Marine products (Catch documentation scheme)
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/JPN/22
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 04/09/2023
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
The items in Answer 2 are subject to Japan catch documentation scheme based on "Act on Ensuring the Proper Domestic Distribution and Importation of Specified Aquatic Animals and Plants" and its Enforcement Regulation to prevent the import of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) catches into Japan, aiming at contributing to the global efforts to eliminate IUU fishing. Japan catch documentation scheme requires importers to submit a catch certificate (hereinafter referred to as "CC") issued by competent authority of foreign government and other documents to the Japan Customs at the time of import. In principle, the scheme does not require importers to obtain approval of importation as a prior condition for importation in relation to import licensing regime. Foreign government agencies which will issue CC must consult with Fisheries Agency of Japan, MAFF, and notify forms of CC in advance.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Items that are subject to Japan catch documentation scheme are listed below.
| HS No. | Description of Goods |
|---|---|
| ex 03.01 ex 03.02 ex 03.03 ex 03.04 ex 03.05 ex 03.07 ex 16.04 ex 16.05 | Squid and cuttle fish, Pacific saury (Cololabis spp.), Mackerel (Scomber spp.), Sardine (Sardinops spp.) |
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The scheme applies to the products coming from all countries.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
Japan catch documentation scheme is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. Its purpose is to prevent the import of IUU catches into Japan, aiming at contributing to the global efforts to eliminate IUU fishing.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Japan catch documentation scheme is a statutory requirement of Article 11 of Act on Ensuring the Proper Domestic Distribution and Importation of Specified Aquatic Animals and Plants and Article 25 of Enforcement Regulation of the Act on Ensuring the Proper Domestic Distribution and Importation of Specified Aquatic Animals and Plants. Legislation leaves the designation of products subject to the scheme up to administrative discretion.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
No quantitative limit on the importation of the products.
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
The items subject to the scheme cannot be imported without a CC issued by competent authority of foreign government. An importer shall obtain a CC from the foreign government, in advance of importation, taking into consideration the processing time of the foreign government. Foreign government agencies which will issue CC must consult with Fisheries Agency of Japan, MAFF, and notify forms of CC in advance.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
In principle, the scheme does not require importers to obtain approval of importation as a prior condition for importation in relation to import licensing regime.
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
Importers may import in any time of the year when a CC issued by competent authority of foreign government is attached to the imported item.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
CCs for import are checked by the Japan Customs.
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
In principle, no application shall be refused so long as that the procedures (a) through (d) of 7 are met.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
There is no eligibility requirements on importers for submission of CC to the Japan Customs.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
CC issued by competent authority of foreign government will be required at the time of import.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
CC issued by competent authority of foreign government will be required at the time of import.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
There is no application fee or administrative charge on importers for submission of CC.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
No deposit or advance payment is required in connection with the issuance of permits.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
In principle, there are no other conditions so long as that the procedures (a) through (d) of 7 are met.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
In principle, there are no other conditions so long as that the procedures (a) through (d) of 7 are met.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
In principle, there are no other conditions so long as that the procedures (a) through (d) of 7 are met.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
In principle, there are no other conditions so long as that the procedures (a) through (d) of 7 are met.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures required prior to importation.
Q19. Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported? Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange? Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued? What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
There are no foreign exchange controls.