Japan OEM Navi

Contract & Export Templates

Free

Once an OEM deal moves past samples, you'll want terms in writing. These templates cover the documents that matter — in a format Japanese factories will actually sign.

Why these contracts are in Japanese (with English alongside)

Japanese craft manufacturers are generally unwilling to sign English-language contracts — not out of unfriendliness, but because they can't take legal responsibility for text they can't fully read. Insisting on an English contract is one of the fastest ways to stall a deal. The practical solution, used in real Japan-related trade, is what these templates do: the Japanese text is the governing contract; a full English translation sits beside every clause so you understand exactly what you're signing. Each template includes a language clause stating this. Your factory reads and signs the Japanese; you read the English; both of you are looking at the same document.

Disclaimer: these are general reference templates, not legal advice, and their suitability for your specific deal is not guaranteed. For high-value or ongoing transactions, have a lawyer review before use — ideally one familiar with Japanese commercial law.

Bilingual contracts (Japanese governing text + English reference)

Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) — 秘密保持契約書+

Use before sharing designs or business plans. Mutual, simple, 3-year term. Send the whole bilingual text — the factory signs the Japanese.

秘密保持契約書
NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT
(日本語正文・英語参照訳 / Japanese governing text with English reference translation)

______________(以下「甲」)と ______________(以下「乙」)は、
OEM取引の検討(以下「本目的」)のために相互に開示する秘密情報の取扱いについて、
以下のとおり合意する。
  __________ ("Party A") and __________ ("Party B") agree as follows regarding
  confidential information disclosed for the purpose of considering an OEM
  transaction (the "Purpose").

第1条(秘密情報)
本契約における「秘密情報」とは、本目的に関して開示された、デザイン・図面・仕様書・
試作品・価格・取引条件・製造ノウハウその他一切の情報をいう。ただし、次の各号は除く。
 (1) 開示時に既に公知であった情報、または開示後に受領者の責によらず公知となった情報
 (2) 開示時に受領者が既に保有していた情報
 (3) 正当な権限を有する第三者から秘密保持義務を負わずに取得した情報
 (4) 開示された情報によらず独自に開発した情報
  Article 1 (Confidential Information)
  "Confidential Information" means all information disclosed in connection
  with the Purpose, including designs, drawings, specifications, prototypes,
  prices, terms, and manufacturing know-how — excluding information that
  (1) was or becomes public through no fault of the recipient, (2) was
  already held by the recipient, (3) was lawfully obtained from a third
  party without confidentiality obligations, or (4) was independently
  developed without use of the disclosed information.

第2条(目的外使用の禁止)
甲および乙は、秘密情報を本目的以外に使用せず、相手方の事前の書面による承諾なく
第三者に開示・漏洩してはならない。
  Article 2 (No Use Beyond the Purpose)
  Neither party shall use Confidential Information for anything other than
  the Purpose, nor disclose it to third parties without the other party's
  prior written consent.

第3条(複製・管理)
秘密情報の複製は本目的に必要な範囲に限り、受領者は善良な管理者の注意をもって管理する。
  Article 3 (Copies and Care)
  Copies are limited to what the Purpose requires; the recipient shall
  manage the information with due care.

第4条(返還・破棄)
本目的が終了したとき、または相手方から請求があったときは、受領者は秘密情報および
その複製物を速やかに返還または破棄する。
  Article 4 (Return or Destruction)
  Upon completion of the Purpose or upon request, the recipient shall
  promptly return or destroy the Confidential Information and all copies.

第5条(有効期間)
本契約の有効期間は締結日から3年間とする。ただし、第2条の義務は期間満了後も2年間存続する。
  Article 5 (Term)
  This agreement remains in force for 3 years from execution; the
  obligations of Article 2 survive for a further 2 years.

第6条(損害賠償)
本契約に違反して相手方に損害を与えた当事者は、その損害を賠償する。
  Article 6 (Damages)
  A party that breaches this agreement shall compensate the other party
  for damages caused.

第7条(協議・管轄)
本契約に定めのない事項は誠実に協議して解決する。本契約に関する紛争は、
______地方裁判所を第一審の専属的合意管轄裁判所とする。
  Article 7 (Consultation and Jurisdiction)
  Matters not provided for shall be resolved through good-faith
  consultation. Disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
  __________ District Court of Japan in the first instance.

第8条(言語)
本契約は日本語を正文とする。英語訳は理解の参考のために付されたものであり、
両者に相違がある場合は日本語の記載が優先する。
  Article 8 (Language)
  The Japanese text of this agreement is the governing text. The English
  translation is provided for reference only; in case of any discrepancy,
  the Japanese text prevails.

本契約成立の証として本書2通を作成し、甲乙記名押印のうえ各1通を保有する。
  In witness whereof, two originals are executed, each party retaining one.

____年__月__日 / Date: ____-__-__

甲 / Party A: 住所 Address
   名称・代表者 Name & Representative                ㊞ (seal/signature)

乙 / Party B: 住所 Address
   名称・代表者 Name & Representative                ㊞ (seal/signature)
OEM Master Agreement — OEM取引基本契約書+

For production and ongoing orders. Inspection tied to your spec sheet and approved sample, IP ownership split (your designs stay yours; the factory's existing molds stay theirs), liability capped, sales-territory disclosure.

OEM取引基本契約書
OEM MASTER AGREEMENT
(日本語正文・英語参照訳 / Japanese governing text with English reference translation)

______________(以下「甲」= 発注者)と ______________(以下「乙」= 受注者)は、
甲が乙に委託する製品の製造(以下「本取引」)について、以下のとおり基本契約を締結する。
  __________ ("Party A", the buyer) and __________ ("Party B", the
  manufacturer) enter into this master agreement for the manufacture of
  products commissioned by Party A (the "Transactions").

第1条(適用)
本契約は、本取引に関する個別契約(注文書・注文請書等)に共通して適用される。
個別契約と本契約が異なる場合は、個別契約が優先する。
  Article 1 (Scope)
  This agreement applies to all individual contracts (purchase orders and
  acceptances). Where an individual contract differs, it prevails.

第2条(個別契約)
個別契約は、甲が品名・仕様・数量・単価・納期・納入場所を記載した注文書を交付し、
乙がこれを承諾(注文請書の交付またはメールによる承諾を含む)したときに成立する。
  Article 2 (Individual Contracts)
  An individual contract is formed when Party A issues a purchase order
  stating product, specification, quantity, unit price, delivery date and
  place, and Party B accepts it (including acceptance by email).

第3条(仕様)
製品の仕様は、甲乙が合意した仕様書および承認済みサンプルによる。
仕様の変更は甲乙協議のうえ書面(メールを含む)で行い、費用・納期への影響を事前に確認する。
  Article 3 (Specifications)
  Product specifications are defined by the agreed spec sheet and the
  approved sample. Changes require written agreement (email acceptable),
  with cost and schedule impact confirmed in advance.

第4条(納入・検査)
1. 乙は個別契約に定める納期・場所に製品を納入する。
2. 甲は納入後7日以内(以下「検査期間」)に、仕様書および承認済みサンプルとの同等性を
   基準として受入検査を行う。
3. 検査期間内に甲から通知がない場合、製品は検査に合格したものとみなす。
  Article 4 (Delivery and Inspection)
  1. Party B delivers per the individual contract.
  2. Party A inspects within 7 days of delivery (the "Inspection Period"),
     using conformity with the spec sheet and approved sample as the standard.
  3. Absent notice within the Inspection Period, the products are deemed
     to have passed inspection.

第5条(契約不適合)
1. 検査で不合格となった製品について、乙は甲の選択に従い、代品納入または修補を行う。
2. 検査合格後6ヶ月以内に隠れた契約不適合が発見された場合も同様とする。
3. 軽微な仕様相違で使用に支障がない場合、甲乙協議のうえ代金減額で処理できる。
  Article 5 (Non-Conformity)
  1. For rejected products, Party B shall, at Party A's option, deliver
     replacements or repair.
  2. The same applies to hidden defects found within 6 months after passing
     inspection.
  3. Minor deviations not affecting use may be settled by a price reduction
     upon consultation.

第6条(知的財産)
1. 甲が支給したロゴ・デザイン等の知的財産権は甲に帰属し、乙は本取引の目的以外に使用しない。
2. 乙が従来から保有する製造技術・ノウハウ・既存型の権利は乙に帰属する。
3. 甲は、支給データが第三者の権利を侵害しないことを保証する。
  Article 6 (Intellectual Property)
  1. IP in logos and designs supplied by Party A belongs to Party A; Party B
     shall not use them beyond the Transactions.
  2. Party B's pre-existing techniques, know-how, and existing molds/patterns
     remain Party B's property.
  3. Party A warrants that supplied materials do not infringe third-party
     rights.

第7条(再委託)
乙は、工程の一部を第三者に再委託できる。ただし品質・納期の責任は乙が負う。
  Article 7 (Subcontracting)
  Party B may subcontract part of the process but remains responsible for
  quality and delivery.

第8条(価格・支払)
価格は個別契約に定める。支払条件: ____________________
(例: 着手時50%・出荷前50% / 月末締め翌月末払い 等)
  Article 8 (Price and Payment)
  Prices are set in individual contracts. Payment terms: __________
  (e.g., 50% on order, 50% before shipment).

第9条(販売地域)
甲の販売予定地域は __________ とする。乙は、既存代理店との関係上の制約がある場合、
個別契約成立前に甲へ通知する。
  Article 9 (Sales Territory)
  Party A's intended sales territory is __________. Party B shall notify
  Party A before contract formation of any constraints arising from
  existing distributor relationships.

第10条(契約期間・解約)
本契約の有効期間は1年間とし、期間満了1ヶ月前までに申し出がない限り1年ごとに自動更新する。
相手方に重大な契約違反があり催告後14日以内に是正されない場合、契約を解除できる。
  Article 10 (Term and Termination)
  One-year term, auto-renewing annually unless notice is given 1 month
  before expiry. Either party may terminate for material breach not cured
  within 14 days of demand.

第11条(損害賠償)
本取引に関する各当事者の賠償責任は、故意または重過失による場合を除き、
当該個別契約の代金額を上限とする。
  Article 11 (Limitation of Liability)
  Except for willful misconduct or gross negligence, each party's liability
  is capped at the price of the relevant individual contract.

第12条(協議・管轄)
本契約に定めのない事項は誠実に協議して解決する。
紛争は ______地方裁判所を第一審の専属的合意管轄裁判所とする。
  Article 12 (Consultation and Jurisdiction)
  Matters not provided for shall be resolved through good-faith
  consultation. Disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
  __________ District Court of Japan in the first instance.

第13条(言語)
本契約は日本語を正文とする。英語訳は理解の参考のために付されたものであり、
両者に相違がある場合は日本語の記載が優先する。
  Article 13 (Language)
  The Japanese text is the governing text. The English translation is for
  reference only; in case of discrepancy, the Japanese text prevails.

____年__月__日 / Date: ____-__-__

甲 / Party A:                                       ㊞ (seal/signature)
乙 / Party B:                                       ㊞ (seal/signature)
Inspection & Acceptance Terms — 検収条件書+

The document that prevents 'this isn't what I expected' disputes. Key craft-goods clause: natural variation within the approved sample's range is not a defect.

検収条件書(個別契約添付用)
INSPECTION & ACCEPTANCE TERMS (attachment to individual contract)
(日本語正文・英語参照訳 / Japanese governing text with English reference translation)

対象: ____________(品名・個別契約番号)
  Subject: __________ (product name / contract no.)

1. 検査基準
   ・仕様書 v__(____年__月__日版)および承認済みサンプル(承認日: ____)との同等性
   ・数量の一致
  1. Inspection Standard
     - Conformity with spec sheet v__ (dated ____) and the approved sample
       (approved on ____)
     - Quantity as ordered

2. 許容基準(例 — 品目に応じて調整)
   ・寸法公差: ±__mm / 重量公差: ±__g
   ・外観: 通常の使用距離(30cm)から視認できる傷・汚れ・色ムラがないこと
   ・工芸品固有の個体差(釉薬の濃淡、木目、手仕上げのばらつき等)は、
     承認済みサンプルの範囲内であれば不適合としない
  2. Tolerances (adjust per product)
     - Dimensions: ±__mm / Weight: ±__g
     - Appearance: no scratches, stains, or color unevenness visible from
       normal use distance (30 cm)
     - Natural variation inherent to craft goods (glaze shading, wood grain,
       hand-finishing differences) within the range of the approved sample
       is NOT a defect.

3. 検査方法
   ・全数 / 抜取(JIS Z 9015 等による)…いずれかを指定: ________
   ・検査期間: 納入後7日以内
  3. Method
     - Full inspection / sampling (e.g., per JIS Z 9015): __________
     - Inspection period: within 7 days of delivery

4. 不合格時の処理
   ・不適合品は写真とともに乙へ通知し、代品納入・修補・減額のいずれかで処理する
   ・不適合品の返送費用は乙負担とする
  4. Rejection Handling
     - Non-conforming items are notified with photos and settled by
       replacement, repair, or price reduction.
     - Return shipping for non-conforming items is borne by the manufacturer.

5. みなし合格
   ・検査期間内に通知がない場合、検査に合格したものとみなす
  5. Deemed Acceptance
     - Absent notice within the inspection period, the goods are deemed
       accepted.

6. 言語
   ・本書は日本語を正文とし、英語訳は参照用とする
  6. Language
     - The Japanese text governs; the English translation is for reference
       only.

Export documents

Attached to courier (DHL/FedEx) or postal (EMS) shipments from Japan. How to fill them in: see the shipping guide.

Commercial Invoice+

The core customs document. Always state the actual transaction value.

COMMERCIAL INVOICE

Shipper / Exporter:                    Invoice No.: INV-____
  (company, address, phone, contact)   Invoice Date: ____-__-__
                                       Payment Terms: (e.g., Paid in advance)
Consignee:
  (name, address, phone, email)

Country of Origin: JAPAN
Country of Destination: __________
Incoterms: (e.g., DAP / DDP / EXW)
Reason for Export: SALE (paid samples are treated as SALE)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
No. | Description of Goods        | HS Code   | Qty | Unit Price | Amount
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 1  | (e.g.) Stainless steel      | 8214.20   |  1  | JPY 15,000 | JPY 15,000
    | nail clipper, gift-boxed    |           |     |            |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Subtotal:              JPY 15,000
                                   Freight:               JPY  3,000
                                   Total:                 JPY 18,000

Total Packages: __ carton(s)
Total Gross Weight: __ kg

I hereby certify that the information on this invoice is true and correct.

Signature: ____________________  Date: ____-__-__

[Notes]
- Verify the HS code per product (ask the factory — they usually know
  from past exports).
- State actual transaction value. Under-declaring is a customs violation
  in Japan and in your country.
- For free-of-charge samples write "No commercial value, value for
  customs purposes only: JPY __".
Packing List+

Match quantities and weights to the invoice — mismatches cause customs delays.

PACKING LIST

Shipper / Exporter:                    Ref. Invoice No.: INV-____
  (company, address)                   Date: ____-__-__

Consignee:
  (name, address)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Carton No. | Description             | Qty | Net Wt (kg) | Gross Wt (kg)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
   1 of 2  | (e.g.) Nail clippers    | 50  |    5.0      |    6.2
   2 of 2  | (e.g.) Gift boxes       | 50  |    3.0      |    4.1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: 2 cartons / Net 8.0 kg / Gross 10.3 kg

Carton Dimensions: __ x __ x __ cm (per carton)

[Notes]
- Quantities and weights must match the commercial invoice — mismatches
  are the most common cause of customs delays.
- Listing contents per carton minimizes unpacking during inspection.

Before the contract stage

Specs and samples come first — contracts formalize what you've already agreed.