Information on import procedures for postal items arriving from foreign countries
Information on import procedures for postal items arriving from foreign countries to Chubu International Post Office
※This document is a provisional translation for reference, and the original text is in Japanese.
Click here for the official text in Japanese.
◆ For those who have received a postcard with “Notice of Customs Clearance Procedure for Postal Matters from Abroad”
（１）About Customs procedures
（２）Regarding “Information(連絡事項)” section of the postcard
(1. Quantity of mail items, shipping costs, and product prices)
(11. Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act)
(15. Food Sanitation Act)
(22. Weapons)
◆ Frequently asked questions（Ｑ＆Ａ）
Ｑ１．What is the process for receiving (importing) mail (imported mail) arriving from foreign countries?
Ｑ２．From what price do we have to pay tax?
Ｑ３．What should I do if I receive a "Notification of an international mail item that may require an import (tax payment) declaration"?
Ｑ４．What should I do when I receive the "Notice of Commencement of Verification Procedures（認定手続開始通知書）"?
Ｑ５． What should I do if the mail sent from abroad does not arrive"?
◆ Reference materials regarding customs clearance procedures for international mail
◆ For those who have received a postcard with “Notice of Customs Clearance Procedure for Postal Matters from Abroad”
- For international items* that arrives at the Chubu International Post Office (international exchange bureau) from a foreign country and requires Customs procedures, Customs sends a postcard to the addressee (“Notice of Customs Clearance Procedure for Postal Matters from Abroad”).
Ishikawa, and Toyama prefectures.
- Customs procedures (import procedures) written on the postcard are required in order to receive (import) international postal items.
- Please read the “Information(連絡事項)”section of the postcard carefully and respond (submit) by mail (reply postcard, sealed letter, etc.) or FAX. When responding (submitting), please be sure to include the notification number and daytime contact information (name and phone number) listed on the postcard. In principle, Customs does not accept responses (submissions) by phone or email.
- If the import procedures are not completed within one month from the date the postcard is sent, the goods will be returned to the sender, so please complete the procedures as soon as possible.
- For inquiries regarding the delivery status of international mail, delivery requests, etc., please contact your nearest post office.
"Track & Trace Service" Please refer to Q5 of Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A).
- If you are unsure about Customs procedures regarding mail, please contact the Overseas Mail Customs Sub-Branch Office written on the postcard.
（２） Regarding “Information(連絡事項)” section of the postcard
(１. Quantity of mail items, shipping costs, and product prices)
In order to calculate taxes such as customs duties, you need to clarify the intended use of the product, price, etc.
①Please write the intended use of the product, purpose of purchase, etc. on a return postcard or documents and submit it.(Example: for samples, sales, joint purchases, proxy purchases, etc.)
②Please submit documents (invoices, receipts, order forms, a copy of the screen showing the price when ordering online, etc.) that show the number of postal items,shipping costs, and product prices.
(11. Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act)
There are some items that may be considered to be pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, etc. Some of these items cannot be imported or there are restrictions on quantity, so it is necessary to inquire (or complete procedures) with the competent government agency.
①Please contact the number below by phone. At that time, please provide the "notification number" written on the postcard.
②If an "Import Confirmation Certificate（輸入確認証）" has been issued, please submit it to Customs.
③In cases other than ② above (such as when procedures are not required), please notify Customs of the results of your inquiry by phone.
[Contact for inquiries regarding the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act]
Kinki Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare
Phone number: 06-6942-4096
Reception hours: Weekdays (excluding year-end and New Year holidays) 9:30-12:00, 13:00-17:00
Kinki Bureau of Health and Welfare Homepage
There are some items that may be considered to fall under the Food Sanitation Act, such as foods, additives, utensils, and toys.When importing these items, procedures may be required, so please contact the competent government agency.
① Please check the homepage and complete necessary procedures.
After reading the contents of the international postal items on the homepage of Chubu Airport Quarantine Station,download the inquiry sheet and submit it to the Quarantine Station by FAX or email.
② If a "Notification for Food Quarantine（輸入食品等届出）" has been issued, please submit it to Customs.
③ In cases other than ② above (such as cases where procedures are not required),please let Customs know the result of the inquiry by phone or reply postcard.
[Contact for inquiries regarding the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act]
Chubu Airport Quarantine Station Branch
Phone number: 0569-38-8195
Chubu Airport Quarantine Station Branch Home Page
There are some items that may be considered to be weapons that fall under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.
① If you have an import approval document（輸入承認書）, please submit the import approval document (original). Please include a reply envelope with stamp as the import approval document will be returned after confirmation.
② If you do not have an import approval document (original), please complete the necessary procedures and submit the import approval document(original).Please include a reply envelope with stamp as the import approval form will be returned after confirmation.
③ If you receive an answer that import approval is not required, please let Customs know the name of the person in charge and the reason why it is not necessary by return postcard or telephone.
④For details and specific procedures regarding import approval, please contact the competent government agency below.
[Contact for inquiries regarding import approval]
(1) Inquiry by phone
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau
Phone number: 03-3501-1659
(2) Inquiry regarding the necessity of import approval via WEB
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry homepage
Ｑ１．What is the process for receiving (importing) mail (imported mail) arriving from foreign countries?
Ａ．All mail items arriving from foreign countries, except for letters, are subject to Customs examination and inspection.
The mail can be divided into followings.
①Items with a taxable value of 200,000 yen or less that are not subject to tax
②Items with a taxable value of 200,000 yen or less that are subject to tax
③Items that require inquiries to the addressee
④Items with taxable value exceeding 200,000 yen and require import procedures
Please note that items ① and ② do not require an import (tax payment) declaration to Customs,item ③ will be categorized into ①, ②, or ③ according the answer.
The outline is shown below.
Ｑ２．From what price do we have to pay tax?
Ａ ．As a general rule, if the taxable price (the price that is the basis for tax calculation, which is the price of the product plus shipping costs, etc.) exceeds 10,000 yen, taxes such as customs duties and consumption tax will be charged. However, tax may be charged even if the taxable value is less than 10,000 yen. (For details, please refer to Customs Answer 1006 (Duty exemption for goods at a total customs value of 10,000 yen or less).
Ｑ３．What should I do if I receive a "Notification of an international mail item that may require an import (tax payment) declaration"?
Ａ ．In principle, if the taxable value exceeds 200,000 yen, an import declaration procedure is required. Please contact Japan Post Co., Ltd. listed in the notice.
Ｑ４． What should I do when I receive the "Notice of Commencement of Verification Procedures（認定手続開始通知書）"?
Ａ ． Please carefully read the documents enclosed with that Notification and complete Customs procedures. (For more information, please refer to Customs Answer 2003 (System of an application for suspension of the importation of those goods infringing intellectual property rights)
Ｑ５．What should I do if the mail sent from abroad does not arrive?
Ａ ．Please check the delivery status by "Track & Trace Service" of Japan Post Co., Ltd.
Track & Trace Service - Japan Post .
◆ Reference materials regarding customs clearance procedures for international mail
List of Custom answers (on Customs website) (extract)
６－１．How to Receive Postal Items from Abroad
6101 Outline of Customs Procedures for International Postal Items
6102 How to interpret the "Notice of Customs Clearance for International Mail" and related procedures
6103 How to Interpret the Assessment Notice of International Mail and Subsequent Procedures
6104 When the Price of an International Postal Article is Unknown
6105 Customs Procedures for International Parcels that has been bought as Souvenirs (Unaccompanied Baggage)
6106 Contacts for Inquiries Regarding Undelivered or Damaged International Postal Articles
6107 Time Limit for Import Clearance for Mail Articles Delivered from Overseas
６－２．How to Send Postal Articles Overseas
6201 Procedures for Sending Postal Articles Overseas
