LAND
Customs
We clear customs cleanly, so one wrong document never strands your shipment.
Sound familiar?
- “One wrong document and our shipment was held at customs.”
- “We can't predict how much duty and consumption tax we'll owe.”
How we solve it
We run the full customs process: HS classification and duty estimates, quarantine and import declarations, and settlement of duty and consumption tax.
Process
- 01
HS and duty estimate
Simulate classification, duty rates and import consumption tax up front.
- 02
Declaration prep
Assemble the filing documents, including quarantine records where required and ingredient paperwork.
- 03
Clearance
Handle declarations and inspections, with risk checks that prevent rejections.
- 04
Tax settlement
Manage payment and refunds of duty and import consumption tax.
- 05
Record keeping
Retain import history and documents with the importer of record and the customs agent.
Deliverables
- Duty simulation
- Customs cleared
- Import history records
KPIs
- Zero customs incidents
- Clearance lead time
- Variance against estimated tax
🇯🇵 Japan notes
- An additional import notification to the quarantine station where required
- Importer of Record (IOR) and Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP)
- Qualified invoice compliance
Connected services
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty on Korean cosmetics entering Japan?
Japanese duty on cosmetics runs from duty-free to 5.8% depending on the item, with a separate 10% import consumption tax. Because the rate follows the HS code, VIVID BRIDGE runs a duty simulation in advance so you know the landed cost before you ship.
How long does customs clearance take in Japan?
With clean paperwork, expect roughly two to three business days for air freight and three to five for ocean freight. Cosmetics are not subject to a Food Sanitation Act import notification — that applies to food, additives, utensils, containers and packaging, and toys for infants — and instead clear through an importer that meets the marketing authorization holder (MAH) requirements of the PMD Act. VIVID BRIDGE reviews the documents before shipment with the aim of zero rejected entries.
What is an Importer of Record (IOR), and why do I need one?
The Importer of Record (IOR) carries legal responsibility for the import toward Japan Customs. A non-resident company can file the import declaration itself by appointing an Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP) in Japan, but cosmetics separately require a Japan-based marketing authorization holder (MAH) under the PMD Act. VIVID BRIDGE keeps the customs track and the PMD Act track apart, arranging IOR and MAH matching alongside the ACP agreement.
What happens if the HS code is classified incorrectly?
A misclassified HS code can mean back-duty assessments, delayed clearance and, in serious cases, cargo held at the border. Cosmetics and quasi-drugs fall under different HS codes, which makes accurate classification critical. VIVID BRIDGE uses Japan Customs' advance ruling system to settle classification risk before the goods move.
Customs — where to start?
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