| TOP |
| 5th Report of Market Access Ombudsman Council (March 17, 1998) |
1. Complainant: Tokyo Chamber of Commerce
2. Ministry concerned: Ministry of Finance
3. Complaint:
Although game machinery is being exported to various countries worldwide, when repairs and the like are necessary, goods can be sent back and re-imported for repair of the P.C.B. only. In such cases, the existence of the country of origin is a problem, and confirmation can delay import procedures. Customs inspections should be relaxed when the country of origin is indicated on the invoices, etc. (in this case, "MADE IN JAPAN").
4. Corresponding Policy of the Ministries concerned:
Under Article 14, Clause 10 of the Customs Tariff Law (pertaining to tariff exemption for re-imports), when re-importing cargo that was exported from Japan, if its nature and form has not changed since time of export, it will be granted a tariff exemption. The re-import exemption system can be approved for even a portion of the exported cargo, as long as it can be confirmed that it has been separated from the main cargo exported.
In keeping, to have the tariff exemption for re-imports applied to the main cargo exported, although it is sufficient to submit the export permission form or, instead, the certificate of proof or the like when making the import declaration, with an export permission form alone on which the item name (product name) of the exported cargo, the volume, etc., have been specified for that portion of goods, it cannot be confirmed that the relevant portion of goods was exported from Japan. Thus, the submission of catalogues, manufacturer's explanations, and other materials that prove that the relevant goods were exported from Japan is requested, from which it can be confirmed that the relevant goods were part of the cargo exported. It would thus be difficult to grant tariff exemption just on the basis of indication of the country of origin.
5. Remarks
The complainant's opinion is as follows.
"I am satisfied with the policy as it now stands."