Outline of FY2016 Customs and Tariff Policy Amendment
As of April, 2016
1. Extension of the effective periods of temporary tariff rates and measures, etc
Extending the effective period of 431 temporary tariff rates, Special Safeguard clause for specific agricultural products and Safeguard Measures for beef and pork by the end of FY2016
2. Amendment of the tariff rates
(1)Expansion of the coverage of the tariff reduction and exemption system for skimmed milk
(2)Elimination of the tariffs on bioethanol for use in manufacturing ethyl-tertiary-butyl-ether
(3)Elimination of the tariffs on dimethyl terephthalate
3. Strengthening customs enforcement
Addition of articles which infringe trade secret to the scope of “articles prohibited from importation and exportation” under the Customs Act
4. Liberalization of customs offices to which import/export declarations are submitted
(1)Liberalization of customs offices to which import/export declarations are submitted for AEOs (Authorized Economic Operators)
(2)Elimination of the territorial restriction on customs brokers and revision of the customs brokers system
5. Revision of the tariff schedule
Revision of the tariff schedule in accordance with the revision of “International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System”
6. Development of the environment for tax payment
Reducing delinquent tax and additional tax, in accordance with the reform of internal tax etc
* to be enforced on April 1, 2016 for No. 1, 2, and 6, on June 1, 2016 for 3, on January 1, 2017 for 5 and on date designated within two years after the publication of the law by the Cabinet order for No. 4 etc.