Japan describes household shipments through a category called unaccompanied articles. Japan Customs publishes the procedure in its Customs Answer series, and the rules put the paperwork at the airport on the day you land, not at the port when the shipment arrives. O'Brien's Moving & Storage plans overseas moves through Bekins and partner international carriers; the customs side below is what you handle with your own paperwork.
What unaccompanied articles are
Japan Customs says unaccompanied articles include household effects imported for relocation, personal items no longer needed while traveling, and souvenirs sent separately from accompanied baggage. For a household move the first category is the relevant one. Commercial cargo or costly goods may face the same import procedures as general cargo.
The six-month clearance window
The Customs Answer says goods clearable as unaccompanied articles are limited, in principle, to those that can be cleared at Customs within 6 months of the sender's entry into Japan. A person moving to Japan may ship baggage after arriving and still use the category, but must clear it within 6 months of arrival.
For a planner, the practical point is that the shipping schedule has to fit inside that window, with room for the carrier's arrival notice and clearance.
Two copies of one declaration
On arrival you submit two copies of the Declaration of Accompanied Articles and Unaccompanied Articles. Customs checks the form and returns one copy with a confirmation seal. Keep that sealed original until the shipment clears. Japan Customs states that the declaration cannot be reissued for any reason, including loss, and that you cannot declare unaccompanied articles after entry. Customs recommends using Visit Japan Web to submit the declaration electronically.
Labeling and clearance steps
You can delegate clearance to a customs broker by giving the agent your sealed declaration before clearance begins. The documents needed are the sealed declaration, transport documents, a statement of contents, your passport and receipts.
- Write unaccompanied baggage on the parcel, the customs notice and the invoice.
- Name yourself as the addressee.
- Receive the arrival notice from the carrier and collect the transport documents.
- File the declaration at the unaccompanied baggage clearance section and undergo inspection.
- Pay any applicable tax. Regulated plants and animals are inspected at the nearest quarantine station.
The statement of contents and the O'Brien's inventory
A statement of contents is one of the documents Japan Customs lists, and a clear room-by-room record helps you build it. O'Brien's prepares an itemized inventory and condition report before packing, and the estimate it writes is itemized and in writing. Both start with a free in-home visit that includes 10 free heavy-duty boxes. Call 775-359-6683 or read how overseas moves work.