On 8 January 2025, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released the revised import customs procedure for chemicals under the Chemical Substances Control Law (CSCL) on its official portal.  

METI has provided the revised import customs procedure along with the following key details:

• definitions of types of chemicals, forms for importing chemicals (including overseas manufacturers)
• documents required for submission at the import clearance
• list of prohibited products containing Class I Specified Chemical Substances 
• list of Class I Specified Chemical Substances requiring a permit 

Chemicals covered under the import customs procedure 

The revised procedure applies to the following types of chemical substances: 

• Chemical substances for research and testing 
• New chemical substances as reagents 
• General chemical substances 
• Monitoring Chemical Substances or Priority Assessment Chemical Substances 
• Specified chemical substances (Class I & II) 
• New chemical substances 

Previous Update in August 2024  

METI previously published the import customs procedure for chemicals under CSCL on its portal on 9 August 2024.  

Abolishment and Enforcement Dates 

The revised import customs procedure came into effect on 10 January 2025. The older procedure, published on 9 August 2024, was revoked on 9 January 2025.