Japan Customs Blocks Record Number of Imports Over IP Violations

Sep 05, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Japanese customs authorities blocked a record 19,568 shipments suspected of infringing intellectual property rights in the first half of 2026, up 12% from a year earlier, as the expansion of cross-border e-commerce drove an increase in imported parcels.

The Finance Ministry said customs offices nationwide stopped the shipments from entering Japan because they included counterfeit branded goods and other products suspected of violating intellectual property rights.

The number of import suspensions reached the highest level on record as the growing use of cross-border online shopping increased the overall number of import clearance applications.

By product category, seals and stickers accounted for the largest number of cases, surging 2,608% from a year earlier to 4,279.

The category included the popular Bonbon Drop Stickers, which are known for their raised, glossy appearance and transparent design.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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Japan Customs Blocks Record Number of Imports Over IP Violations

Japanese customs authorities blocked a record 19,568 shipments suspected of infringing intellectual property rights in the first half of 2026, up 12% from a year earlier, as the expansion of cross-border e-commerce drove an increase in imported parcels.

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