Market Reports/Tariffs
Textiles, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods
Japan
/ Import Tariffs/ Documentation/Procedures
/ Restrictions
/ Standards
/ Labeling
/ Intellectual Property Rights
/ Market Information
Last updated on 09/20/2012
**The following information is provided only as a guide and should be confirmed with the proper authorities before embarking on any export activities.**
Import Tariffs - Japan
Japan: Tariff Rates on Textiles, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods
/ HS Chapter/Subheading / Tariff Rate Range (%)
Yarn
-silk / 5003-5006 / 0 - 6.9
-wool / 5105-5110 / 0 - 2.7
-cotton / 5204-5207 / 3 - 5.6*
-other vegetable fiber / 5306-5308 / 0 - 7.9
-man-made fiber / 5401-5406/5501-5511 / 0 - 6.6
......
Woven Fabric
-silk / 5007 / 8 - 12.5
-wool / 5111-5113 / 3.5 - 6.6*
-cotton / 5208-5212 / 5.6 - 7.4*
-other vegetable fiber / 5309-5311 / 2.5 - 10
-man-made fiber / 5407-5408/5512-5516 / 4 - 10
...... / /
Knit Fabric / 60 / 0 - 9.8
...... / /
Non Woven Fabric / 5603 / 0 - 4.3
...... / /
Industrial Fabric / 59 / 3.3 - 6.6
...... / /
Apparel / 61-62 / 5 - 12.8
...... / /
Home Furnishings
including: bed, bath, kitchen linens, etc. / 63 / 0 - 10.9
...... / /
Carpet
Footwear
Travel Goods / 57
64**
4202 / 0 - 8.4
3.4 - 30*
2.7 - 16
* Some products may be subject to specific per unit tariffs.
** Certain leather footwear (HS 6403-6405) is subject to the Tariff Quota (TQ) system. That is, a lower tariff rate (primary rate) is assessed on import quantities within the limits of the annual tariff quota and a higher rate (secondary rate) is assessed on import quantities in excess of the tariff quota.
For more detailed tariff information, see the Japan Customs Tariff webpage (Use "WTO" column) or the Japan Tariff Association webpage.
Additional Import Taxes and Fees--A 5 percent consumption tax (general excise tax) is levied on all goods sold in Japan. The consumption tax is assessed on the c.i.f. value of the product plus the import duty. If the imported product is shipped directly to the end user, the tax is applies on the c.i.f. value.
The Import Declaration Form (Customs Form C 5020) is filled out by the importer and is used as both an import declaration and tax payment declaration form. Packages are exempt from duty and the consumption tax if they contain items with a value of 10,000 yen or less. Certain specific products are exceptions to this rule, such as leather goods, and some knit products.
Temporary Entry/Samples--Advertising materials, including brochures, films and photographs, may enter Japan duty fee. Articles intended for display but not for sale at trade fairs and similar events are also permitted to enter duty free in Japan only when the fair/event is held at a bonded exhibition site. Japan is a member of the ATA Carnet system.
ATA Carnet--An ATA Carnet or "Merchandise Passport" is a document that facilitates the temporary importation of products into foreign countries by eliminating tariffs and other import taxes or charges normally required at the time of importation. For more information or to apply for an ATA Carnet, see the United States Council for International Business website.
For information on how to determine tariff rates, see the Export.gov webpage on Tariffs and Import Fees.
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Import Documentation/Procedures (Japan)
Certificate of origin--All silk fabrics, silk products, and clothing or products using animal skins and furs as provided for in the international convention on trade in endangered species, etc., require a certificate of origin. In such cases, two copies, preferably, on the Japanese form sold by commercial stationers are necessary. The interested party fills out the required information on the preprinted certificate form and attaches an affidavit that the included information is correct. The completed form and affidavit are taken to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce that signs and affixes a seal to the Certificate. Consular legalization is not required, but the consulate will legalize the certificate upon request by the shipper. An additional copy of the certificate then is required for the consulate’s files. The document must be signed by the applicant and the certifying officer, and the date of certification must be shown.Certificate Form:
Import Licenses--The Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry - MITI licenses the importation of silk fabrics and silk materials. Only the Japan Raw Silk and Sugar Price Stabilization Agency may import raw silk; some manufactured silk goods may require import certification from MITI. Import clearance can take three to five days.
Import approval is required for apparel products such as overcoats and jackets containing animal hides, feathers or leather from species covered by provisions of the Washington Convention.
On JETRO's Standards and Regulations webpage, see:
· Handbook for Industrial Products Import Regulations 2009
· Handbook for Consumer Products Import Regulations 2010
For more information on local customs rules and regulations:
Japan Customs
Ministry of Finance
Japan Tariff Association
For information on common export documents, such as transportation documents, export compliance documents, certificates of origin, certificates for shipments of specific goods, temporary shipment documents, and other export-related documents, see the Export.gov webpage on Common Export Documents.
For more information on import procedures and documentation requirements, see the Country Commercial Guides (CCG) in the U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library (enter your country of interest in the "country" field, and enter "Country Commercial Guide (CCG)" in the "Report Type" field. Some market research reports are available only to U.S. companies and U.S. students/researchers that are registered with Export.gov.
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Import Restrictions (Japan)
· Organomercury compounds
· Formaldehyde
· Tris (1-Aziridinyl) phosphinne oxide
· Dieldrin
· Tris (2,3-Dibrompophyl) phosphate
· Triphenyltin compounds
· Bis (2,3-Dibrompophyl) phosphate
· 4, 6-Dichrode-7-(2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxy)
· Trifluoromethylbenzimizole
Formaldehyde or formalin - any clothes for babies age 0-24 months cannot contain formaldehyde. Prohibited products include diapers, diaper covers, bibs, underwear, nightwear, gloves, socks, vests, outer garments, hats, and bedding for infants. The Law for Control of Household Products Containing Harmful Substances established content standards for substances present in textile products that may cause harm to the skin (such as formalin). Textile products with a formalin content of 75 ppm or greater may not be sold in Japan.
Dyldorine - the restriction on this substance applies widely to apparel products and should not exceed 30 ppm.
4.6-Dichloro-7-(2.4.5-Tricholorphenoxide) Tri-fluormethyl-benzimidazole (DTTB) - the restriction on this substance applies widely to apparel products and DTTB should not exceed 30 ppm
Products containing tris (i-aziridinyl) phosphineoxide (APO) in any quantity are banned, and the use of more than 30 ppm of dieldrin is prohibited in textile goods for household use (clothes, carpets, bedding, etc.) and knitting wool. Use of the fire retardant tris (2,3 dibromopropyl) phosphate and triphenyltin compounds in certain household products including sleepwear, bedding, curtains, carpets, babywear, underwear, gloves, hosiery, household adhesives, and paint and wax shoe polish is prohibited under the household Commodities Regulations Law.
Also prohibited is the use of tributylin compounds as fungicide or preservative in paint, adhesives, wax, shoe polish, or textile products. Tests must show that this substance is not present in the specific household article.
For further information on these regulations, contact the Office of Environmental Chemicals Safety, Environmental Health Bureau, Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Formaldehyde in building materials--U.S. exporters of building materials to Japan, including wall covering manufacturers, can receive formaldehyde certification in the United States testing firms that have been approved by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation - MILT, to certify building materials as being compliant with MLIT's "sick house" regulations.
Lead in buttons--Although Japanese law does not currently prohibit lead, there is a movement to ban lead in accessories.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora--Products made from certain types of leather or animal products may require a certificate of origin issued by an agency of the government of the exporting country and an import authorization issued by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showing that importation of the product is not prohibited. See the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora website for more details.
U.S. Export Restrictions:
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the U.S. Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries, terrorists, and international narcotics traffickers and their agents in accordance with U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. The OFAC website includes summaries of sanctions programs for various countries and the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” (SDNs) list of entities and individuals with whom U.S. persons may not conduct business and whose property must be blocked if under the control of a U.S. person.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which regulate the export and re-export of most commercial items. BIS maintains the Denied Persons List, which consists of individuals, and companies that have been denied export and re-export privileges by BIS, and the Entity List, which consists of foreign end users who pose an unacceptable risk of diverting U.S. exports and the technology they contain to alternate destinations for the development of weapons of mass destruction
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Standards - Japan
Many domestic products and imported products alike are subject to product testing and cannot be sold in Japan without certification of compliance with prescribed standards. Some standards are mandatory and some are voluntary.
SG mark: The "SG" mark, affixed by Japan’s Consumer Product Safety Association, applies to furniture, sporting goods, household goods, and items for infants and children, except toys, which are covered by the "ST" mark. Although U.S. manufacturers of these products are not required to obtain the "SG" mark, its existence may enhance the image of the product(s) with Japanese consumers. In addition, in the event of an accident attributed to a defect in a product bearing the "SG" mark, the Japan Consumer Product Safety Commission will provide financial compensation to the consumer for the manufacturer.
The "voluntary" Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) mark is administered by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry - METI.
Flame retardant regulations--The Fire Service Law specifies that some textile products such as carpeting and curtains installed in most commercial building must comply with flame retardant regulations. The Japan Fire Retardant Association publishes English language information on the Japanese Flame Retardant Law and its testing methods. Products conforming to the standards must have flame-retardant labels and those without such labels may not be sold as flame-retardant products. For details on these regulations, contact the Japan Fire Retardant Association.
Voluntary Standards for Harmful Substances for Textiles and Clothing--In 2010, the Japan Textile Federation drafted a revision of "Voluntary Standards on Nonuse of Harmful Substances for Textiles and Clothing" regarding Azo Dyes. For more information see the Intertek website.
See the Japan External Trade Organization - JETRO website - JETRO's Standards and Regulations webpage for the following publications:
· Handbook for Industrial Products Import Regulations 2009
· Handbook for Consumer Products Import Regulations 2010
Local standards organization and other resources:
Japan Standards Association
Japan Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment -JAB
Japan Industrial Standards Committee - JISC
Japan External Trade Organization - JETRO
The National Center for Standards and Certification Information (NCSCI) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the U.S. Department of Commerce provides information on U.S. and foreign standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures for non-agricultural products. NCSCI staff responds to requests for information by identifying relevant standards and regulations, and by referral to the appropriate standards-developers or private-sector organizations. Under copyright restrictions, NCSCI cannot provide copies of standards, but NCSCI does provide sources for accessing standards.
U.S. companies can register for the Notify U.S. service to learn about and comment on proposed changes to foreign standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures that may affect U.S. access to global markets.
Additional resources:
Examples of voluntary formaldehyde labeling programs
American Apparel and Footwear Association's Restricted Substances List
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
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Labeling - Japan
Correct packing, marking, and labeling are critical to smooth customs clearance in Japan. All imported products and shipping documents are required to show metric weights and measures.