What happens
Action cameras such as GoPro need a customs procedure when they leave Japan after a trade show.
Without preparation, the shipment can be held at customs on move-out day and miss its flight home.
Why this happens
Goods brought into Japan as exhibits are handled as a temporary admission under the Customs Tariff Act — either exemption from customs duty for re-exportation, or an ATA carnet.
Temporary admission waives duty on the understanding that the goods will leave the country again, so you are obliged to complete a re-export procedure with Japan Customs when you take them back.
Exhibitors who do not know about this step find their cargo stopped at customs on the day of move-out.
Check the official sources
Japan Customs publishes the details on its ATA carnet pages, including which goods qualify for temporary admission and how the procedure runs.
- ATA carnet for the temporary admission of goods (Japan Customs)
- Import and export procedures under an ATA carnet (Japan Customs, Answer 7303)
- Procedures for goods exempt from duty on re-exportation (Japan Customs, Answer 1610)
- How to use an ATA carnet (Japan Commercial Arbitration Association)
- Customs Tariff Act, Article 17 (e-Gov law search)
- Act on special provisions concerning the ATA Convention (e-Gov law search)
Bringing it into Japan
Goods brought in as exhibits are treated as a temporary import — an import on the understanding that they will go back out.
The documents and the sequence differ from an ordinary commercial import.
Taking it back out of Japan
To take a GoPro home after the show, you complete carnet re-export clearance before check-in on the day you leave.
It is safer to have the paperwork ready before move-in.
If it is not ready in time, the cargo stays in Japan after the show closes.
Exhibits cannot simply be shipped one way.
How KUROZAKI helps
We prepare the temporary admission paperwork (ATA carnet) before move-in.
We plan the outbound and return legs together, including the re-export procedure after the show.
If you are not sure
If you are unsure whether you can take your exhibits home, talk to us before you exhibit.