Shipping To Japan
Shipping To Japan
Are you shipping household items or commercial goods to Japan? If you are interested in shipping cargo to Japan, there are some documents you’ll need to have prepared in advance. If you are moving to Japan with your family, you will want to have a passport for every family member.
Dear CARGO EXPERTS…Attached is the completed Delivery Report, plus my comments and gratitude to all who worked to ship my family’s household goods to Japan. Thank you. I am very pleased with how my shipment was handled…Thomas B. in Japan
If you are not moving to Japan permanently but are staying in Japan for an extended length of time, you will also need to provide information about your residence in Japan including address information and a visa to work in Japan valid for longer than a year.
A professional cargo shipping company like Cargo Experts can assist you with detailed information about all of the required paperwork for cargo shipping.
If you are arriving in Japan via commercial airline, certain forms will likely be available to you on the airplane including the Declaration for Unaccompanied Baggage to Japan or Form 5360 if you are a Japanese citizen or Form C 5360-2 for non-Japanese citizens.
If you are shipping cargo to Japan, be prepared to provide a detailed inventory list of the items that you are shipping. You can write this list in English or Japanese but make sure that it gives detailed information.
You are allowed to ship used household goods and personal effects duty free to Japan as long as you have owned and used these items for at least one year prior to shipping.
Most shipments entering Japan are inspected by Japanese customs officials. Please note that if there are locked trunks or suitcases in your shipping container, provide a key so that customs officials can inspect the contents of your cargo. You should also provide a delivery address with phone number for your cargo once it arrives in Japan in order to alert Japanese customs officials to the final destination of the package.
Cargo Shipping to Japan and Restricted Items
Please note that some items are restricted when shipping to Japan. Any restricted should be packed so that they are easily accessible for Japanese customs officials. There are restrictions on shipping alcohol, rice, tobacco and videos to Japan.
If you are shipping rice to Japan, there are certain limits on the quantities that you are allowed to ship. You must also describe the inventory including the weight of the rice.
If you are planning to ship video cassettes to Japan, make sure you provide a detailed list. You may be required to pay duty fees and taxes on certain electrical appliances as well as new items that you are shipping to Japan. It is advisable that you provide an invoice for these items.
You are allowed to ship some items duty free to Japan as long as you ship them in small amounts. These items include alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and perfume. It is advisable that you consult with a professional cargo shipping agency like Cargo Experts for more detailed information on the exact amount you are allowed to ship to Japan.
Items Not Allowed When Sea Shipping to Japan
Some items are not allowed to be shipped to Japan and this includes seeds and bulbs. Many types of fresh fruit and vegetables are also prohibited from shipment to Japan. You cannot ship wildlife products made from endangered animals to Japan. Other items that are not allowed to be shipped to Japan include the following:
- Narcotics or drugs
- Fake money
- Pornography or politically sensitive materials
- Firearms or deadly weapons (note: blades are restricted if they are longer than 15 centimeters)
If you are shipping rooted plants, furs, things made from straw, meats and animals that are stuffed, you may need a Quarantine Certificate.
Interesting in Shipping a Vehicle to Japan?
If you want to ship a car to Japan, you can ship one car duty-free if you establish residence in the country and your car passes specific rquiprements. After you ship a car to Japan duty free, you are expected to keep it for at least two years following the date of your import permit.
In order to ship a car, vehicle, motorcycle or some other type of equipment to Japan, you should be prepared to have the following paperwork available:
- Passport
- Form C 5360-2 or 5360
- Vehicle Registration
- Engine and Chassis Number
- Purchase Receipt
- Manual for the Vehicle
- Copy of your Driver’s License
You should also be prepared to have a document that states that you have owned the vehicle prior to shipment and that you will not sell the vehicle during your stay in Japan.
In addition, there are certain modifications required to foreign vehicles so that they meet Japanese emission and safety regulations. If your vehicle does not meet these requirements, you may have to pay import duties.
A dependable cargo shipping company like Cargo Experts can help you with all of the shipping rules and regulations for your shipment to Japan. Contact Cargo Experts for more specific information about sea shipping to Japan. Call Cargo Experts toll free at 866-994-7822 with any questions you might have about sea shipping to Japan or for a free FREIGHT QUOTE for your shipment to Japan.