Do I need a customs broker to import robots into Japan?

Not necessarily. The importer can make the declaration itself, but a registered customs broker usually files it on the importer's behalf. Japan Customs publishes a list of authorised brokers.

Can robots made in China enter Japan at an RCEP rate?

RCEP is in force for both countries. A preferential rate applies only when the Tariff Schedule sets one for the product, the goods meet RCEP's rules of origin and the origin documents are lodged with the declaration.

What consumption tax applies to imported robots?

The standard consumption tax rate is 10%, comprising 7.8% national and 2.2% local consumption tax. Japan Customs explains the calculation of duty and consumption tax in its Customs Answer guidance.

Does a robot need a PSE label?

It depends on the item. The Act applies to the electrical appliances and materials designated by Cabinet Order, so check the charger, power supply and other mains equipment individually with the manufacturer.

Importing Robots from China into Japan

1. Declare the goods and obtain an import permit

Any person wishing to import goods must declare them to the Director-General of Customs and obtain an import permit after the necessary examination. The formalities begin with the import declaration and end with the permit, once customs duty and excise tax have been paid. Japan Customs: Import procedures

In principle, the person importing the goods makes the declaration. A registered customs broker may file it as a proxy for the importer, and Japan Customs publishes a list of the customs brokers authorised by the Minister of Finance. Japan Customs: Outline of import clearance procedures

In an import transaction, the importer is in principle the consignee listed on the invoice or bill of lading. Being named on the invoice does not by itself make a company the importer, so settle with your supplier and broker which company imports the goods before they ship. Japan Customs: A person liable to pay customs duty

The declaration is accompanied by the invoice, the bill of lading, sea waybill or air waybill, the insurance certificate, the freight account, the packing list, contracts and price lists. Customs can ask for further documents where needed. Japan Customs: Documents to be submitted for import clearance

2. Classify the goods under Japan's Tariff Schedule

Japan Customs publishes Japan's Tariff Schedule, including the statistical codes used for imports, and revises it several times a year. Check the current edition rather than a code used on an earlier shipment. Japan Customs: Japan's Tariff Schedule

When the classification of a new robot or module is uncertain, Japan Customs operates an advance ruling system covering tariff classification, origin and customs valuation. Japan Customs: Advance ruling system

A Japanese broker can classify a robot shipment faster when each invoice line carries the details below. Japan Customs: Japan's Tariff Schedule

Invoice line	Information that helps the broker	Reference
Humanoid, legged, wheeled or service robot	The work it performs and which controller, charger and spare packs share its crate	Japan Customs: Japan's Tariff Schedule
Industrial or collaborative arm	Whether its control cabinet, teach pendant and tooling are part of the same entry	Japan Customs: Advance ruling system
Joint modules, motors and gearboxes	Whether the part is a bare motor, a bare gearbox or a joint with built-in drive electronics	Japan Customs: Japan's Tariff Schedule
LiDAR, depth cameras and force/torque sensors	What the device measures, the signal it outputs and whether it operates without a host machine	Japan Customs: Advance ruling system
Loose lithium battery packs	Cell chemistry, rated watt-hours, number of packs and how they are packed	Japan Customs: Japan's Tariff Schedule

3. Customs value, duty and consumption tax

Customs duties are generally assessed on the price or quantity of the goods at the time of the import declaration. An ad valorem rate applies to the customs value, while a specific rate is a fixed amount per unit. Japan Customs: Tax base of customs duties

Under the primary method, the customs value is the transaction value: the price actually paid or payable for the goods, adjusted for costs such as transport and insurance to the port of importation where the price does not already include them. Keep the freight and insurance invoices with the commercial invoice. Japan Customs: Primary method to determine the customs value

Amounts invoiced in foreign currency are converted to yen at the rate valid on the day of the import declaration. Japan Customs publishes these rates weekly, based on the average market rates of the week two weeks earlier. Japan Customs: Foreign exchange rate for conversion of currency

Imported goods are also subject to consumption tax. The standard rate is 10%, made up of 7.8% national consumption tax and 2.2% local consumption tax. Japan Customs: Calculation of tariff duty and consumption tax

When customs duty or consumption tax applies, a payment statement is submitted with the import declaration. Payment can be made at a bank or post office, through the Multi-Payment Network, or by direct account transfer for declarations lodged through NACCS. Japan Customs: Payment of customs duty

Importers that provide collateral can apply to extend the time limit for payment. Under the individual and comprehensive extension systems, payment can be deferred for up to three months. Japan Customs: Extension of the time limit for payment

4. RCEP preferential rates for goods of Chinese origin

Japan Customs lists China among the countries for which the RCEP Agreement has entered into force. Claiming an RCEP rate involves three steps: confirm that the Tariff Schedule sets a preferential rate for the good, confirm that the good qualifies as originating under RCEP, and submit the origin documents with the import declaration. The goods must also meet the direct consignment rule. Japan Customs: Preferential tariff treatment under the RCEP Agreement

Ask your supplier early whether it can provide a declaration of origin or a certificate of origin, because the document must be ready when the declaration is lodged. Japan Customs: Preferential tariff treatment under the RCEP Agreement

5. Electrical safety and the PSE mark

The Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act regulates the manufacture, import and sale of electrical appliances and materials. The items it covers are designated by Cabinet Order: 116 Specified items (Category A), with AC/DC power supply units among the examples, and 341 Non-Specified items (Category B). METI: Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act

For imported electrical appliances and materials, the importer carries the obligations under the Act. It must notify METI of its import business, make sure the products meet the technical requirements and keep records of self-inspection. Specified items also need a conformity assessment by a body registered with METI. METI: Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act

Only a notifying supplier that has met these obligations may apply the PSE label, and items covered by the Act may not be sold or displayed for sale in Japan without it. A foreign company may file the import business notification only if it has registered as a foreign company under the Companies Act. METI: Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act

For a battery-powered robot, review the mains charger, external power supply and any mains-powered control box one by one, and ask the manufacturer which of them carry the PSE label. METI: Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act

6. Radio modules

Under Japan's Technical Regulations Conformity Certification System, registered certification bodies certify specified radio equipment as conforming to the technical regulations. For certain specified radio equipment, the manufacturer or importer may instead confirm conformity itself and notify the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications. MIC: Technical Regulations Conformity Certification System

When a robot has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cellular connectivity, ask the manufacturer for the Japanese certification details of each radio module before you confirm the order. MIC: Technical Regulations Conformity Certification System

7. Lithium batteries in transit

Air carriage of lithium batteries depends on whether they are packed with, inside or separate from the equipment, and on their watt-hour rating. Share the pack datasheet with your forwarder before the booking is confirmed. IATA: Lithium batteries

Before you ship

Appoint a customs broker and agree which company is the importer and consignee on the invoice.
Ask the broker to confirm the tariff code of each line and whether an RCEP rate applies, and obtain the origin document from your supplier before dispatch.
Confirm which chargers and power supplies carry the PSE label and which company acts as the notifying supplier.
Request the Japanese certification details for every radio module.
Check that chargers and control boxes are supplied with Japanese plugs and suit the local mains supply.
Keep the invoice, transport document, insurance certificate, freight account and packing list together for each shipment.

This guide summarises official Japanese guidance as of the date shown. It does not determine how the rules apply to a particular product. A licensed customs broker and, for electrical and radio equipment, a qualified compliance adviser should confirm that before you order.

Importing Robots from China into Japan: Customs, Consumption Tax and PSE