| 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:
It was explained to us that prior classification information from the customs office do not apply to the cargo that has arrived but to samples acquired in advance. However, as it is not always the case that samples can be acquired in advance, if the quantity for confirmation is small, it should be handled in the clearance line.
4. Corresponding Policy of the Ministries concerned:
The customs office gives prior classification information no matter whether the imported cargo has arrived or not. However, for cargo that has arrived, it is given in the customs authority clearance line for expected imports, and for cargo that has not yet arrived, it is given at Custom Appraiser (however, at the Tokyo customs, it is given in the Office of Customs Counselor). In any case, concerning prior classification information, so that responses are given as quickly as possible, we will again give instruct the customs offices thoroughly, in writing, in this regard.
5. Remarks
The complainant's opinion is as follows.
"I am satisfied with the policy as it now stands."