frequently asked questions about moving in japan

Import

Do I have to get any documents at the airport?
How much is the duty-free allowance on entering Japan?
How many days are required for Customs Clearance?
Can I use electrical appliances from my home country in Japan?
Am I allowed to bring food into Japan?

Export

What documents do you need from me to export my household goods?
I don't have a permanent address abroad yet, can you delay my shipment until I have found a place?
I've never heard of your overseas partner - are they reliable?

Import

Do I have to get any documents at the airport?
Yes - make sure that either on the plane or in the baggage claim area, you get 2 copies of the Japanese Customs Declaration Form (sample here). Be sure to check the section regarding unaccompanied articles (highlighted in our sample), take the form to the customs officers, who will stamp one copy and return one to you, which can then be used to clear your personal effects when they arrive.
How much is the duty-free allowance on entering Japan?
For a detailed breakdown of duty free allowances on alchohol, tobacco and perfume, please see our Customs Information page.
How many days are required for Customs Clearance?
The Customs clearance process itself takes only 1 day, but the total time from arrival of the vessel/aircraft to delivery is about 3 working days for air shipments, and 5 working days for sea shipments.
Can I use electrical appliances from my home country in Japan?
The voltage in Japan is 100V, using American-style 2-prong plugs - 3 prong type plugs will require an adapter. Most American (110V) devices will work fine in Japan, although for sensitive devices, a transformer is recommended. Electricity in the Eastern part of Japan (Tokyo and north/east) is at 50Hz, which means that American devices relying on the frequency for their timing, such as quartz clocks, will not operate correctly. Western Japan (Osaka, Kobe, Fukuoka, Okinawa) runs at 60Hz, like the USA. European devices designed to run at 220-240V will not work. You will need a transformer to convert the voltage.
Am I allowed to bring food into Japan?
You cannot bring most fresh items into Japan as part of an air or sea shipment. Meat, fruit, vegetables, plants and dairy products are not permitted. Other food items may be brought in as long as they are in sealed or vacuum-packed packaging.

Export

What documents do you need from me to export my household goods?
In order to get clearance from Japan Customs for household goods, we require a copy of the shipper's passport (other family members' passports are not needed), and a copy of an air ticket showing the shipper's itinerary from Japan to the final destination. Requirement for import at the destination depend on the country.
I don't have a permanent address abroad yet, can you delay my shipment until I have found a place?
Yes, we can arrange to hold your household goods in our warehouse until you are ready to receive them. Many people send a small amount of essentials by air freight, and time their sea freight to arrive a month or two later when they are settled in their new home.
I've never heard of your overseas partner - are they reliable?
Our partners have been selected through years of experience and hundreds of successfully completed moves. We only work with overseas partners who we know are capable of providing the same level of service that we ourselves give our customers in Japan. In addition, we work almost exclusively with members of the Household Goods Forwarders' Association of America, ensuring that our partners are internationally reputable.