EU-Japan preferential origin

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is a trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Japan. Under this agreement, duty rates on traded goods can be reduced or eliminated.

If you are an EU exporter of consignments of goods with a value greater than €6,000, you can avail of EPA preference if you:

• register in the Registered Exporters System (REX)
• and
• use your REX number on the ‘Statement on origin’ to claim the preference on entry to Japan.

Details on the authorisation to use the REX system are available at Registered exporters system.

If you import goods (of Japanese origin) from Japan you can claim for preferential treatment. To make this claim, your invoice or other commercial document must contain a ‘Statement on origin’ made out by a Japanese exporter.

Alternatively, you may claim for preferential treatment based on ‘importer’s knowledge’. The importer must have information in the form of supporting documents or records provided by the exporter or manufacturer in his or her possession. If you are importing from Japan, you do not have to register in REX to qualify for preferential duty rates.

The European Commission provides guidance on the EU-Japan EPA on their website and at Access2Markets.