GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 25, 2026

Japan Customs Clearance Procedures

Japan Customs clearance procedures are the statutory steps administered by Japan Customs (税関, Zeikan) for importing and exporting goods.

Quick Answer

Last updated: 25 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.customs.go.jp/english/index.htm

Category

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Reading time

1 min

Words

121

Mentioned in

–

Definition & Explanation

Japan Customs clearance procedures are the statutory steps administered by Japan Customs (税関, Zeikan) for importing and exporting goods. Licensed customs brokers or importers file electronic declarations through NACCS (Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System), submitting a commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and any commodity-specific documents. NACCS then drives tariff classification, duty and consumption tax calculation, and, where required, triggers a physical or documentary inspection. One distinctive feature of the Japanese system is the requirement for parallel agency clearances: food, pharmaceuticals, and plant products must also pass inspection by bodies such as the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare before release. NACCS covers both air and sea cargo and is mandatory for the vast majority of commercial shipments.

Next steps

Tools that match this term

Find HS codeDetermine the tariff number for customsOpen Calculate customs valueWork out import duties and customs valueOpen Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen

Related Terms

You might also be interested in these terms

Trump Tariffs Japan

As of June 2026 — Since 7 August 2025, nearly all goods imported from Japan into the United States are subject to a reciprocal bas…

Learn more

J-Cargo (Japan's Customs Platform)

Freight forwarders and importers moving goods into or out of Japan file their customs declarations and cargo manifests through J-C…

Learn more

Japan International Freight Forwarders Association (JIFFA)

When freight forwarders operate internationally to or from Japan, the Japan International Freight Forwarders Association (JIFFA) i…

Learn more

JASTPRO (Japan Association for Simplification of International Trade Procedures)

JASTPRO – the Japan Association for Simplification of International Trade Procedures – exists to reduce friction in cross-border t…

Learn more

JCDS (Japan Customs Data System) Freight Automation

Japan's JCDS (Japan Customs Data System) automates the capture, processing, and transmission of freight data to customs authoritie…

Learn more

JWL Certification for Freight Wheels (Japan)

The JWL certification, standing for Japan Wheel Standard, is a mandatory scheme for steel and light-alloy wheels used on commercia…

Learn more

⚖️ ICC Incoterms 2020

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Analyze all 11 Incoterms 2020: cost matrix, risk timeline, insurance gap detector and customs responsibility – free, no login required.

Incoterms Simulator →

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Weekly: Top news, industry facts and insights from the world of logistics – free.

Japan Customs Clearance Procedures

Next steps

Related Terms

Trump Tariffs Japan

J-Cargo (Japan's Customs Platform)

Japan International Freight Forwarders Association (JIFFA)

JASTPRO (Japan Association for Simplification of International Trade Procedures)

JCDS (Japan Customs Data System) Freight Automation

JWL Certification for Freight Wheels (Japan)

Incoterms 2020 Simulator: Who bears costs & risk?

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Community Questions & Answers