AJCEP tariff 2026: preferential import duty & C/O

ASEAN – Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership

JapanASEAN (member states)
Quick facts
Effective for Vietnam
01/12/2008
Members
Japan, ASEAN (member states)
C/O form
AJ (paper)
Import side: Japan’s competent authority (Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry) / the exporting ASEAN country; Vietnamese exports: issued via eCoSys
Legal basis
Decree 120/2022/NĐ-CP (special preferential import tariff, 2022–2028)
Circular 37/2022/TT-BCT
6,783/10,347 tariff lines at 0%

Top HS codes with the biggest duty savings under AJCEP

HS codeDescriptionMFNAJCEPDifference
22060020Saké55%4%−51 pts
85434000Electronic cigarettes and similar personal electric vaporising devices50%0%−50 pts
69051000Roofing tiles45%3%−42 pts
69059000Other45%3%−42 pts
69072121Paving, hearth or wall tiles, unglazed45%3%−42 pts
69072122Other, unglazed45%3%−42 pts
69072123Paving, hearth or wall tiles, glazed45%3%−42 pts
69072124Other, glazed45%3%−42 pts
69072211Paving, hearth or wall tiles, unglazed45%3%−42 pts
69072212Other, unglazed45%3%−42 pts

Based on the 2026 tariff schedule, excluding quota-restricted lines. Data is for reference only.

Does your shipment qualify for AJCEP?

Have an Avenir expert check the rules of origin & C/O form - free of charge.

Rules of origin to know

  • General rule: RVC 40% or CTH; textiles and several product groups have stricter specific PSR.
  • Cumulation across ASEAN + Japan: Japanese inputs used in ASEAN production (and vice versa) count as originating.
  • Compared with VJEPA (the bilateral VN–Japan agreement), AJCEP shares the partner but has a different schedule and PSR - always compare both rows on the code detail page.

Steps to claim AJCEP preferential duty

  1. 1
    Determine the 8-digit HS code

    Use Avenir’s HS lookup tool or ask an expert.

  2. 2
    Compare AJCEP vs VJEPA vs MFN

    Japanese goods have two preference options (AJCEP and VJEPA) plus RCEP; pick the lowest row the goods can qualify for.

  3. 3
    Request a Form AJ C/O

    The Japanese exporter obtains the C/O from JCCI; review the draft before official issuance.

  4. 4
    Declare the C/O on the declaration

    Declare at clearance; a 1-year supplementary window applies under Circular 33/2023/TT-BTC if late submission is declared.

  5. 5
    Keep records for 5 years

    For post-clearance audit by the Vietnam Customs Department.

Post-clearance audit risks & common mistakes

Mixing up AJCEP and VJEPA

Both cover Japanese goods, but each agreement has its own rates and origin rules per line; the C/O form determines which schedule applies - they are not interchangeable.

Skipping the PSR for textiles/processed goods

Some groups carry "yarn-forward" or specific-process rules - meeting RVC 40% alone may not qualify.

Frequently asked questions about AJCEP

Should Japanese goods use AJCEP, VJEPA or RCEP?
Compare per line on the code detail page: no agreement is always lowest. AJCEP wins for ASEAN–Japan supply chains; VJEPA is deeper on many purely-Japanese lines; RCEP helps with multi-source cumulation.
Who issues the Form AJ?
In Japan, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) under government mandate; in ASEAN countries, each country’s competent authority.
Where do I look up 2026 AJCEP rates?
The 2022–2028 schedule is promulgated in Decree 120/2022/NĐ-CP - look up your HS code on Avenir’s tool.
Can a Form AJ be submitted late?
Yes, within 1 year from the declaration registration date under Circular 33/2023/TT-BTC: declare late submission at clearance and supplement later to recover the MFN difference.

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