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Home > Export/Import > Customs Answer(FAQ) > 1801 Outline of other relevant laws and ordinances referred to by Customs (FAQ)

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.

(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.
Name of the laws Major items subject to the laws Supervising government agencies
Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law
Import Trade Order
  • Import quota items (herring)
  • Para. 2 approved items (whale)
  • Prior confirmed items (vaccine)
  • Sanctioned items
Trade Control Policy Division, Trade Control Department, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Wildlife Protection, Control, and Hunting Management Act
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
Firearms and Swords Possessive Control Law
  • Pistol, imitation pistol, rifle, machine gun, shotgun, airgun;
  • Sword with over a 15cm blade length, spear, halberd, sword with over a 5.5cm blade length, dagger and switch knife, etc.
Safety Division, Community Safety Bureau, National Police Agency
Regulation of Revenue Stamps and Counterfeiting Law
Object that could be mistaken for Revenue Stamps
Consumption Tax Office, Taxation Management Division, National Tax Agency
Poisonous and Deleterious Substance Control Law
Poisonous and deleterious substances
Pharmaceutical Evaluation Division, Pharmaceutical Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Cannabis Control Law
Cannabis plant and articles thereof
Compliance and Narcotics Division, Pharmaceutical Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Stimulant Drug Control Law
Stimulant drugs, raw materials for producing stimulant drugs
Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law
Narcotics, psychotropic substances
Opium Law
Opium, poppy straw
Act on Securing Quality,Efficacy and Safety of Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Regenerative and Cellular Therapy Products, Gene Therapy Products, and Cosmetic Law
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
Fisheries Resources Conservation Law
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 Law
Agricultural chemicals
Plant Products Safety Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Law Concerning Sugar and Starch Price Stabilization
Sugar and Starch
Regional Agricultural Production Division, Crop Production Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Act on Stabilization of Livestock Management
Butter, non-fat powdered milk and condensed milk
Milk and Dairy Products Division, Livestock Industry Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Law for Stabilization of Supply-Demand and Price 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 Law
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 Law
High pressure gas
High Pressure Gas Safety Office, Industrial and Product Safety Policy Group, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Law Concerning Screening of Chemical Substances and Regulations on their Manufacture, etc.
Chemical substance
Chemical Management Policy Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Oil Stockpiling Law
Volatile oil, kerosene, and light oil
Petroleum Refining and Reserve Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
Regulation of Postal Stamps and Counterfeiting Law
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
Alcohol Business Law
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 Act
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 Law
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 Law
Dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes, and skunks
Animal Health Division, Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Control Law
Even-toed ungulate, horses, poultry (chickens, ducks), rabbits, bees and these meats, sausage, ham and rice straw.
Laws Concerning the Prevention of Infections and Medical Treatment for Infected Persons
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
Enforcement of Invasive Alien Species Act
Black bass, Snapping Turtle, etc.
Wildlife Division, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment
Industrial Safety and Health Law
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.