1809 Customs' confirmation requirement concerning import restrictions in accordance with the Firearms and Swords Possession Control Law (FAQ)

In Japan, possession, etc. of firearms and swords are restricted by the Firearms and Swords Possession Control Law.

For importing those goods subject to the Law, it is necessary to submit the:
1.	When it is a firegun, etc. or a handgun part (excluding the case of 3 below) "Permission to Possess Firearms" issued by the Prefectural Public Safety Commission, etc. (those related to the notification pursuant to the provisions of Article 3, Paragraph 1, Item 12 or Item 14 are subject to the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Firearms and Swords Control Law (Ordinance of the Prime Minister's Office of 1958 No. 16) in the form prescribed in Annexed Form No. 1 (limited to the one stated that the notification has been accepted). The notification pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 2 of the same Article shall be in the form prescribed in Form No. 3 of the Supplementary Provisions of the same Regulations. The notification pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 3 of the same Article or Paragraph 2 of Article 3-2 shall be in the form prescribed in Form No. 5 of the Supplementary Regulations of the same Article. The permission pursuant to the provisions of Item 1 of Paragraph 1 of Article 4 shall be in the form prescribed in Form No. 29 or No. 29-2 of the Supplementary Regulations of the same Regulations. The permission pursuant to the provisions of items 2 to 5-3 and 8 to 10 of the same paragraph shall be in the form prescribed in Form No. 30 or No. 30-2 of the same Regulations, and the permission pursuant to Article 6 shall be in the form prescribed in Form No. 32 or No. 32-2 of the same Regulations)
2.	When it is a sword (except in the case of 3 below) A "Permit for the Possession of Swords" issued by the Prefectural Public Safety Commission pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, Paragraph 1 (those related to the permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, Paragraph 1, Items 6 to 10 shall be in the form prescribed in Form No. 31 of the Supplementary Appendix to the same Regulations, and the permission pursuant to Article 6 shall be in the form prescribed in Form No. 33 of the Supplementary Regulations of the same Regulations.)
3.	In the case of an antique firearm such as a fire-type firearm or a sword with value as a work of art, a "Certificate of Registration of Firearms and Swords" issued by the Prefectural Board of Education pursuant to the provisions of Article 15, Paragraph 1 "Registration Certificate" (in the form prescribed in Form No. 3 of the Regulations for the Registration of Firearms and Swords (Regulation No. 1 of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Properties in 1958)) or a "Certificate of Readiability"

In addition, importation of firearms or swords shall be permitted only when importers obtain the import approval from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in accordance with the Import Trade Control Ordinance.

(Article 70 of the Customs Law, item 1, section 3, paragraph 70 of the General Notification of the Customs Law, paragraphs 2, 4, 5 and 6 of Article 3, Article 4, Article 14 of the Firearms and Swords Possession Control Law, and Articles 4 of the Import Trade Control Ordinance)

[Inquiries]

The nearest prefectural public safety commission
The nearest prefectural board of education
First Cultural Properties Division, Agency for Cultural Affairs (Tel: +81-3-5253-4111)
Trade Control Policy Division, Trade Control Department, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Tel: +81-3-3501-1511)

For consultations on customs procedures, please contact the nearest Customs Counselor.
Please see No. 9301 for inquiries.