We would like to inform you about the recent announcement from the Japan Customs regarding the revision of the Import Declaration Items and Attorney for Customs Procedure system, effective from October 1, 2023.
Foreign entities can no longer utilize a Japanese company as their IOR, or Importer of Record. As a result, sellers are now required to act as the IOR (Importer of Record) themselves and must use the ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures) service, a mandatory stipulation.
Reform in the Japanese Customs System (Mandatory Use of ACP; IOR services Prohibited)
In recent years, there have been numerous cases of improper importation of the goods for E-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Rakuten, where forwarders and customs agents have been falsely declared as importers, leading to undervalued import prices. To address this issue, the Japan Customs now requires the use of a Attorney for Customs Procedure (ACP) by non-resident importers to ensure proper import procedures and compliance with regulations. In some cases, the Japan Customs may even designate an ACP on behalf of the non-resident importer.
If you are a non-resident or foreign company using forwarders or customs agents as importers, it is recommended that you promptly switch to utilizing an ACP to ensure proper compliance with the law. We also encourage you to review the accuracy of the declared import prices (we can assist with verification). Additionally, by using an ACP, you can enjoy the benefits in terms of Japan Consumption Tax treatment (link: Consumption Tax Treatment and Benefits of Using ACP).
As a professional ACP firm, we follow the law to facilitate proper import procedures. You can entrust us with your importation needs with confidence. We look forward to discussing further with you.
Case Study: Directives to use ACP
Case 1: Importing Goods Using FS (Fulfillment Services) by Non-resident Sellers
A non-resident seller plans to import goods for sale domestically using FS provided by EC platform operators. At the time of import declaration, there is no sales contract between the seller and the consumer. The seller (non-resident) is the main entity for sales on the EC platform after domestic pickup of the goods. Therefore, the seller, who aims to sell the goods in accordance with the purpose of import, needs to become the import declarant and appoint Attorney for Customs Procedure (ACP) to carry out the import declaration.
Case 2: Importing Goods Using FS by Non-resident Sellers
A non-resident seller plans to import goods for sale domestically using FS provided by EC platform operators. At the time of import declaration, there is no sales contract between the seller and the consumer. The seller (non-resident) entrusts domestic customs clearance arrangements to Company-A (located in Japan), but the main entity for selling the goods within the domestic market using FS remains the seller (non-resident). It is planned that the seller (non-resident), who intends to sell the goods on the EC platform after domestic pickup, should become the import declarant and appoints Attorney for Customs Procedure (ACP) in accordance with the purpose of import declaration.
Case 3: Importing Goods Using FS by Non-resident Sellers
A non-resident seller plans to import goods for sale domestically using FS provided by EC platform operators. At the time of import declaration, there is no sales contract between the seller and the consumer. The seller (non-resident) entrusts the transportation of the goods from overseas sellers to Japan to an overseas forwarder, but the main entity for selling the goods within the domestic market using FS remains the seller (non-resident). It is planned that the seller (non-resident), who intends to sell the goods on the EC platform after domestic pickup, becomes the import declarant and appoints Attorney for Customs Procedure (ACP) in accordance with the purpose of import declaration.
Case 4: Importing Goods for Consignment Sales
Goods (consignment sales goods) intended for domestic sale by an assignee who has received consignment sales from a non-resident consignor are imported. The imported goods are stored in an FS warehouse and sold on the EC platform under the name of the assignee. The assignee is the main entity for selling the goods within the domestic market using FS.
Either of the following options is necessary:
The consignor (non-resident) who has the authority to dispose of the consignment sales goods becomes the import declarant, appoints Attorney for Customs Procedure (ACP), and carries out the import declaration.
The assignee (i.e., the seller on the EC platform) who conducts the act of selling on behalf of themselves as the purpose of import becomes the import declarant and carries out the import declaration.
For more information regarding the revised regulations by the Japan Customs, please refer to the following:
(Link: Revision of Import Declaration Items and Attorney for Customs Procedure (ACP) System) Ministry of Finance, Japan Customs July 2023 With the expansion of cross-border e-commerce, the importation of goods for online shopping has increased, leading to a significant number of cases involving the smuggling of illegal drugs and counterfeit goods that infringe upon intellectual property rights. Particularly concerning are instances of tax evasion, where goods imported through fulfillment services (FS) are declared at unreasonably low prices to evade customs duties.
In light of these circumstances, we have conducted a review of the existing system to ensure the continued facilitation of smooth imports while effectively combating smuggling activities and ensuring proper taxation. Effective from October 1, (2023), there will be an addition to the import declaration items under the Customs Law Enforcement Order, requiring the inclusion of the “address and name of the person intending to import the goods” at the time of import declaration.
Furthermore, there will be additions to the declaration items for Attorney for Customs Procedure (ACP), including information regarding the relationship between the declarant and the Attorney for Customs Procedure (ACP). Additionally, it will be mandatory to submit the contractual documents between the declarant and the ACP. For specific details regarding the revisions to the system, please refer to the following reference materials.
Reference (Japan Customs)
・Leaflet: “Review of Import Declaration Items and ACP system
・Case Study: “Clarification of the Significance of Import Declarants”
・Revision of the ACP Application Form
Our Customers – Japan IOR / Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP) Service
All our clients have successfully become Japan Importer of Record (IOR) and imported goods into Japan under our guidance.
Logistics Companies with Collaboration Experience
Here is a list of our partner logistics and forwarding companies with whom we have had successful collaborations. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, as we are open to working with any logistics or forwarding companies. As Attorneys for Customs Procedures (ACP), we represent non-resident clients (IOR) and coordinate with these logistics companies, who manage the transportation of goods to and from Japan.
Why choose us?
- Customs and International Trade Professionals – Our CEO, Mr. Sawada, is a Certified Customs Specialist in Japan. With years of experience providing services in the Trade & Customs field, his leadership at KPMG and the establishment of his own company, SK Advisory, ensures our commitment to excellence and high-quality service.
- Full Adherence to Japanese Customs Law – Our top priority is to maintain full compliance with Japanese Customs Law and safely import / export our clients’ goods into / from Japan. We meticulously manage all import compliance aspects, including Japan Importer of Record (IOR) matter, HS code classification and the correct Customs Valuation of goods entering Japan. We support to complete all the necessary shipping documents, such as Invoice, Packing List and BL, on behald of non-resident / foreign Japan IOR.
- Communication in English, Chinese, and Japanese – Our team, with extensive international experience, excels in communication in English, including facilitating English-language meetings, and has earned considerable trust from clients. We also have staff capable of communicating in Chinese, making us equipped to handle Chinese-language support as well. Naturally, as a Japan-based team, we’re totally fluent in Japanese, ensuring seamless communication across these three key languages.
- Reputable and Reliable Partner -The growing demand for our Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP) services is testament to our quality. We proudly serve clients globally, registering over 50 ACP customers annually. Our consistent track record underscores our reliability and credibility. For a detailed list of our clientele, please visit our “Experiences” section. Our unwavering commitment ensures all our clients successfully acquire Japan IOR status and import goods seamlessly into Japan.
- Recognized ACP Service Provider on Amazon SPN SPN (Service Provider Network) – We are a certified ACP service provider within Amazon’s Service Provider Network (SPN), listed under the Trade Compliance category. Many international Amazon Sellers have successfully become Japan Importers of Record (IOR) through our ACP services.
Our ACP Service: The Best Solution for the Japan Importer of Record (IOR)
Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP) is the best solution for addressing the issue of Japan IOR – Importer of Record. Below is an outline of our primary services and a diagram illustrating the operational structure of the ACP service. Upon successful ACP registration, a foreign entity can become the Japan IOR – Importer of Record.
Basic Scope of Services:
- Consultation with the Japan Customs Office for successful ACP registration.
- Liaising with stakeholders, including Logistics Forwarding Companies and the Customs Offices, on behalf of non-resident clients (i.e., non-resident Japan IOR) to ensure the secure importation of goods.
- Assistance in preparing the necessary documentation for import clearance.
- Support of calculation of Customs Value (Customs Valuation Formula), in accordance with appropriate compliance under the Japan Tariff Customs Law.
- Documents keeping, required under article 95 – Japan Customs Law
**Both import and export activities can benefit from the use of an ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures). This support is applicable in scenarios where a non-resident acts as the Importer of Record (IOR) for imports and as the Exporter of Record (EOR) for exports.
Three Steps to Initiate Shipments Under the ACP Program: :
- Quotation Review to Contract Conclusion: Upon receiving your contact details, we will promptly provide a quotation for your review.
- Commencing the Registration of ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedure) to Japan Customs: This process is generally completed in about two weeks.
- Initiation of First Shipment, Import/Export
Limitations of Using ACP for Specific Goods by Foreign Japan IOR
It’s important to note that ACP may not be suitable for handling certain types of goods. Goods subject to specific regulations, such as the Act on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (including cosmetic items), or PSE/PSC regulations, cannot be imported by appointing ACP. These regulations require importers to be Japanese resident entities.
When a non-resident entity utilizes ACP for their imports, they essentially become the importer. Therefore, for products that fall under the aforementioned regulations, ACP cannot be appointed for importation. To ensure compliance and avoid any restrictions on importing goods, we prioritize checking the eligibility of goods in the first step.
***With our Japanese ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures) / IOR (Importer of Record) service, we can also support the importation of some other regulated items into Japan (e.g., Food Sanitation Law (food products, tableware, kitchenware, cooking utensils, etc.)).
Japan Consumption Tax (JCT) Compliance
Understanding the handling of JCT (such as payment of import JCT, collection of sales JCT from customers, and JCT returns) is crucial to avoid significant cost burdens. This is a vital aspect, so please ensure a thorough understanding to determine the most optimal business model.
Basic Process of JCT Handling
The JCT treatment for foreign corporations without a base in Japan, importing and then selling in Japan, can be broadly outlined in the following three steps:
- At Import: Pay import VAT (10% of the declared value) to customs – Supported by ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures)
- At Sale: Collect VAT (10% of sales) from customers
- Final Tax Return (usually annually): Deduct the import VAT paid (step 1) from the JCT collected from customers (step 2), and pay or receive the difference to/from the tax office – Supported by a Tax Representative (Certified Tax Accountant)
Note: Using ACP to become the importer (IOR) is essential for JCT deductions and refunds. If another company acts as the IOR, you cannot deduct the input tax (step 1), and must pay the entire VAT collected (step 2) to the national tax authorities, leading to significant costs.
If you are a JCT-exempt business, the process ends at steps 1 and 2. For taxable businesses or invoice-registered businesses, step 3 (Final Tax Return) is obligatory.
In the Final Tax Return (step 3), if the JCT paid (step 1) exceeds the provisional JCT received (step 2), the difference is refunded. Conversely, if the provisional JCT received (step 2) exceeds the JCT paid (step 1), the difference must be paid to the tax office.
Is Being the Importer Important?
It is very important. Without acting as the importer (IOR) through ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures), you cannot deduct input tax in step 3. You must pay the full amount of JCT collected in step 2 to the tax office, with no possibility of a refund, resulting in substantial costs. Be careful not to let another company act as the importer.
Are we a Tax-Exempt Business?
Firstly, the JCT collected from customers in step 2 is typically payable to the national tax authorities. JCT applies to asset transfers conducted domestically in Japan by businesses, hence even non-residents are subject to JCT taxable sales transaction.
However, there are cases where payment to the tax office is not necessary, such as for tax-exempt businesses. For instance, businesses newly operating in Japan or small-scale businesses with annual domestic sales (taxable sales in the base period) less than 10 million yen may be exempt from tax obligations.
The general criteria are as follows:
- Invoice-qualified businesses: Tax obligation present – Final Tax Return (step 3) required
- Sales exceeding 10 million yen in the base period (roughly two fiscal years prior): Tax obligation present – Final Tax Return required
- Sales below 10 million yen in the base period but exceeding 10 million yen in a specific period (first six months of the previous fiscal year): Tax obligation present – Final Tax Return required
- Sales below 10 million yen in the base period (and the first six months of the previous fiscal year): No tax obligation – Final Tax Return not required
| JCT taxable sales in the Base Period |
JCT taxable sales in the Specified Period |
Taxable Entity or Exempt Entity |
Registered Invoice Issuer
|
Taxable Entity |
| Over 10 million JPY |
– |
Taxable Entity |
| Equivalent or less than 10 million JPY |
Over 10 million JPY |
Taxable Entity |
| Equivalent or less than 10 million JPY |
Exempt Entity |
(*1) The base period generally means the fiscal year 2 years prior to the current fiscal year.
(*2) The specified period generally means the first 6 months of the previous fiscal year.
(Note) Regardless of whether or not a company is a JCT-Taxable company, the company (Importer of products) has to pay import JCT to Japan Customs office when the company imports a product.
Please refer to the Tax Authority’s guideline (page3), you can see what is “BASE PERIOD”. general_00.pdf (nta.go.jp)
Also check this website (No.6 Taxable Person): Basic knowledge｜National Tax Agency (nta.go.jp)
Can Tax-Exempt Businesses Receive Refunds?
Yes, it’s possible, but a final tax return (step 3) is necessary. Even if you’re an exempt business, you are still able to opt to submit a “Taxable Business Selection Notification” to the tax office, intentionally becoming a taxable business to file a final tax return and receive a refund for the paid import JCT. This is applicable only if the JCT paid at import (step 1) exceeds the provisional JCT collected (step 2). Note that using an ACP (Attorney for Customs Procedures) to act as the importer is essential for input tax deduction and refunds.
Is It Better to Become a Registered Invoice Issuer?
This depends on individual circumstances, but generally speaking, for B2B where customers are corporations, it’s better to be a Registered Invoice Issuer (as corporations file JCT returns and need qualified invoices for input tax deductions). For B2C where customers are primarily consumers, the necessity is somewhat reduced (as most consumers do not file JCT returns).
Many companies seem to become Registered Invoice Issuer without fully understanding the system. Being a registered business mandates the filing of a final tax return (step 3). Please seek advice from appropriate experts.
Is Support from a Certified Tax Accountant Necessary?
For non-residents conducting tax office procedures (step 3) in Japan, appointing a Tax Representative is required. The ACP handles customs procedures, while the Tax Representative deals with national tax (tax office) matters. Under the Certified Tax Accountant Act, the following tasks are exclusively performed by the Certified Tax Accountants, making their support essential:
- Preparation of tax documents
- Tax representation
- Tax consultation
Our company, in partnership with Certified Tax Accountants skilled in international taxation, will provide support in these areas.
How to determine the Import Declaration Value?
Primary determination method
The process of determining the Import Declaration Value of imported goods is known as “Customs Valuation.” In most cases, when an import is based on an “Import Transaction”※1 between an overseas seller and a buyer in Japan, the primary determination method can be utilized.
※1：An “Import transaction” refers to a transaction where a buyer in Japan engages in a sales transaction with an overseas seller for the purpose of shipping goods to Japan, and the goods subsequently arrive in Japan.
Under the primary determination method, the Customs value of the imported goods is determined as the transaction price paid by the buyer (CIF basis).
Customs Duty is calculated by multiplying the Customs Value (Transaction Value) by the Duty Rate, which varies depending on the HS code of the goods.
Consumption Tax, on the other hand, is calculated by multiplying the Customs Value plus Customs Duty by the Consumption Tax rate (currently 10%).
Exceptional determination method (e.g. when to use ACP)
In cases where a non-resident company imports goods into Japan without engaging in a sales transaction, the primary method cannot be utilized. Simply using an Invoice Value is not appropriate.
To calculate the Customs Value in such situations, it is necessary to apply the Exceptional Determination Method.
Within the exceptional determination method, several methods can be considered:
- Transaction Value of Identical or Similar Goods Method: If you have previously imported goods that possess identical or similar conditions to the goods in question, the transaction value of those goods can be used.
- Domestic Selling Price Method (Deductive Method): If you can identify the sales price (can be an estimated sales price), the domestic selling price method can be employed.
- Cost of Production Method (Cost plus Method): If the exporter is a manufacturer and can provide production costs, the production cost method may be applicable.
If none of the above methods are suitable, “Other methods” are utilized as a flexible determination method, taking into account the calculation methods mentioned earlier.
In the practical scene, most of the cases we use this “Other methods” which is a determination method in a flexible way through considering the previously mentioned calculation methods.
Avoiding Customs Valuation Problems
In recent times, there have been numerous instances of trouble arising from incorrect Customs Value settings.
In the worst-case scenario, goods may fail to clear customs, resulting in significant detention fees and eventual return shipment.
At ACP Japan, we specialize in establishing appropriate Customs Values. We can assist in conducting consultations with Japan Customs on behalf of our clients, effectively avoiding any potential issues down the line.
For Amazon’s FBA business, there is a recommended calculation formula for the declaration value. If you would like to learn more about it, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Contact us
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[Our Service]
Our ACP Service for Importer of Record (IOR)
Our ACP Service for Exporter of Record (EOR)
[Knowledge Pages]
What is ACP? – Attorney for Customs Procedures
Steps of using ACP, how foreign entity can import into Japan by ACP
What is IOR? – Importer of Record
Amazon won’t become an IOR
Customs Valuation System in Japan
Customs Valuation When You Import By ACP
Consumption Tax in Japan
IOR and ACP
IOR Service
ACP’s Limitation
ACP’s Qualification
ACP’s registration
[Recent Updates]
Urgent Compliance Alert for E-Commerce Sellers: Avoid Penalties with Japan’s New Import Regulations – Act Now!
October 2023: Introduction of Two New Systems in Japan – (1) Switching from IOR Provider to ACP & (2) QIS: Japan Consumption Tax’s Qualified Invoice System
ACP Japan Became Amazon’s SPN Provider as Qualified ACP Service Provider
Taxes on Imports: Customs Duty and Japan Consumption Tax (JCT)
Import Permit Document and Alert on IOR Service
New Japan Qualified Invoice System and import JCT (Japan Consumption Tax)
