Japan: Buying
In this page: Customs Procedures | Industrial and Manufacturing Profile | Identifying a Supplier | Controlling the Quality of the Products | Organizing Goods Transport To and From Japan
Customs Procedures
- Export Clearance
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Goods intended for export must be taken to the customs area (Hozei area) or to a place specifically authorised for storage. The exporter or his delegate (known as a customs broker) prepares an export declaration describing the nature, quantity and value of the goods to be exported.
This declaration is accompanied by supporting documents such as invoices and, if required, by other documents, i.e. permits, approvals or licenses.
The Japanese Customs website explains how to fill in the export declaration form.
When an exporter exports the same type of goods on a regular basis, export procedures can be expedited by using the Comprehensive Prior Examination System, in advance. The Japanese Customs website explains the conditions in which it can apply. - Necessary Declaration
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The following documents must be submitted to Customs.
- Export Declaration (Customs form C-5010)
- Invoice
- Other documents: Certifications, permits, or approvals required by other laws and regulations.
- Restrictions
- Japan Customs provides a list of Goods with Prohibitions, Controls and Restrictions.
- Export Taxes
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No tax is levied on exports.
Exports are also exempt from consumption tax.
Industrial and Manufacturing Profile
The industrial sector constitutes approximately 29% of GDP and manufacturing employs nearly 24% of the workforce. Japan has traditionally been a world leader with its automated production processes. On the whole, the industry has benefited from innovative technology- including the chemical, aircraft and software sectors. Japan ranks among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles and processed foods. The production value of the food industry ranked third among manufacturing industries (after electric and transport machinery).
Sector-specific professional associations
111 professional associations listed for Japan.
Type of Manufacturers
- Original Equipment Manufacturers
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Japan records a great number of OEMs, established on high technological segments of production. The strength of Japanese OEMs comes from their long-term investments in R&D (3% of its GDP invested in R&D each year, more than in the United-States).
OEMs are found in every major Japanese industrial sector. - Original Design Manufacturers
- Japan’s industrial sphere counts fewer ODMs. But OEMs sometime also offer the services of ODMs.
- Subcontractors
- The labor cost in Japan is too high to allow the country to be competitive for this type of business relation. Nevertheless in some high technological segments, one may find some competitive subcontractors.
Identifying a Supplier
Japanese multisector Business directories
2FindLocal Japan - Japanese business directory
All.biz - Japan - Directory of companies in Japan
Biz Pages Japan - Business directory for Japan
BizExposed Japan - Business directory for Japan
Bloombiz Japan - Business directory for Japan
City By App Japan - Business directory for Japan
Colist Japan - Business directory for Japan
Cybo Japan - Business directory for Japan
eBizFinder - Directory of both Japanese and overseas trading companies
Expat.com - Japan business directory
To see 17 more, check out our Business Directories database.
Japanese Marketplaces
Sample of marketplaces incorporated in Japan (A to Z)
Upcoming Trade shows in Japan
Other Useful Resources
- Trade Agencies and Their Representations Abroad
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Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industries
The representations of the JETRO around the world
Contact the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the United Kingdom. - Contact Your Commercial Representations in Japan
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Contact UK Trade & Investment in Japan.
Contact the British Embassy in Japan.
Controlling the Quality of the Products
- Quality Control Organizations
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Japanese Society for Quality Control JSQC
BureauVeritas Japan
Organizing Goods Transport To and From Japan
- Main Useful Means of Transport
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In fiscal year 2018 (latest data available), motor vehicles accounted for over 51 percent of the total payload distance in domestic freight transportation within Japan; followed by cargo ships (43.7%), railways (4.7%) and airlines (0.2%).
Japan has 128 ports, including 23 main ports, situated along the Japanese coastline. The 'Three Major Bays' handle approximately 35% of all port cargo in Japan and consist of Tokyo Bay (six harbours, including Yokohama and Tokyo), Osaka Bay (five harbours including Kobe and Osaka) and Ise Bay (five harbours including Nagoya).
In 2019, it is estimated that the coastal cargo volume was of 342.2 millions of metric tonnes, whereas the domestic air cargo volumes was 0.787 million of metric tonnes.
By Sea
- Ports
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Japanese ports location
- Transport Professionals
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Uniseas Inc
Iino Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Toyofuji Shipping Co., Ltd
Keihin Co., Ltd.
Compare prices on Japanese Domestic shipping
- Government Transport Organisations
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Ports and Harbours Bureau
Maritime Bureau
By Air
- Airports
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Narita International Airport
Kansai International Airport
Chubu Central International Airport
- Transport Professionals
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Fukuyama Transporting Co., Ltd.
Keihin Co., Ltd.
- Government Transport Organisations
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Civil Aviation Bureau
By Road
- Transport Professionals
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Fukuyama Transporting Co., Ltd.
Sagawa Express
Keihin Co., Ltd.
Yamato Transport Company
- Government Transport Organisations
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Road Bureau
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Latest Update: February 2025
