In general, most labeling laws are not required at the customs clearance stage, but at the point of sale. Consequently, it is most common for Japanese importers to affix a label before or after clearing customs. H. Prohibited Imports Japan strictly prohibits entry of narcotics, obscene materials, counterfeit goods or goods that violate intellectual property rights. Restricted items include certain agricultural and meat products, endangered species and products such as ivory, animal parts and fur whose international trade is banned by international treaty, swords and firearms and more than two months' supply of medicines and cosmetics for personal use. I. Standards Many domestic products and imported products alike are subject to product testing and cannot be sold in Japan without certification of compliance with prescribed standards.
Some standards are mandatory and some are voluntary.
Knowledge of, and adherence to, these standards and their testing procedures can be the key to making or breaking the sale. To affix a mandatory quality mark or a voluntary quality marks requires prior product type approval and possibly factory inspections for quality control assessment. Regulated products must bear the appropriate mandatory mark when shipped to Japan in order to clear Japanese Customs. Regulations may apply not only to the product, but also to packaging, marking or labeling requirements, testing, transportation and storage and installation. According to government sources, plans are being made for reform that would relax mandatory standards in the future.