Outline of FY2012 Customs and Tariff Policy Amendment

As of April, 2012

1. Amendment of the tariff rates

Elimination of the tariffs on ginger and other plants used in pharmacy and hydrogen fluoride

2. Extension of the effective periods of temporary tariff rates and measures

Extending the effective period of 433 temporary tariff rates, Special Safeguard clause for specific agricultural products and Safeguard Measures for beef and pork by the end of FY2012

3. Improvement of the customs procedures for trade facilitation

(1) Exemption of obligation to submit invoices to customs at the time of export/import declarations (Invoices shall not be submitted unless Customs requires them.)
(2) Abolishment of restrictions on duty-free containers for use of domestic transportation, and expansion of period between importation and re-exportation of them from three months to one year.

4. Strengthening customs enforcement

(1) Introducing obligation to report detailed information on sea container cargoes to customs electronically 24 hours before a vessel departs from a foreign port to Japan in principle
(2) Enabling to using information which is exchanged between Japan and foreign customs authorities for criminal proceedings respectively
(3) Extending of periods of limitation for prosecution against corporations to the same as ones against persons, etc.

5. Extension of the preferential measures for Okinawa

Extending the effective period of the preferential tariff treatment for Okinawa, i.e. Okinawa-type special duty-free store, by the end of FY2016

* To be enforced on April 1, 2012 for No. 1, 2, 3(2), 4(2), 4(3) and 5, on July 1, 2012 for 3(1) and on date designated within two years after the publication of the law by the Cabinet order for No. 4(1).