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Japan Updates Chemical Import Regulations

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has made changes to the Chemical Substances Control Law’s import approval processes. The new rules, which went into effect from July 1, 2024, are intended to improve the efficiency of imported chemical material management and streamline procedures. The prior version, which was released on December 4, 2023, will be superseded by these changes and become outdated on June 30, 2024.

The following papers are needed, per the new requirements, for the import declaration of certain chemical substances:

Companies that import Class II specified chemical compounds for uses other than testing and research also have an annual reporting requirement to the METI on the intended import volumes. Should the real import numbers surpass the projected amounts, businesses have to go through a certain adjustment process.

The METI stresses that businesses will not be allowed to import chemical materials if they do not provide the necessary paperwork by the deadline. Moreover, there will be consequences for providing a false notification. Importing goods that contain certain chemical compounds listed in Class I will be forbidden.