Japan Export Compliance

Japan is a close US security ally and a significant export market for American manufacturers, particularly in electronics, aerospace, medical devices, and industrial machinery. The US-Japan Trade Agreement provides preferential tariff rates on select agricultural and industrial goods, though a comprehensive FTA covering all sectors does not yet exist. Japan maintains its own Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act export control regime, which aligns closely with but is not identical to US EAR controls. Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum apply to Japanese exports to the US. US exporters should verify HS code classifications carefully, as Japan applies its own tariff schedule that may differ from US HTS codes for the same product.