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.
| Name of the laws | Major items subject to the laws | Supervising government agencies |
|---|---|---|
|
Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law
Import Trade Order |
|
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
|
Office of Wildlife Management, Wildlife Division, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment
|
|
Firearms and Swords Possessive Control Law
|
|
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 Safety and Environmental Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
|
|
Cannabis Control Law
|
Cannabis plant and articles thereof
|
Compliance and Narcotics Division, Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health 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 Safety and Environmental Health 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 Law
|
All food and drink, food additives, tableware, containers/wrapping, and toys
|
Office of Quarantine Station Administration, Policy Planning Division for Environmental Healthy and Food Safety, Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Healthy 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.)
|
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.
|
Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases Control Division, Health Service 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.