🇨🇳 China → 🇯🇵 Japan

CCC Certification (3C认证)

China Compulsory Certification is required for products sold in China. For export-only products, CCC is NOT required. However, if the product is also sold domestically, CCC is mandatory. Covers 17 major categories including electronics, appliances, auto parts, toys.

CIQ Inspection (商检)

China Inspection and Quarantine. Required for products in the statutory inspection catalog (法定检验目录). Inspection certificate must be obtained before customs declaration for listed products.

Required Export Documents (China)

Complete set: Trade Contract (贸易合同), Commercial Invoice (商业发票), Packing List (装箱单), Bill of Lading or Airway Bill (提运单), Customs Declaration Form (报关单, filed via Single Window), Power of Attorney (报关委托书, if using customs broker), Export License (出口许可证, if applicable), Inspection Certificate (检验检疫证书, if product is on statutory inspection list).

Enterprise Registration with Customs

Chinese exporters must register with customs (海关注册备案) before conducting trade. Apply through China International Trade Single Window (单一窗口) or local customs office.

Prepare Export Documents

Required documents: Trade contract (贸易合同), Commercial invoice (商业发票), Packing list (装箱单), Bill of lading/Airway bill (提运单), Customs power of attorney if using agent (报关委托书), Export license if applicable (出口许可证), Inspection certificate if applicable (检验检疫证书).

Submit Electronic Customs Declaration (报关)

File electronic declaration via China E-Port (中国电子口岸) system. Must be submitted after goods arrive at customs supervision area and at least 24 hours before loading. Declaration includes: consignee, HS code, quantity, value, trade terms, transport info.

Customs Inspection (查验) if Required

Customs may inspect goods based on risk assessment. Inspection rate varies by product category and exporter compliance history. If selected, goods must be presented for physical examination.

Release and Loading (放行装货)

After declaration accepted and inspection passed (if required), customs issues release notice. Goods can then be loaded onto the vessel/aircraft.

Export Tax Rebate Application (出口退税)

After goods exported, apply for VAT/consumption tax rebate through tax authority. Standard rate for electronics (HS 85): 13%. Process: collect documents → file with tax bureau → receive rebate (1-3 months). IMPORTANT (2026 change): China cut or eliminated rebates for 249 product categories effective April 1, 2026. Solar/PV products: rebate ELIMINATED. Battery products: reduced from 9% to 6% (eliminated entirely from Jan 2027). General electronics (including HS 8517 telecom equipment): 13% rate UNCHANGED as of April 2026.

Enterprise Registration with Customs

Chinese exporters must register with customs (海关注册备案) before conducting trade. Apply through China International Trade Single Window (单一窗口) or local customs office.

Prepare Export Documents

Required documents: Trade contract (贸易合同), Commercial invoice (商业发票), Packing list (装箱单), Bill of lading/Airway bill (提运单), Customs power of attorney if using agent (报关委托书), Export license if applicable (出口许可证), Inspection certificate if applicable (检验检疫证书).

Submit Electronic Customs Declaration (报关)

File electronic declaration via China E-Port (中国电子口岸) system. Must be submitted after goods arrive at customs supervision area and at least 24 hours before loading. Declaration includes: consignee, HS code, quantity, value, trade terms, transport info.

Customs Inspection (查验) if Required

Customs may inspect goods based on risk assessment. Inspection rate varies by product category and exporter compliance history. If selected, goods must be presented for physical examination.

Release and Loading (放行装货)

After declaration accepted and inspection passed (if required), customs issues release notice. Goods can then be loaded onto the vessel/aircraft.

Export Tax Rebate Application (出口退税)

After goods exported, apply for VAT/consumption tax rebate through tax authority. Standard rate for electronics (HS 85): 13%. Process: collect documents → file with tax bureau → receive rebate (1-3 months). IMPORTANT (2026 change): China cut or eliminated rebates for 249 product categories effective April 1, 2026. Solar/PV products: rebate ELIMINATED. Battery products: reduced from 9% to 6% (eliminated entirely from Jan 2027). General electronics (including HS 8517 telecom equipment): 13% rate UNCHANGED as of April 2026.

Shipping Timeline from China

China → US (West Coast): Ocean 15-20 days, $2,800-4,200/FEU. Air 3-5 days, $5-8/kg. China → US (East Coast): Ocean 25-35 days, $3,500-5,500/FEU. China → Japan: Ocean 3-7 days, $500-1,200/FEU. Air 1-2 days, $3-6/kg. China → EU (Rotterdam): Ocean 25-35 days via Suez, $2,500-4,500/FEU. China → Korea: Ocean 2-4 days, $300-700/FEU. Export customs clearance: typically 1-2 days after declaration.

China Import Customs Clearance Timeline [CNI]

Average customs clearance time (from declaration to release): Standard goods: 1-3 business days (Single Window has reduced from 16 hours to ~2 hours for green channel). Goods requiring inspection: 3-7 business days. First-time imports with lab testing: 15-20 business days. Major port processing times (2026): Shanghai (洋山/外高桥): 1-2 days average. Shenzhen (盐田/蛇口): 1-2 days. Guangzhou (南沙): 1-2 days. Qingdao (青岛): 2-3 days. Tianjin (天津): 2-3 days. AEO-certified enterprises: typically same-day or next-day clearance.

Shipping Timeline: US to China [CNI]

Ocean freight: US west coast (LA/Long Beach) → Shanghai/Shenzhen: 15-20 days. US east coast (NY/Savannah) → Shanghai: 25-35 days. Transit via Pacific: most common route for US-China trade. Air freight: 2-4 days (major airports: LAX→PVG, JFK→PEK, ORD→CAN). Ocean container cost (2026): $1,500-3,500/FEU (US→China direction typically cheaper than China→US). Air freight cost: $4-8/kg. Add 1-3 days for China customs clearance (standard goods).

Shipping Timeline from Japan

Japan → US (West Coast): Ocean 10-14 days, $2,000-4,000/FEU. Air 2-3 days, $5-8/kg. Japan → US (East Coast): Ocean 20-25 days via Panama, $3,500-5,500/FEU. Japan → China: Ocean 3-5 days, $500-1,200/FEU. Air 1-2 days, $3-6/kg. Japan → EU: Ocean 25-35 days via Suez, $2,500-4,000/FEU. Japan → Korea: Ocean 1-3 days, $300-600/FEU. Export customs clearance: typically same-day for AEO, 1-2 days for others.

Shipping Timeline to Japan

Ocean from China: Shanghai→Tokyo 3-5 days, Shenzhen→Tokyo 5-7 days. Cost: $500-1,200/FEU. Ocean from US: LA→Tokyo 10-14 days, LA→Osaka 11-15 days. Cost: $2,000-4,000/FEU. Air from China: 1-2 days, $3-6/kg. Air from US: 2-3 days, $5-8/kg.

Commercial Invoice

Must include seller/buyer info, product description, quantity, unit price, total value, trade terms (Incoterms), and country of origin.

Packing List

Detailed breakdown of contents per package: weights, dimensions, marks, numbers.

Bill of Lading / Air Waybill

Ocean: B/L. Air: AWB. Required for cargo release from port/terminal.

Certificate of Origin

Required for claiming RCEP preferential tariff rates on eligible goods from China. Can be issued by authorized body or self-declared by approved exporters.

Import Declaration (NACCS)

Filed electronically. Includes HS code, value, origin, quantity. Customs broker typically handles this.

Register with Japan Customs via NACCS

All import declarations are processed through NACCS (Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System). Importers need a NACCS user account or must work through a licensed customs broker (通関業者).

Submit Import Declaration (輸入申告)

File electronically via NACCS. Can be submitted before vessel arrival (preliminary declaration) for faster clearance. Includes HS classification, declared value (CIF), country of origin, and quantity.

Customs Examination & Release

Japan Customs uses a risk-based 3-channel system: Green (immediate release), Yellow (document review), Red (physical inspection). AEO-certified importers get expedited processing. Typical clearance: 1-3 business days.

Pay Duties and Consumption Tax

Pay customs duty (per HTS rate) + 10% consumption tax. Tax base = CIF value + customs duty. Registered businesses can claim consumption tax as input tax credit.

Japan MFN Tariff — Electronics (HS 85)

Most electronics are Free (0%) under the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA). Japan is an ITA signatory. HS 8517, 8471, 8528 (most sub-headings) = Free. Some traditional appliances (HS 8509 etc.) may have 0-5% MFN rates. RCEP preferential rates provide no additional benefit for ITA products (already Free).

Japan Consumption Tax (消費税) — 10%

Applied on (CIF value + customs duty). Standard rate: 10%. Reduced rate for food/beverages: 8%. Consumption tax-registered businesses can claim input tax credit. No exemptions for imports.

RCEP Preferential Tariffs (China→Japan)

RCEP entered into force for Japan on January 1, 2022. First-ever tariff arrangement between China and Japan. Japan will eliminate tariffs on ~86% of tariff lines from China over 10-20 years. Electronics (HS 85): No additional benefit as MFN is already Free (ITA). Key benefits: chemicals, machinery parts, auto parts, textiles, some processed foods. Requires RCEP Certificate of Origin or approved exporter self-declaration. Regional cumulation rules apply.

US-Japan Trade Agreement (Limited, 2020)

Not a comprehensive FTA. Covers only agricultural products and limited industrial goods. Key: US beef tariff reduced from 38.5% to 9% by 2033. US pork tariff reduced. Electronics (HS 85): NOT covered (already Free under ITA). US auto tariff (2.5%) on Japanese cars: NOT reduced (promised reduction never implemented). US-Japan Digital Trade Agreement (2020): Prohibits data localization, protects cross-border data flow.

PSE Mark (Product Safety Electrical / 電気用品安全法)

Mandatory for electrical products sold in Japan. 457 product categories covered. Category A (116 types, high risk): Diamond PSE mark, requires third-party testing. Category B (341 types): Circle PSE mark, self-declaration with testing. Importer must register with METI as a Notified Business Operator (届出事業者).

TELEC / Giteki Mark (技適マーク) — Radio Equipment

Mandatory for ALL devices with wireless functionality (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, etc.). Equivalent to US FCC certification. Issued by MIC-designated bodies (e.g., TELEC). Product must display the Giteki Mark. Timeline: 4-8 weeks. Cost: $3,000-8,000.

VCCI (EMC Compliance)

Voluntary but market-essential. Based on CISPR 32. Almost all IT/electronic equipment sold in Japan carries VCCI certification. Japanese buyers and retailers typically require it.