| 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:
The plan of introduction of EDI in the upgraded custom clearance system for maritime cargo, Sea-NACCS (Nippon Automated Cargo Clearance System) is unclear. Measures for EDI should be included when the upgraded system will take place the current system.
4. Corresponding Policy of the Ministries concerned:
In order to upgrade the Sea-NACCS, the developing body, which consists of customs, related parties such as custom brokers, carriers (including shipping agents) warehouse companies and banks, and the Nippon Automated Cargo Clearance System Operation Organization as the operational body in March 1997.
In December of 1997, the developing body confirmed services by the upgraded Sea-NACCS as follows:
(1) From entry report up to domestic delivery of cargo through import declaration for importation,
(2) From carrying cargo into port area to exit report through export declaration for exportation.
The developing body also confirmed the introduction of EDI and the concept of the EDI agreement for upgraded Sea-NACCS users and these confirmations were immediately made public by the Internet home page (http://www.naccs.go.jp) by the operational body.
Though importers and exporters including compliance do not have a seat in the developing body, customs brokers insist their interests to the developing body not only as brokers but also as importers and exporters.
5. Remarks
The complainant's opinion is as follows:
"I understand that this is the policy as it now stands."