Japan Customs Mandates ACP for Imports: What You Must Know

As of October 1, 2023, Japan Customs has made it mandatory for all non-resident importers to appoint an Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP) when importing goods into Japan. This marks a significant change in import regulations, particularly affecting eCommerce sellers on platforms like Amazon, Rakuten, Shopify, and other international retailers.

With these new requirements, foreign businesses can no longer designate freight forwarders, customs brokers, or third-party service providers as Importers of Record (IOR). Instead, importers must either establish a local legal entity or appoint an ACP to ensure compliance.

This article breaks down what these changes mean, who is affected, and what this change means for you.

Why Did Japan Customs Make ACP Mandatory?

An ACP is a designated legal representative in Japan who supports the import of products on behalf of non-resident importers. Learn more about what an ACP does for you and how it differs from an IOR or Consigner.

The mandatory ACP regulation is part of Japan’s efforts to:

• Prevent misuse of IOR designations: Previously, many businesses improperly used freight forwarders, brokers, or unrelated third parties as IORs.
• Ensure tax compliance and transparency: Authorities aim to stop tax evasion tactics, such as underreporting import values or misdeclaring product categories.
• Combat illegal imports: With the growth of cross-border eCommerce, Japan Customs is cracking down on intellectual property violations, counterfeit goods, and restricted items.

With this new compliance framework, Japan aligns with global customs practices used in regions like the EU and the US, ensuring all imports have a clear, accountable importer.

Who Is Affected by This Change?

If you sell or import goods into Japan, this regulation applies to you.

Main Affected Businesses:

• Amazon, Rakuten, and Shopify sellers importing products into Japan.
• Companies using third-party logistics (3PL) providers for fulfillment but lacking a local business entity.
• Foreign businesses with no physical presence in Japan who were previously relying on freight forwarders or customs brokers to act as IOR.

If you do not appoint an ACP, Japan Customs may reject your shipments or impose penalties. The importer must be a legitimate business entity with the right to dispose of the imported goods.

What does this change mean for you?

• Non-resident importers/companies can no longer directly import to Japan.
• You must assign an ACP before importing.
• Your ACP will act as your local representative. They will help you make sure your shipments do not get stuck in customs.
• This rule applies to all product categories – but check with your ACP on the full import requirements to ensure a smooth shipment.

Dive into how an ACP/IOR can support your import.

Why Work With COVUE

Navigating Japan’s import compliance regulations can be complex. As a licensed ACP and IOR provider, COVUE ensures that your business remains compliant, efficient, and fully operational in Japan.

Learn more about our ACP and IOR services here.

Want to discuss how we can import your products?

This article was originally posted on September 5, 2023, and has been updated with recent information on February 19, 2025.