1801 Outline of other relevant laws and ordinances referred to by Customs (FAQ)
Certain import goods are considered as having the potential to adversely affect our domestic economy, public health/sanitation, or public safety and morals, and therefore import restrictions are being imposed on those goods in accordance with the relevant Japanese law or ordinance.
Introduction of the restrictions pursuant to laws or ordinances are interrelated with the import license systems stipulated by the Customs Law, so as to secure the effectiveness of the restrictions.
Therefore, when it is necessary to obtain any license, authorization, etc. required by any other law or ordinance than customs-related laws for importing goods, you have to submit to Customs, at the time of import declaration or at the time of examination or the inspection necessary for import declaration, the evidence that you have obtained all of the required licenses, authorizations, etc. Without Customs confirmation of such evidence, import permit will not be given.
Some laws/ordinances require importers to submit certain certificates issued by a foreign authority in order to obtain necessary license/authorization for importation. Therefore, importers should make sure, in advance, of what documents are necessary for submission.
Introduction of the restrictions pursuant to laws or ordinances are interrelated with the import license systems stipulated by the Customs Law, so as to secure the effectiveness of the restrictions.
Therefore, when it is necessary to obtain any license, authorization, etc. required by any other law or ordinance than customs-related laws for importing goods, you have to submit to Customs, at the time of import declaration or at the time of examination or the inspection necessary for import declaration, the evidence that you have obtained all of the required licenses, authorizations, etc. Without Customs confirmation of such evidence, import permit will not be given.
Some laws/ordinances require importers to submit certain certificates issued by a foreign authority in order to obtain necessary license/authorization for importation. Therefore, importers should make sure, in advance, of what documents are necessary for submission.
(Article 70 of the Customs Law, and item 1, section 3, paragraph 70 of the General Notification of the Customs Law)
List of import-related laws and regulations
- "Other laws and ordinances" are defined as those other than customs-related laws/ordinances which specify the necessary licenses, authorizations, etc. concerning exportation or importation.
June,2025
| Name of the laws | Major items subject to the laws | Supervising government agencies |
|---|---|---|
|
Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act
Import Trade Order |
|
Trade Control Policy Division, Trade Control Department, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
|
|
Act on the Protection and Management of Wildlife, and the Optimization of Hunting
|
Bird species and their by-products, animals and their by-products, bird eggs
(limited to wild animals) |
Office of Wildlife Management, Wildlife Division, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment
|
|
Act for Controlling the Possession of Firearms or Swords and Other Such Weapons
|
|
Safety Division, Community Safety Bureau, National Police Agency
|
|
Regulation of Revenue Stamps and Counterfeiting Act
|
Object that could be mistaken for Revenue Stamps
|
Consumption Tax Office, Taxation Management Division, National Tax Agency
|
|
Poisonous and Deleterious Substance Control Act
|
Poisonous and deleterious substances
|
Pharmaceutical Evaluation Division, Pharmaceutical Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
|
|
Stimulants Control Act
|
Stimulant drugs, raw materials for producing stimulant drugs
|
Compliance and Narcotics Division, Pharmaceutical Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
|
|
Act on Regulation of Cultivation of Cannabis Plants
|
cannabis seed
|
|
|
Narcotics, and Psychotropics Control Act
|
Narcotics, Cannabis plant articles thereof and psychotropic substances
|
|
|
Opium Control Act
|
Opium, poppy straw
|
|
|
Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
|
Pharmaceutical, pharmaceutical-related items, cosmetics, medical equipment, designated substance;
Pharmaceutical, pharmaceutical-related items, medical devices for animal treatment/diagnosis,in vitro diagnostic and Cellular and Tissue-based Products |
Compliance and Narcotics Division, Pharmaceutical Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Animal Products Safety DivisionFood Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
|
Act on the Protection of Marine Resources
|
Koi (Carp), goldfish and other Carassius, silver carp, big head carp, grass carp, black chinese roach, salmon eyed egg and fry, and Penaeus fry
|
Fish and Fishery Products Safety Office, Animal Health and Animal Products Safety Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
|
|
Act on the Quality Control of Fertilizer
|
Fertilizer
|
Plant Products Safety Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
|
|
Agricultural Chemicals Regulation Act
|
Agricultural chemicals
|
Plant Products Safety Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
|
|
Act on Price Adjustment of Sugar and Starch
|
Sugar and Starch
|
Regional Agricultural Production Division, Crop Production Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
|
|
Act Concerning the Stabilization of Price of Livestock Products
|
Butter, non-fat powdered milk and condensed milk
|
Milk and Dairy Products Division, Livestock Industry Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
|
|
Act on Stabilization of Supply, Demand and Prices of Staple Food
|
Rice grains (rice, rice flour, rice cake, etc.), wheat and barley (products processed/regulated wheat, barley, or rye)
|
Grain Quality Assurance Office, Grain Trade and Operation Division, Crop Production Policy Department, Crop Production Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
|
|
Explosives Control Act
|
Explosives, explosive compounds, articles processed by heat (fuse, etc.)
|
Mine Safety and Explosives Control Division, Industrial and Product Safety Policy Group, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
|
|
High Pressure Gas Safety Act
|
High pressure gas
|
High Pressure Gas Safety Office, Industrial and Product Safety Policy Group, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
|
|
Act on the Regulation of Manufacture and Evaluation of Chemical Substances
|
Chemical substance
|
Chemical Safety Office, Chemical Management Policy Division, Industrial and Product Safety Policy Group, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
|
|
Oil Stockpiling Act
|
Volatile oil, kerosene, and light oil
|
Petroleum Refining and Reserve Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
|
|
Act on Control of Imitation, etc. of Postal Stamps, etc.
|
Objects that could be mistaken for postal stamps
|
Postal Policy Planning Division, Postal Services Policy Planning Bureau, Posts and Telecommunications, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
|
|
Ethanol Business Act
|
Alcohol with alcoholic content of 90 percent and above
|
Alcohol Office, Material Industries Division Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
|
|
Food Sanitation Law
|
All food and drink, food additives, tableware, containers/wrapping, and toys
|
Office of Import Food Safety Food Inspection and Safety Division,Public Health Bureau,Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
|
|
Plant Protection Act
|
Flowering (phanerogamous) plant, pteridophyte, bryophyte, harmful plants (bacillus, parasite, etc.), harmful animals (various insects and mites, etc.) ,used agricultural machinery, etc
|
Plant Protection Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
|
|
Rabies Prevention Act
|
Dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks
|
Animal Health Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
|
|
Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Livestock
|
Even-toed ungulate, horses, poultry (chickens, ducks), rabbits, bees and these meats, sausage, ham and rice straw.
|
|
|
Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases
|
Monkey, prairie dogs, etc.
|
Division of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Public Health Bureau , Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Animal Health Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
|
Act on the Prevention of Adverse Ecological Impacts Caused by Designated Invasive Alien Species
|
Black bass, Snapping Turtle, etc.
|
Wildlife Division, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment
|
|
Industrial Safety and Health Act
|
Harmful substances （asbestos, etc.）
|
Chemical Hazards Control Division, Occupational Safety and Health Department, Labour Standards Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
|
|
Act on Ensuring the Proper Domestic Distribution and Importation of Specified Aquatic Animals and Plants
|
Mackerel, Pacific saury, Sardine, Squid and Cuttle fish and processed products which are made of/from any of these fish species
|
Fisheries Proper Distribution Promotion Office, Fisheries Processing Industries and Marketing Division
|
For consultations on customs procedures, please contact the nearest Customs Counselor.
Please see No. 9301 for inquiries.