Customs Information

Japan - Returning Citizen

CUSTOMS REGULATIONSJapan

  • Household Goods and Personal Effects can be imported into Japan duty free subject to the following:
  • Shipper must arrive in Japan before the shipment in order to complete import formalities.
  • Shipper must obtain 2 original customs declaration forms on the flight over to Japan. Ensure both forms are filled-out then submit both to customs at the airport. Please tick “YES” for section 3 (Do you have unaccompanied articles?). The customs officer will retain one original copy for their reference and return the other original version to the shipper. Please ensure this kept safe, it will be required for clearance in Japan.
  • Customs clearance must take place within six months of the arrival of the shipper.
  • The shipper must have resided in the origin country for at least one year prior to shipment or should be a native of the origin country.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

  • Original stamped Declaration form (obtain on the flight to Japan)
  • Copy of Passport photo & signature page
  • Copy of passport page with the departing stamp out of Japan showing exit date one year ago or longer. 
  • Copy of Visa of the country where the goods are coming from (both valid and expired) or permanent residence card, if not a citizen of that country.
  • Copy of passport page with the Entry stamp into Japan (the same date as stamped on the original unaccompanied baggage customs declaration form)

    Please click here for forms for SEA or AIR shipments. 

AIR SHIPMENT

  • Customs has become stricter with air shipment imports and now require a full item count and value on all packing lists. Shippers are to note all items which will go in the air shipment prior to the pack and load.
  • Sample Packing List
  • Template Packing List for Medicine and Cosmetics *
  • Template Packing List for New Items
  • Template Packing List for Alcohol
  • Template Packing List for All Household Goods

It is highly recommended NOT to include food items, drink(s) and/or new items into air shipments. This can be very problematic for customs and doing so is likely to cause delays and inspection.

* Please note, any medicine sent is at high risk for confiscation, even if packing list and documentation is provided. Customs may ask for more details, including and not limited to providing the full CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) Number and a breakdown of all ingredients in the medicine. 

NOTE: inventory list must match the packer’s inventory list exactly.

MOTOR VEHICLES

  • Documents required to clear personal vehicle duty free will be:
    • Customs Declaration Form C-5360. Vehicle must be declared on this form. This form is available on the flight to Japan or at the arrival airport. This form needs to be stamped by the customs office upon the customer’s arrival in Japan. This form cannot be obtained after the customer leaves the airport in Japan.
    • Original Passport
    • Proof of residence (Jyuminhyo)
    • Application of Duty Exemption of Automobile (The form will be provided by the destination agent in Japan).
    • An oath certifying that the vehicle will not be sold or transferred to another person within two years of the permit date. (The form will be provided by the destination agent in Japan).
    • Purchase receipt or pro forma invoice.
    • Manual or catalogue to determine the specification of the vehicle. 
    • Registration / De-registration certificate copy
    • Key (if not placed in the vehicle).
    • If the above requirements are not met, import duty will be assessed.

PETS

  • Japan has different regulations depending on the type of animal and where it is coming from.
  • As the regulations/requirements do change, please access below site for up to date information:
  • http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs

DUTIABLE AND RESTRICTED ITEMS

  • Alcohol
  • 3 bottles (760 ml/bottle) duty free as long as customs declaration form was obtained.
  • Over 3 bottles; see table below

Whisky &  Brandy

Yen 800 per liter

Rum, Gin, & Vodka

Yen 500 per liter

Other Liquor

Yen 400 per liter

Beer

Yen 200 per liter

Wine

Yen 200 per liter
  • Tobacco:
  •  400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 grams of other kinds of tobacco can be imported duty free as long as customs declaration form is obtained.
  • If there is more than one kind, the total allowance is 500 grams.

Over 400 cigarettes

Yen 13.00 per cigarette

Over 50 cigars

Yen 13.24 per gram
  • Any newly purchased items
  • If there are many expensive newly purchased items such as furniture or appliances, customs will ask to see the original receipts and invoices.

RESTRICTED ITEMS

  • Plants with or without soil, fresh fruits and vegetables (a quarantine certificate is required prior to Customs examination).
  • To import fresh meat including poultry, sausage, ham, bacon or any other meat products requires an animal health certificate issued by the animal health authority of the exporting country.
  • Bones, eggs, fat, blood, skins, hides, pelts, Fur, hair, feathers, down, horns, antlers, hooves etc. (subject to an animal quarantine inspection)
  • Medicines and cosmetics (e.g., pharmaceutical products; amount for use during a period of 2 months; quasi-drugs: 24 pieces)
  • Firearms (a permit is required)
  • To import Rice, Beans, Grains, Dried Vegetables, Dry Flowers, Spices, Coffee Beans, Herbs / Spices, the Ministry of Agriculture has added a requirement for a Phytosanitary Certificate to be issued prior to the importation of said items. Without the certificate, items cannot be imported and may cause delays and extra port charges.
  • Electric powered / power-assisted bicycles & kickboards are highly regulated in Japan. These items will attract a customs exam, may be classified separate to household goods, and barred from import into the country without the proper licenses. Please seek guidance from your import coordinator should you have any questions.
  • Drones: We’d like to include some note of caution. The use of drones are highly regulated in Japan under the Drone Act. While regulations currently allow the import of drones for personal use, they are a hot topic items as they are seen as potential weapons.  

PROHIBITED ITEMS

  • Opium, ether, narcotic drugs and utensils for opium smoking, and stimulants (including Vicks Inhalers and Sudafed)
  • Psychotropic substances (excluding those designated by an ordinance of the Ministry of Health and Welfare)
  • Counterfeit, altered, or imitated articles of coins, paper money, banknotes, or securities
  • Books, drawings, carvings, and any other article which injures public security or morals (obscene or immoral materials, pornography, etc.)
  • Articles which infringe upon rights in patents, utility-models, designs, trademarks, copyrights, neighboring rights, or layout design of integrated circuits
  • Firearms (pistols, rifles, machine guns, etc.) and ammunition (bullets) thereof, and parts of firearms
  • Weapons (swords, daggers, bows and arrows, etc. with blades more than 15 centimeters in length prohibited)
  • For further information, please visit http://www.customs.go.jp/english/summary/prohibit.htm.