Japan to Introduce Electronic Customs Declaration System

Narita, Chiba Pref., April 3 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Finance Ministry unveiled to the media an electronic customs declaration system using facial recognition technology, at Narita International Airport, east of Tokyo, on Wednesday. The airport is scheduled to start using the system on April 15. The move is designed to make customs procedures for goods such as alcoholic drinks and cigarettes more efficient and ease congestion as the number of visitors to Japan has been increasing. The ministry will first use the system for Japanese people returning from abroad. Takashi Tsukada, head of the Narita customs office, said, "We want to have Japanese people traveling overseas during the 10-day holiday period starting late this month first experience the convenience." The new system will be deployed at other major airports across the country in stages, ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Currently, people traveling to Japan need to fill in paper customs declaration forms while on board flights. In the electronic process, they will input data into a smartphone app and obtain quick response, or QR, codes. Electronic terminals installed at airport customs areas will check the travelers' passports and QR codes while taking photos of their faces for identification. The travelers can go through gates if they have no need to pay taxes. Eight electronic terminals and gates for two lanes for the new customs declaration system will be installed at Narita airport. The introduction of the new system will be financed by revenues from departure taxes, introduced in January to collect 1,000 yen per head from people leaving the country. END