Basic information
Outline of the system
An importer who intends to import alcohol (which contains alcohol of 90 per cent by vol. or higher (HS No. 2207.10)) for the purpose of test, research or analysis shall obtain the approval of the METI for each import.
Product coverage
An importer who intends to import alcohol (which contains alcohol of 90 per cent by vol. or higher (HS No. 2207.10)) for the purpose of test, research or analysis shall obtain the approval of the METI for each import.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
The purpose of the approval system is to allow those who are not the permitted importers to import alcohol for the purpose of using it for test, research or analysis. (In principle, no such approval is required for import of alcohol by an importer with the permission of the import business under the Article 16 of the Alcohol Business Law.)
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
This system does not regulate the volume or value of imports. However, the quantity must be appropriate judging from the purpose of its use.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Please see Answers 6.1-6.11.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to products coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Licensing procedure is ongoing, as long as there are imports of alcohol for test, research or analysis under the Alcohol Business Law.
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The METI gives approval in accordance with Article 17 of the Alcohol Business Law.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The system does not leave any administrative discretion to designate which products are subject to the law.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Legislation is necessary to abolish the licensing system.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
There is no restriction.
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Alcohol Division, Manufacture Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry located in the region where applicants are to import the alcohol.
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Application for the import approval shall be submitted to the METI in accordance with the application form No.17 of enforcement regulation of the Alcohol Business Law
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
An importer shall apply for import approval, taking into account the time, which usually takes two weeks.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There is no limitation.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
It usually takes two weeks to obtain an import approval. It cannot be granted immediately on request.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
An importer shall apply for import approval, taking into account the time, which usually takes two weeks.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
An importer has to approach only the METI.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
In principle, there are no other conditions attached to the issue of a licence
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Not applicable
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
Not applicable
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
No application shall be refused if an application complies with the ordinary criteria of application procedures
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
In case that an application for a licence is refused, reasons for the refusal should be explained to the applicant.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
The applicant can also request for examination to the METI in accordance with the Administrative Appeal Law.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
The applicant can also request for examination to the METI in accordance with the Administrative Appeal Law.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
There is no limitation.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
A valid certificate of import approval issued by the METI is required upon an actual arrival.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures required prior to importation.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The import approval should be given to the every conduct of import for the purpose of test, research or analysis. Therefore, importers of alcohol shall obtain approval of the METI for each shipment and such approval is valid only for the each occasion of import, and there is no term of validity.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a part of a licence.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences may not be transferred.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
There are no foreign exchange controls.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
The following questions are only for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally)
Where is information on allocation and formalities for licences published? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
There is no import quota.
Is the size of the quota determined: on yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for a fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
There is no import quota.
Are licences allocated for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate)
A quota system is not applicable.
From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
A quota system is not applicable.
What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
The process of application is carried out within two weeks.
How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Importers may declare import any time after they obtain import approval in accordance with Alcohol Business Law.
Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Approval is given only by the METI.
If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
There is no import quota.
In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
There is no import quota.
Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
There is no import quota.