Certifying International Trade Documents
One of the functions of Chambers of Commerce throughout Japan is the certification of international trade documents. KCCI handled 14,241 such certifications in fiscal year 2012. They are of three types.
The largest group involves certificates of origin (9,451) for exports from Japan to overseas markets. These were followed by authentication of invoices (2,336) and other trade-related documents (2,454) that foreign agents may ask local chambers to verify. The certification fee for an ordinary trade document is 1,080 yen each for members, including 8% consumption tax, and 2,160 yen for non-members.
Applicants for certificates file a registration form consisting of (1) a written statement, (2) the names of the authorized signatories and their signatures, and (3) the status of the business. There is no registration fee for members of the Chamber, but 10,800 yen is charged for non-members for a two-year period. At the present time, about 700 companies have registered current company profiles.
Japan and Mexico concluded a bilateral free-trade agreement in September 2004. This is Japan's second FTA and the first that is a comprehensive agreement in which the opening of the market for agricultural products is a key provision.
In the agreement, the two countries will eliminate tariffs on almost all industrial products within 10 years. In certain areas (electronics, household electric appliances, capital goods, and automobiles), tariffs were eliminated effective April 1, 2005. Japan's third FTA was with Malaysia, effective July 1, 2006.
As of December, 2013, FTAs with Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia, Chile, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Philippines, Switzerland, India, ASEAN and Peru were all in the works.
In order to receive a reduction and elimination of tariffs, one is required to submit certificates of origin to both countries' customs authorities. In Japan, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the only body authorized to issue such certificates.
Twenty one local chambers of commerce and industry, including the KCCI, issue FTA certificates of origin under the umbrella of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These chambers started issuing the documents from April 1, 2005. The Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued 5,244 FTA certificates of origin in FY 2012.
The largest group involves certificates of origin (9,451) for exports from Japan to overseas markets. These were followed by authentication of invoices (2,336) and other trade-related documents (2,454) that foreign agents may ask local chambers to verify. The certification fee for an ordinary trade document is 1,080 yen each for members, including 8% consumption tax, and 2,160 yen for non-members.
Applicants for certificates file a registration form consisting of (1) a written statement, (2) the names of the authorized signatories and their signatures, and (3) the status of the business. There is no registration fee for members of the Chamber, but 10,800 yen is charged for non-members for a two-year period. At the present time, about 700 companies have registered current company profiles.
Japan and Mexico concluded a bilateral free-trade agreement in September 2004. This is Japan's second FTA and the first that is a comprehensive agreement in which the opening of the market for agricultural products is a key provision.
In the agreement, the two countries will eliminate tariffs on almost all industrial products within 10 years. In certain areas (electronics, household electric appliances, capital goods, and automobiles), tariffs were eliminated effective April 1, 2005. Japan's third FTA was with Malaysia, effective July 1, 2006.
As of December, 2013, FTAs with Singapore, Mexico, Malaysia, Chile, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Philippines, Switzerland, India, ASEAN and Peru were all in the works.
In order to receive a reduction and elimination of tariffs, one is required to submit certificates of origin to both countries' customs authorities. In Japan, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the only body authorized to issue such certificates.
Twenty one local chambers of commerce and industry, including the KCCI, issue FTA certificates of origin under the umbrella of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These chambers started issuing the documents from April 1, 2005. The Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued 5,244 FTA certificates of origin in FY 2012.
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Copyright©2010 The Kobe Chamber of Commerce & Industry. All rights reserved.
Copyright©2010 The Kobe Chamber of Commerce & Industry. All rights reserved.