If you are sending your first commercial shipment to Japan, Japanese Customs requires a completed import declaration and supporting papers before goods can be cleared. The practical task is to verify three documents before shipping: the commercial invoice, the packing list, and the certificate of origin. Japan Customs publishes the baseline requirements; the Australia–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) adds origin-certification rules if you plan to claim preferential tariff access.
This guide explains the documents Japan Customs expects, the fields to check, and where to confirm details for your specific goods. It does not provide legal, tax or customs brokerage advice, and it does not promise clearance, savings or approval.
What Japan Customs requires for an import declaration
Any person wishing to import goods into Japan must declare them to the Director-General of Customs and obtain an import permit after examination (Japan Customs). The declaration uses the import (Customs duty payment) declaration form C-5020, prepared in triplicate.
The following documents must be submitted with that form:
- Invoice
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Certificate of origin (where a WTO rate is applicable)
- Generalized System of Preferences certificates of origin (Form A) (where a preferential rate is applicable)
- Packing lists, freight accounts, insurance certificates, etc. (where deemed necessary)
- Licences, certificates, etc. required by laws and regulations other than the Customs Law (when import of certain goods is restricted)
- Detailed statement on reductions of, or exemption from, Customs duty and excise tax (when applicable)
- Customs duty payment slips (when goods are dutiable)
Japan Customs states that, in principle, it requires only those additional documents necessary to ascertain important considerations for permission (Japan Customs). For a first shipment, a practical step is to confirm with a licensed Customs broker or the Japanese importer that your papers match the goods and the declared tariff treatment.
Verify the commercial invoice fields
The import declaration itself must describe the quantity and value of goods as well as any other required particulars (Japan Customs). The invoice you prepare or receive must support those particulars.
Before shipping, check that the commercial invoice shows:
- A clear description of each product line.
- The quantity of goods, consistent with the declaration.
- The value of goods, consistent with the transaction and declaration.
- Party details (importer, exporter) matching the shipment records.
- Any reference numbers that link to the bill of lading or air waybill.
Japan Customs lists the invoice as a mandatory submission. If the invoice lacks quantity or value detail, the declaration cannot be properly supported. This is a factual requirement, not a formatting suggestion.
Verify the packing list details
Packing lists, freight accounts and insurance certificates are listed as documents to submit “where deemed necessary” by Japan Customs (Japan Customs). For many first shipments, a packing list is expected to break down cartons, weights and contents so Customs can verify the goods against the invoice and declaration.
A practical verification checklist for the packing list:
- Does it itemise each package and its contents?
- Do the total weights and piece counts match the invoice and the bill of lading/air waybill?
- Are any hazardous or restricted items flagged for separate licensing?
If your goods are not restricted and the values are straightforward, Japan Customs may not demand the packing list beyond what is necessary. The responsible step is to ask the Japanese importer or broker whether your specific product line triggers that requirement before shipping.
Check the certificate of origin and JAEPA rules
If you intend to claim a preferential tariff when the goods arrive in Japan, the certificate of origin (or preference document) must be in order. Under JAEPA, which covers trade between Australia and Japan, an origin certification must be completed and dated by the importer, exporter or producer (DFAT). The certification states that, based on evidence and records maintained, the goods meet all relevant requirements of Chapter 3 (Rules of Origin) and are originating goods for the purposes of JAEPA.
For Australian businesses exporting to Japan, DFAT advises you to check Japan’s tariff schedule to see how your goods are treated (DFAT). On full implementation, JAEPA provides 97 per cent of Australian exports (by 2013 import value) with customs duty-free or preferential tariff access to Japanese markets, but this applies only to qualifying originating goods.
Verification steps for the certificate of origin:
- Confirm the certifying party (importer, exporter or producer) is identified and the date of completion is shown.
- Confirm the goods are described so they can be matched to the invoice and packing list.
- Confirm the statement references Chapter 3 Rules of Origin under JAEPA if a preference claim is made.
- Keep supporting records; Japanese or Australian Customs may verify the origin claim.
This article does not assess whether your specific product qualifies as originating. That depends on product-specific rules in JAEPA Annex 2, which you should verify against your HS code.
Restricted goods and additional certificates
Some imports into Japan require a permit and approval under the Customs Law or other laws (for example, food, plant, animal, pharmaceutical or firearms regulations) (Japan Customs). Where other laws apply, a certificate of application for a permit and approval under other laws and regulations must be submitted (Customs Law Article 70).
As one example, the Animal Quarantine Service of Japan examines notification and attesting documents and issues an “approval for import inspection of animals” for dogs and cats from non-designated regions (MAFF). That is a separate process from the commercial invoice and packing list, but it shows why verifying the exact certificate path for your goods matters.
If you are unsure whether your product is restricted, check the Japan Customs “Verification of Other Laws and Regulations” list and confirm with the relevant Japanese agency before shipping.
Pre-shipping verification checklist
Before your first shipment leaves Australia for Japan, work through this list:
- [ ] Import declaration form C-5020 will be completed in triplicate by the importer or broker (Japan Customs).
- [ ] Commercial invoice shows quantity, value and required particulars.
- [ ] Packing list (if deemed necessary) matches invoice and transport documents.
- [ ] Bill of lading or air waybill is attached.
- [ ] Certificate of origin or JAEPA origin certification is completed and dated if claiming preference (DFAT).
- [ ] Licences or permits for restricted goods are obtained and certificates prepared (Japan Customs).
- [ ] Australian and Japanese HS codes are confirmed (DFAT notes Japan uses nine-digit codes, Australia uses eight-digit).
Concrete next steps
- Identify your HS code. DFAT recommends consulting the Japanese Customs Service tariff schedule to search for your product when exporting to Japan (DFAT).
- Confirm document needs with the Japanese importer. Japan Customs states it requires only necessary additional documents, so the importer’s broker will know the exact set for your goods.
- Prepare the invoice and packing list so the quantity, value and package details align across all papers.
- Decide on JAEPA preference. If eligible, ensure the origin certification is signed and dated by the correct party.
- Check for restricted status. Review the other-laws list from Japan Customs and the MAFF animal import rules if relevant.
General information boundary
This article summarises publicly available official requirements for first shipments to Japan as published by Japan Customs, DFAT and the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service. Customs rules, tariff schedules and permit requirements change, and the facts here reflect the cited sources at the time of publication. Australian Asia is an independent information website; we are not a government body, customs broker, lender or comparison panel. For binding decisions on your shipment, verify directly with Japan Customs, DFAT or a licensed customs professional in Japan.