency between certificates and shipping documents before declaration. |
| Insufficient product information for overseas e-commerce sourcing | Importers may not understand ingredients, materials, manufacturer information, or regulatory applicability. | Product page, specifications, photos, SDS, manufacturer documentation, sales purpose | Do not proceed with customs clearance without additional required documents. |
| Labeling or safety standard deficiencies discovered after customs clearance | Sales suspension, returns, recalls, or customer complaints may occur even after import approval. | Labeling, PSE, PSC, instruction manuals, advertising expressions, sales methods | Advise importers to confirm domestic sales regulations before customs clearance. |
Scope of Freight Forwarder Involvement
Freight forwarders are not required to make all legal judgments in-house. However, if they overlook obvious points that need confirmation after reviewing the cargo details and proceed with import arrangements as is, it may result in customs clearance delays, storage fees, inspection costs, returns, disposal, delivery delays, and claims from importers.
What freight forwarders should do is not to conclude legal applicability but to review the cargo name, usage, materials, ingredients, sales purpose, and required documents, and provide the importer with specific points that need confirmation.
| Situation | What the Forwarder Can Support | What the Forwarder Should Not Assume | Practical Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| When product names are vague | Can confirm with the importer about usage, materials, ingredients, photos, catalogs, and sales purpose. | Avoid assuming no other laws apply based only on general names. | Share key points with the customs broker until detailed documents are obtained. |
| When products might be food, tableware, or packaging | Can confirm food contact status, materials, sales purpose, and test reports. | Avoid assuming goods are exempt from the Food Sanitation Act just because they are miscellaneous goods. | Encourage the importer to verify compliance with the Food Sanitation Act. |
| When there are natural materials or plant/animal derivatives | Can confirm materials, processing status, raw materials, and certificates. | Avoid assuming quarantine is unnecessary just because items are decorative or miscellaneous goods. | Check with the importer about the possibility of plant quarantine or animal quarantine. |
| When products relate to beauty, health, or hygiene | Can confirm ingredients, labels, advertising statements, and purpose of use. | Avoid assuming these are outside the scope of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act by treating them as miscellaneous goods. | Encourage the importer to seek expert verification regarding the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act. |
| When electrical or infant products are involved | Can confirm model numbers, specifications, ratings, certification marks, and presence of manuals. | Avoid assuming products can be sold simply because import permits are granted. | Encourage importers to verify product safety and labeling regulations. |
| When dangerous goods or chemicals might be involved | Can confirm SDS, UN number, ingredient lists, dangerous goods classification, and packaging information. | Avoid concluding goods are non-dangerous based solely on the importer’s statement that they are “ordinary goods.” | Confirm dangerous goods documents and transport permissibility before shipment. |
| When intellectual property might be involved | Can confirm supply chain, authentic product documentation, licensing agreements, and relationships with brand owners. | Avoid making final judgments about authenticity or counterfeit status as a forwarder. | Request the importer to provide explanatory documents regarding rights. |
| When EPA application is desired | Can confirm consistency among certificates of origin, invoices, B/L, and transport routes. | Avoid assuming preferential treatment applies just because certificates exist. | Confirm document consistency with customs brokers before declaration. |
4-Column Decision Checklist
| Check Point | Person to Confirm With | Items to Confirm | Action if Issues Arise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate / order stage | Importer / shipper | Product name, usage, materials, ingredients, sales purpose, quantity, whether first import | If product description is vague, request detailed documents. |
| When products might be food, tableware, or packaging | Importer / manufacturer / customs broker | Food contact status, materials, ingredients, test reports, sales purpose | Hold customs clearance preparations until Food Sanitation Act verification is complete. |
| When quarantine may apply | Importer / exporter / manufacturer | Plant/animal-derived ingredients, processing status, presence of soil or bark, certificates | If certificates are required, confirm ability to obtain prior to shipment. |
| When products might fall under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act | Importer / sales department / specialists | Ingredients, efficacy claims, advertising statements, purpose of use, sales method | Obtain importer’s shared results of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act compliance checks. |
| When dangerous goods or chemicals might be involved | Importer / manufacturer / shipping line / airline | SDS, UN number, volume, packaging, dangerous goods classification, transport mode | Do not proceed with booking or cargo intake until dangerous goods confirmation is complete. |
| When intellectual property issues might be relevant | Importer / supplier / rights holder contact | Brand, logo, character, supply chain, licensing agreements, authentic product documents | If no explanatory documents regarding rights exist, share risks associated with customs verification. |
| When using EPA / FTA | Importer / exporter / customs broker | Certificate of origin, invoice, B/L, transport route, consolidation criteria, third-country transshipment | If there are document discrepancies, confirm not to declare assuming preferential treatment. |
| When goods will be sold after customs clearance | Importer / sales / quality control | Labeling, safety standards, advertising claims, manuals, recall handling | Have the importer confirm sales risks after import approval. |
Common Misunderstandings
| Misconception | Correct Understanding | Practical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Once the HS code is known, other regulatory checks are completed | HS code alone does not complete checks for food safety law, PMD Act, quarantine, product safety, etc. | The intended use, material, ingredients, and sales method should be confirmed. |
| Once import permission is granted, domestic sales have no issues | Even after customs clearance, labeling, safety standards, advertising expressions, and sales permits may be a concern. | Domestic regulatory checks before sales should be conducted by the importer. |
| If it's miscellaneous goods, Food Sanitation Act and PMD Act do not apply | Miscellaneous goods that touch food, or beauty/hygiene-related miscellaneous goods, may fall under other regulations. | Check the actual usage and function rather than product name. |
| No notification or inspection needed for samples | Even for samples, depending on use, quantity, sales, and ingredients, confirmation may be required. | Determine whether products are for sale, testing, or internal evaluation. |
| If the importer calls it a normal product, it is not a dangerous good | The dangerous goods classification is determined by SDS, UN number, ingredients, capacity, and packaging. | Pay attention to lithium batteries, sprays, liquids, paints, adhesives. |
| No intellectual property issues arise if it is a genuine product | Even genuine products may face issues with distribution channels, sales authorization, parallel imports, and trademark representation. | Verify official product documents, licensing agreements, and procurement routes. |
| If there is a certificate of origin, EPA can always be applied | Certificate of origin, invoice, transport route, and loading standards must be consistent. | Be cautious of third-country transit and document errors. |
Practical Scenario 1: When Food Sanitation Act confirmation is needed for goods imported as miscellaneous goods
For example, suppose the importer imports silicone kitchenware classified as "miscellaneous goods." The invoice simply states "Kitchen Goods," and the importer assumed it was general miscellaneous goods.
However, since these are utensils that come into direct contact with food, confirmation under the Food Sanitation Act may be required. In this case, the customs broker will check with the importer about the material, usage, food contact status, sales purpose, ingredient information, and availability of test reports.
If it is discovered after arrival that required documents are missing, import permission may be delayed, resulting in CFS storage fees, changes in delivery arrangements, and delivery delays. If testing is necessary, additional time and costs will be incurred.
The freight forwarder should not only inform the importer that "Food Sanitation Act may apply" but also explain which products are likely affected, what documents are needed, who should do the verification, and from when storage fees may start accruing.
Practical Scenario 2: When quarantine confirmation is required for wood products or natural material cargo
For example, when importing wooden interior items or natural material decorations, even if the importer treats them as miscellaneous goods, plant quarantine confirmation may be required.
Especially for cargo such as unprocessed wood, barked materials, dried plants, seeds, straw, bamboo, rattan, or goods with attached soil or plant fragments, plant quarantine certificates or phytosanitary treatment certificates from the exporting country may be an issue.
If quarantine status is identified only after cargo arrival, obtaining necessary documents afterward may be difficult. As a result, cargo may remain in the bonded area causing storage fees, and in some cases, return or disposal may need to be considered.
Freight forwarders need to check early on for goods named like "Wooden Decoration" or "Natural Material Goods" about the materials, processing state, presence of bark or soil, and availability of export country certificates.
Practical Scenario 3: When beauty products may require confirmation under the PMD Act
For example, when importing beauty creams, teeth whitening products, massage devices, or health-related goods from overseas, the importer may recognize them as miscellaneous or beauty goods.
However, depending on ingredients, displayed efficacy/effects, usage purposes, advertising statements, and explanations regarding effects on the body, they may fall under cosmetics, quasi-drugs, pharmaceuticals, or medical devices under the PMD Act.
In such cases, freight forwarders or customs brokers should review ingredient lists, product labels, usage instructions, sales webpages, advertising, and sales purposes and encourage the importer to obtain specialized confirmation. It is important that the forwarder does not decide on compliance under the PMD Act but guides the importer to be responsible for confirmation.
Delays in confirmation can result in inability to proceed with import permission, inability to sell, required label corrections, or returns. Special caution is needed with first-time imports or overseas e-commerce procurement, as importers may not fully understand Japanese regulations.
Practical Scenario 4: When lithium battery-contained products may be classified as dangerous goods
For example, Bluetooth devices, LED lights, mobile devices, toys, or measuring instruments may be imported as general miscellaneous goods, but they may include lithium batteries. Even if importers consider them "ordinary electrical products," dangerous goods checks may be necessary for transport.
In such cases, the freight forwarder should confirm presence of lithium batteries, whether batteries are separate or embedded, battery capacity, quantity, UN number, SDS, test reports, packaging method, and whether the transport mode is air or sea. Air transport has particularly strict requirements, and insufficient information may cause booking refusal, airline acceptance denial, or shipment delays.
Even with sea transport, dangerous goods checks under the IMDG Code, labeling, packaging, documentation, and shipping line approval may be required. Importers’ belief that products are not dangerous goods cannot replace verification with SDS or manufacturer information.
If dangerous goods classification issues arise after arrival, it affects CFS delivery, storage, domestic delivery, and warehouse acceptance. Facilities not equipped for hazardous goods storage may require moving cargo to other warehouses and incur additional costs.
Confirmation Methods with the Importer
If confirmation of other laws and regulations is considered necessary, the freight forwarder needs to provide the importer with specific items to check.
Simply asking "Is this cargo okay?" may leave the importer unsure of what to verify. For food contact materials, check the material and whether it contacts food; for Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act-related items, check ingredients and efficacy labeling; for chemicals, check the SDS; for electrical products, check model numbers and rating labels; for quarantine-related items, check raw materials and processing state.
The main information that importers should confirm includes the product’s intended use, ingredients, material, structure, sales purpose, whether it is a sample or a commercial product, domestic sales labeling and advertising contents, manufacturer documents, catalogs, photos, specifications, SDS, inspection certificates, relation to brand rights holders, past import records, and confirmations with relevant ministries or specialized experts.
Also, the freight forwarder is not the final responsible party for legal judgments. When expert judgment is needed, the importer should be encouraged to check with relevant ministries, specialized experts, administrative scriveners, inspection agencies, manufacturers, or sellers, and share those results with customs brokers and related parties.
Practical Points
Confirming other laws and related regulations may be too late if done after the cargo arrives in Japan.
If it turns out after arrival that required documents are missing, customs clearance will be delayed, and storage fees and inspection costs may accrue. In some cases, the cargo may not be importable, requiring consideration of return shipment or disposal.
Even if import approval is granted, insufficient domestic sales labeling, safety standards, advertising expressions, or lacking licenses and permits can lead to sales suspension, returns, recalls, administrative guidance, or complaints from business partners.
In import forwarding, it is important to check at the quotation stage, booking stage, and document receipt stage whether the cargo is likely subject to other laws and regulations. Early confirmation makes it easier to obtain necessary documents, change transportation methods, prepare for customs clearance, and adjust delivery schedules.
The Importance of Recordkeeping
During verification of other laws and regulations, it is crucial to record who checked which documents and when, and which experts were consulted. Merely relying on phone calls makes it difficult to explain the verification process later if customs delays, storage fees, inspection costs, returns, or disposal occur.
Documents to be kept include importer responses, SDS, ingredient lists, catalogs, photos, specifications, inspection certificates, certifications, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act confirmation results, Food Sanitation Act confirmation results, quarantine confirmations, intellectual property-related documents, EPA origin certificates, and consultation records with customs brokers.
For freight forwarders, it is important to keep records not as proof of having made the final legal judgment but as evidence that the necessary confirmations were prompted to the importer and that submitted materials and the verification process were shared among stakeholders.
Summary
Other laws and related regulations at import are a practical area that requires checks separate from customs declarations, based on the cargo’s nature, use, ingredients, sales method, and labeling content.
Areas such as food, quarantine, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, product safety, intellectual property, hazardous materials, chemicals, EPA/origin rules, etc., significantly impact import customs clearance and domestic sales.
Even if importers overlook these matters, freight forwarders can reduce risks of customs delays, storage fees, returns, disposal, and sales suspensions by prompting confirmations at an early stage. In freight forwarder practice, rather than making definitive legal judgments, it is important to identify points requiring confirmation, encourage importers to obtain necessary materials and expert verification, and keep records of this process.
