Yokohama Customs Grants Tax-Exempt Status to GREEN×EXPO 2027 Venue

Yokohama Customs has reached a pivotal administrative milestone for the upcoming International Horticultural Exhibition, known as GREEN×EXPO 2027. On February 25, 2026, officials formally designated the event site as a "Customs Bonded Exhibition Area." The certification ceremony took place at the Yokohama Customs Headquarters, marking the official implementation of a status that had technically been in effect since February 12, 2026.

This specialized designation is scheduled to remain active from March 1, 2026, through March 31, 2028, encompassing the entire lifecycle of the event from initial setup to final dismantling. By securing this status, the organizers have significantly lowered the barriers for international contributors. Foreign participants are now permitted to import their exhibits and materials without undergoing standard import protocols, effectively exempting them from customs duties and consumption taxes. This move is designed to drastically reduce both the financial and logistical pressures on global exhibitors. During the ceremony, Mr. Ikeno, the Head of Yokohama Customs, presented the official certificate to Mr. Yatsuyama, the Executive Managing Director of the GREEN×EXPO Association.

GREEN×EXPO 2027 is slated to run from March 19 to September 26, 2027, and holds the prestigious A1 classification. This top-tier status has been formally sanctioned by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) and recognized by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). Notably, this marks the seventh time Japan has hosted an exhibition of this magnitude and the first A1-class horticultural event in the country in 37 years, following the landmark 1990 International Garden and Greenery Exposition in Osaka. The central theme for the 2027 event is "Future Landscape for Happiness," reflecting a vision for a harmonious world.

The expansive venue covers approximately 100 hectares at the former Kamiseya Communications Site in Yokohama. This land has a storied history, having been returned to the Japanese government in 2015 after decades of use by the United States Armed Forces. Yokohama itself has a long-standing reputation as a primary hub for the global horticultural trade, a legacy that began with the opening of its port in 1859. Through this exhibition, the city intends to showcase the pinnacle of Japanese botanical culture and innovative landscape design. Organizers are optimistic about the event's reach, projecting an attendance of more than 10 million paid visitors.

Preparations are moving forward rapidly, with ticket pre-sales set to begin on March 19, 2026—exactly one year before the grand opening. As of February 2026, several nations, including the United States of America, have already confirmed their participation. Beyond the logistics, the event is rooted in a robust sustainability strategy finalized in March 2024. This framework aligns with the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. A key feature of the site will be the implementation of "Green Circular Architecture," a design philosophy aimed at minimizing carbon emissions and promoting environmental stewardship throughout the exhibition's duration.