Moving To Japan

• Passport for every member of the family (clear copy of all the pages which have Japanese entry stamps) and copy of page with photograph
• Residence and Working Visa (valid for over one year)
• Original and two copies Declaration for Unaccompanied Baggage stating number of pieces in each shipment (Form C 5360-2 for non-Japanese and Form 5360 for Japanese).
  • Forms are obtained on the airplane travelling to Japan or at the Airport in Japan upon arrival.
  • Two originals required
  • Can be used to declare any other shipments arriving within six months.
  • If this form is not presented at time of arrival, Customer must prepare a "Letter of Apology" to Customs office which will delay clearance and Customer may have to pay import duty
• Inventory (detailed in English or Japanese)
  • PBO - "packed by owner" and miscellaneous are NOT ACCEPTABLE!
  • Air shipments require a detailed list with carton numbers and items in each carton, along with the total number of pieces
• Keys to locked trunks/suitcases
• Delivery address and telephone number

• CUSTOMER MUST BE IN JAPAN AT TIME OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
• Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free provided the goods have been in owner's possession and utilization for at least one full year
• Most shipments inspected
• Shipment must arrive within six months of Customer

• Alcohol, tobacco, rice and video cassettes
  • Items must be stowed for easy access in the container
  • Large quantities require separate clearance as a commercial shipment
  • Must be clearly noted on inventory (including the weight of the rice)
  • Detailed list of video cassette tapes
• New items (less than a year old), especially furniture
  • It is recommended that new items be re-packed
  • Invoices required
• Electrical appliances

The following items may be imported duty free in limited quantities

• Three (3) bottles (around 760cc) alcoholic beverages
• 400 pieces of cigarettes per adult
• 100 pieces of cigars (if there is no other tobacco)
• 500 grams pipe tobacco
• If there are more than 2 kinds of tobacco, up to 500 grams in total weight
• 2 ounces perfume

• Rice, flower seeds/bulbs, flour, straw and straw items
• Fresh fruit, meat products and vegetables (pineapples, green bananas excluded)
• Items requiring Quarantine Certificate are rooted plants, furs, straw products, shells, meats and stuffed animals
• Wildlife products from protected and endangered species
• Narcotics and drugs (including over the counter cold medicines containing Pseudoephedrine)
• Counterfeit or altered currency
• Pornographic or politically sensitive material such as books, pictures or sculptures
• Firearms and other lethal weapons particularly swords, spears, blowpipes, daggers, bolos, bows and arrows if the blade is more than 15 centimeters in length
• Importation and/or possession of any type of weapon is strictly prohibited and will result in fines
• If above items are included in the shipment, they will either be shipped back to origin or abandoned; additional costs for either option will be charged to Customer.

• Duty-free for foreigners establishing residence
• Must not be sold for two years after date of Import Permit
• Must meet import requirements
• Documents required:
  • Original Passport
  • Alien Registration Card
  • Form C 5360-2 or 5360
  • Original Registration
  • Engine & Chassis Number
  • Purchase receipt
  • Proforma invoice
  • Drivers License (copy)
  • Car Manual
  • Documents stating vehicle has been in owner's use and possession abroad
  • Affidavit stating that you will not sell your auto while in Japan
• NOTE: Foreign cars must be modified to meet Japanese emission and safety regulations; charges are very high and for customer’s account

If the above requirements are not met, import duty will be assessed at 5% of the depreciated assessed market value.

• Dogs and cats:
  • Health and Resident Certificate from Quarantine Office at origin endorsed by USDA/APHIS/VS required certificate issued by private veterinarians not acceptable)
• Original Rabies Certificate issued by the pets veterinarian - must be issued within past 6 months but more than 1 month old
• Quarantine at least 15 days required for dogs
• Pets must be shipped aboard direct non-stop flights, from origin city where certificate was issued to destination
• Pets not meeting these requirements will be returned to origin (at owner's expense)