Battery-powered devices & power banks × The Japanese buyer / distributor imports

Rules verified as of 2026-08-08 · reviewed quarterly (next review: November 2026)

Typical products: Power banks, cordless tools, wearables, devices with built-in lithium-ion cells

Mobile power banks (and lithium-ion battery packs) are PSE items themselves. Air/sea transport additionally requires UN38.3 compliance — a logistics requirement, not a Japanese import license. Wireless functions add Giteki.

Which regimes apply

PSE — Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act (電気用品安全法)

Mains-powered electrical appliances and mobile power banks are regulated 電気用品. 116 'specified' items (diamond PSE) need certification by a registered conformity body; 341 'non-specified' items (circle PSE) allow self-confirmation. The IMPORTER must notify METI of its business within 30 days of starting imports, verify conformity with the technical standards, keep inspection records, and ensure the PSE mark is affixed before sale.

File the business notification (事業届出) with METI within 30 days of the first import
Confirm the model meets the technical standards (for specified items: certificate from a registered body)
Keep self-inspection records
Affix / verify the PSE mark and the notifier's name before sale

Sources: METI — DENAN overview · Specified items list (116) · Non-specified items list (341)

Customs: duty, consumption tax and the importer of record

Every commercial import needs an importer of record with post-release disposal authority, correct HS classification, duty and 10% consumption tax. A non-resident importer files through an Attorney for Customs Procedures (ACP, 税関事務管理人) and needs a tax agent for JCT recovery.

Classify the product (HS code) and check the duty rate
Convert values with the official customs FX rate
Non-residents: appoint ACP (form C-7500) before the first declaration

Sources: Customs Answer 9601 — ACP

→ Tools: tariff finder & landed-cost calculator · customs FX rates · Guides: IOR, ACP

Who can be the importer — verdict

Your Japanese buyer is the importer of record and carries the product-regime duties (notifications, marks, records). Your job as the seller is to supply the documentation that lets them comply: technical files, certificates, materials lists, test reports. Price accordingly (usually FOB/CIF, not DDP).

Your checklist

Agree Incoterms where the buyer clears customs (FOB/CIF, not DDP)
Deliver the compliance documentation pack for the regimes above
Confirm the buyer's notifications/licenses exist before shipping
[PSE] File the business notification (事業届出) with METI within 30 days of the first import
[PSE] Confirm the model meets the technical standards (for specified items: certificate from a registered body)
[PSE] Keep self-inspection records
[PSE] Affix / verify the PSE mark and the notifier's name before sale
[Customs: duty, consumption tax and the importer of record] Classify the product (HS code) and check the duty rate
[Customs: duty, consumption tax and the importer of record] Convert values with the official customs FX rate
[Customs: duty, consumption tax and the importer of record] Non-residents: appoint ACP (form C-7500) before the first declaration