1901 Outline and Benefit of Authorized Importers' Program (FAQ)

1. Outline of the Authorized Importers' Program
An importer who has received the approval of any director general of regional Customs in advance will be able to use the Authorized Importers' Program for designated types of goods, which will make it possible to have goods released prior to filing a declaration for customs duty payment, by separating the import and duty/tax payment declarations and extend the time-limit for duty/tax payment. In addition, authorized importers can lodge import declarations to any regional Customs office.

2. Benefit of the Authorized Importers' Program
The Authorized Importers’ Program makes it possible to release goods before filing a declaration for customs duty payment, while simplifying and raising the efficiency of declaration procedures, and also makes it possible to lodge import declarations to any regional Customs office. Consequently, there will be greater convenience for the importer, such as a reduction in cost, receiving imported goods more quickly and easily and improving the efficiency of business.

The main features of the simplified and more efficient declaration procedures are:

(1) Reduction in the number of requirements at the time of declaration for release of goods;

(2) Basically, no paperwork is required for import declarations and customs duty payment;

(3) Compliance-reflected reduced documentary examinations and physical inspections for the purpose of customs duty assessment are conducted at the time of making import declaration;

(4) Except for being judged necessary for the preservation of duty/tax, declarations for duty/tax payment can be submitted at a later time and extend the time-limit for duty/tax payment without offering of collateral;

(5) Declarations for duty payments within a certain period can be submitted together at a later time.

(6) Authorized importers can lodge import declarations to any regional Customs office, regardless of the placement of bonded area where their cargo is stored.

For further information on AEO program, please refer to the website below.
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/aeo/index.htm