Clearing Japanese Customs
Household goods and personal effects shipped to Japan must be declared to Japan Customs as part of the import-clearance process.
Declare your shipment as “unaccompanied articles” when you arrive. If your household goods are arriving separately, you must declare them to Customs when you enter Japan.
For the paper procedure, two copies of the Declaration of Accompanied Articles and Unaccompanied Articles (C-5360-B) are required. Customs will certify and return one copy to you.
Keep the certified original safe. It is needed when your removal shipment arrives, and Japan Customs states that the declaration cannot be completed retrospectively if it was missed when you entered Japan.
We’ll guide you through the paperwork needed for your move. Once your shipment reaches Japan, our appointed customs agent will coordinate the clearance process, check your documentation and advise if Customs requires anything further from you. You can also read our general guide to overseas customs clearance.
What paperwork do I need?
For most household goods and personal effects shipments to Japan, you will typically need:
- Declaration of Accompanied Articles and Unaccompanied Articles (C-5360-B) – for an unaccompanied shipment, this must be declared when you enter Japan. Keep the certified copy returned by Customs.
- Passport – required as part of the clearance process when your shipment arrives.
- Detailed packing inventory – listing the household goods and personal effects being shipped.
- Shipping documentation – provided as part of your international removal.
- Any additional customs or destination-agent documentation required for your individual shipment.
Japan Customs also supports electronic customs declarations through Visit Japan Web. For an unaccompanied household-goods shipment, follow the arrival instructions provided for your move so that you retain the declaration evidence needed for later customs clearance.
See the official Japan Customs guidance on declaring unaccompanied articles for more information.
When we ask you to send copies of passports or other sensitive documents, you can use our secure document upload service.
How should I prepare items for Japanese customs?
Japan has strict plant-quarantine controls. Anything used outdoors should be thoroughly cleaned before packing and should be free from soil and plant material.
Pay particular attention to:
- Bicycles and outdoor sports equipment
- Camping and hiking equipment
- Gardening tools and equipment
- Boots and outdoor footwear
- Plant pots and gardening equipment
- Outdoor furniture
Soil and plants with soil attached are prohibited from import into Japan. Many plants, seeds, bulbs, fruits and vegetables are also prohibited or require phytosanitary certification and quarantine inspection.
For current requirements, see the official Japan Plant Protection Station import guidance .
We’ll help you review your inventory before shipment and advise if anything needs further attention before being packed for Japan.
Which items are restricted or need special attention?
Check before shipping:
- Food, particularly meat, fresh fruit and vegetables
- Plants, seeds, bulbs and soil
- Meat and other animal products
- Medicines and controlled drugs
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Firearms, ammunition and weapons
- Explosives and fireworks
- Products made from protected animal or plant species
Some of these goods are prohibited, while others may be permitted subject to declaration, certification, permits, quantity limits or quarantine inspection.
Japan applies particularly strict controls to meat, animal products, plants and soil. See the official Japanese plant and animal quarantine guidance before including these types of goods.
Medicines are also subject to personal-use limits and additional rules for controlled substances. See the Japanese Ministry of Health guidance on bringing medicines into Japan .
For a broader official list, see Japan Customs: Goods with Prohibitions, Controls and Restrictions .
Do not assume an item is permitted simply because it is for personal use. If you are unsure about anything you intend to ship, check with us before packing.
