Used parts refer to parts that have been removed from used automobiles. Parts stipulated by the Automobile Recycling Law (Law Concerning Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicles) can be sold as used parts in Japan, and used parts can be exported only if they have been processed correctly under the Automobile Recycling Law.
In other words, with the exception of some parts, if you simply remove parts from a used vehicle and try to export it to a foreign country, only a licensed dismantling business can remove it. If an exporter who does not have a license for automobile dismantling works without permission, it will be legally punished by imprisonment with work for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 500,000 yen for violating dismantling work without permission under the Automobile Recycling Law. Furthermore, if the person does not have a business license under the Waste Disposal Law, they will be sentenced to imprisonment with work for not more than 5 years or 10 million yen as an unauthorized business under the Waste Disposal and Cleaning Law, or 10 million yen in the case of a corporation. Fines of up to 100 million yen are very strict.
The Automobile Recycling Law was established mainly for the purpose of consideration for the environment. It clarifies the roles of owners, related business operators, automobile manufacturers and importers. Among them, related companies collect and destroy substances related to environmental destruction such as Freon gas, implement on-vehicle operation for removal and collection of airbags that require specialized technology for processing, and shredder dust from dismantled vehicles. and the disposal of such items. In order to obtain a license for the automobile dismantling business, which is necessary for dismantling used parts, it is necessary to comply with the license standards. It is necessary to secure a storage place for end-of-life vehicles with a fence and a clear range.
So, what should we do to export dismantled cars that have been processed according to the Automobile Recycling Law? In addition to the Automobile Recycling Law, this involves a convention called the Basel Convention.
The Basel Convention is officially called the "Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal". As of February 2012, 173 countries and regions have signed the treaty, with Japan joining in 1993.
A brief summary :
・Do not produce waste as much as possible, and dispose of it domestically.
・Illegal trade in waste will be cracked down as a criminal act.
・In principle, trading of waste with countries that have not signed the treaty is prohibited.
・Even if a treaty has been concluded, certain documents are required for transactions, and in the unlikely event that such documents become illegal transactions, the exporting country is responsible for collecting and disposing of them.
In other words, it is a treaty that basically says that waste cannot be exported. Furthermore, in Japan, even if they are disposed of in accordance with the Automobile Recycling Law, end-of-life vehicles, dismantled vehicles, and specified recycled items (shredded scraps) are treated as "waste". Therefore, even if the waste is processed correctly, it cannot be exported without confirmation from the Minister of the Environment.
Vehicles to be scrapped must be permanently deregistered (Article 15 deregistration), and are to be recycled according to the flow stipulated by the Automobile Recycling Law.
Also, when exporting as a used car, export cancellation registration (Article 15-2 cancellation registration) is required. In addition, removal or disassembly is not permitted except for some parts such as mirrors, tires, bumpers, bonnets, lamps, and interior parts such as car navigation systems and car steering systems. In the unlikely event that it is violated, it will be punished as described above as a car dismantling act. Even if you try to export only the body of the car, you cannot export it because it will be treated as waste. In addition, even if you try to export a used car, if the car is half-cut, nose-cut, roof-cut, tail-cut, or the engine, axle or suspension has been removed, it will not be recognized as a used car and cannot be exported without a dismantling business license under the Automobile Recycling Law.
These arrangements are made to protect each other's interests and the environment.
Of course, there are dismantled parts that are properly dismantled by licensed dismantlers and then exported. For example, doors, bonnets, lamps, engines, transmissions, suspension parts, small parts inside the car, large items such as the body of the truck cabin (driver's seat) are reused, so Freon and airbags are used. Export is possible after processing. In addition, it is also possible to export half or part of the car, such as a processed nose cut or half cut.
As for other parts, parts that have undergone various treatments or parts that do not require treatment and are intended for reuse will be treated appropriately at the import destination and will be used as parts. It's not that used parts are bad by any means, but export becomes possible for the first time when a licensed car dismantling company takes formal measures.
Regarding the export of used parts, there are more detailed rules than the export of used cars. This is necessary to protect the environment and protect against fraud.