Japan ACPPrepare a brief for one identified product, with the manufacturer, exact model, composition, function and supplied contents. Add matching specifications and photographs, then identify the proposed importer and any missing facts. An existing HS code is useful background, but you can request an initial review without one.
Start with the item in the carton
Write the manufacturer, model reference and a plain description of the item. Keep the marketing name as a separate field. If the sales name covers several models, identify the model you intend to ship first. A link alone can leave the reviewer looking at the wrong size, specification or bundle after the seller changes the page.
Then describe its main function in ordinary language. Say what the user does with it and what it does in response. For an accessory, name the product it works with and explain whether the accessory can function on its own. For a kit, list the components and say which are packaged together. These details are more useful than adjectives such as premium or professional.
Ask for facts the photograph cannot show
Use the manufacturer's specification for materials, composition, dimensions and operating features. Record the source and revision date. Where percentages or technical ratings are relevant but unavailable, mark them as unknown and ask the supplier. Guessing a material from a photograph creates a false starting point for the next person in the chain.
Our suggested brief below is a preparation tool, not a universal legal checklist. The facts needed will depend on the goods. Product review and tariff classification are also separate from checking which company will import the goods and whether ACP appointment support fits that arrangement.
| Field | Useful detail |
|---|---|
| Identity | Manufacturer, model, variant and supplier reference |
| Composition | Materials or ingredients, with available proportions |
| Function | What the item does and how it operates |
| Features | Power source, battery, wireless capability or other relevant specification |
| Presentation | Individual item, set, refill, component or retail bundle |
Make the evidence refer to the same model
Attach clear product and packaging photographs alongside the specification. A label close-up can connect the physical item to its model number. If the catalogue describes a family of products, point to the relevant page and explain which options apply. Keep an older document only when its relationship to the current product is clear.
Different records can disagree without anyone noticing: the invoice says one model, the listing shows another and the specification belongs to a previous version. Resolve that mismatch before asking for a conclusion. If a document is still being corrected, tell us which detail is disputed rather than quietly choosing the most convenient version.
Send a brief with a visible gap list
Include any existing HS code with the country where it was used. If there is no code, leave that field blank. Add the proposed importer, sales channel and planned first shipment so the review has a commercial context. Keep product facts separate from guesses about the answer.
Finish with a short list of missing details and who can obtain them. Submit the brief through HS code and ACP review. We can then identify what supports appointment review, what needs more evidence and which questions need to go to Customs or another relevant specialist.
Questions about this topic
Is an HS code required before I request an ACP review?+
You can request an initial review without an HS code. Send the exact product, manufacturer's model, factual specification and proposed importer arrangement. If a supplier has already given a code, include its country and source. Missing information can be identified during review; no code is better than an unsupported guess.
Can I use a product listing instead of a specification?+
A listing can help identify the item, but it may omit composition, function, power or the contents of a retail pack. Provide the manufacturer's specification and matching photographs where available. If one page covers multiple models, identify the specific model and configuration intended for the shipment.
Sources and scope
This guide is written to help you prepare information for a review. Its examples and working notes are illustrative. The linked Customs sources explain the formal procedures.
Have a question about your next step?
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