Import from Thailand to Japan: JTEPA, AJCEP and RCEP (2026 Guide)
Japan is the easiest major market to import Thai goods into, because Thailand and Japan sit inside three overlapping agreements. Most buyers leave money on the table simply by not choosing the right one.
The three routes to preferential duty
| Agreement | In force | Best for | Origin proof |
|---|---|---|---|
| JTEPA (Japan-Thailand EPA) | 2007 | Bilateral Thai-origin goods, agriculture and processed food lines | Form JTEPA issued by Thai DFT |
| AJCEP (Japan-ASEAN) | 2009 | Goods with inputs from several ASEAN countries | AJCEP Form, or back-to-back CO |
| RCEP | 2022 | Goods with Chinese, Korean or Japanese inputs that fail JTEPA rules | RCEP CO or approved-exporter self-certification |
All three can apply to the same shipment. You are allowed to pick whichever gives the lowest duty and the easiest origin qualification - the decision is made per HS line, not per supplier.
How to choose in practice
- Get the exact 9-digit Japanese tariff line from your customs broker, not a 6-digit guess.
- Compare the JTEPA, AJCEP and RCEP staging rates against the MFN rate for that line. Many industrial lines are already 0% MFN, in which case a certificate of origin is unnecessary paperwork.
- If the rate differs, test the origin rule. JTEPA often uses a change-of-tariff-heading test; RCEP frequently allows 40% regional value content, which is easier when the Thai factory buys Chinese components.
- Ask the Thai factory to confirm in writing which agreement it can certify under before you place the order. Not every Thai exporter is registered for RCEP self-certification.
Worked example
A Thai-made stainless steel kitchen fitting, HS 7323.93:
| Basis | Duty rate | Cost on a USD 40,000 shipment |
|---|---|---|
| MFN | 3.9% | USD 1,560 |
| JTEPA | 0% | USD 0 |
| RCEP | 0% | USD 0 |
The certificate costs the exporter roughly THB 500. On a container this is the single highest-return piece of paperwork in the whole transaction.
Consumption tax is separate
Preferential duty does not touch Japanese consumption tax. You will still pay 10% on CIF plus duty at import, recoverable if you are a registered taxable business filing under the qualified invoice system. Budget the cash-flow gap, not the cost.
Common reasons a claim is rejected
- Invoice value, CO value and packing list quantities do not match.
- The consignee on the CO is not the importer of record.
- The CO was issued after shipment without the retroactive issuance box ticked.
- Goods transited a third port and no non-manipulation certificate was provided.
Japan Customs is document-strict rather than adversarial. Clean paperwork clears fast.
How we handle it
We hold the supplier relationship and file the origin request with the Thai Department of Foreign Trade on the factory's behalf, so the certificate arrives with the shipping documents rather than three weeks later. Our fee sits inside the landed cost you approve before production, so there is one number to compare against your current source.
See also our Japan customs clearance walkthrough and freight and port comparison.
FAQ
Is there a free trade agreement between Thailand and Japan? Yes - three of them. JTEPA is bilateral, AJCEP covers Japan and ASEAN, and RCEP adds China, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. You may choose whichever gives the better outcome per tariff line.
Which agreement gives the lowest duty? It depends on the HS line. JTEPA is usually best for food and agricultural products; RCEP is often easier to qualify for when a Thai factory uses Chinese components.
Do I need a certificate of origin if the MFN rate is already 0%? No. If MFN is zero, skip the certificate and save the lead time.
Can the Thai factory self-certify origin? Under RCEP, yes, if it is an approved or registered exporter. JTEPA and AJCEP still require a government-issued form from the Thai DFT.
How long does a Form JTEPA take to obtain? Typically two to five working days once the exporter's product registration is on file, longer for a first-time product.