I would like to inform you about the upcoming regulatory changes for cargo discharging or transshipping in the territory of Japan, which commences per 10 February, 2014 (Departure Rotterdam)

As of this date, Advance Filing Rules will come into effect. This will require electronic submission of information on maritime container cargoes which are destined for discharge at a port in Japan, no later than 24 hours before departure of the vessel from port of loading.

This ruling applies to any cargo discharging (including
transshipment) in Japan. It is not including cargo where the port of discharge is outside Japan (FROB  - Freight Remain On Board), empty containers or breakbulk cargo.

In line with carrier standard advanced filing procedure, submissions will be carried out 28 hours before vessel arrival at port of load. Please note that we have to arrange along with your own data filing and submit House B/Ls to customs. We may ask that this is carried out 24 hours before vessel arrival.

If no data filing is arranged before vessel departure, the cargo cannot be discharged at any port in Japan.

Customs will carry out a security assessment on the data submitted and if high-risk cargo or errors are determined, they will revert with the following statuses within 24 hours:

- DNL (Do Not Load) - customs identify the cargo as high-risk
  and declare it should not be loaded on the vessel.
- HLD (Hold) - additional data or correction of data is required
  to complete the risk assessment. HLD status can be corrected
  prior to vessel departure.
- DNU (Do Not Unload) - If customs identify any high-risk cargo
  after the vessel has sailed, they will apply DNU, preventing
  the cargo from being discharged at any port in Japan.

Cargo will not be loaded to the vessel if either DNL or HLD are still applied upon vessel arrival. In order to avoid cargo being put on hold by Japanese customs authorities, it is important that the B/L data provided is complete and accurate. The information received on the shipping instruction will be used for the advanced manifest submission.

Please see below links for a list of data elements to be filed and unacceptable cargo descriptions:"

http://www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/advance/annex03.pdf

http://www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/advance/annex09.pdf

We would like to highlight that data requirements are more detailed than current procedures. This includes the following:

- Full name, address (including postal code) and telephone number
  of shipper, consignee and notify parties.
- Precise goods description per cargo item (general or group
  descriptions are not allowed).
- Minimum 6 digit HS code per cargo item.
- Dangerous goods information where applicable.

In order to comply with this requirement the carrier will require complete and correct shipping instructions in time.

Please be aware that any parties not adhering to the customs requirements could face imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine up to five hundred thousand Japanese Yen.

Source.: Cleve & Zonen BV Rotterdam/Antwerp