Ultimately, why do misunderstandings about laws and regulations arise?
When sourcing from China, people often tend to focus on “price,” “delivery time,” and “minimum order quantity.”
However, since the products are sold in Japan, the principle that ultimate responsibility lies with the importer (the seller) remains unchanged.
The problem is that,
・The descriptions provided by the Chinese supplier do not comply with Japanese laws and regulations
・E-commerce platforms feature products that fall into a legal gray area
・Past experiences where no issues arose
It is precisely the combination of these factors that has led to the assumption that “it’s probably fine” gradually becoming the norm.
Common Misconceptions About PSE
・Common Misconceptions About PSE (1)
“As long as a product bears the PSE mark, it can be imported”
This is a very dangerous misconception.
The PSE mark is categorized as follows:
・Round PSE (for products other than Specified Electrical Appliances)
・Diamond-shaped PSE (for specific electrical appliances)
These two types.
It is important to note that the mere presence of the PSE mark does not prove that a product complies with relevant Japanese regulations.
A PSE mark printed by a Chinese factory on its own does not guarantee compliance with Japanese regulations.
In fact, as an importer, you must determine
・Determine whether the product falls within the scope of application
・Confirm whether the product meets technical standards
・Retain inspection records and certificates
・Label the product under the correct name
The key lies in whether the above requirements have been properly implemented.
・Common Misconceptions About PSE (2)
“If it’s just a battery, PSE certification isn’t required.”
This is a common misconception regarding power banks, USB devices, and rechargeable products.
In fact,
・Lithium-ion batteries
・AC adapters
・Power cords
and similar items often fall under the scope of PSE certification.
It is particularly important to note that even if an individual item is not within the scope of application, it may fall within the scope when sold as part of a set.
For example,
・Main unit + AC adapter
・Main unit + charger
In such cases, as long as the set contains any single item subject to PSE regulations, the entire set is considered subject to those regulations.
・Common Misconceptions About PSE #3
“Selling Well on Amazon = Legal”
The mere fact that a product is sold on platforms such as Amazon or Rakuten does not guarantee that it is legally compliant.
In practice,
・Retrospective suspension of sales
・Removal of products
・Requests for supporting documentation
are not uncommon.
It is important to understand that e-commerce platforms merely provide a “sales venue” and are not entities that guarantee compliance with regulatory requirements.
Common Misconceptions About the "Quality Labeling Act"
・Common Misconceptions About the “Quality Labeling Act” ①
“All you have to do is translate the Chinese label into Japanese”
The “Household Product Quality Labeling Act” sets forth detailed regulations not only regarding the content of labels but also the manner of expression and the order of labeling.
If you simply translate the label,
・Items required to be labeled may be omitted
・The wording may violate regulations
・Non-compliant labeling locations
and other such issues.
Among these, the following are particularly common:
・Incorrect washing instructions
・Inaccurate labeling of ingredient proportions
・Missing import labels
Even after the product has been sold, these issues must still be identified and corrected.
・Common Misconceptions About the “Quality Labeling Act” (Part 2)
“A Law Applicable Only to the Apparel Industry”
The Quality Labeling Act is not a law that applies exclusively to the apparel industry.
Its scope of application is much broader than one might imagine, extending to items such as towels, bedding, household goods, and certain home furnishings.
If you proceed under the assumption that the law does not apply simply because a product “is not a textile,” you may face requests for corrective action in the future.
・Common Misconceptions About the Quality Labeling Act ③
“We can just change the labels later”
This is the most dangerous mindset in practice.
If the goods have already been imported or sold out, you will be forced to take costly corrective measures such as recalls, relabeling, or reshipping.
Depending on the specific circumstances, this could even result in the destruction of the entire inventory.
Why are there so few disputes on HubBuyer?
At HubBuyer, our criteria are not based on “whether a product can be imported,” but rather on “whether it can be sold safely and continuously in Japan.”
Specifically,
・Verify compliance with regulatory requirements during the product planning stage
・Pre-submission verification of PSE and quality markings
・Review whether label content complies with Japanese standards
・Physical verification of labels and markings
We have established a working mechanism that runs in parallel starting from the pre-procurement stage.
As a result, we are able to effectively prevent situations such as “issues discovered only after import” or “sales being suspended after launch.”
Summary
PSE and the "Quality Labeling Act" are not cumbersome regulations.
On the contrary, they are the minimum safeguards necessary to ensure the continued operation of a business.
If companies blindly pursue low prices and speed,
・Excess inventory
・Accounts being frozen
・Loss of brand credibility
In the long run, taking on these risks will result in significant losses.
If sourcing from China is viewed as an ongoing business operation rather than a one-time transaction, the most sensible approach is to incorporate legal and regulatory requirements into the design from the very beginning.
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