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Japan Import & Export Toolkit

Price shipments into and out of Japan with correct JPY LC math (ACT/365), 10% consumption tax on CIF + duty, Japan's 9-digit Statistical Code and Incoterms 2020 risk transfer.

Currency
JPY (Japanese Yen)
Consumption Tax (JCT)
10% standard / 8% reduced (food, newspapers)
Applied to CIF + customs duty. Non-resident sellers with taxable sales > JPY 10m may need to register under the Qualified Invoice System.
Duty regime
MFN tariffs on a mix of ad valorem and specific rates. Preferential rates under CPTPP, RCEP, Japan-EU EPA, Japan-US Trade Agreement, Japan-UK CEPA and ASEAN JAEPA.
Regulatory deep-dive
Japan import & export regulations →
Japan trade rules: Japan Customs, METI foreign exchange act export controls, Food Sanitation Act, PMDA pharma, extensive EPA network.
Authorities · Licensing · Sanctions
Also see compare Japan vs other markets →

Free calculators for Japan trade

LC Cost Calculator →
All-in bank charges on a Letter of Credit.
Usance LC Interest →
Deferred payment cost with correct ACT/360 or ACT/365 basis.
Import Duty & Tax →
Duty, VAT/GST and landed cost per HS code.
Landed Cost by HS & Country →
Interactive duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this destination.
CIF ↔ FOB Converter →
Convert between CIF, FOB and landed cost.
HS Code Lookup →
Search harmonised classification codes.
CBM & Container →
Volume, weight and container utilisation.
Incoterms 2020 Visualiser →
Cost, risk and document split across all 11 rules.
Multi-Currency Invoice →
FX spread and cross-currency invoice value.
Major ports & gateways
  • · Yokohama
  • · Tokyo
  • · Nagoya
  • · Kobe
  • · Osaka
  • · Hakata
  • · Kitakyushu
Top exports
  • · Cars & auto parts
  • · Machinery
  • · Integrated circuits & semiconductor equipment
  • · Steel
  • · Ships
  • · Optical instruments
Top imports
  • · Crude petroleum & LNG
  • · Coal
  • · Iron ore
  • · Pharmaceuticals
  • · Integrated circuits
  • · Copper ore
  • · Meat, fish & agri products

Trade finance in Japan

  • · JPY LCs use ACT/365 day-count. Japanese megabanks (MUFG, SMBC, Mizuho) quote 0.10-0.20% per quarter for LC issuance - among the tightest globally.
  • · Confirmation risk on Japanese bank paper is minimal; confirmation add-ons rarely exceed 0.10% per quarter.
  • · JBIC and NEXI provide export credit and insurance for large-ticket capital equipment and resource imports (LNG, coal, minerals).

Customs & duty in Japan

  • · Japan uses a 9-digit Statistical Code (HS 6 + 3 national digits) administered by Customs and METI.
  • · NACCS is the electronic customs declaration system used at all ports and airports.
  • · AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) status gives fast-track clearance and deferred duty payment.
  • · Consumption tax base = CIF + customs duty. Registered importers can reclaim JCT as input tax.

Incoterms 2020 practice in Japan

  • · DAP and DDP are common for finished consumer goods where the exporter clears through NACCS.
  • · CIF Yokohama/Kobe/Nagoya dominates bulk and project cargo.
  • · For container cargo, FCA at origin CY is standard - avoid FOB despite it being widely (incorrectly) used.

HS commodity guides for Japan

Classification, duty and worked landed-cost examples for the commodity families most active on Japan's trade lanes.

HS 85Electronics
HS Code for Electronics (Chapter 85) into Japan →
HS 84Industrial
HS Code for Industrial Machinery (Chapter 84) into Japan →
HS 30Regulated
HS Code for Pharmaceuticals (Chapter 30) into Japan →
HS 72Metals
HS Code for Iron & Steel (Chapter 72) into Japan →
HS 1006Agricultural
HS Code for Rice (HS 1006) into Japan →
HS 2709Energy
HS Code for Crude Oil (HS 2709) into Japan →
HS 2701Energy
HS Code for Coal (HS 2701) into Japan →
HS 2601Metals
HS Code for Iron Ore (HS 2601) into Japan →

Every HS commodity landed-cost page for Japan

Direct link to the Japan import guide for each HS commodity we publish.

Commodities linked to Japan

Japan appears in the trade lanes for the commodities below. Each hub covers grades, specs, benchmark pricing and HS code references.

Aluminium →
Top importer
HS 7601
Copper →
Top importer
HS 7403 (refined), 7404 (scrap), 2603 (concentrate)
Thermal & Coking Coal →
Top importer
HS 2701

Japan's key trading partners

China toolkit →
Import VAT · 13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services
United States toolkit →
No federal VAT / GST · 0% federal
Germany toolkit →
VAT (Umsatzsteuer / Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) · 19% standard, 7% reduced
South Korea toolkit →
VAT · 10%
Australia toolkit →
GST · 10%
India toolkit →
IGST on imports · 5% / 12% / 18% / 28%

Frequently asked questions

Is Japanese Consumption Tax refundable?

Yes - JCT paid at import is recoverable as input tax by registered businesses under the Qualified Invoice System, provided the invoice meets registration-number requirements.

Which FTA gives the best rate into Japan?

It depends on origin. CPTPP, RCEP and Japan-EU EPA overlap for many lines; use whichever has the lowest staged rate for your HS code and complies with the origin rules (usually a change-of-tariff-heading or regional value content test).

Country data compiled from WCO HS, WTO tariff schedules, national customs authorities and central banks. Duty, tax and regulatory information is decision-support only - always confirm with a licensed customs broker or your bank before acting.