Licensing & Importer of Record Archives

Blog, Licensing & Importer of Record October 9, 2026

By JAPANPINT

Premises, Storage and Site Inspections: Physical Requirements for a Liquor License

Foreign alcohol brands rarely think about the physical side of Japanese alcohol licensing. Their importer of record usually holds the relevant license, not the brand itself. However, the premises behind that license still matter. The liquor license premises Japan authorities assess, along with the associated storage facilities, can affect a…

Liability and Recall: Who Is Responsible When an Imported Product Has a Problem

Blog, Licensing & Importer of Record September 7, 2026

By JAPANPINT

Liability and Recall: Who Is Responsible When an Imported Product Has a Problem

Most planning conversations focus on getting a product into Japan successfully, and understandably so. But a complete picture also requires an understanding of what happens when something goes wrong after the product reaches the market. Alcohol recall procedures in Japan and the liability questions behind them are worth understanding before…

The Wholesaler Dealer License: The Quiet Workhorse of Alcohol Importing

Blog, Licensing & Importer of Record September 7, 2026

By JAPANPINT

The Wholesaler Dealer License: The Quiet Workhorse of Alcohol Importing

The import license gets most of the attention when brands discuss entering Japan. However, the wholesaler dealer license japan operators hold plays an equally important role. This license helps move products from customs clearance into Japan’s distribution chain. From there, products can reach retailers, restaurants, bars, and other business customers.…

Restaurant and On-Premise Sales: Special License Notes for Hospitality Imports

Business, Licensing & Importer of Record September 4, 2026

By JAPANPINT

Restaurant and On-Premise Sales: Special License Notes for Hospitality Imports

A foreign brand’s product reaching a restaurant, bar, or hotel isn’t the same regulatory question as that same product reaching a retail shelf — on-premise consumption sits under its own licensing logic, and understanding restaurant alcohol license japan requirements matters for any brand planning to build real presence in Japan’s…

License Stacking: How One Operator Can Cover Import, Wholesale and Online Sale

Blog, Licensing & Importer of Record September 4, 2026

By JAPANPINT

License Stacking: How One Operator Can Cover Import, Wholesale and Online Sale

Japan’s liquor licensing system isn’t one license that covers everything — it’s a set of distinct licenses, each covering a specific function, and a foreign brand’s real question isn’t “does my partner have a license” but “which licenses, and do they actually cover the full path my product needs to…

How the Alcohol Business Act Affects High-Proof Spirits Imports

Blog, Licensing & Importer of Record September 2, 2026

By JAPANPINT

How the Alcohol Business Act Affects High-Proof Spirits Imports

Nearly everything in this series has focused on the Liquor Tax Act, the Food Sanitation Act, and standard alcohol import procedures. However, a separate law can matter at the very high end of the ABV spectrum. If you plan to import very high-proof alcohol, you need to understand the relevant…

Mail-Order and Internet Retail Licenses for Alcohol in Japan

Blog, Licensing & Importer of Record August 18, 2026

By JAPANPINT

Mail-Order and Internet Retail Licenses for Alcohol in Japan

E-commerce is one of the fastest-growing ways to sell alcohol to Japanese consumers. However, online sales do not automatically fall under every liquor license a business may hold. Understanding the mail order alcohol license Japan system is important for foreign brands that plan to sell through Japanese marketplaces or their…

What Happens When Your Alcohol Violates the Food Sanitation Act

Blog, Licensing & Importer of Record July 30, 2026

By JAPANPINT

What the National Tax Agency Looks for in an Alcohol Importer

Your product’s path into Japan depends heavily on the licensing framework administered by Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA). Your brand may never deal with the NTA directly. However, your Japanese import partner must meet the requirements that apply to its liquor business. Understanding what national tax agency alcohol licensing involves…