Advance Filing Rules on Maritime Container Cargo Information (the Pre-departure filing)

　On March 30, 2012, a bill to amend part of the Customs Tariff Law and relevant laws has passed through the Diet. This amendment enacts the Advance Filing Rules, which require a shipping company or an NVOCC to electronically submit information for maritime container cargoes to be loaded on a vessel intending to entry into a port in Japan, to the Customs in principle no later than 24 hours before departure of the vessel from a port of loading. The Rules have been implemented since March 2014.
　The Customs law of Japan prescribes a penalty if Shipping Companies or NVOCC file no (or false) cargo information by the filing deadline.

I.Summary of the rules

1.The Advance Filing Rules on Maritime Container Cargo Information (Guidance) (As of October 2017)

• Text[PDF:82KB]
• Appendices

2.FAQs about the Advance Filing Rules on Maritime Container Cargo Information [PDF:144KB]

3.Operational attention

• (1) Required procedures when it is difficult to electronically file cargo information through NACCS due to disasters, system failure, etc.

  　⇒  Please call the designated contact point of Japan Customs according to attached procedure.
  　In the case of NACCS system failure, instructions from Japan Customs will be notified on NACCS’ AFR web site.

  （Attachment） Procedures when it is difficult to electronically file cargo information through NACCS due to disasters, system failure, etc[PDF:215KB]
• (2)Cases of inappropriate filing of cargo information in AFR

  　⇒　Please refer to the attachment that gives examples of inappropriate filing, and report appropriate and detailed descriptions in order for Japan Customs to conduct an appropriate risk analysis of filed cargo information.
  　（Attachment） Cases of inappropriate filing of cargo information in AFR[PDF:234KB]

• (3)Dealing with discrepancy information

  　⇒　According to attached procedure, shipping companies and NVOCCs need to cooperate with each other to respond to discrepancy information, so as not to disturb risk analysis of Japan Customs. It is not necessary to get in touch with Japan Customs in advance　just because the filer receives the notification of a discrepancy information.
  　（Attachment）Dealing with discrepancy information[PDF:303KB]

• (4)Procedure for correction of cargo information

  　⇒　When the filer needs to correct cargo information, please refer to the attachment, and take actions appropriately. （Attachment）Procedures for correction of cargo information[PDF:121KB]

• (5)Dealing with an advance notice of risk analysis result from Japan Customs(DNL,HLD,DNU and SPD)

  　⇒　The filer needs to respond to the instructions mentioned in an advance notice from Japan Customs. If the filer has questions about the received advance notice or requests the cancellation of the received advance notice because it is wrong, please get in touch with the contact point listed in the advance notice.
  （Attachment）Instruction for the method of inquiries about advance notice[PDF:149KB]

• (6)Procedure for the application for cargo discharge permission

  　⇒　According to the attachment, the filer needs to submit“Application permission for unloading” to the Customs office which has jurisdiction over the port where the cargo to be discharged. (In case the filers apply through NACCS, please conduct the “Cargo Discharge Permission (DNC)”.) Please get in touch with the contact point of the Customs office which has jurisdiction over the port where the cargo to be discharged.
  　（Attachment）Application for Cargo Discharge Permission[PDF:297KB]

4.Others

• (1)Inquiry about the Advance Notice provided of Japanese Customs for Maritime Cargo Information

  　⇒　Information Desk for Advance filing Rules
  　　　　Telephone：81(0)5058652376 (For service in English, press“2”)
  　　　　Email：tyo-chosa-jizen24@customs.go.jp

• (2)Inquiry about outline or legislation of the Advance Filing Rules on Maritime Container Cargo Information

  　⇒　Please refer to Customs and Tariff Bureau accessing to URL below
  　　　　https://www.customs.go.jp/english/quest/index.htm

• (3)Inquiry about NACCS computerized system (specification, contents of error messages and any other problems with NACCS computerized system, or issuance of reporter ID, or offer of using NACCS)

Ⅱ.Reference

1. Advance Filing Rules web site by NACCS Center【6th generation NACCS】
• Procedure Specifications【6th generation NACCS】
• List of authorized Service Providers【6th generation NACCS】
2. The material of lecture presentation for Advance filing Rules （As of February 2014）[PDF:590KB]