EPA between Japan and Switzerland was signed on Feb 19, 2009.
The main text and tariff schedule is now available in below MOFA web site.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/switzerland/epa0902/index.html
According to Asahi press, the implementation is expected in autumn this year.
As for Customs tariff for both countries, 99% of goods in trade amount will be eliminated.
One point to noteworthy for Japan is the adoption of "approved exporter" system for declaration of country of origin. This is first time for Japan, but in Europe, the self-declaration by approved exporter is very common system.
2009年2月20日金曜日
2009年2月16日月曜日
METI will enforce penalty to non-compliant company in export control
According to reliable source in Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (“METI”), Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law (“FEFTL”) in Japan will be amended within this year so that METI could enforce more solid export control for dual use items to prevent from transferring to military purpose. A new provision will be added in FEFTL, which broaden the penalty range to a non-compliant company in export control.
- Increase the penalty amount of violation of FEFTL export control
Under current law, Persons who have exported controlled items without obtaining the license are subject to a penalty of not more than five years of imprisonment or a fine of not more than two millions yen, or both. If five times the value of such items exceeds two millions yen, the fine shall be up to five-time amount. In addition, as an administrative sanction, the penalty may involve prohibition of export for a period of not more than three years. In 2008, there found some malicious violations of export regulation by Japanese companies, METI consider to increase the penalty amount by revising the FEFTL.
- Introduce penalty to dishonest license application and non-compliance
In 2008, METI made warning to a Japanese machine tool company, who continued to have faulty classification of their products for seven years by intentionally lowering the technical specification to illegally get non-license-required status. Under current law scheme, METI only can give administrative advice or warning, not criminal penalty for such internal non-compliance. By revising FEFTL, new requirement for compliance control will be introduced. A company who deal dual-use items of military use, need to implement solid internal control operation. Faulty export control operation will be subject to METI’s advice to improve, order, and finally criminal penalty in case the company don’t obey to METI’s advice.
Under such condition, Japanese companies continue to carry out thorough export control internally, to monitor the latest regulation and to pay more attention the compliance.
- Increase the penalty amount of violation of FEFTL export control
Under current law, Persons who have exported controlled items without obtaining the license are subject to a penalty of not more than five years of imprisonment or a fine of not more than two millions yen, or both. If five times the value of such items exceeds two millions yen, the fine shall be up to five-time amount. In addition, as an administrative sanction, the penalty may involve prohibition of export for a period of not more than three years. In 2008, there found some malicious violations of export regulation by Japanese companies, METI consider to increase the penalty amount by revising the FEFTL.
- Introduce penalty to dishonest license application and non-compliance
In 2008, METI made warning to a Japanese machine tool company, who continued to have faulty classification of their products for seven years by intentionally lowering the technical specification to illegally get non-license-required status. Under current law scheme, METI only can give administrative advice or warning, not criminal penalty for such internal non-compliance. By revising FEFTL, new requirement for compliance control will be introduced. A company who deal dual-use items of military use, need to implement solid internal control operation. Faulty export control operation will be subject to METI’s advice to improve, order, and finally criminal penalty in case the company don’t obey to METI’s advice.
Under such condition, Japanese companies continue to carry out thorough export control internally, to monitor the latest regulation and to pay more attention the compliance.
2009年1月29日木曜日
Brazil suspend new customs regulation
Just after the surprising announcement by Brazil government, they immediately suspend the new import license regulation.
With criticism as "protectionism" to global trade and mounting industry opposition, the Brazilian government announced on January 28 that it is suspending its controversial new policy requiring an import license, which covers quite a lots of HS codes. The suspension will take effect on January 29.
International traders welcome this quick move, however amid glowing protectionism over economic downturn, other countries may proceed similar actions, which may or may not be "gray" area to WTO rule.
With criticism as "protectionism" to global trade and mounting industry opposition, the Brazilian government announced on January 28 that it is suspending its controversial new policy requiring an import license, which covers quite a lots of HS codes. The suspension will take effect on January 29.
International traders welcome this quick move, however amid glowing protectionism over economic downturn, other countries may proceed similar actions, which may or may not be "gray" area to WTO rule.
2009年1月28日水曜日
Brazil enforce new import license
According to the announcement by Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce ("MDIC") on January 26, 2009, import into Brazil requires import license for quite a number of products effective immediately. Similar import scheme had been implemented in early 1990s as protectionism measure. Global traders are afraid the new import license requirement is revival of this policy.
The problem for global supply chain is its long lead time of import license application. It have been common for importers to wait up to 60 days! while their import licence applications were under consideration. Apparently, this could be awesome bottleneck for modernized supply chain. In addition, those who fail to comply will face monetary penalties.
The import licence required items are broad and regulated by HS code. They are, Chapter 10, 11, 27, 50 - 63, 73, 84-88, 90, 94 and 95.
This measure could be one of the ways to save domestic industries. With recent significant downturn in global economy, this kind of "protectionism" may spread to other country's customs procedure. It is threat to global free trade.
(Source: http://www.bryancave.com/bulletins/ international trade bulletin No. 423)
The problem for global supply chain is its long lead time of import license application. It have been common for importers to wait up to 60 days! while their import licence applications were under consideration. Apparently, this could be awesome bottleneck for modernized supply chain. In addition, those who fail to comply will face monetary penalties.
The import licence required items are broad and regulated by HS code. They are, Chapter 10, 11, 27, 50 - 63, 73, 84-88, 90, 94 and 95.
This measure could be one of the ways to save domestic industries. With recent significant downturn in global economy, this kind of "protectionism" may spread to other country's customs procedure. It is threat to global free trade.
(Source: http://www.bryancave.com/bulletins/ international trade bulletin No. 423)
2009年1月23日金曜日
Malaysia entry into force Japan-ASEAN FTA on Feb 01, 2009
On December 19 (Fri) ,2008, Malaysia made the notification on the completion of its legal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Partnership among Japan and Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement).
With this notification, the Agreement will enter into force on February 1 (Sun), 2009 in relation to Malaysia.
This Agreement has already entered into force among Japan, Singapore, Laos, Viet Nam, Myanmar and Brunei.
Japan - Malaysia already have bilateral FTA, however Japan-ASEAN FTA is helpful for getting product origin by using accumulation provision. This will be certainly useful for trades who have operations in ASEAN countries.
(Source: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2009/1/1186812_1126.html )
With this notification, the Agreement will enter into force on February 1 (Sun), 2009 in relation to Malaysia.
This Agreement has already entered into force among Japan, Singapore, Laos, Viet Nam, Myanmar and Brunei.
Japan - Malaysia already have bilateral FTA, however Japan-ASEAN FTA is helpful for getting product origin by using accumulation provision. This will be certainly useful for trades who have operations in ASEAN countries.
(Source: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2009/1/1186812_1126.html )
2009年1月17日土曜日
EU signed EPA with Cameroon
On Jan. 15, 2009, European Unions and Cameroon signed economic partnership agreement (EPA) trade deal.
(Source: http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=14206 )
(Source: http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=14206 )
2009年1月9日金曜日
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Urges Obama to Focus on Trade
Below is the article of UPS Trade News for January 8, 2009.
Personally, I'm wondering the end of trade embargo against Cuba is realistic priority?
Probably, this is nothing more than "hope" of industry group...
(UPS Trade News for January 8, 2009)
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is urging incoming president Barack Obama to remain focused on international trade as a way to help jump-start the U.S. economy.
Specifically, the industry group has outlined a number of items as priorities for the U.S. trade policy, including completing the Doha Round of WTO talks; doubling federal spending on programs to help U.S. exporters; ratifying new free trade agreements, such as pending pacts with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea; and ending the trade embargo against Cuba.
According to the group's president and chief executive, Thomas J. Donohue, "a lot of smart people" that "understand trade" will be part of the Obama administration, and there's a sense of optimism that the new president will be a strong supporter of international trade.
Personally, I'm wondering the end of trade embargo against Cuba is realistic priority?
Probably, this is nothing more than "hope" of industry group...
(UPS Trade News for January 8, 2009)
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is urging incoming president Barack Obama to remain focused on international trade as a way to help jump-start the U.S. economy.
Specifically, the industry group has outlined a number of items as priorities for the U.S. trade policy, including completing the Doha Round of WTO talks; doubling federal spending on programs to help U.S. exporters; ratifying new free trade agreements, such as pending pacts with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea; and ending the trade embargo against Cuba.
According to the group's president and chief executive, Thomas J. Donohue, "a lot of smart people" that "understand trade" will be part of the Obama administration, and there's a sense of optimism that the new president will be a strong supporter of international trade.
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