🇯🇵 Japan → 🇺🇸 United States

Japan Export Certifications

No general export certification requirement for most products. Export-controlled items (semiconductor equipment, dual-use goods) require METI export license. Catch-all control: if exporter knows/suspects military end-use, license required even for non-listed items. Chemical weapons/biological weapons related: always require license.

Required Export Documents (Japan)

Export Declaration (輸出申告, filed via NACCS), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading or Airway Bill, Certificate of Origin (if importing country requires), Export License (輸出許可, only for controlled items under Foreign Exchange Act). AEO-certified exporters can use simplified documentation.

Register as Exporter

Register with Japan Customs. AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certification available for frequent exporters, providing simplified procedures and faster clearance.

Prepare Export Documents

Required: Export Declaration, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, B/L or AWB. If goods are export-controlled (e.g., semiconductor equipment): Export License from METI required.

Submit Export Declaration via NACCS (輸出申告)

Filed electronically through NACCS. Customs may inspect based on risk assessment. After approval, Export Permit (輸出許可) is issued and goods can be loaded.

Consumption Tax Zero-Rating on Exports

Exports are zero-rated for consumption tax (0%). Exporters can reclaim consumption tax paid on inputs through the tax return process. Refund typically takes 1-3 months.

Register as Exporter

Register with Japan Customs. AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certification available for frequent exporters, providing simplified procedures and faster clearance.

Prepare Export Documents

Required: Export Declaration, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, B/L or AWB. If goods are export-controlled (e.g., semiconductor equipment): Export License from METI required.

Submit Export Declaration via NACCS (輸出申告)

Filed electronically through NACCS. Customs may inspect based on risk assessment. After approval, Export Permit (輸出許可) is issued and goods can be loaded.

Consumption Tax Zero-Rating on Exports

Exports are zero-rated for consumption tax (0%). Exporters can reclaim consumption tax paid on inputs through the tax return process. Refund typically takes 1-3 months.

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.

Shipping Timeline from US

US → China: Ocean (LA→Shanghai) 15-20 days, $2,500-4,000/FEU. Air 3-5 days, $5-8/kg. US → Japan: Ocean (LA→Tokyo) 10-14 days, $2,000-4,000/FEU. Air 2-3 days, $5-8/kg. US → EU: Ocean (NY→Rotterdam) 10-14 days, $2,000-3,500/FEU. Air 1-2 days, $4-7/kg. US → Korea: Ocean 12-16 days, $2,000-3,500/FEU. EEI filing: must be done before export. AES processing: near-instant.

Commercial Invoice

Required for all shipments. Must include: seller/buyer info, description of goods, quantity, unit value, total value, country of origin, HTS classification. Must be in English.

Packing List

Detailed list of goods in each package/container, including weights, dimensions, and marks/numbers.

Bill of Lading / Airway Bill

Transportation document issued by carrier. Ocean: Bill of Lading (B/L). Air: Airway Bill (AWB). Required for cargo release.

CBP Form 3461 (Entry/Immediate Delivery)

Filed electronically through ACE (Automated Commercial Environment). Initiates the customs entry process.

CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary)

Detailed declaration with tariff classification, duty rates, and payment. Filed electronically through ACE.

Get an Importer Number

Apply for an Importer Number by filing CBP Form 5106 or using your IRS business registration number. All importers need this before bringing goods into the US.

Obtain a Customs Bond

A Customs Bond is required for all formal entries (goods valued over $2,500). Can be single-entry or continuous (annual). Typical cost: $50-500/year for continuous bond.

File ISF 10+2 (Importer Security Filing)

Must be filed at least 24 hours before cargo is loaded onto vessel bound for the US. Contains 10 data elements from importer + 2 from carrier. Penalty: $5,000 per violation, up to $10,000 per filing. IMPORTANT (2025 change): CBP has decentralized ISF enforcement to individual ports. Penalties are now issued directly by port directors within 90 days, with NO prior warning. C-TPAT members may receive 50% penalty reduction.

Submit Entry Documents (CBP Form 3461)

Entry documents must be filed within 15 calendar days of arrival. Can be filed up to 5 days before arrival. CBP will determine if goods can be released.

Submit Entry Summary (CBP Form 7501) and Pay Duties

Entry Summary with duty payment must be filed within 10 working days of goods release. This is when tariffs, taxes, and fees are assessed and paid.

Entry Types

Formal Entry (Type 01): Required for goods >$2,500 or restricted goods. Requires customs bond, CBP Form 3461 + 7501. Informal Entry (Type 11): For goods ≤$2,500. Simplified procedure, no bond required. FTZ Entry (Type 06): Admission to Foreign Trade Zone, duties deferred.

De Minimis Threshold Suspended

The $800 de minimis duty-free threshold is fully suspended as of April 2026. Timeline: May 2, 2025 — suspended for China & Hong Kong. August 29, 2025 — suspended for ALL countries globally. February 24, 2026 — suspension continued via executive order. ALL shipments regardless of value now require formal entry and full duty payment. The statutory $800 threshold has not been legislatively repealed yet, but is administratively unenforced.

Section 122 Temporary Global Tariff (15%)

After the Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs on February 20, 2026 (Learning Resources v. Trump, 6-3), the President imposed a 15% temporary tariff on ALL imports under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The President announced on Truth Social an raised the rate to 15% effective Feb 24 2026 (the statutory maximum) — CBP is collecting at 15% as of April 2026. This is a 150-day emergency tariff effective February 24, 2026, expiring July 24, 2026. It applies to ALL countries including China, on top of any existing duties (Section 301, 232, etc.). Congress can extend beyond 150 days but the President cannot do so unilaterally. Two CIT lawsuits pending; 24 state AGs filed suit on March 5, 2026.

Section 232 Tariffs on Metals (Expanded April 2026)

Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper were significantly restructured on April 2, 2026 (effective April 6, 2026). PRIMARY METALS: Steel, aluminum, and copper articles made entirely/almost entirely of these metals: 50% tariff on FULL customs value (up from 25% for steel/aluminum; new for copper). DERIVATIVE ARTICLES: Products substantially made of steel/aluminum/copper: flat 25% on full customs value. Metal-intensive industrial/grid equipment: 15% transitional rate (rising to 25% in 2027). Products made abroad but entirely with American-origin steel/aluminum/copper: 10%. Products containing less than 15% metal by weight: EXEMPT from Section 232 duties. KEY CHANGE: Previous system of splitting customs value between metal and non-metal content eliminated — tariffs now apply to FULL declared value. TRADE DEAL TREATMENT: Products from EU, Japan, Korea, and Switzerland/Liechtenstein receive reduced rates consistent with existing agreements. Korea retains its TRQ arrangement — steel within quota pays MFN + Section 122 only; above quota pays full 50%. 400+ new HTS codes added to derivatives list in August 2025.

Section 232 on Japanese Steel & Aluminum

Japan has a Section 232 tariff-rate quota (TRQ) of 1.25 million tons/year for steel articles, negotiated in 2022 and still in effect. In-quota volumes pay only §122 15% + MFN; above-quota volumes pay the full §232 50% tariff. Steel must be melted and poured in Japan to qualify. As of April 6, 2026: Section 232 restructured — primary steel/aluminum now at 50% on full customs value (up from 25%). Copper added at 50%. Derivative articles at 25%. Metal-intensive industrial/grid equipment at 15% transitional. However, Japan receives trade-deal treatment: products from Japan face reduced rates on certain derivative products (15%) consistent with existing bilateral arrangements. Japan has been negotiating for a TRQ arrangement similar to Korea but has not secured one as of April 2026.

FCC Equipment Authorization

Required for all electronic devices that emit radio frequency energy. Two types: (1) Certification (FCC ID) for intentional radiators (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular). (2) Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) for unintentional radiators (computers, monitors).

FDA Prior Notice & Registration

Required for food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, tobacco. Food facilities must register with FDA. Prior notice must be filed before food arrives in US (web, mail, or fax).

CPSC Product Safety

Consumer products must comply with applicable CPSC safety standards. General products: GCC (General Certificate of Conformity) based on manufacturer testing. Children's products: CPC (Children's Product Certificate) from CPSC-accepted third-party lab.