Customs Day

What Is Customs Day?

Every November 28th is "Customs Day" (税関記念日, Zeikan Kinenbi) in Japan. On the 28th day of the 11th month of 1872 (Meiji 5) in the old lunar calendar, the Japanese government decided to unify the name of the offices responsible for controlling the import and export of goods and collecting duties as "Zeikan" (税関, customs) — replacing the previous term "Unjōsho" (運上所). The Ministry of Finance (大蔵省, now 財務省) established November 28th as Customs Day in 1952 to mark this anniversary and to promote public understanding of the customs system and its role in Japan's economy and security.

Japan's Customs History

Japan's modern customs system dates from the late Edo period, when the forced opening of Japan's ports under the "Unequal Treaties" of the 1850s created an urgent need for customs administration. Under these treaties, Japan initially lacked tariff autonomy — customs rates were fixed by treaty with Western nations and could not be independently adjusted, a major economic grievance that Japan worked to overcome through diplomatic negotiations finally concluded in 1911. The recovery of full tariff autonomy was a significant milestone in Japan's achievement of equal international standing.

Customs in Modern Japan

Japan Customs (税関, Zeikan — regional branch offices of the Ministry of Finance) today manages the flow of goods through Japan's seaports and airports — inspecting imports for contraband, collecting import duties and consumption taxes, enforcing trade regulations, and facilitating legitimate commercial trade. Japan is one of the world's largest trading nations, and its customs system processes millions of commercial shipments annually, balancing efficient trade facilitation with rigorous security screening.

Customs and Security

Beyond revenue collection, Japan's customs service plays a critical role in national security — intercepting narcotics, counterfeit goods, weapons, prohibited agricultural products, and other contraband. The "narcotics dog" (麻薬探知犬, mayaku tanchiken) units deployed at major airports and seaports are highly trained and effective tools in this effort. Japan Customs also works closely with international counterparts through the World Customs Organization (WCO) to address smuggling networks that cross national boundaries.

From "Unjōsho" to "Customs"

After Japan's ports opened at the end of the Edo period, offices called unjōsho were set up in Nagasaki, Kanagawa, and Hakodate to collect duties and oversee imports and exports. In 1872 they were renamed "customs" (zeikan). Today nine customs houses (Hakodate, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Moji, Nagasaki, and Okinawa) and their branch offices operate nationwide, and events introducing customs work are held around this day.

Fun Facts

• Yokohama Customs: Yokohama Customs (横浜税関) — one of Japan's oldest and most historically significant customs offices — operates from its distinctive neo-Renaissance "Queen" building (クイーンの塔) at Yokohama's waterfront, a landmark of the port's Meiji-era history.
• Duty-free allowance: Travelers returning to Japan can bring in up to 3 bottles of alcohol (about 760 ml each), 200 cigarettes, 2 ounces of perfume, and other goods worth up to 200,000 yen in total (overseas market value) without paying duty.