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Home > FTA/EPA > EPA's Customs procedure & Tariff classification code

EPA's Customs procedure & Tariff classification code

Customs procedure for Economic Partnership Agreements

Importers who claim preferential treatment under EPAs are required to submit a certificate of origin for EPAs to Japan Customs at the time of import declaration (Except for an importation of a consignment of originating goods of the exporting Party whose aggregate customs value does not exceed 200 thousand yen).

A certificate of origin of EPAs shall be issued based on the application by exporters at the time of exportation of the good in order to certify that a good is originated in the exporting country (Partner country) based on the rules of origin of each EPA.  A certificate of origin for EPAs is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.

Generally a good of the Partner country shall be deemed to meet the origin criteria of EPAs when it is transported directly from the country.  When it is transported through one or more non-Parties for the purpose of transit or temporary storage, Through Bill of Lading or other documents are required to claim preferential treatment under EPAs.

As mentioned above, a certificate of origin is required in principle at the time of import declaration.  However ex post facto submission of a certificate of origin is accepted by a Customs Commissioner in the event of inevitable occurrences as earthquakes, or when importation before payment system (BP) is approved.  

Tariff classification code in Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)

The Customs Tariff Schedules of Japan is based on the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, which is called by the name of the HS convention. The Annex of the HS Convention is commonly known as the HS Nomenclature, and it lists commodities in order to classify all goods uniformly and systematically.

If you have any questions on customs procedure regarding EPAs, please contact the following Customs houses.

  • Hakodate Customs, Customs Clearance Division, Chief Examiner:
    0138-40-4258
  • Tokyo Customs, Customs Clearance Division, Origin Investigator:
    03-3599-6527
  • Yokohama Customs, Customs Clearance Division, Origin Investigator:
    045-212-6174
  • Nagoya Customs, Customs Clearance Division, Origin Investigator:
    052-654-4205
  • Osaka Customs, Customs Clearance Division, Origin Investigator:
    06-6576-3196
  • Kobe Customs, Customs Clearance Division, Origin Investigator:
    078-333-3097
  • Moji Customs, Customs Clearance Division, Origin Investigator:
    050-3530-8369
  • Nagasaki Customs, Customs Clearance Division, Chief Examiner:
    095-828-8665
  • Okinawa Customs, Chief Examiner:
    098-862-9291