Exporting to Japan from India: CEPA Benefits, JIS & Compliance

Key takeaways

India and Japan share a trade relationship built on complementary strengths. India's competitive manufacturing base meeting Japan's demand for high-quality inputs, food products, and industrial goods. Yet Japan remains under-penetrated for Indian exporters, largely because its regulatory and quality requirements are among the most demanding in the world. Japanese buyers expect near-zero defect rates, precise documentation, and full compliance with domestic standards. JIS, JAS, MHLW, PMDA, and PSE.

This guide covers every compliance layer. From CEPA tariff benefits and Rules of Origin to product certifications, labelling, customs procedures, and logistics. Whether you are shipping auto components to Nagoya, shrimp to Tokyo, or pharmaceutical intermediates to Osaka, this is your reference.

India-Japan Trade Overview

India-Japan bilateral trade reached approximately USD 22 billion in FY 2025-26. Japan is India's tenth-largest trading partner but one of its most important sources of FDI, technology transfer, and development finance. The relationship is anchored by Japan's demand for Indian raw materials, intermediate goods, and finished manufactured products.

India-Japan CEPA: Tariff Concessions and Market Access

The India-Japan CEPA, in force since 1 August 2011, is India's most ambitious trade agreement with a developed economy. For Indian goods exporters, the core benefit is tariff elimination or reduction on approximately 90% of Japanese tariff lines, with the phased schedule largely completed by 2021.

Key Tariff Concessions for Indian Goods

• Auto components. Zero duty on most parts including brakes, suspension, and engine parts. See our auto parts export compliance guide.
• Marine products. Zero or reduced duty on shrimp, squid, and processed seafood. See our seafood exports hub.
• Organic chemicals and dyes. Many lines at zero; India is globally competitive
• Iron and steel. Phased elimination completed on most lines
• Textiles. Reduced from 5-10% to zero on most cotton textiles and apparel
• Pharmaceuticals. Zero duty on bulk APIs, intermediates, and most formulations
• Gems and jewellery. Zero duty on cut and polished diamonds

Rules of Origin under the CEPA

To claim CEPA rates, goods must satisfy Rules of Origin via one of three methods: (1) wholly obtained or produced in India, (2) Change in Tariff Classification (CTC) at the 4- or 6-digit HS level, or (3) Regional Value Content (RVC) of 35-40% of FOB value. Product-specific rules exist for sensitive categories. Use our FTA duty savings calculator to estimate the tariff benefit.

Form AIJCEP. Certificate of Origin

Form AIJCEP is the Certificate of Origin your Japanese buyer needs to claim the preferential rate. Without it, goods are assessed at Japan's MFN rate. It is issued by the Export Inspection Council (EIC) of India:

1. Register with the EIC as an exporter (one-time process; requires IEC, company registration, and manufacturing or procurement details)
2. For each shipment, apply online through the EIC's COO portal with the commercial invoice, packing list, HS code mapping, and origin declaration showing how your product meets the applicable rule of origin
3. EIC reviews and issues the Form AIJCEP, typically within 2-3 working days
4. Include the original Form AIJCEP with your shipping documents. Your Japanese buyer or their customs broker presents it to Japan Customs when filing the import declaration

JIS and JAS Standards

Japan's standards system is one of the most comprehensive in the world, covering virtually every manufactured and agricultural product. Understanding and meeting these standards is the single most important factor in successfully exporting to Japan, often more important than pricing.

JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards)

JIS standards are developed by the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC) under METI. There are approximately 10,500 active JIS standards covering every industrial sector. While JIS certification is technically voluntary for most products (exceptions include construction materials and safety-critical items), it is a de facto market requirement. Japanese buyers routinely specify JIS compliance in procurement, and products without the JIS mark face an uphill battle gaining market acceptance.

Foreign manufacturers can apply for JIS certification by applying to a Registered Certification Body (RCB) accredited by METI. The RCB conducts a factory audit covering your quality management system, production processes, and testing capabilities, followed by product testing. Upon successful audit, the RCB grants a JIS mark licence, typically valid for 3 years with annual surveillance audits.

JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standards)

JAS standards, administered by MAFF, govern agricultural and food products. Key categories: JAS Organic (mandatory for products marketed as "organic" in Japan; Indian certifiers must be MAFF-accredited), JAS quality grades (quality levels for edible oils, soy sauce, processed foods), and Specific JAS (production method standards for aged, sustainably sourced, or regional products).

Food Safety: MHLW and the Food Sanitation Act

Japan's food safety regime is governed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) through the Food Sanitation Act. Japan has some of the strictest food safety standards in the world, and Indian food exporters face particularly close regulatory scrutiny due to historical issues with pesticide residues in Indian spices and antibiotics in Indian seafood.

Import Notification and Inspection

All food imports require a prior Import Notification submitted electronically through FAINS (Food Automated Import Notification and Inspection Network System) before goods arrive. Based on the notification, MHLW determines whether the shipment undergoes inspection, monitoring examination, or direct clearance.

Pesticide Residues and Food Additives

Japan's positive list system sets maximum residue limits (MRLs) for over 800 pesticides. For substances without a specific MRL, a uniform limit of 0.01 ppm applies. Essentially zero-tolerance. This is far stricter than the Codex standards India follows. For Indian exporters of spices, tea, rice, and vegetables, this is the most critical compliance requirement.

Japan also maintains its own approved food additives list, which is significantly shorter than the US, EU, or Indian lists. Many additives common in Indian food processing are not approved in Japan. Products containing unapproved additives will be rejected at the border.

Seafood. Special Requirements

Seafood imports face intensive scrutiny for antibiotic residues (chloramphenicol, nitrofurans), heavy metals, and hygiene. Indian processing plants must be EIC-approved and MHLW-listed, with each consignment requiring an official EIC health certificate.

Pharmaceuticals: PMDA Approval

Japan is the world's third-largest pharmaceutical market, valued at over USD 80 billion. The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) regulates drug approvals, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) oversees pharmaceutical policy. For Indian pharma companies, Japan represents a massive opportunity. Particularly in generic drugs, APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients), and drug intermediates.

APIs and Drug Intermediates

For API exports, the Indian manufacturer must hold a Drug Master File (DMF) registered with PMDA, containing manufacturing process details, quality controls, stability data, and impurity profiles. API facilities must comply with Japanese GMP standards, broadly aligned with ICH Q7 but with Japan-specific additions. PMDA conducts pre-approval and periodic on-site GMP inspections of foreign facilities. Typically 3-5 day audits.

Generic Drug Registration

Japan's government target of 80% generic penetration by volume has created significant opportunities for Indian manufacturers. To register a generic drug, you need:

• A Japanese Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH). Foreign companies cannot directly hold marketing authorisations in Japan
• Bioequivalence studies per PMDA guidelines and manufacturing facility GMP compliance verified through PMDA inspection
• Stability data under ICH conditions and Japanese-language labelling compliant with PMDA requirements

Electronics: PSE Mark and DENAN Act

The Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act (DENAN) , administered by METI, governs the safety of electrical products sold in Japan. Any electrical product that operates on Japan's 100V/50-60Hz power supply must carry the PSE (Product Safety Electrical Appliance and Materials) mark before it can be sold. Products without the PSE mark cannot legally be imported for sale in Japan.

Two Categories of PSE

• Category A (Specified Products). Diamond-shaped PSE mark. Covers cables, fuses, power supplies, and lithium batteries. Requires mandatory third-party testing by a Registered Conformity Assessment Body (RCAB).
• Category B (Non-Specified Products). Circle-shaped PSE mark. Covers most consumer electronics, LED lighting, kitchen appliances. Allows self-declaration based on accredited lab testing.

Key Technical Requirements

Japan operates on a 100V AC / 50-60Hz power system (50Hz in eastern Japan, 60Hz in western Japan). Products designed for India's 230V / 50Hz cannot be sold without significant redesign. Products must use Japan's Type A (two-pin flat) plug format. Testing must be conducted against JIS C standards or IEC equivalents with Japan's national deviations.

Products with wireless capabilities require additional GITEKI mark certification under Japan's Radio Act, covering Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, and any radio-frequency emissions. Japan's RF allocation and emission standards differ from Indian or international norms.

Japanese Language Labelling

Japan requires all consumer product labels to be in Japanese. This is not optional, not a "best practice", and not something you can defer to your importer. Products arriving without Japanese labels will either be held at customs until compliant labels are applied or rejected outright. The labelling requirements are governed by multiple laws depending on the product category.

Applicable Laws by Product Category

• Food (Food Labelling Act: product name, ingredients, allergens, nutritional info, dates, origin, storage) all in Japanese
• Consumer goods. Household Goods Quality Labelling Act: composition, care instructions, origin, manufacturer
• Pharmaceuticals. PMD Act: drug name, active ingredients, dosage, indications, manufacturer, MAH, expiry
• Cosmetics. PMD Act: full ingredient list in Japanese names (INCI not sufficient), manufacturer, origin
• Electrical. DENAN Act: PSE mark, rated voltage/wattage, safety warnings
• Textiles. Household Goods Act: fiber composition (%), care symbols per JIS L0001, origin

Allergen and Origin Labelling

Japan specifies 7 mandatory allergens (wheat, buckwheat, egg, milk, peanut, shrimp/prawn, crab) and 20 recommended allergens that must be declared even in trace amounts. Country of origin must be displayed in Japanese. For processed food, the origin of major ingredients (over 50% by weight) must be declared separately from the manufacturing country.

Customs Clearance: NACCS System

Japan's customs clearance system is one of the most efficient and technologically advanced in the world. All import and export declarations are processed through NACCS (Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System) , an electronic platform that integrates customs, quarantine, immigration, port/harbor, and other trade-related agencies into a single window.

How NACCS Works

Import declarations are filed electronically by a licensed customs broker (tsukan gyosha) . Japan Customs operates a risk-based system: low-risk consignments clear in 2-3 hours (green channel), document examinations take 1-2 days, and physical inspections add 2-5 days.

Pre-Arrival Processing and AEO

NACCS supports pre-arrival import declarations, enabling same-day clearance upon arrival for low-risk consignments. Japan's AEO programme provides expedited clearance for trusted traders. India and Japan have a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for AEO, meaning Indian exporters with AEO-T2 or AEO-T3 status receive facilitated treatment at Japanese ports.

Required Documentation

• Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and insurance certificate
• Form AIJCEP (Certificate of Origin for CEPA rate)
• MHLW Import Notification via FAINS (food products), phytosanitary certificate (plant products), or EIC health certificate (seafood/animal products) as applicable
• Product-specific test reports and PSE documentation (electrical products) where required

Shipping and Logistics

India-Japan shipping routes are well-served by major container lines, though transit times are longer than India-GCC or India-Southeast Asia routes. The choice of Indian port and Japanese destination port significantly impacts transit time and freight cost.

Key Shipping Routes

Major Japanese Ports

Tokyo/Yokohama is the largest import gateway. Osaka/Kobe serves western Japan. Nagoya is Japan's auto manufacturing heartland, critical for auto component exports. Air freight (1-3 days transit from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai) is viable for pharmaceuticals, electronics, gems, and urgent auto parts supporting JIT manufacturing.

Cold Chain for Perishables

Seafood exports require an unbroken cold chain from processing plant to Japanese port. Refrigerated containers must maintain -18°C or below throughout transit, with temperature monitoring devices to document the chain. Any break will result in quality deterioration or MHLW rejection.

Key Sectors for Indian Exporters

While the India-Japan CEPA covers nearly all product categories, certain sectors offer the strongest growth potential based on Japan's import demand, India's competitive advantages, and the tariff concessions available under the CEPA.

Auto Components

Under the CEPA, most auto components enter Japan at zero duty, giving Indian suppliers a price advantage over Thailand, Indonesia, and China. Key categories include brakes, suspension, forgings, engine parts, and fasteners. Japanese OEMs require IATF 16949 as baseline; supplier approval typically takes 12-18 months. See our auto parts export compliance guide and auto components industry page.

Textiles and Apparel

India exports cotton textiles, bed linen, towels, and garments to Japan, with CEPA reducing duties from 5-10% to zero on most categories. Compliance requires Household Goods Quality Labelling Act compliance (fiber composition in Japanese, care symbols per JIS L0001), azo dye restrictions (Japan bans 24 azo dyes), and formaldehyde limits. Japan's standards for children's clothing are among the world's strictest.

Seafood and Marine Products

India is Japan's second-largest shrimp supplier. Japan imports over USD 15 billion of seafood annually, valuing quality and food safety above price. Critical requirements include EIC-approved facilities, antibiotic-free aquaculture certification, MHLW health certificates, and cold chain documentation. The CEPA provides zero or reduced duty, making Indian shrimp competitive with Vietnamese alternatives. See our seafood and marine industry page.

Pharmaceuticals and APIs

Japan's generic drug push has created structural demand for Indian APIs and finished generics. Key requirements: PMDA Drug Master File for APIs, GMP compliance via PMDA inspection, bioequivalence studies per PMDA guidelines, and a Japanese MAH for finished products. The CEPA provides zero duty, making the barrier purely regulatory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

• FTA Duty Savings Calculator. Estimate how much you can save under the India-Japan CEPA by entering your HS code and shipment value.
• Certificate of Origin Mistakes Exporters Make. The most common errors on Form AIJCEP and other COOs that cost Indian exporters their preferential duty benefits.
• Auto Components Export Hub. Compliance requirements, certification standards, and market access for Indian auto component exporters worldwide.
• Seafood & Marine Exports. MHLW requirements, EIC approvals, cold chain standards, and market-specific compliance for Indian seafood exporters.
• Auto Parts Export from India: Compliance Guide. Step-by-step compliance for exporting auto parts from India. IATF 16949, FMVSS, ECE regulations, and market-specific certifications.
• Export to Middle East: Compliance Guide. CEPA benefits, SABER and ECAS certifications, Halal requirements, and customs procedures for the GCC market.

Update history

• 2026-08-12 First published.