Moving Guide

MovingJapan.com offers a complete port-to-door service, from clearance at Japan Customs to general setup of furniture and disposal of garbage.  This document outlines the steps taken through Japan Customs and delivery of your personal effects to your home.

Table of Contents:

(1) UNACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE – A GENERAL GUIDE

(2) IMPORT PROHIBITED & RESTRICTED ITEMS

(3) JAPAN POINTS OF ENTRY

(4) CONSIGNMENT & NOTIFY INSTRUCTIONS

(5) REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR IMPORT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE FROM

(6) JAPAN DESTINATION RATES

 (1) UNACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE – A GENERAL GUIDE

For the most part, if you are moving to Japan and plan to stay for more than one year, your family's household effects being used by the members of your family may be imported free of duty and/or tax within the limit deemed ‘reasonable’.Important Note to Customer:  When arriving in Japan, chances are you will arrive ahead of your personal effects which will follow you by sea or air.  At the time of entry into Japan, you MUST complete a customs declaration in duplicate that clearly mentions you have “Unaccompanied Articles”.  When you have  unaccompanied baggage, two copies of written declaration forms are required to submit at the time of your entry, one of which will be returned to you with the seal of certification by a Customs officer. Such declaration is necessary to obtain duty and/or tax exemption status.  Such unaccompanied baggage must be in your custody within six months after your arrival. The sealed declaration must be presented at the time of clearance of the unaccompanied goods.  

Note:  If baggage is imported by mail, you are required to list this unaccompanied baggage on your declaration, and you should identify the parcel by placing the words "unaccompanied baggage" on the parcel.
Do not loose your returned declaration with the Customs officer’s certification stamp!  After entry, you cannot declare unaccompanied articles and the declaration form cannot be reissued if lost
Normally, all goods are imported as personal effects and without duty.  The following items are exempted and are dutiable if you bring quantities over the allowable limit of Yen 200,000.

 (2) IMPORT PROHIBITED & RESTRICTED ITEMS (Examples):

 (3) JAPAN POINTS OF ENTRY (Please limit to these ports/airports):

Please ensure bills of lading and/or air waybills are affreighted to following ports only:

 (4) CONSIGNMENT & NOTIFY INSTRUCTIONS (All shipments):

Please ensure bills of lading and/or waybills are consigned per below.  If the actual shipper already has a registered address in Japan, the Consignee box can show the actual address. 

(5)  REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR IMPORT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE FROM CUSTOMER

In general, the following documents are required for import customers clearance. 

 (6) JAPAN DESTINATION RATES:

If you would like to obtain a quote for import services of personal effects into Japan, please contact us and advise delivery address, Port/Airport of entry, volume & weight.