CHINA
ITA signatory?
I
II
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
0.71%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
60.46%
Coverage: ICT goods
Sources
- http://wits.worldbank.org/WITS/
- https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/brief_ita_e.htm#:~:text=ITA%20participants%3A%20Australia%3B%20Bahrain%3B,%3B%20Jordan%3B%20Korea%2C%20Rep.
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/ita20years_2017_full_e.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054410/https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/april/tradoc_154430.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/itscheds_e.htm
CHINA
Since April 2003
Since December 2015
Since December 2015
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Information Technology Agreement (ITA)
ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
China is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996 and its 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods
Sources
- https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/brief_ita_e.htm#:~:text=ITA%20participants%3A%20Australia%3B%20Bahrain%3B,%3B%20Jordan%3B%20Korea%2C%20Rep.
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/ita20years_2017_full_e.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054410/https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/april/tradoc_154430.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/itscheds_e.htm
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CHINA
Since April 2007, extended in April 2019 and April 2025, until April 2030
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures on ICT goods
Antidumping measure
In April 2007, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China announced anti-dumping duties on electrolytic capacitor paper (HS 480511, 480591) imported from Japan. This measure was revised and extended in April 2013, and then in April 2019 and in April 2025. The rate of duty imposed ranges from 15% to 40.83%, depending on the company. Electrolytic capacitor paper is used in an aluminum electrolytic capacitor that is a component of home electric appliances, computers, and more. This paper is used to retain electrolytic solution and insulation between the cathode foil and anode foil as main functions.
Coverage Product: Paper for electrolytic capacitor (HS 480511, 480591)
Country: Japan
Country: Japan
CHINA
Since August 2014, extended in August 2020
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures on ICT goods
Antidumping measure
In August 2014, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (MOFCOM) announced anti-dumping duties on single-mode optical fibres imported from India. In August 2020, the MOFCOM reported that it would continue to impose antidumping duties for another five years (until August 2025). The rate of duty imposed ranges from 7.4% to 30.6%, depending on the company. China’s Ministry of Commerce announced that on 14 August 2025 it had initiated an expiry review of the existing measures, during which the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council will maintain the anti‑dumping duties without modification, thereby leaving both the scope of application and the duty rates unchanged.
Coverage Product: Single-mode optical fibre (HS 900110, 901890)
Country: India
Country: India
JAPAN
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
Japan has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal
JAPAN
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Japan has not adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal
JAPAN
Since 1961
Since 1971
Since 1971
Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act (Act No. 234 of 1961) (昭和三十六年法律第二百三十四号電気用品安全法)
Consumer Product Safety Act (Act No. 31 of 1971) (昭和四十八年法律第三十一号消費生活用製品安全法)
Consumer Product Safety Act (Act No. 31 of 1971) (昭和四十八年法律第三十一号消費生活用製品安全法)
The type of conformity assessment procedure adopted is the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) type 2 - the supplier or manufacturer of the equipment declares the equipment meets the technical and administrative requirements on the basis of test reports by a testing laboratory recognised by the regulator. No registration of the equipment with the regulator is required. This mandatory requirement is limited to EMI for the products covered by the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law.
The Act divides electrical products into specified and non-specified products. While specified electrical products such as AC adapters and electric massagers require third-party assessment by a registered conformity assessment body (CAB), non-specified electrical products are subject to a self-declaration scheme for mandatory PSE marks.
Similarly, under the Consumer Product Safety Act (Act No. 31 of 1968), some electrical products classified as special specified products because of high risk to consumer safety require a third-party assessment by a registered CAB, while specified products with moderate risk to consumer safety are subject to self-declaration for PSC mark.
The Act divides electrical products into specified and non-specified products. While specified electrical products such as AC adapters and electric massagers require third-party assessment by a registered conformity assessment body (CAB), non-specified electrical products are subject to a self-declaration scheme for mandatory PSE marks.
Similarly, under the Consumer Product Safety Act (Act No. 31 of 1968), some electrical products classified as special specified products because of high risk to consumer safety require a third-party assessment by a registered CAB, while specified products with moderate risk to consumer safety are subject to self-declaration for PSC mark.
Coverage Electrical products
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231129090111/https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=336AC0000000234#5
- https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=348AC0000000031
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230124080217/https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/consumer/seian/denan/file/06_guide/denan_guide_ver3_en.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231205213028/https://www.jqa.jp/english/safety/service/mandatory/psc/
- https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/IT/W17R31.pdf&Open=True
- https://web.archive.org/web/20130321203249/https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/eu/electrical.pdf
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JAPAN
Since April 1910, last amended in April 2023
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Customs Tariff Act (Act No. 54 of 1910) (関税定率法(明治四十三年法律第五十四号))
As stipulated in Art. 14.18 of the Customs Tariff Act, the imports of goods with a total customs value of JPY 10,000 (approx. USD 67) or less are exempt from customs duties. This amount is below the USD 200 threshold recommended by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Coverage Horizontal
JAPAN
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on domain names
Reported requirement for local contact in .JP domain registration
It is reported that the ".JP" domain name registration framework stipulates the necessity of a local contact address.
Coverage Horizontal
JAPAN
Since June 1976
Since May 2000
Since May 2021
Since May 2000
Since May 2021
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Act on Specified Commercial Transactions - Act No. 57 of 1976 (特定商取引に関する法律 - 昭和五十一年法律第五十七号)
Consumer Contract Act - Act No. 61 of 2000 (消費者契約法 - 平成十二年法律第六十一号)
Act on the Protection of Consumers Who Use Digital Platforms for Shopping - Act No. 32 of 2021 (取引デジタルプラットフォームを利用する消費者の利益の保護に関する法律 - 令和三年法律第三十二号)
Consumer Contract Act - Act No. 61 of 2000 (消費者契約法 - 平成十二年法律第六十一号)
Act on the Protection of Consumers Who Use Digital Platforms for Shopping - Act No. 32 of 2021 (取引デジタルプラットフォームを利用する消費者の利益の保護に関する法律 - 令和三年法律第三十二号)
The "Act on Specified Commercial Transactions", the "Consumer Contract Act", the "Act on the Protection of Consumers Who Use Digital Platforms for Shopping", together with several other statutes, establish a comprehensive framework for consumer protection that extends to online transactions.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260305171201/https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3340/en
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260305173111/https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3578/en
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260305173226/https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4310/en
- https://unctad.org/page/cyberlaw-tracker-country-detail?country=jp
- https://www.mondaq.com/fin-tech/1488446/digital-business-laws-and-regulations-japan-2024
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JAPAN
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Ratification of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Lack of signature of the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts
Japan has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.
Coverage Horizontal
JAPAN
Since November 2001, last amended in 2013
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for copyright infringement
Act on the Limitation of Liability for Damages of Specified Telecommunications Service Providers and the Right to Demand Disclosure of Identification Information of the Senders (Act No. 137 of 2001) (平成十三年法律第百三十七号 - 特定電気通信役務提供者の損害賠償責任の制限及び発信者情報の開示に関する法律)
Japan's Act on the Limitation of Liability for Damages of Specified Telecommunications Service Providers and the Right to Demand Disclosure of Identification Information of the Senders establishes a safe harbour regime for intermediaries for copyright infringements. According to Art. 3 of the Act, no Internet service provider (ISP) may be held liable for failing to delete infringing content. Furthermore, the Act also shields ISPs from the liability for any damage caused by the deletion of content on its network if the ISP reasonably believes that the content infringes the intellectual property rights or privacy of others or if a third party alleges infringement and the content sender does not respond to the ISP's inquiry within seven days.
Coverage Internet Intermediaries
JAPAN
Since November 2001, last amended in 2013
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for any activity other than copyright infringement
Act on the Limitation of Liability for Damages of Specified Telecommunications Service Providers and the Right to Demand Disclosure of Identification Information of the Senders (Act No. 137 of 2001) (平成十三年法律第百三十七号 - 特定電気通信役務提供者の損害賠償責任の制限及び発信者情報の開示に関する法律)
Japan's Act on the Limitation of Liability for Damages of Specified Telecommunications Service Providers and the Right to Demand Disclosure of Identification Information of the Senders establishes a safe harbour regime for intermediaries beyond copyright infringements. According to Art. 3 of the Act, no Internet service provider (ISP) may be held liable for failing to delete infringing content. Furthermore, the Act also shields ISPs from the liability for any damage caused by the deletion of content on its network if the ISP reasonably believes that the content infringes the intellectual property rights or privacy of others or if a third party alleges infringement and the content sender does not respond to the ISP's inquiry within seven days.
Coverage Internet Intermediaries
JAPAN
Since April 2006
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator User identity requirement
Act for the Prevention of Illegal Mobile Phone Use
Act for the Prevention of Illegal Mobile Phone Use requires mobile voice communication carriers to verify the identity of subscribers when a contract is terminated or transferred.
Coverage Mobile voice communication carriers
JAPAN
Since April 2022
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Import ban applied on ICT goods or online services
Revision of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Public Notice based on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (Prohibition of import of some goods from Russia) (外国為替及び外国貿易法に基づく経済産業省告示の改正について (ロシアからの一部物品の輸入禁止措置))
Japan has introduced import restrictions on certain goods from Russia under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has amended its public notice, based on Art. 52 of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act and Art. 3 of the Import Trade Control Order. This amendment subjects the import ban to approval under Art. 4 of the same Order. The items affected by this approval procedure include automatic data-processing machines and related units (HS 84.71), as well as parts and accessories for office machines like computers and printers (HS 84.73), among others.
Coverage Automatic data-processing machines and units thereof (e.g., computers) (HS 84.71); Parts and accessories for office machines like computers, printers, etc. (HS 84.73)
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231218191715/https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/external_economy/trade_control/01_seido/04_seisai/downloadCrimea/20220412press_russia.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240301154048/https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/external_economy/trade_control/01_seido/04_seisai/downloadCrimea/20220412sanko.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231208201329/https://www.mofa.go.jp/erp/c_see/ua/page3e_001171.html
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240222142046/https://www.ashurst.com/en/insights/japan-sanctions/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231216124014/https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/external_economy/trade_control/pdf/230912_overview.pdf
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