By Tony Li    Photo：CANVA

Amazon is one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world. It offers a wide range of products and services and has a vast global user base and sales network. Currently, Amazon operates websites in many countries and regions, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, Japan, China, and more. To boost sales, many companies (sellers) list their products on Amazon sites in various countries.
This article focuses on how to import products into Amazon Japan:

While Amazon provides an excellent sales platform, it has many rules and does not act as an importer of record (IOR). In international trade, the importing country typically requires a legal entity to act as the IOR to handle import declarations, customs clearance, and tax payments. However, when selling via Amazon, the platform does not purchase the goods from the overseas seller and only serves as a sales channel, so it also does not serve as the IOR.

Therefore, to stock goods in Amazon Japan’s FBA warehouse, sellers must first solve the issue of not having an importer in Japan. In practice, there are two main solutions:

1. Import via a Local Japanese Importer

This involves appointing a Japanese trading or import company to act as the IOR and assist with formal importation. They handle customs clearance, inspections, and tax payments. Once the goods clear customs, they are sent to Amazon’s FBA warehouse in Japan.

In the past, some Japanese trading companies provided "license lending" services to act as the IOR without actual involvement in the sale. They simply charged service fees and paid duties and inspection fees on behalf of the seller. However, Japan's National Tax Agency began strict enforcement since October 2023, and license lending is no longer legally allowed.

2. ACP (Attorney for the Customs Procedures)

This method allows a foreign company to import goods under its own name by appointing a licensed Japanese customs broker to act as its customs procedure agent. The customs broker registers the foreign company, the product category, and the sales price with Japanese customs. After registration, the customs broker can act on behalf of the foreign seller for customs clearance and tax payments.

ACP Advantages:

1. A legitimate system for overseas sellers to import into Japan.
2. One-time registration with permanent use unless canceled.
3. No need to register a Japanese company—customs clearance can be done under the foreign company’s name, and a compliance certificate is issued.

ACP Disadvantages:

1. Customs brokers cannot handle product inspections. If a product requires inspection, a Japanese legal entity must be responsible. Therefore, the ACP model is only suitable for general products that do not require inspection.
2. Customs registrations are not shared across ports. Each port operates separately (airports vs. seaports), so switching ports requires re-registration with the new customs office.
3. Any change in product type requires re-application with customs for category updates.

Products That Cannot Be Imported via ACP Mode:

1. Food, beverages, containers, tableware, kitchen tools, toys for children under 6, and items with expiration dates.
2. Drugs, supplements, cosmetics, medical devices.
3. Battery-powered devices, power banks, lithium batteries.
4. Products that may pose significant harm to consumers such as baby cribs, laser pointers, lighters, pressure cookers, helmets, climbing ropes, kerosene stoves, etc.
5. Alcoholic beverages.

Conclusion

This article is to provide you the ideas on how to import into Amazon Japan. If you are planning to ship to Japan or have related business inquiry, feel free to contact us!

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