3002 Import Clearance Procedures for Personal Import (FAQ)
Personal import requires different import clearance procedures depending on the means of transportation of the imported goods: namely, international postal service, international courier service, and general cargo.
Besides the above, the Overseas Mail Customs Sub-branch may send a card titled “Notification of Customs Procedure on Mail Arrived from Abroad”. In this case, you are required to bring in the necessary documents to the Overseas Mail Customs Sub-branch specified on the card or call them on the phone. The Customs confirms the value of goods by verifying the documents and the actual goods. If all goes well, you will receive the goods in the manner outlined above.
Next, importing goods by using international courier service is explained.
For goods sent by international courier service, a customs broker clears the goods through customs for you. In this case, you are required to pay for their services in addition to customs duties; therefore, you are advised to confirm costs with the broker.
Lastly, importing goods as a general cargo is explained.
When goods arrive in Japan as a general cargo, the carrier (airline company or shipping company) of goods notifies a consignee of the arrival. After receiving the notification, importers are to prepare the import declaration form, invoice, bill of lading etc., and go to the customs office holding jurisdiction over the bonded area to make declarations by themselves. Importers may ask customs brokers to file declarations on their behalf.
Please refer to code No.1101 - No.1107 for details.
First, the use of international postal service is explained below. 1. All post items sent from overseas that have a customs value of less than ¥200,000 |
||
|
2. Post items sent from overseas with a customs value exceeding ¥200,000 | ||
Note: Even if the customs value exceeds ¥200,000, items for which the value cannot be identified, due to the items being sent as a gift, etc., the customs clearance procedure that applies to items that are less than ¥200,000 in value would also apply here. (See 1 for reference.) |
For goods sent by international courier service, a customs broker clears the goods through customs for you. In this case, you are required to pay for their services in addition to customs duties; therefore, you are advised to confirm costs with the broker.
Lastly, importing goods as a general cargo is explained.
When goods arrive in Japan as a general cargo, the carrier (airline company or shipping company) of goods notifies a consignee of the arrival. After receiving the notification, importers are to prepare the import declaration form, invoice, bill of lading etc., and go to the customs office holding jurisdiction over the bonded area to make declarations by themselves. Importers may ask customs brokers to file declarations on their behalf.
Please refer to code No.1101 - No.1107 for details.
For consultations on customs procedures, please contact the nearest Customs Counselor.
Please see No. 9301 for inquiries.