Japan Updates Chemical Import Regulations

Recently, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced revisions to the import clearance procedures related to the Chemical Substances Control Law. The new regulations aim to streamline processes and enhance the management efficiency of imported chemical substances, will take effect from July 1, 2024. These revisions will replace the previous version issued on December 4, 2023, which will be obsolete on June 30, 2024.

According to the new regulations, the documents required for the import declaration of different types of chemical substances are as follows:

Classification of chemical substances	Official gazette serial number, etc. (Import declaration/invoice)	Required documents
Chemical substances for tests and research purposes	-	Form 1 document
General chemical substances	Official gazette serial number	-
Monitoring chemical substances	Serial number	-
Priority assessment chemical substances	Serial number	-
Class I specified chemical substances	-	Copy of the permit
Class II specified chemical substances	Number of Article 2 of the enforcement order	-
New chemical substances （1）After receiving the determination notice	-	Copy of the permit
（2）For reagents	-	Form 1 document
（3）Intermediate	-	Copy of the confirmation notice
（4）New chemical substances in small volume	-	Copy of the confirmation notice and form 2 document
（5）Polymeric compound	-	Copy of the confirmation notice
（6）New chemical substances in low production volume	-	Copy of the confirmation notice and form 2 document
New chemical substances pertaining to overseas manufacturers	-	Copy of the notice (If the exporter is not the recipient of the notice, a copy of the notice and Form 3 document must be provided.)

Additionally, companies importing the Class II specified chemical substances for purposes other than testing and research must report their planned import quantities to the METI annually. If the actual import quantities exceed the reported plans, companies must undergo a specific modification procedure.

The METI emphasizes that if companies fail to submit the required documents as specified, they will not be permitted to import chemical substances. Furthermore, falsifying notice will result in penalties. If products containing certain Class I specified chemical substances are used, their import will be prohibited.

Detailed requirements for document submission and the list of products prohibited from import can be accessed through the official website of the METI:

https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/chemical_management/kasinhou/todoke/tsukan_240626.pdf

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Further Information

METI Notice