DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

•  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

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

•  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

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

•  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

RESTRICTED GOODS

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

PROHIBITED ITEMS

•  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.

MOTOR VEHICLES

•  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.

PETS

•  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)