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Home > Export/Import > Customs Answer(FAQ) > 4003 Overview of the Elimination or Reduction in Tariffs under the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement

4003 Overview of the Elimination or Reduction in Tariffs under the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement

  • Based on the Japan-Singapore EPA, the tariff is scheduled to be eliminated approximately 99% of the value of the trade between the two countries (100% of exports from Japan and approximately 95% of imports from Singapore) within 10 years from the entry into force of the agreement.

  • I. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries

    • (1) Basic policy

      Although the tariff has been lifted for items that are already duty-free (excluding items subject to duty-free concessions under the WTO and those subject to tariff quota but are effectively duty-free) in order to prevent adverse effects on domestic agriculture, forestry and fisheries, the amended Protocol merely added immediate or gradual tariff elimination for certain other items.

    • (2) Items for which tariffs have been eliminated

      Of agricultural, forestry and fisheries items (Note), the tariff has been eliminated for items excluding those that are (a) subject to duty-free concessions under the WTO and (b) effectively duty-free and not subject to the agreement due to its scheme. In addition to the aforementioned items, Japan pledged tariff elimination for mangos, durians, asparagus, processed curry products, process timber, fresh and frozen prawn, etc., under the amended Protocol. The concrete examples of items to become tariff-free and those that do not are shown below.

Examples of tariff-free itemsExamples of items for which tariffs remain

  • 1) Examples of items subject to duty-free concessions under the WTO

    • Cut flowers (for ornamental and bouquet use; orchid flowers, etc.)
    • Beer

  • 2) Examples of items that are effectively duty-free

    • Softwood lumber and processed softwood lumber
    • Undressed fur
    • Oat (excluding oat for seed collection)
    • Protein preservatives (for frozen minced fish production)
    • Cigarettes
    • Certain alcoholic beverages (low-malt beer, brandy, whiskey, rum, gin, vodka and liqueurs)
    • Ethanol for industrial alcohol production

  • 3) Examples of items for which concessions were granted under the amended Protocol

    • Mangos
    • Durians
    • Asparagus
    • Processed curry products
    • Processed lumber
    • Fresh and frozen prawn

Examples of items imported in the past

  • Fresh fish (yellowfin tuna, brighteye tuna, etc.)
  • Processed cocoa products
  • Dairy products
  • Processed edible fats
  • Vegetable oils

Note: Scope of agricultural, forestry and fisheries products

    • (a) Agricultural products: Items shown in Annex I Paragraph 1 (ii) of the WTO Agricultural Agreement and HS1-24 categories excluding fisheries products

    • (b) Forestry products: HS44 & 46

    • (c) Fisheries products: Items in HS1-24, excluding the aforementioned agricultural products

 Ⅱ. Industrial products

    • (1) Basic policy

      Tariff elimination, excluding exemption items (certain petroleum products, leather, etc.)

    • (2) Items for which tariffs have been eliminated

Examples of tariff-free itemsExamples of items for which tariffs remain
  • Salt, sulfur, soil, plaster, line and cement
  • Mineral ore, slag and ash
  • Coal briquettes
  • Crude oil
  • Certain petroleum products
    • Volatile oil (small aircraft fuel and naphtha)
    • Kerosene (petrochemical raw material)
    • Light oil
    • Heavy and crude oil (for refining or for use in agriculture, forestry and fisheries)
    • Lubricants
    • Petroleum gas (natural gas, propane, butane, etc.)
  • Inorganic chemical products
  • Search and organic chemical products (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc., excluding items described at right)
  • Pharmaceutical products
  • Fertilizers
  • Certain petrochemical products

    • a) Certain primary plastic products

      • Polyethylene, polypropylene, polyisobutylene, propylene copolymer, polystyrene and ABS resins in either liquid or paste form
      • Vinyl chloride resin, vinyl acetate, methacrylic resin, polyester, epoxy resin, polyamide, amino resin, phenol resin, polyurethane, silicone, petroleum resin, cellulose, etc.

    • b) Scrap plastic and semi-finished and finished plastics

  • Rubber and rubber products
  • Wood pulp
  • Paper, paper sheets, books and newspapers
  • Fabrics, clothing and clothing accessories
  • Ceramics and glass
  • Precious stones and metals
  • Base metals and their products
  • Machinery and electrical equipment
  • Motor vehicles, aircraft and sea vessels

Examples of items imported in the past

  • Certain petroleum products
    • Kerosene (for jet engine fuel and heating)
  • Certain petrochemical products
    • Certain primary plastic products  
      • Certain etylene-vinyl acetate copolymers
  • Leather and leather products
  • Furs and fur products
  • Footwear and hats
  • Natural and cultured pearl products

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Please see No. 9301 for inquiries.