[Procedure name] Approval of Containers by Design Types
(Procedure based on the convention)
[ Summary]
- Procedure required for obtaining the approval at the manufacturing stage of the design type of transportation containers that satisfy the technical requirements prescribed in the convention, which aims to promotes the use of containers in international transportation
[ Bases for procedures]
- Article 15 (application of Article 14) of the Special Measure Law of the Customs Law on the Enforcement of the Customs Convention on Containers and the TIR Convention (the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets)
- Article 17 Paragraph 2 of the Cabinet Order for Enforcement of the Special Measure Law of the Customs Law on the Enforcement of the Customs Convention on Containers and the TIR Convention (the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets)
[ Subjects to procedure]
- Manufacturing plant of containers that intends to obtain the said approval
[ Time of submission]
- Submit your application before starting to manufacture containers that you applied for approval of.
[ Method of submission]
- Prepare an application and documents to be attached and submit them to the following administrative agency.
[ Fee]
- The applicant is required to pay fees (122,300 yen per approval for fiscal 2000) in accordance with Article 18 Paragraph 1 Item 2 of the Cabinet Order for Enforcement of the Special Measure Law of the Customs Law on the Enforcement of the Customs Convention on Containers and the TIR Convention (the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets).
[ Documents to be attached and number of copies]
-

A drawing of the design type of of the said containers, specification, and two promissory letters covering the following items:

(1)  To exhibit a container sample of the said design type series which is necessary for customs to examine.
(2)  To arrange the manufacturing plant so that customs officials can visit the plant to examine the containers of the said design type whenever necessary.
(3)  To notify customs of any changes of the design before engaging in modification.
(4)  To affix an approval plate on the approved containers (as defined in provisions of Article 19 of the Cabinet Order for Enforcement of the Special Measure Law of the Customs Law on the Enforcement of the Container Convention and the TIR Convention, namely "Fixing an Approval Plate on Containers") and to display the code and number of the said design type and the manufacturing number on the said containers
[ Application form and description]
(The following forms may be printed for use in A4-sized (portrait) sheets of paper.)
- Application for Approval of Container Types (Customs Form A No. 1150): Two copies
[ Submitted to]
- Submit your application to a hozei section official of the customs office (customs headquarters) having jurisdiction over the area where the said container manufacturing plant is located.
[ Reception time]
- Office hours of customs (8:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. except on holidays for the administrative agencies)
[ Consultation service]
- For information, ask a customs counselor or the customs office that processes your application.
[ Submission standard]
- That the containers applied for approval must fall into the category of transportation equipment in the structure of a lift-van, transportable tank, or the like, and satisfy the following requirements:
(1)  That the containers must be durable and strong enough for repeated use.
(2)  That the containers must be designed so that one or two or more transportation methods are available for easy transportation of goods without reloading them.
(3)  That the containers must have equipment that allows speedy handling, especially switching from the current transportation method to another transportation method.
(4)  That the containers must be designed so that loading and unloading goods are easy.
(5)  That the container must have a space of at least one cubic meter.
- That the containers must conform to provisions of Annex 1 of the Container Convention or of Annex 6 of the TIR Convention.
[ Standard processing time]
[ Administrative appeal]
- Any person may file a protest with the Director-General of Customs within two months from the day following the date of acknowledgement of a disposition related to a customs declaration in case he or she is not satisfied with that disposition.
[R emarks]
1. When the applicant has two manufacturing plants or more that involve different competent customs, the applicant is required to prepare the necessary number of documents to submit.
2. The applicant is required to correct the application and/or design drawing if they do not conform to the technical requirements of the said containers.
3. Customs examines a manufactured container sample. The applicant or an agent is required to witness the examination.
4. In principle, examination is held in the manufacturing plant of the said containers, or in a customs examination area.