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Exporting cosmetics and beauty products from Japan

Certificates for exported cosmetics are applied for through the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association, which in principle issues them; MHLW issues its own only where the destination's law requires one. Cosmetics made only for export are notified under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, and exports to Russia need METI approval.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Where to apply
Japan Cosmetic Industry Association (JCIA)
MHLW certificate
Only where the destination's law requires it
What it certifies
Licences, or manufacture and sale by product name
Electronic certificates
Signed PDFs since 1 August 2026
Russia
METI approval under the Export Trade Control Order
Export declaration
To Japan Customs, with the invoice

Before the goods leave

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Does the destination ask for a certificate, and must MHLW issue it? Read more
  2. 2Is the product, or its English name, made only for export? Read more
  3. 3Does the destination need METI approval, as Russia does? Read more
  4. 4Does the buyer want proof of preferential origin? Read more
  5. 5Who declares it to Customs, and how is the export proved for consumption tax? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Certificates for exported cosmetics

MHLW's notice of 27 July 2026 sets how certificates for exported cosmetics are applied for and issued.

    • Applications go to the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association, which in principle issues the certificates on its own forms.
    • MHLW issues a certificate only where the destination's laws require one; the Association still receives the application and checks the documents.
    • MHLW's forms certify the marketing or manufacturing licence, manufacture and sale, or manufacture, by product name only; they do not certify ingredients.
    • Applications attach copies of the licences, the marketing notification or approval naming the product, and the destination's law requiring a government certificate, with a Japanese translation of the relevant part.
    • Since 1 August 2026 MHLW issues these certificates as PDFs with an electronic signature, as well as on paper.

    How we help: Compliant Always keeps each certificate with the product and shipment it names, dated, and reads it against what the destination asks for. Ask about this

    Cosmetics made only for export

    The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act has special provisions for products made for export.

    • Article 80 of the Act lets parts of it be disapplied, and special provisions be set by Cabinet Order, for cosmetics for export.
    • An exporter of cosmetics notifies its name and address, its licence details and the products it makes or exports for export (Regulation for Enforcement, Article 265, Form No. 114).
    • Where a certificate states an export name, such as an English name, the application attaches the notification of manufacture of cosmetics for export.

    How we help: Compliant Always keeps the export notification and the product names it covers with each product record, dated. Ask about this

    Export controls on cosmetics

    Some destinations need METI approval under the Export Trade Control Order.

    • Exporting to Russia the goods METI has specified from Appended Table 2-3 needs METI approval; the list includes perfumes, toilet waters, beauty or make-up preparations, skin care preparations and other cosmetics (English translation as amended in 2023).
    • Cosmetic and toilet preparations are in Chapter 33 of the tariff, inside the catch-all row: permission is needed where METI specifies the case, or notifies the exporter, because the goods may be used for weapons development.
    • Customs does not permit the export until a required permission or approval is shown.

    How we help: Compliant Always keeps any approval with the shipment it covers, and answers importers' questions from that record. Ask about this

    Certificates of origin

    Non-preferential certificates from chambers of commerce, and proof of preferential origin under Japan's EPAs.

      • Chambers of commerce across Japan issue ordinary certificates of origin, which certify the country of origin from the commercial invoice; they do not certify the place of production within Japan.
      • Under Japan's EPAs, preferential origin is shown either by a certificate of origin from a designated body (third-party certification) or by an origin statement made by the exporter, producer or importer (self-certification).
      • Exports from Japan can use self-certification under the Japan-Australia EPA, CPTPP, the Japan-EU EPA, the Japan-UK EPA, RCEP (to Australia, New Zealand and Korea) and the Japan-US Trade Agreement.
      • The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry is designated by METI to issue third-party EPA certificates of origin, except for the Japan-Singapore EPA, which local chambers issue.

      How we help: Compliant Always keeps each certificate or origin statement with the shipment it covers, beside the bill of materials behind it, and answers importers' origin questions from the record. Ask about this

      Export declaration and customs clearance

      Goods leave Japan on an export declaration to Customs and an export permit, with the permits other laws require.

      • Exporters declare the goods to the Director-General of Customs and obtain an export permit, after any physical examination (Customs Act, Articles 67 and 70).
      • The declaration gives the goods' code, name, quantity and price, the destination, the consignor and the carrier, and is lodged with an invoice; a packing list and permits under other laws may be needed.
      • The exporter or a customs broker acting for it files the declaration; goods are usually permitted once in the hozei (bonded) area.
      • Where another law requires a permit, approval or inspection, Customs does not permit export until it is shown (Customs Act, Article 70).
      • Exporters keep books and documents, such as contracts, invoices and packing lists, for 5 years from the day after the export permit.

      How we help: Compliant Always keeps the invoice, packing list and export permit with the shipment and lot, dated, and shows what is missing before the goods are declared. Ask about this

      Consumption tax exemption on export

      Sales that are exports are exempt from consumption tax, on proof of export.

        • When a sale is an export transaction, consumption tax is exempted; input tax on purchases for that export can still be credited.
        • Proof is needed: for goods given an export permit, the export permit (a document certified by the Director-General of Customs), kept for 7 years.
        • Postal exports of 200,000 yen or less use Japan Post's receipt and dispatch slip instead.

        How we help: Compliant Always keeps each export permit with the sale it proves, dated, and shows which shipments still lack one. Ask about this

        Who answers for what

        WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
        Marketing authorisation holderThe licence and product notification that a certificate relies on.Licences and notifications kept with each product, dated.
        ManufacturerIts manufacturing licence or registration, and the export notification for export-only products.Registrations and notifications kept with each product.
        Exporter or customs brokerThe export declaration, any METI approval, and origin documents for the buyer.The shipment's documents in one place before the declaration.
        Certifying bodyThe Japan Cosmetic Industry Association, and MHLW where the destination's law requires a government certificate.Each certificate read against what the destination asks for.

        Where are the goods going?

        Most of what cosmetics and beauty products have to meet is set where they are sold. Each guide sets out the rules on arrival, with the official source for each.

        Questions businesses ask

        Do I need an export certificate to export cosmetics from Japan?
        Where the destination asks for one, it is applied for through the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association, which in principle issues it on its own forms. MHLW issues a government certificate only where the destination's laws require one.
        Who issues certificates for cosmetics exported from Japan?
        The Japan Cosmetic Industry Association, in principle, on its own forms. MHLW issues a certificate only where the destination's laws require a government one, with the Association receiving the application.
        What can an MHLW cosmetics export certificate state?
        That the company holds a marketing or manufacturing licence, or that a named product is manufactured and sold, or manufactured, in Japan. It states the product name only; it does not certify ingredients.
        What documents do I need for an MHLW cosmetics certificate?
        Copies of the licences, the marketing notification or approval showing the product name, and the destination's law requiring a government certificate, with a Japanese translation of the relevant part.
        Can I get a Japanese cosmetics export certificate as a PDF?
        Yes. Since 1 August 2026 MHLW issues export certificates for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other products as PDFs with an electronic signature. Paper certificates continue.
        Do cosmetics made only for export need a notification in Japan?
        Yes. An exporter notifies its details and the products it makes or exports for export, under Article 265 of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act. Certificates showing an export name rely on this notification.
        Do cosmetics exports from Japan to Russia need approval?
        They can. Under the Export Trade Control Order, exporting to Russia the goods METI has specified from Appended Table 2-3, which include perfumes, make-up and skin care preparations, needs METI approval.
        Can cosmetics be exported under an EPA preferential rate?
        If they meet the agreement's rules of origin. Exporters can self-certify under the Japan-EU and Japan-UK EPAs, CPTPP, RCEP to Australia, New Zealand and Korea, and others; JCCI issues certificates under third-party agreements.
        Is consumption tax charged on cosmetics exported from Japan?
        No, export sales are exempt from consumption tax. The exporter keeps the export permit, certified by Customs, for 7 years as proof.
        How does Compliant Always help with exporting from Japan?
        Our team reads the rules for the routes you ship. Compliant Always shows which export documents apply to your product, keeps them with the shipment beside what the destination asks for, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

        Sources

        Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

        Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

        Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in Japan and what your paperwork needs to show.

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