Japan Customs distinguishes two situations: stronger rules effective October 1, 2022 cover trademark- or design-infringing counterfeits sent by overseas businesses, even for personal use; travellers bringing items themselves are outside that particular extension, but business-related accompanied imports remain subject to the existing controls.[76] This is not blanket permission for every counterfeit or a legal assessment of your belongings.
Start with how the item enters Japan, not just its intended use
Japan Customs' FAQ dated February 16, 2024 explains that changes to the Trademark Act, Design Act and Customs Act brought relevant counterfeits sent by overseas businesses through mail and similar means within strengthened enforcement from October 1, 2022; personal use does not make those imports permissible.[76] The FAQ defines the counterfeits discussed here by reference to trademark or design rights, so this particular explanation should not be extended automatically to every intellectual-property dispute.[76]
Our advice: identify who bought the item, who will carry or send it, and whether business activity is involved before asking Customs. The Japanese term jigyosei refers to the business character of the activity; it is not an individual determination established simply by saying that you will not resell the item, since the FAQ also lists quantity, condition and past imports among relevant facts.[76] This article's date is its editorial date, not a new commencement date for the rules or FAQ.
Accompanied baggage: outside this extension does not mean unlimited permission
Question 2 expressly addresses travellers carrying goods into Japan themselves: the amendment newly treated overseas businesses causing others to bring goods into Japan as infringement, rather than travellers' own act of bringing goods in.[76] The same answer immediately qualifies that distinction: travellers whose imports have a business character, such as repeatedly and continuously carrying counterfeits, were already subject to enforcement, and that treatment remains unchanged.[76]
Our advice: do not rewrite 'outside this particular 2022 extension' as 'any quantity is allowed' or 'saying personal use guarantees clearance'. This FAQ supplies neither a fixed safe number of counterfeit items nor an exemption list for handbags, shoes or clothing.[76] For a decision about actual belongings, explain the complete circumstances to Japan Customs rather than treating this general account as an import authorization.
An overseas seller's delivery is not your accompanied baggage
The Japanese and English notices both state that trademark- or design-infringing counterfeits sent by overseas businesses cannot be imported even for private use and are subject to confiscation.[77][78] Customs also warns that purchases from Japanese shopping websites may be dispatched directly from overseas, so the apparent location of the website does not settle the actual shipping arrangement.[77][78]
Our advice: this is not a parcel-clearance tutorial; the delivery comparison prevents the accompanied-baggage explanation from being misapplied to a seller's cross-border shipment. Check the actual seller and dispatch location before buying. The FAQ separately discusses shipments where neither sender nor importer has a business character, but requires a statement and supporting documents to be accepted in the determination procedure; a private person's name on the package is not itself the official test.[76]
Import prohibition and penalties answer different questions
Question 3 says that an importer without a business character is not subject to the penalties discussed there when attempting to import relevant counterfeits sent by an overseas business, whereas an importer with a business character is subject to penalties.[76] Question 4 nevertheless reiterates that an overseas business's shipment remains prohibited even when the importer has no business character.[76]
Our advice: ask separately whether importation is allowed, whether confiscation is possible, and whether penalties apply. One answer does not determine all the others. This article reports official guidance rather than deciding whether a person is conducting business, has committed an offence, or faces other consequences. It does not reproduce prison terms or fine amounts from the notices, because their penalty terminology has not been independently checked here against current legislation.
If Customs starts a determination procedure, respond with genuine evidence
When suspected infringing goods are found, Customs starts a determination procedure and notifies the importer in writing; the Japanese notice says that an importer asserting non-infringement must submit supporting documents.[77] The FAQ explains that Customs considers rights holders' and importers' evidence, whether documents were submitted, the goods' quantity and condition, and facts established through investigation, including previous imports.[76]
Question 5 gives examples of evidence about a sender's business character, including documents explaining how the shipment arose or identification of the sender.[76] Question 6 explains that failing to supply requested documents without an unavoidable reason affects Customs' consideration of whether the importer contests infringement.[76] Our advice: follow the notice, contact Customs and retain genuine purchase and transport records; do not invent a private gift arrangement or assume that one receipt guarantees admission.
Refunds after confiscation and decisions before travelling
Question 8 and both language versions of the notice say that Customs does not handle reimbursement of the purchase price for confiscated goods and directs buyers to the shopping website or other seller.[76][77][78] That identifies where to ask about a refund; it does not promise that a seller will reimburse you or establish compensation from Customs.[76]
Our advice: avoid purchasing goods known to be counterfeit or whose authenticity cannot be established. If belongings raise a question, explain the item, purpose, quantity and method of entry to Customs before travelling. The point is to distinguish personal carriage from an overseas seller's delivery, and import restrictions from penalties, not to suggest ways around inspection. All three sources are Japan Customs publications; the bilingual notices describe the same policy and are not independent legal assessments by three institutions.
Before departure
- Distinguish goods you carry yourself from an overseas business's direct shipment.[76]
- Personal carriage is outside the specific 2022 extension, but business-related carriage remains subject to existing enforcement.[76]
- Personal use does not permit importing trademark- or design-infringing counterfeits sent by overseas businesses.[76][77]
- A Japanese shopping website may dispatch goods directly from overseas.[77][78]
- Absence of the penalties discussed in the FAQ is not permission to import.[76]
- Respond truthfully to a determination notice; ask the shopping site or seller, not Customs, about reimbursement.[76]
Sources & freshness
Sources accessed 21 September 2026. Numbers identify sourced facts; unnumbered planning steps are editorial advice, not operator promises. Recheck prices, availability, sales rules and operating status before travelling.
- [76] Frequently asked questions: stronger border enforcement against counterfeits ↗
Japan Customs · Source publication date: 2024-02-16 · Accessed: 2026-09-21
- [77] Strengthening border enforcement against counterfeits ↗
Japan Customs · Source publication date: not stated · Accessed: 2026-09-21
- [78] Strengthening Border Control Measures for Counterfeit Products! ↗
Japan Customs · Source publication date: not stated · Accessed: 2026-09-21