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Exporting clothing, footwear and textiles from Japan

The official sources we read describe no export certificate made for clothing or textiles. What exporters most often need is proof of origin: a chamber of commerce certificate, or an EPA origin statement or certificate. Fabrics and made-up textiles fall in the catch-all export control, and some clothing and footwear for Russia need METI approval.

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

Ordinary certificate of origin
Chambers of commerce
EPA self-certification
EU, UK, CPTPP, Australia, US, and RCEP to Australia, New Zealand and Korea
EPA third-party certificate
Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Catch-all classes
Tariff classes 54 to 59 and 63
Russia
METI approval for listed clothing, footwear and accessories

Before the goods leave

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

  1. 1Does the buyer want a certificate of origin, or an EPA rate? Read more
  2. 2Which EPA applies, and does it use self-certification or a certificate? Read more
  3. 3Is the shipment going to Russia, or has METI notified you about the goods? Read more
  4. 4Who declares it to Customs, and with which documents? Read more
  5. 5Is the export permit kept for the consumption tax exemption? Read more

The rules, by area

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

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.
    • Third-party certificates are used under, among others, the EPAs with Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia, Chile, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, ASEAN, the Philippines, Switzerland, Viet Nam, India, Peru and Mongolia.
    • Under the EPA steps Customs sets out, the exporter identifies the HS code, checks the EPA rate, finds the origin criterion that applies and checks the goods meet it, and may face verification afterwards.

    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 controls on textiles and clothing

    The catch-all row of the Export Trade Control Order, and approvals for Russia.

    • Row 16 of Appended Table 1, the catch-all, names tariff classes 54 to 59 (man-made fibres, wadding, carpets, special and coated fabrics) and 63 (other made-up textile articles); it does not name Chapters 61 and 62, apparel, or 64, footwear.
    • For goods in those classes, METI permission is needed where METI specifies the case, or notifies the exporter, because the goods may be used for weapons.
    • Exporting to Russia goods METI has specified from Appended Table 2-3, item (iii), needs approval; the list includes ski suits, swimwear, silk garments and shawls, footwear, headgear, handbags, fur products and carpets.
    • These texts are cited from the English translation as amended in 2023; METI's current Japanese text governs.

    How we help: Compliant Always keeps the tariff classification and any approval with the product and shipment, dated. 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
      ExporterThe origin statement or certificate application, any METI approval, and the export declaration.Origin documents and permits kept with each shipment, dated.
      ManufacturerThe fibre, fabric and production records that show where the goods were made.Bills of materials and supplier declarations kept with the product.
      Customs brokerLodging the declaration for the exporter.The shipment's documents in one place before the declaration.
      Chamber of commerceOrdinary certificates of origin, and JCCI for third-party EPA certificates.Each certificate kept with the shipment it covers.

      Where are the goods going?

      Most of what clothing, footwear and textiles 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 clothes need an export certificate to leave Japan?
      The official sources read for this guide set none for clothing or textiles. They leave on an export declaration to Customs; what buyers often ask for is proof of origin. The destination's own rules are in the market guides.
      How do I get a certificate of origin for clothing made in Japan?
      From a chamber of commerce. Chambers across Japan issue ordinary certificates of origin from the commercial invoice; they certify Japan as the country of origin, not the place of production within Japan.
      Can I self-certify origin for textiles exported from Japan to the EU?
      Yes. The Japan-EU EPA uses self-certification: the exporter, producer or importer makes the origin statement, if the goods meet the agreement's rules of origin.
      Which of Japan's EPAs use self-certification for exports?
      The Japan-Australia EPA, CPTPP, the Japan-EU EPA, the Japan-UK EPA, RCEP for Australia, New Zealand and Korea, and the Japan-US Trade Agreement.
      Who issues EPA certificates of origin in Japan?
      The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, designated by METI, issues them under third-party agreements; local chambers issue those under the Japan-Singapore EPA.
      How do I check whether textiles qualify for an EPA rate?
      Customs sets out the steps: identify the HS code, check the EPA rate, find the origin criterion for that product, check the goods meet it, complete the origin procedure, and be ready for verification.
      Are textiles covered by Japan's catch-all export control?
      Tariff classes 54 to 59 and 63 are named in it; Chapters 61 and 62, apparel, and 64, footwear, are not. For named classes, permission is needed where METI specifies the case or notifies the exporter.
      Do clothing exports from Japan to Russia need approval?
      Some do. Exporting to Russia the goods METI has specified from Appended Table 2-3, which include ski suits, swimwear, silk garments, footwear, headgear, handbags and fur products, needs METI approval.
      Is consumption tax charged on clothing 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 long must I keep export records in Japan?
      Books and documents such as contracts, invoices and packing lists are kept for 5 years from the day after the export permit, under the Customs Act.
      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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