1. Reasons for Amendment

The amendment aims to improve and complement a number of shortcomings that have emerged in the operation of the current system, including clarification of the requirements for the same imported food by the same company with respect to fishery products at the time of import declaration of imported food, etc., improvement of facility standards so that housing can be registered as a business place when an import and sale business entity, etc. of imported food, etc. intends to engage in business in the form of e-commerce or mail-order sales, and also separately establish administrative disposition standards for filing false import declarations of imported food, etc. or attaching false documents by proxy.

2. Major Provisions

Add photos to documents that must be submitted when declaring imports of imported food, etc. (Article 27)

Aim to enhance the efficiency of document inspection by specifying photos that confirm goods in stock of imported food, etc. as documents submitted by operators.

Recognize and accept random sample test reports when approving the change in use of raw materials for manufacturing a company’s own products (Article 28)

While the current Rule requires that a test/inspection report issued by a test/inspection institution be submitted when a change of use is approved, the amendment simplifies the documents to be submitted by allowing operators not to submit them if imported food has received a random sample test and has been accepted as conforming with the test in order to alleviate the burden on operators.

Expand the scope of conversion of products that do not conform to customs-clearance inspection (Article 34)

The current Rule allows conversion to feed use only to grains/beans among nonconforming products, but the amendment stipulates that it is possible for vegetable raw materials such as root and tuber crops/fruits and processed foods of vegetable raw materials to be so designated to alleviate the burden of disposal of operators through the recycling of resources.

Improve facility standards for each industry, such as import/sale business, etc. of imported food, etc. (Attached Table 8)

Alleviate the burden on operators by enabling them to register their business even in their home for a business in the form of e-commerce or mail-order sales under the Act on the Consumer Protection in Electronics, if purchasers do not directly visit the office for commerce.

Newly insert administrative disposition standards for business entities filing import declarations of imported food, etc. by proxy (Attached Table 13) 

Encourage sincere declarations by newly establishing administrative disposition standards in the case of filing false import declarations for imported food, etc. or attaching false documents by proxy.