Export cosmetics to Japan: rules, labels and duty

Rules to check before you export cosmetics to Japan (6), each with its official source.

Official sources checked between 2026-10-09 and 2026-10-24

Duty and FTAs: No Korea–Japan FTA: the RCEP rate (Korea column) needs an RCEP certificate of origin. customs.go.jp, checked 2026-10-09

This is not legal or tax advice. Rules and rates change, so confirm with the official source and a local authority, your importer or an expert before you sell.

• Main rule for cosmetics: Needs a Japanese marketing-authorisation holder; sunscreen/whitening claims may make it a quasi-drug needing approval. japaneselawtranslation.go.jp, checked 2026-10-09
• Japan cosmetics marketing licence: Only a company in Japan holding a cosmetics marketing licence (the marketing authorisation holder, 化粧品製造販売業者) may import cosmetics as a business; at customs it shows that licence and the product's notification (製造販売届書). Sell through a Japanese importer that holds the licence and has filed your product, or appoint one, before you ship stock. Gift parcels sent from Korea to Japanese creators are imports too, so agree with that importer how campaign samples enter. Your importer does it · customs.go.jp, checked 2026-10-14
• Japan cosmetics claims list: Ads, labels and creator posts for cosmetics in Japan may use only the 56 claims on the Health Ministry's list; for a sunscreen that means 'prevents sunburn' and 'prevents spots and freckles caused by sunburn'. Whitening that works on melanin ('suppresses melanin to prevent spots', 美白) is a quasi-drug claim that needs quasi-drug approval, and the PMD Act forbids false or exaggerated claims by anyone, creators included, so put the allowed wording in the creator brief. Done with your importer · mhlw.go.jp, checked 2026-10-14
• Japan cross-border parcels: up to 24 units per item: Selling from Korea straight to consumers in Japan (Qoo10, Rakuten or your own web shop) works without a Japanese cosmetics licence because each parcel is the buyer's own personal import: customs lets an individual bring in up to 24 units of a standard size per item (24 lipsticks, whatever the shades), for their own use only, not to resell or give away, and one parcel may not gather orders for other people. Larger lots, stock for a Japanese warehouse and sales to businesses need a licensed Japanese importer, and quasi-drugs such as medicated hair tonics count as medicines here (24 units per item for topical ones). Ads in Japanese still follow the cosmetics claims rules. Your company does it · mhlw.go.jp, checked 2026-10-24
• Japan positive list for UV filters: Japan allows only the chemical UV filters (UV absorbers) listed in Annex 4 of its Cosmetics Standards, each up to a maximum amount per 100 g, and for some the limit depends on the product type (rinse-off, leave-on, or used on mucous membranes such as lips). Check every chemical UV filter in the formula against the list before quoting a Japanese buyer; approval in Korea or the EU does not carry over. Your company does it · mhlw.go.jp, checked 2026-10-14
• Japan quasi-drug approval (whitening, acne, hair growth, hair dye …): In Japan, hair dyes and perm agents, and products that claim whitening (suppressing melanin), preventing acne or rough skin, preventing hair loss or growing hair, preventing body odour or sweating, or preventing cavities with fluoride, are quasi-drugs (医薬部外品), not cosmetics: each product needs a marketing approval before sale, applied for by a Japanese company that holds a quasi-drug marketing licence, and its label shows 医薬部外品. Either sell it as a cosmetic within the 56 cosmetic claims, or plan the approval with your importer before you quote. Done with your importer · mhlw.go.jp, checked 2026-10-24
• Applies to every product here: Japan: consumption tax on cross-border sales
• Applies to every product here: Japan: ‘No.1’ and satisfaction claims need a fair survey
• Open the checklist
• Work out the export price
• Same product, other countries: United States
• Same product, other countries: EU
• Same product, other countries: China
• Same product, other countries: Vietnam
• Same product, other countries: Thailand
• Same product, other countries: Malaysia
• Same product, other countries: Singapore
• Same product, other countries: Philippines
• Same product, other countries: Australia
• Same product, other countries: Canada
• Same product, other countries: Brazil
• Same country, other products: Instant noodles & pasta
• Same country, other products: Food supplements & preparations
• Same country, other products: Toys
• Same country, other products: Leather apparel & accessories
• Same country, other products: Pet food & feed
• Sources: japaneselawtranslation.go.jp, checked 2026-10-09
• Sources: customs.go.jp, checked 2026-10-14
• Sources: mhlw.go.jp, checked 2026-10-14
• Sources: mhlw.go.jp, checked 2026-10-24
• Sources: mhlw.go.jp, checked 2026-10-14
• Sources: mhlw.go.jp, checked 2026-10-24
• Sources: customs.go.jp, checked 2026-10-09

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