公開日：
We have received many inquiries about importing 「HONEY」.
Here are some things you should check before importing natural honey.
January 8, 2021, only honey from New Zealand will be subject to ordered inspections.
1.WHAT IS NATURAL HONEY
Natural honey and artificial honey have different tariff rates.
Even if you import honey as natural honey, if customs determines that it is artificial honey, the higher tariff rate for artificial honey will be applied.
This is where the definition of natural honey, which is an important point, and the criteria for determining it are set forth by customs as follows.
✍Definition of natural honey
For customs clearance purposes, natural honey is honey that meets the following three conditions.
- Sugar content is less than 5% of total weight.
- Fructose content is more than 30% of total weight.
- The percentage of fructose in the total sugar content is 50% or more.
✍Material for making decisions
If a table of component analysis issued by a public institution of the exporting country is submitted at the time of import declaration, the values in the table may be accepted for confirmation of the above components.
The same applies to cases where a public institution such as a chamber of commerce and industry certifies that the analysis was conducted by the exporter or a manufacturer in the exporting country.
Products other than those listed above will be treated as natural honey if a “Certificate of Quality” issued by an official organization of the exporting country (clearly indicating the place of origin and type of nectar source) is submitted, and the product is deemed to be natural honey under Tariff Schedule No. 0409.00, taking into consideration the overall properties and analytical results of the product.
✍Handling of natural honey originating from New Zealand
Honey originating from New Zealand will be treated as natural honey under tariff heading No. 04.09 only if an Official Certificate Accompanying Honey to Japan issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is submitted at the time of import declaration.
The above are the definitions and criteria set forth by customs.
2.BEFORE IMPORTING
◯Natural honey or artificial honey?
※The different tariff rates have a significant impact on the cost of goods.
※Before importing, have customs check the necessary documents to determine whether the honey is natural or man-made.
◯Confirm the place of origin. Is it from New Zealand or not?
◯Do the customs brokers you request for customs clearance handle food imports or not?
3.CONFIRMATION OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
The documents required for customs clearance are as follows
- Manufacturing process chart: Created by local factory
- Raw material list: Created by local factories
- Invoice and packing list: created by the exporter
- AWB: Created by the export agent
- Certificate of quality: Table of component analysis from official organization of exporting country
- Certificate of Origin (FORM A): In case of preferential tariff application *Prepared as necessary
- Certificate of Specified Origin: In case of EPA application * As necessary
- For natural honey from New Zealand: Official Certificate Accompanying Honey to Japan issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
※The manufacturing process list and raw material list may be prepared by the importer based on the information of the local factory.
In the event that revisions to documents occur, it may be smoother for the importer to prepare the documents themselves rather than asking the local factory to revise them.
4.IMPORT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE “NOTIFICATION OF IMPORT OF FOOD & ETC”
Since honey is a food product, it is necessary to submit a “Notification of Importation of Food, etc.” to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
✍Documents required for food application
- Manufacturing process chart: Created by local factory
- Raw material list: Created by local factories
- Invoice and packing list: created by the exporter
※The manufacturing process list and raw material list may be created by the importer based on the information of the local factory.
In the event that revisions to documents occur, it may be smoother for the importer to prepare the documents themselves rather than asking the local factory to revise them.
✍Application Process
Based on the list of raw materials, manufacturing process list, invoice and packing list, an import notification form for food products, etc. is prepared and applied to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
After passing the examination, a certificate of inspection will be issued.
Depending on the raw materials used, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare may order us to conduct voluntary inspections.
In this case, a voluntary inspection will be conducted, and if the inspection results are satisfactory, a “Certificate of Inspection” will be issued.
※If the results of the inspection do not meet the standards of Japan’s Food Sanitation Law, the product will be returned to the shipper or disposed of.
✍Instruction check
As of January 8, 2021, “New Zealand honey and its processed products” are required to be inspected by order.
- Test item: Glyphosate (herbicide)
- Cost: From 27,000 yen per type *Available institutions are limited.
- Analysis period: Around 10 days
The goods cannot be taken out of the bonded warehouse until they pass the inspection, so the delivery time will be longer than usual.
Also, please note that if the test results show that the level is over the standard level, it will be returned or destroyed.
Access Japan can provide a full range of services, from arranging for ordered inspections to disposing of rejected products.
5.IMPORT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE ( CUSTOMS DECLARATION )
✍HS Code
- Natural honey: 0409.00 000
- Artificial honey: 1702.90.290
✍Duty
The basic tariff rate for natural honey is 30% and the agreed tariff rate is 25.5%.
On the other hand, the tariff rate on artificial honey is 50% or 25 yen/kg, whichever is higher, in both the basic and agreed rates.
✍Documents required for import declaration
- Invoice and packing list: Created by the exporter
- AWB : Created by the export agent
- Certificate of Origin (FORM A): In case of preferential tariff application *Prepared as necessary
- Certificate of Specified Origin: In case of EPA application * As necessary
- For natural honey from New Zealand: Official Certificate Accompanying Honey to Japan issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
✍Import customs declatation
Prepare an import declaration form based on the above documents.
If the product is recognized as natural honey by customs, it should be declared with a “Certificate of Importation of Food, etc.”.
After the examination is completed and import duties and consumption taxes are paid, import permission is granted and the cargo can be picked up.
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