Importing from Japan — preferential duty pathway
Preferential duty for imports from Japan: EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EUJEPA)
How it works
Zero duty on most industrial goods by 2024-2026; some agricultural still phased. In force since February 2019. Most industrial goods at 0% by 2024-2026.
Required document
To claim under EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EUJEPA), the importer must present: Statement on origin (self-certification) for any value; supporting evidence required. Without the document, the EU customs broker applies the standard MFN rate — no exception.
Worked example: €50,000 customs value
Imagine you are importing €50,000 of machinery from Japan into the EU. Without EUJEPA (no document presented): MFN duty rate 10.0% = €5,000. With EUJEPA (valid document): preferential rate 0.0% = €0. Saving: €5,000.
| Scenario | Duty rate | Duty amount |
|---|---|---|
| Without EUJEPA (MFN) | 10.0% | €5,000 |
| With EUJEPA (preferential) | 0.0% | €0 |
| Saving | — | €5,000 |
No document = no preferential rate
A common mistake: importers assume their origin is enough. The EU customs broker needs the actual origin document on file before clearance. If your supplier hasn't set up REX registration or won't issue EUR.1, you pay full MFN — and the duty is non-recoverable. Confirm document availability before signing your first PO.
Trade defence overrides
Preferential origin reduces or eliminates the MFN duty, but does NOT waive anti-dumping or countervailing duties. A Türkiye cold-rolled steel shipment cleared under A.TR still pays the 23.3% AD measure on top of 0% MFN. Verify TARIC for active trade defence on your specific HS line.
Build your full plan with this regime applied
Six questions, all four calculators (sourcing, routing, customs, warehouse), full landed cost — with the preferential pathway already claimed. Free.
Build my plan with preferential origin claimed →