Items requiring special attention regarding importing
Items that cannot be imported
Items that are not allowed to be imported by law (common examples)
- Illegal drugs such as stimulants, marijuana, psychotropic drugs, narcotics, opium, MDMA, CBD products, and designated drugs (excluding items imported in order to be used for medical purposes, etc.)
- Firearms such as handguns, etc., firearm ammunition, handgun parts, and crossbows (bow guns)
- Explosive materials, explosives, raw materials for chemical weapons, and pathogens such as anthrax, etc.
- Currency, banknotes, marketable securities, and counterfeit items such as credit cards, etc.
- Obscene items such as obscene magazines, obscene DVDs, child pornography, etc. (including data formats)
- Copy products of watches, brand bags, etc. and items that infringe upon intellectual property such as pirated versions, etc.
- In addition to the above, there are also other items that cannot be imported due to laws such as the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Livestock and the Plant Protection Act, so make sure to also check the items regulated by import restrictions.
Items that cannot be entrusted
Items that we cannot accept as household goods
- Certification documents such as passports, airline tickets, driver's licenses, and health insurance cards
- Cash, credit cards, bankbooks, and marketable securities
- Precious stones (including personal accessories such as rings, necklaces, etc.), precious metals, highly-valuable watches, and highly-valuable accessories
- Keys (to safes, dwellings, passenger cars, trunks, etc.)
- Animals and items that decay easily
- Anything that could be a hazardous material
- Irreplaceable artifacts
Items regulated by import restrictions
Washington Convention
There are many items restricted by a treaty concerning international trade of endangered plants and animals (Washington Convention). Permission and denial of exporting and importing and the required documents and procedures are different for different items. For common examples and details, see below.
＜Common examples of regulated items＞
| Fur and rugs | Tigers, leopards, bears, etc. |
|---|---|
| Belts, wallets, handbags, etc. | Alligators, sea turtles, snakes (some), lizards (some), ostriches (some), etc. |
| Ivory and ivory products | Indian elephants and African bush elephants |
| Taxidermy | Eagles, hawks, alligators, pangolins, etc. |
| Other | Chinese herbal medicines (kampo) that include components from musk deer, tigers, bears, etc., musical instruments made with snake hide (the erhu, kokyu, etc.), musical instruments made with Brazilian rosewood (guitars, etc.), giant clam products, cockatoo feather ornaments, peafowl feathers (some), coral products (some), sturgeon eggs (caviar), sea eel (European eel) products, and foods, medicines, etc. that contain sekkoku (an orchids plant), Dolomiaea costus, Gastrodia elata, agarwood, American ginseng, etc. |
Food items
- Based on the Food Sanitation Act, importing is allowed without requiring any special procedures as long as a food product is for personal use and it is within 10kg per one item type (this includes health food that is not a supplement or medicine).
- As an exception, handling procedures are different for alcohol depending on the harbor or airport at which you arrive, so consult your sales representative.
- When an item is to be used for sales, for business, or distributed to an unspecified number of people, then, after issuing notification and receiving approval, it will pass business customs clearance.
The Act on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (previously the Pharmaceutical Act)
For medicines and cosmetic products, even when the importing individual plans to use them for personal use, there are still restrictions on importing quantity. Below are common examples of items and amounts that can be imported without going through Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare procedures,
| Typical items subject to regulation | Regulated quantity (The sum of both accompanied articles and unaccompanied articles per one user) |
|---|---|
| Disposable contact lenses | Within 2 months' worth Confirmed by checking the display on the item (1 day, 2 weeks, etc.) |
| Other medicines and nonmedicinal products Over-the-counter medicines, general pharmaceuticals, hair tonics (Rogaine), etc. |
Within 2 months' worth Confirmed by checking the usage directions and dosage displayed on the item For hair tonic, within 1 months' worth, depending on the ingredients (a Minoxidil content of 5% or more) |
| Topical agents: ointments, eyedrops, etc. | Within 24 items |
| Cosmetic products (soap, bath additives, etc.) | Within 24 items (per each product) |
| Household medical equipment: electric massagers, blood pressure monitors, thermometers, etc. | Within 1 set per 1 type (for 1 household) |
| Electronic cigarettes (excluding heated tobacco products) | An atomization device is considered medical equipment, and 1 set can be imported per 1 adult. Cartridges that contain liquid agents are considered medicines, and 1 months' worth can be imported.
1,200 cigarettes or 12,000 inhalations. 60 cartridges or 120mL of liquid. |
| Medical equipment (CPAPs, stethoscopes, syringes, etc.) Medicines for animals (including for pets) |
As even one of these items is subject to restrictions, a separate procedure is followed before a decision is made on whether the import is allowed or not. |
Notes
*A product that is sold as a health food product (supplements, vitamins, etc.) overseas may be considered a medicine in Japan if it contains medicinal ingredients.
*Please be aware that if an item exceeds the restricted amount, you may have to voluntarily relinquish or dispose of them.
*Please be aware that the restricted quantity is the sum of your accompanied articles and unaccompanied articles (sea and air shipment).
*These rules apply even to items originally intended for your new job post and items you brought out of Japan as carry-on items.
Major subjects of plant quarantine
Due to the regulations of the Plant Protection Act, you are required to attach an inspection certificate (Phytosanitary Certificate) issued by a governmental body of the country of export and undergo a plant quarantine after arriving in Japan.
＜Common examples＞
| Regulated items |
In addition to fruits, vegetables, and grains, also cut flowers, seeds, seedlings, and some processed items that are made from plant materials (dried flowers, tatami mats, pinecones, wheat straw, potpourri, etc.) Some items cannot be imported even if you have an inspection certificate. Some items to not require an inspection certificate. These items are the target of regulation regardless of the quantity, whether or not they are souvenirs, or if they are meant for personal consumption, etc. |
|---|---|
| Unregulated items | Lumber, preserved wood, processed items such as woodwork, bamboo works, and furniture and fixtures, cane and cork, gunny sacks, cotton, processed tea, dried bamboo shoots, dried fruits such as apricots, figs, and persimmons, and plants that have marinated in alcohol, acetic acid, sugar, etc. |
| Prohibited items | Soil or plants and footwear with soil on them, rice straw, and unhusked rice (except the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan) |
Major subjects of animal quarantine
Due to the regulations of the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Livestock, you are required to attach an inspection certificate issued by a governmental body of the country of export and undergo an animal quarantine after arriving in Japan.
＜Common examples＞
| Regulated items | Artiodactyl animals such as cows, pigs, and sheep, Equidae animals, fowl (chickens, quails, pheasants, ostriches, helmeted guinea fowl, turkeys, and Anseriformes such as ducks and geese), rabbits, and honeybees, and the related meat, internal organs, eggs, processed items (dried meat, sausages, ham, bacon, etc.), bones, hide (unprocessed items), fur, feathers, horns, hoofs, and rice straw (some). Some items cannot be imported even if you have an inspection certificate. Some items to not require an inspection certificate. These items are the target of regulation regardless of the quantity, whether or not they are souvenirs, or if they are meant for personal consumption, etc. |
|---|
Animal Quarantine Service website
Caution
Items that require plant or animal quarantine can be imported as long as they clear the required conditions (importing conditions, attachment of an inspection certificate, and quarantine inspection). However, in general, it is considered difficult for private individuals to obtain an inspection certificate issued by a governmental body of the country of export.
Also, when importing items, additional quarantine expenses may arise, and if an item is not able to be imported, a separate disposal fee will arise. Thus, when sending an item into Japan, we ask you to be aware of these risks in advance.
Importing rice
Due to the regulations in the Act on Stabilization of Supply, Demand and Prices of Staple Food and the Customs Act, if the imported quantity for the past 1 year was 100kg or less, the importer is exempt from payments and customs duties as long as they submit notification.
If the imported quantity for the past 1 year exceeds 100kg, the importer will be obligated to pay payments and customs duties.
Also, when importing rice, it is necessary to obtain a quarantine certificate issued by a governmental body of the country of export and undergo a plant quarantine inspection in Japan (this also applies to rice originally taken outside of Japan).
Firearms, swords, and blades
some common examples of items restricted by the Act for Controlling the Possession of Firearms or Swords and Other Such Weapons are as follows.
The decision as to whether or not restrictions apply to air guns and model guns is particularly difficult. If you wish to import such an item, you must check with the Public Safety Commission of your prefecture on your own.
＜Common examples of regulated items＞
| Firearms | Handguns, rifles, machine guns, hunting rifles, and air guns (inclusion in regulated list is determined by Cabinet order). Imitation handguns (model guns) may be regulated depending on material and make. |
|---|---|
| Swords and blades | Single edged swords, spears, and halberds with a blade length of 15cm or more and double-edged swords, knives (double-edged), daggers, switchblades, etc. with a blade length of 5.5cm or more Model swords or blades made from metal (in general, if a magnet sticks to it, it is considered to be made of metal and subject to regulations, and if a magnet does not stick to it, it is considered to not be made of metal and permitted for importing) |
Items that cannot pass through customs clearance as household goods / personal effects, and must instead pass through business customs clearance (general customs clearance)
Due to laws, regulations, etc., there are some items that must pass through business customs clearance (general customs clearance) even if they are part of your relocation parcels.
If an item must pass through business customs clearance (general customs clearance), then, in addition to importing customs clearance procedures taking time, separate importing customs clearance fees and other processing fees will arise. Please be aware of this in advance when sending items to Japan.
＜Common examples of items that must pass through business customs clearance＞
| Vehicles and transport | Electric kickboards, electric boards, electric scooters, motorized bicycles (*1), aircrafts, and boats (including rubber boats, kayaks, etc.) |
|---|---|
| Other | Company supplies (samples, etc.), items of a quantity or monetary value exceeding the range of personal or family use, and items of a large quantity for one type that are considered to be potentially meant for resale (shoes, DVDs, etc.) |
*1: Generally, a motorized bicycle is a bicycle that moves without being pedaled, and a motor-assisted bicycle is a bicycle that will not move without being pedaled. A motor-assisted bicycle can go through customs clearance as a relocation parcel. However, usually, motor-assisted bicycles manufactured overseas are classified as motorized bicycles if they cannot be used on public roads, or due to their speed or assistance functionality, and must pass through business customs (general customs clearance).
Concerning motorized transportation devices, there are cases in which they are not allowed to be used on public roads in Japan.
Items requiring special attention when using air shipment.
For precision instruments such as computers, etc., and breakable items such as high-quality tableware, decorations, etc., use surface mail as much as possible.
Items designated as hazardous materials in air shipping are handled differently depending on the airline company and regulations of the country of departure.
Concerning items containing lithium-ion batteries, detailed acceptance regulations are maintained that are different for each airline company, based on the lithium quantity, watt-hour rating (Wh), and the stand-alone, built-in, or mounted configuration.
Concerning items leaving Japan, items containing lithium-ion batteries cannot be accepted as relocation parcels.
＜Common examples of items containing lithium-ion batteries＞
Mobile telephones, portable DVD players, wireless radios, transceivers, notebook computers, digital cameras, portable devices, portable copiers, printers, electric book players, portable game consols, camera equipment, electric dictionaries, backup batteries, etc.
The acceptance regulations for these items are different for different airline companies and countries of departure. Make sure to consult a sales representative.