Japan: Export (general)

Prohibited or highly restricted exports

Japan prohibits exports of hazardous waste as per Basel Convention.

• For additional information see:
  • Basel Convention (on this site go to Japan information).

Generally prohibited exports:

• Endangered species; illicit drugs; stolen property; and protected cultural artifacts

• Exports of the following products are generally restricted and/or controlled through various forms of export licensing, export permits and/or export authorizations which the exporter must obtain prior to exporting:
  • Military weapons; ammunition; explosives and firearms; conflict diamonds and minerals; and pornography as defined by the export country; products that violate national intellectual property protection law are generally prohibited (e.g., counterfeit goods, mis-branded products).
    • Note: Exporters should be aware that the import of these products is also likely to be prohibited or subject to import controls by the destination country. It is very important for an exporter to check requirements with a prospective importer prior to concluding the product sale and certainly before shipping product.

• The Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI), JCN-4000012090001, 1-3-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, JP-100-8901 Tokyo; phone: +81 03 3501 1511
• The Ministry of the Environment (MOE), JCN1000012110001, Godochosha 5, 1-2-2, Chiyoda-ku, JP-100-8975 Tokyo; phone: +81 03 3581 3351
  • These ministries jointly announced the status of enforcement of the Act on Control of Export, Import and Others of Specified Hazardous Wastes & Other Wastes (Latest revision: Law no. 33, 27 Apr 2005).
    • Also check list of Goods Subject to Prohibitions, Controls & Restrictions issued by:
      • Customs & Tariff Bureau, 3-1-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, JP-100-8940 Tokyo

(Last updated on 2023-06-12)

ATA carnets

The ATA Carnet is accepted in this country.

• Note:
  • Depending on country ATA Carnet may be issued for all three conventions: Commercial Samples, Professional Equipment and Fairs & Exhibitions.
  • Some countries may restrict ATA Carnet to one, or possibly two conventions only.
  • ATA Carnet does NOT cover perishable, or consumable items, nor goods for processing, nor repair.
  • ATA Carnet is issued at national level by guaranteeing association in country/customs territory of origin.
  • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), 38 Cours Albert 1er, F-75008 Paris, France; phone: +33 149 532828; fax: +33 149 532859
  • Please contact your local Chamber of Commerce for further assistance.

Guaranteeing association: Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Taisho-Semei Hibiya Bldg., 1 9-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-KU, Tokyo; phone: +81 3 3287 3071; fax: +81 3 3287 3054; email: jcaacarn@sepia.ocn.ne.jp

An ATA Carnet is obtained in the country from which the goods are to be first exported (see list of participating ATA Carnet Countries). The initiating and governing authority for ATA Carnets is the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), 38, Cours Albert 1er, F-75008 Paris, France; phone: +33 149 532828; fax: +33 149 532859

Note: An ATA Carnet is typically accepted for Commercial Samples, Exhibitions and Fairs, and/or Professional Equipment. An ATA Carnet does NOT cover perishable or consumable items, nor goods for processing or repair. Some countries are more restrictive in the scope of allowances for temporary imports covered by ATA Carnet. It is recommended that prior verification be made with the issuing agency.

(Last updated on 2024-02-21)

General export license/permit requirements

As a member country to the Wassenaar Arrangement, this country enforces export restrictions on conventional weapons including small arms and light weapons, portable air defense systems, certain dual-use items, intangible transfer of technology, and arms brokering.

• Member countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rep. of Korea (South), Romania, Russian Fed., Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the U.S.A.

For more information go to Wassenaar Arrangement home page.

An export license may be required for agricultural products. An AGREX (Export) licence for agricultural produce is an electronic or paper document for a specific period of validity entitling the holder to export certain agricultural products out of the EU. To exercise this right, the granted license must be submitted together with the Export documents.

• Follow Economic Operator guidelines for AGREX.

(Last updated on 2023-05-28)

Transport document

Effective 1 Jul 2016, pursuant to SOLAS, Safe Transport of Containers by Sea, for all loaded ocean containers to be shipped aboard a vessel (except those to be driven on or off a ro-ro ship for short voyages), the shipper or the party that packed the container (agent) must provide the ocean carrier with a container weight verification (CWV). This is accomplished by stating on the bill of lading instructions or via electronic message that the gross weight of the container (cargo plus container tare weight) has been verified, namely by stating "verified gross mass" (VGM) adjacent to the stated gross weight. This information must be signed by the person (shipper or agent) providing it, or when using an electronic message, the sender must be authenticated.

"Verified gross mass" (VGM) must be "submitted to the master or his representative and to the terminal representative sufficiently in advance, as required by the master or his representative, to be used in the preparation of the ship stowage plan." Shipping line information portals (e.g., Inttra, GT Nexus, Cargo Smart) will add VGM verification to their bill of lading instruction messages to the ocean carriers, and as separate messages.

There are two ways a shipper or container packer may determine VGM:

1. By weighing the loaded container.
2. By weighing or otherwise determining the total weight of the cargo and any dunnage, and then adding the container tare weight as marked on the container.

IMPORTANT: This requirement applies worldwide. The implementation procedures and minimum time prior to vessel departure to provide VGM, will vary by country, and perhaps also by port, carrier and cargo terminal.

Containers for which VGM has not been received as of the time of delivery to the cargo terminal will be:

• Rejected (not accepted); or,
• Accepted but subject to a hold until the information is received, and hence potentially incur demurrage and detention charges if a container cannot be loaded on the intended voyage; or,
• Weighed by the cargo terminal, for which the shipper will typically be charged a weighing fee.

(Last updated on 2016-08-12)