Do you know about import/export regulations/standards?
Export regulations/standards are applied to products being exported overseas from Japan.
You must conform with the import regulations/standards of the respective countries you wish to import to. Unless you conform with both exporting and importing regulations/standards, you won’t be able to export your product from Japan, nor import your product to the target country.
Introduction
Even if you make a website specifically for overseas customers, even if your product is applauded at an overseas exhibit, and even if you are able to conduct business talks in English,
if you neglect to confirm import and export regulations/standards, all your efforts will be in vain.
In concrete terms, what should I do regarding import and export regulations/standards?
Regarding export regulations/standards, it should suffice to confirm the Security Export Control and SDS (both published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry).
- Security Export Control (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
- SDS (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
Also, please take a look at this. “What is the Security Export Control? Here’s What You Need To Know.”
In the case of import regulations/standards, there are many different scenarios, depending on the country, distribution field, and product/service. In some cases, there may be hardly any import regulations, while in other cases there may be several.
For example, in the case of standards, you may have to pass the required examination, gather data, prepare technical documents, and obtain certificates of conformity. If the country has mandatory regulations/standards, you may need to submit documents to, or apply/register with, the relevant local authority, choose an Authorized Representative, etc.
Keeping up with the latest information on import/export regulations/standards is hard work due to the irregular timing of changes made in each country. For example, the below kinds of overseas import regulations exist.
CE marking safety standard system
The 27 countries of the EU, Switzerland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Turkey
Environmental regulations include WEEE, RoHS, and REACH
Europe, China, U.S.
Eurasian Economic UnionTechnical Regulation (Compulsory Certificate) EAC certification (migrating from GOST）
Countries of the Eurasian Economic Union（EEU）: Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan
G Mark
The six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC-6（Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar）
National Standards
ANSI (U.S.), BS (U.K.), DIN (Germany), NF（France）, CSA (Canada), GB (China), TCVN (Vietnam), TIS (Thailand), PSB (Singapore), JIS (Japan), etc.
The Much-Asked-About FDA
For example, if you wanted to export medical equipment, cosmetics, or food to the U.S., you need to notify the FDA U.S. (Food & Drug Administration), identify a United States agent (U.S. agent), submit the necessary samples and documentation, confirm criteria, register facilities, give advance notice, etc. (FDA Thailand if exporting to Thailand, etc.）
What kind of trouble arises due to overseas regulations/standards?
Most problems no doubt arise due to people not knowing about import/export regulations/standards, or not correctly adhering to them despite knowing about them.
Some companies don’t find out until the day they are due to ship their product that they don’t comply with laws, hence rush to request the required documentation from the relevant authorities, then, even if they are able to export their product and it arrives in the target country, may not be able to get their product through customs.
It can take months to complete the necessary preparations such as compliance with the target country’s regulations and registration with authorities, so finding out you are unprepared upon your product arriving in the target country leaves the only options as disposing of the product or nonfulfillment of the contract. This would render you incapable of delivering the order by the overseas company’s requested deadline and damage your relationship of trust.
It is true that cases do exist where, despite not complying with regulations/standards, companies engage in the same trade for many years and are able to export and import their products without any problems.
However, there is a risk of being caught and receiving a formal warning by the European Commission’s site (RAPEX) if you export goods without satisfying safety standards. You won’t be able to distribute the same product after receiving such a warning.
Considering the safety and security of local importers, distributors and, above all, local customers and consumers, in order to avoid a situation where you just happen to overlook an issue, and instead earn trust and sustain your business, it would be wise to proactively comply with regulations.
How much does it cost to comply with overseas regulations/standards?
In the case of export regulations/standards, you can find reference documents on the internet, therefore it would be possible to create documents at no cost. If this is difficult for you, it may be better to consult a professional.
In the case of import regulations/standards, it really depends on your online research abilities, but it is possible to at least gather information at no cost.
However, it is very difficult to achieve international expansion for the first time due to all the necessary steps; including properly identifying the standards and regulations to be complied with, whether or not third-party institutions are required, acquiring data at suitable testing institutions, assessing the requirements and examination content that must be satisfied.
As such, while it may be costly at several tens of thousands of yen (or even over 1 million yen depending on the country or product), it may be more reassuring to seek an expert’s help.
Phew, that was close. So, you can’t sell products to a country unless you comply with its regulations and standards?
Precisely. This is a high barrier for SMEs. You need to investigate all aspects carefully.
The next step is acquiring the necessary capabilities for international expansion.
Acquire capabilities?? (sounds like a pain in the neck)
You won’t gain all the capabilities you need for international expansion overnight.
It takes effort!
Boo-hoo…
Do your best to acquire the necessary capabilities for international expansion.
>02 Developing the Necessary Capabilities
