How to Start an Electrical Appliance Import Business

Importers of electrical appliances and materials* must notify the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (having jurisdiction over the principal office) within 30 days of the commencement of business. They must confirm that the imported products comply with technical standards and display the PSE mark. In particular, for “Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials,” a conformity inspection by a registered inspection body and the acquisition of a Certificate of Conformity are mandatory.

* From December 25, 2025, overseas businesses will be able to import electrical appliances by applying for designated import business status with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

💡 The Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act is NOT a certification system!

This Act is not a system in which the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) certifies products. It is a system where the manufacturer or importer fulfills the legal obligations voluntarily and sells products based on their own judgment and responsibility regarding compliance with standards. Even if another company is already importing and selling the same product, it is illegal unless each importer individually fulfills all requirements under the law.

Notification and procedure flow

STEP1: Electrical Appliances and Materials (Scope)

If the product you intend to import falls under the “Electrical Appliances and Materials defined in the Enforcement Order of the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act” (Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials, or Non-Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials), it is subject to the Act. The designated items include Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials (116 items) and Non-Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials (341 items). Please refer to the following link for criteria on whether a product falls under this category:
https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/consumer/seian/denan/procedure_01.html

STEP2: Notification of Business

If the business activity is “Importing,” a Notification of Business is required. You must submit this notification to the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (having jurisdiction over your principal office) within 30 days of commencing business.

* If you apply before December 25, 2025, the uniform business start date must be December 25.

💡 Notification must be made for each “classification of electrical appliances.

Furthermore, if there are changes to the following items, a Notification of Change must be submitted to the Regional Bureau without delay:

Name or trade name, and address of the Notifying Supplier.
Classification of the type of electrical appliance.
(e.g., If you have notified for the import of a “5VA DC power supply unit,” a Notification of Change is required if you intend to import a “15VA” unit.)
Name and location of the factory or workplace where the electrical appliance is manufactured.

STEP3: Verification of Compliance with Standards

Imported products must comply with the Technical Standards established by the government. Please refer to the Technical Standards here:
https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/consumer/seian/denan/procedure_04.html

💡 Technological trends related to electrical appliances change daily. To accommodate new appliances created by such innovation, the Technical Standards are constantly being reviewed. It is necessary to always verify the contents based on the latest Technical Standards.

STEP4: Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials

For “Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials,” before commencing sales, you must undergo a Conformity Inspection by a Registered Inspection Body and retain the issued Certificate of Conformity. The Conformity Inspection involves physical and on-site inspections regarding:

①The Specified Electrical Appliance (test sample)
②The inspection facilities at the Notifying Supplier’s factory or workplace (relating to the test sample).

Please contact a Registered Inspection Body for actual testing applications. List of Registered Inspection Bodies:
https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/consumer/seian/denan/procedure_06.html

💡 The validity period of the Certificate of Conformity varies by product (3, 5, or 7 years).

The Conformity Inspection can be omitted only if you hold a valid Certificate of Conformity for an electrical appliance belonging to the same type classification. (Affixing the PSE mark without a valid certificate—either not preserved or expired—is a violation of the law.)
Validity periods are set based on product characteristics because technical standards or facility standards change according to technological progress and usage patterns, and it is necessary to verify the supplier’s ability to adapt to these changes.

STEP5: Testing / Inspection (Self-Inspection)

For all electrical appliances (not limited to Specified ones), you must conduct testing according to the methods established by the government, create inspection records, and preserve these records for 3 years from the date of inspection.
For details on inspection methods and items to be recorded:
https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/consumer/seian/denan/procedure_07.html

💡 Record keeping is crucial. If you cannot present self-inspection records during an on-site inspection (even if you claim to have conducted them), it will be treated as if the self-inspection was not performed, and you will be subject to a “Order for Improvement regarding Legal Compliance.

STEP6: Labeling (PSE Mark)

For electrical appliances that meet the standards and have undergone necessary inspections, the labeling established by the government (PSE mark, etc.) can be affixed. The labeling items required for the Notifying Supplier under the Act are:

①Symbol (Diamond PSE or Circle PSE)
②Name of the Notifying Supplier
③Name of the Registered Inspection Body (only for Specified Electrical Appliances)
④Specifications such as rated voltage, rated current, etc.

(Note: Items ①, ②, and ③ must, in principle, be displayed in close proximity to each other.)

The symbol referred to in ① is the PSE mark.
For details, please refer to:
https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/consumer/seian/denan/procedure_08.html

Symbol affixed to Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials	Symbol affixed to Non-Specified Electrical Appliances and Materials

PSE Diamond mark For component materials such as electric wires, fuses, and wiring devices where it is structurally difficult to secure space for labeling, the symbol<PS>E may be used as a substitute.	PSE Circle mark For component materials such as electric wires, conduits and their accessories, fuses, and wiring devices where it is structurally difficult to secure space for labeling, the symbol (PS)E may be used as a substitute. (Note: This substitution is not permitted for products that are not component materials.)

💡 Only after properly completing the steps outlined above are you permitted to import and sell electrical appliances.

BACK