Regulations

Other laws and regulations concerning exports

If an exporter of goods requires an export license, approval, or other administrative action under laws other than customs-related laws (other laws) for the export of those goods, they must first obtain such an export license, approval, or other administrative action under those laws as a pre-export customs procedure prior to export customs clearance.
The main points are as listed above.

 
Law nameMain itemsMajor government ministries and agenciesCustoms verification documents
1. Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act
(1) Import Trade Control Order
(2) Foreign Exchange Act		Weapons and chemical weapons, etc. (Appendix 1)
Export-controlled items such as narcotics (Appendix 2)
Payments to Iraq and Angola		Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau
Trade Control Department, Security Trade Control Section
Trade Management Department Trade Management Division
International Balance of Payments Division, International Bureau, Ministry of Finance		Export Permit
Export Approval Certificate
Payment Permit
2. Export Trade ActCurrently, there are no eligible candidates.Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Bureau of Trade and Economic Cooperation		 
3.Cultural Properties Protection LawImportant Cultural Property or Important Art Object
Natural Monument		Agency for Cultural Affairs, Cultural Properties Department
Art and Curatorial Department		Export Permit
4. Forestry Seedling LawCurrently, there are no eligible candidates.Forestry Agency, Forest Management Department
Forest Conservation Division		 
5. Act Concerning the Protection of Wildlife and HuntingBirds, animals, and their processed products, etc.Ministry of the Environment, Natural Environment Bureau, Wildlife DivisionCertificate of Legal Capture of Wildlife
6. Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control ActNarcotics, psychotropic drugsMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau
Surveillance and Guidance / Narcotics Control Division		Narcotics export permit
7. Cannabis Control ActCannabis and its productsMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau
Surveillance and Guidance / Narcotics Control Division		Cannabis export permit
8. The Opium LawOpium, poppy strawMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau
Surveillance and Guidance / Narcotics Control Division		Certificate of consignment for opium export, etc.
9. Stimulant Control ActStimulants, stimulant raw materialsMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau
Surveillance and Guidance / Narcotics Control Division		Stimulant drug raw material export permit
10. Rabies Prevention ActDogs, cats, raccoons, foxes, skunksMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau, Livestock Department, Hygiene DivisionDog export quarantine certificate,
Based on the Rabies Prevention Act
Animal export quarantine certificate
11. Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Domestic AnimalsEven-toed ungulates, horses, birds, ducks,
Honeybees, sausages, ham, etc.		Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau
Livestock Department, Hygiene Division		Export quarantine certificate, etc.
12.Plant Protection ActFlowering plants, ferns, or mosses
Plants belonging to this group, harmful plants, harmful animals		Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau
Plant Protection Division		Cultivation site inspection certificate, etc.
[1] Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control ActNarcotics, psychotropic drugsMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau
Surveillance and Guidance / Narcotics Control Division		A copy of the prescription or a doctor's certificate.
Export Notification for Narcotic and Psychotropic Drug Raw Materials
Notification of Business Operations for Exporters of Narcotic and Other Raw Materials
Certificate of Acceptance
[2] Road Transport Vehicle ActUsed carsMinistry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Motor Vehicle Transportation Bureau
Technology and Safety Department Management Division		Export Deregistration Provisional Certificate
Export Notification Certificate
*Items 1-12 relate to Article 70, Paragraph 1 of the Customs Act, and items [1] and [2] relate to Article 70, Paragraph 2 of the Customs Act.

Other laws and regulations concerning imports

If an importer of goods requires permission, approval, or other administrative action under laws other than customs-related laws (other laws) for the import of those goods, they must first obtain permission, approval, or other administrative action under those other laws as a pre-customs procedure prior to import customs clearance.
The main ones are as listed above.

 
Law nameMain itemsMajor government ministries and agenciesCustoms verification documents
1. Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act
(1) Foreign Exchange Act
(2) Import Trade Control Order		Import quota (herring), approval No. 2 (whale), prior confirmation (frozen bluefin tuna)International Balance of Payments Division, International Bureau, Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau
Trade Management Department Trade Management Division
 		Import permit, etc.
2. Act Concerning the Protection of Wildlife and HuntingBirds, animals, and their processed products, etc.Ministry of the Environment, Natural Environment Bureau, Wildlife DivisionExport license certificate, etc.
3. Law Concerning the Control of Possession of Firearms and SwordsFirearms and swordsNational Police Agency, Community Safety Bureau, Firearms Control DivisionFirearms (swords, etc.) possession permit, etc.
4. Act on Control of Counterfeiting of Stamps, etc.Items that have an appearance that is easily confused with a revenue stamp.National Tax Agency, Taxation Department, Consumption Tax Divisionimport permit
5. Cannabis Control ActCannabis and its productsMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau
Surveillance and Guidance / Narcotics Control Division		Cannabis import permit
6. Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control ActPoisons, highly toxic substancesMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau, Review and Management DivisionRegistration certificate for importing poisonous and deleterious substances, etc.
7. Stimulant Control ActStimulants, stimulant raw materialsMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau
Surveillance and Guidance / Narcotics Control Division		Import permit for methamphetamine raw materials
8. Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control ActNarcotics, psychotropic drugsMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau
Surveillance and Guidance / Narcotics Control Division		Narcotics import permits, etc.
9. The Opium LawOpium, poppy strawMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau
Surveillance and Guidance / Narcotics Control Division		Certificate of consignment for opium import, etc.
[1] Pharmaceutical Affairs Law
10. Pharmaceutical Affairs Law		Pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, veterinary drugs, quasi-drugs, and veterinary devices.Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau
Surveillance and Guidance / Narcotics Control Division
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau, Livestock Department
Hygiene Division, Pharmaceutical Affairs Office		Import and sales business license, etc.
11.Fertilizer Control LawfertilizerMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau, Production Materials DivisionRegistration certificate, etc.
12. Act on the Adjustment of Imports of Raw Silkraw silkMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau, Specialty Products Promotion DivisionReports on the arrival of imported raw silk, etc.
Sale-back consent form, etc.
13. Fisheries Resources Protection ActJuvenile shrimp of the genus Pterois, etc.Fisheries Agency, Aquaculture Promotion Department, Cultivation and Farming DivisionImport permit
14. Act on Price Adjustment of Sugar, etc.Raw sugar, refined sugar, etc.Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau, Specialty Products Promotion DivisionAgreements for the purchase and resale of designated sugars related to business transactions, etc.
15. Provisional Measures Act Concerning Subsidies for Producers of Raw Milk for ProcessingButter, skim milk powder, condensed milk, milk, cream, buttermilk powder, etc.Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau, Livestock Department, Milk and Dairy Products DivisionCertificate of entrustment of import operations for designated dairy products, etc., and agreement to sell back, etc.
16. Act on the Stabilization of Supply and Demand and Prices of Staple FoodsRice, wheat, meslin, barley, hulless barley, rye, and flours thereof, etc.Food Agency, Planning and Distribution Department, Distribution DivisionReceipts for payments, etc.
17. Explosives Control ActGunpowder, explosives, pyrotechnics (fuses, etc.)Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, Security DivisionExplosives import permit
18. Act on the Examination and Regulation of Manufacture, etc., of Chemical SubstancesChemical substances etc.Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Chemical Substances Management DivisionImport permit etc.
19. Act on Control of Counterfeiting of Postage Stamps, etc.Items that have an appearance that is easily confused with postage stamps.Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Postal Planning Bureau, Postal Planning DivisionPermit for Counterfeiting Postage Stamps, etc.
20. Alcohol Monopoly LawAlcohol with an alcohol content of 90% or higherMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Alcohol DivisionCopy of import business license
21. Industrial Safety and Health ActYellow phosphorus matches, benzineMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Labour Standards Bureau, Safety and Health Department
Chemical Substance Survey Form		Import permit based on the Import Trade Control Order
22. Act on Securing Petroleum Reserves, etc.Crude oil, gasoline, kerosene, transit oil, and heavy oilAgency for Natural Resources and Energy, Resources and Fuels Department, Petroleum Refining Equipment and Storage DivisionCopy of the Petroleum Importer Registration Notice
23. Agricultural Chemicals Control ActpesticidesMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Consumer Affairs and Food Safety Bureau, Agricultural Products Safety Management DivisionRegistration form, pesticide import application
24. Act on Prevention of Damage to Ecosystems, etc., Caused by Specified Invasive Alien SpeciesBlack bass, snapping turtles, etc.Ministry of the Environment, Natural Environment Bureau, Wildlife DivisionBreeding permit
Certificate of Type
[2] Food Sanitation LawAll food and beverages, additives, tableware, containers and packaging, toysMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau, Food Safety Department, Planning Division, Quarantine Station Operations Management OfficeFood and other import notification forms, etc.
[3] Plant Protection ActFlowering plants, ferns, or bryophytes; harmful plants; harmful animalsMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau, Plant Protection DivisionPlant inspection certificate, etc.
[4] Rabies Prevention ActDogs, cats, raccoons, foxes, skunksMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau, Livestock Department, Hygiene DivisionDog import quarantine certificate, Animal import quarantine certificate based on the Rabies Prevention Act
[5] Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Domestic AnimalsArtiodactyls, horses, birds, ducks, bees, sausages, ham, etc.Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau
Livestock Department, Hygiene Division		Import quarantine certificate, etc.
[6] Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious DiseasesMonkeyMinistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Production Bureau
Livestock Department, Hygiene Division		Import quarantine certificate
[7] High Pressure Gas Safety ActCompressed gas, liquefied gasMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, Security DivisionCertificate of Passing the Inspection of Imported High-Pressure Gases
*Items 1-24 relate to Article 70, Paragraph 1 of the Customs Act, and items 1-7 relate to Article 70, Paragraph 2 of the Customs Act.

Wood Packaging Regulations

The handling of wooden packaging materials used for transported goods has traditionally been governed by each country's own packaging material import regulations and quarantine systems. In 2002, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) adopted the International Standard for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM No. 15). Member states are currently developing quarantine regulations for wooden packaging materials based on these guidelines, the main points of which are as follows:

 
Country nameWTO SPS notification
Effective date		Disinfection treatment method
Other matters
USThe three NAFTA countries will coordinate to adopt a phased implementation. Phase III
Complete restrictions will be implemented from July 5, 2006.
If the cargo and packaging materials cannot be separated, all cargo will be re-exported.
Furthermore, the importer is responsible for the costs of separating the cargo from the packaging materials and for the costs of re-exporting.		In principle, violations of the HTMB will result in the goods being re-exported or re-exported.
Regarding dunnage, a mark will be required, and fines may be imposed.
CanadaIn Canada, it appears that a disinfection certificate is also accepted if it is difficult to mark the vessel with a traditional dunnage or similar mark.
MexicoHT (including KD and CPI) MB marks are stamps or brand marks.
Labels and stickers are not allowed.
BrazilEmergency Response Regulation No. 4, October 1, 2004
June 1, 2005		In Japan, the issuance of disinfection certificates was suspended from August 1, 2005.
The official gazette dated March 17, 2006, formally acknowledged compliance with ISPM No. 15.
European Union (EU)November 10, 2003
Each member state makes the determination in accordance with EU regulations.
March 1, 2005		HTMB
No DB (Debugging) mark required.
SwitzerlandFebruary 5, 2004
March 1, 2005: The effective date was aligned with that of the EU.		HT MB Switzerland is not an EU member state. The regulations refer to ISPM No. 15. There should be no problem if the standards are the same as those of the EU.
TurkeyG/SPS/N/TUR/4
January 1, 2006		HTMB
ISPM No. 15 criteria
NorwayIt was announced to the WTO on July 24, 2007, that it would be implemented from January 1, 2008.
G/SPS/N/NOR/23		The export certification system under ISPM No. 15 has been established.
Import restrictions remain the same as before. Non-EU member.
South AfricaNotified to the WTO on April 27, 2004.
Strictly enforced from March 1, 2005.		HTMB
ISPM No. 15 standard stickers are not permitted.
UkraineNotification to EPPO (European Phytosanitary Organization)
October 1, 2005		The export certification system under ISPM No. 15 is an established and faithful regulation.
Used for both export and import. Bark stripping (DB) is required.
AustraliaISPM No. 15 standards were adopted from September 1, 2004.
Restrictions on plywood packaging were abolished in November 2009.		HTMB (If MB is used, it's based on Australian standards)
Container shipments require a Supplier's Letterhead.
New ZealandNew plywood and processed lumber packaging materials do not require disinfection.
We adopted ISPM No. 15 2009 edition in November 2009.		HTMB (MB is based on the NZ standard)
If the ISPM No. 15 standard is met, a disinfection certificate is not required.
Chugoku (Japanese only)January 1, 2006
Mitigation measures Announcement No. 2 Detailed provisions Announcement No. 32		HTMB (Heat Point Mass) However, MB (Mass Barrel Mass) for coniferous timber from countries where pine wood nematodes are present is subject to the new standards.
IndiaApplicable to B/LDate entries from November 1, 2004.
ISPM NO. 15 criteria		Countries that have adopted ISPM No. 15 standards are marked.
For countries where the application is not accepted, a disinfection certificate is required.
IndonesiaMarch 9, 2004 G/SPS/NIND/20 (Export Mark)
May 29, 2006 G/SPS/N/IDN/27
WTO has issued a notice that it will begin import restrictions.		An export marking system has been established.
Import restrictions began on September 1, 2009.
It is likely that a "Packing Declaration" form will need to be attached.
South KoreaG/SPS/N/KOR/138/ADD.1
June 1, 2005		HTMB However, MB for coniferous timber from countries where pine nematodes are present: Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Portugal, is subject to different standards.
MalaysiaG/SPS/MYS/24 October 13, 2009
Quarantine regulations were established in January 2010.		It came into effect on July 1, 2010, after a six-month grace period.
Sri LankaG/SPS/N/LKA/14
October 14, 2009		Rules that adhere strictly to ISPM No. 15 standards.
Import restrictions are scheduled to be implemented from September 2010.
PhilippinesG/SPS/N/PHL/71/ADD.1
Fully implemented from June 1, 2005.		Rules that adhere strictly to ISPM No. 15 standards.
A set of regulations combining export certification procedures and import restrictions.
TaiwanG/SPS/N/TPKM/124 17Dec2007
G/SPS/N/TPKM/189 15Jul2010
The rules have been amended in accordance with the revised ISPM No. 15.		Date of regulation implementation: January 1, 2009
Implemented from August 3, 2010.
ThailandG/SPS/N/THA/180&181
August 24, 2009		The effective date will be determined by public notice in the Official Gazette.
The fact that a disinfection certificate is being requested needs to be confirmed.
VietnamJanuary 11, 2007 WTO accession
Introduced on June 5, 2006?		According to information from the U.S. Quarantine Service website, this is an export
It appears they created a marking system (no import restrictions).
JapanImport restrictions began on April 1, 2007.
G/SPS/GEN/739 October 30, 2006		Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Plant Quarantine Station, National Plant Quarantine Association
The circular export certification mark has been revised to the rectangular international standard.

*1 WTO SPS Notification: The date on which the WTO was notified of the change in the sanitary and phytosanitary regulations (SPS notification).
*2 Effective date: The effective date of the new regulations in accordance with ISPM No. 15 concerning imported wooden packaging materials. However, some countries may provide a grace period.
*3 Disinfection method... Disinfection method for wooden packaging materials. Heat treatment is indicated by HT methyl bromide, and fumigation by MB.
*4 Other matters... Some countries only permit heat treatment for pine wood inhabited by nematodes.
Some countries have stricter regulations regarding dunnage marking than ISPM No. 15. Also, some countries do not accept labels or stickers for marking.

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