Export Trade Control Order to expand regulated goods from O…

The government promulgated the Cabinet Order to Partially Amend the Export Trade Control Order (Cabinet Order No. 325) in the Official Gazette dated October 9, 2026. Based on Article 48, Paragraph 3 of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (Act No. 228 of 1949), this order revises the scope of goods requiring export licenses and shall come into effect on the day following the expiration of seven days from the date of promulgation. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Ordinance No. 76, which specifies the target substances, was promulgated simultaneously, and both shall take effect on October 16, 2026.

Expansion of Targets in Appended Table 2-3 Based on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act

The Export Trade Control Order (Cabinet Order No. 378 of 1949) defines the goods that require the permission of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry for export, based on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. This amendment expands the scope of goods listed in Item 2-2 of Appended Table 2-3 of said Order. The Cabinet Order was signed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and countersigned by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa.

Additional Minerals, Chemical Raw Materials, and Materials

Vermiculite, perlite, chlorite, and kieselguhr
Ferromanganese ore, chrome ore, molybdenum ore, niobium ore, tantalum ore, vanadium ore, and zirconium ore
Natural anhydrite and plaster
Chlorine, sublimed sulfur, precipitated sulfur, colloidal sulfur, and hydrogen
Manganese dioxide, iron oxides, and iron hydroxides
High-temperature coal tar distillates and similar articles
Monofilaments, rods, and profiles of plastics

Expansion of Targets to Steel, Non-ferrous Metals, and Machinery

Barbed wire, wire cloth, wire grills, nets, and fences of iron or steel, and expanded metal of iron or steel
Skid chains, studded chains, and other chains, as well as parts thereof
Grinding balls for crushers and other iron or steel products that are forged or stamped
Copper and its products, aluminum and its products
Products of tungsten, chromium, and magnesium
Blades, chainsaw blades, and straight saw blades
Gas turbines, enclosed biological safety cabinets, instruments for liquids and electrical instruments, drafting tables, and drafting machines

Nine New Substances Added to Chemical Substance List

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Ordinance No. 76 (Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Ministerial Ordinance Specifying Goods Based on the Provisions of Appended Table 2-3 of the Export Trade Control Order) has added the following nine substances to the list in METI Ordinance No. 15 of 2022.

Malononitrile
Dichlorobenzaldehyde
Dichlorobenzyl alcohol
Dichlorobenzylamine
1-Chloro-2,4-bis(dimethoxymethyl)benzene
Acetophenone
Chloroacetyl chloride
Chloroform
Ortho-aminophenol

Effective Date and Practical Response for Exporting Companies

The Cabinet Order shall come into effect from the day following the expiration of seven days from the date of promulgation, and the Ministerial Ordinance shall come into effect from October 16, 2026. Exporting companies and logistics providers must verify the applicability of the added goods and review their permit application procedures for dates on or after October 16.

This amendment expands the scope of coverage from minerals, metals, and machinery to chemical substances, directly impacting the determination of whether an export license is required. Businesses handling the applicable goods are required to review their item classification and internal compliance systems by the effective date.

Sources

Cabinet Order Partially Amending the Export Trade Control Order (Cabinet Order No. 325), promulgated October 9, 2026, Official Gazette (dated October 9, 2026)
METI Ordinance No. 76 (Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Ministerial Ordinance Specifying Goods Based on the Provisions of Appended Table 2-3 of the Export Trade Control Order), promulgated October 9, 2026