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Relocation from Overseas to Japan |
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Do I have to get any documents before departure? |
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Make sure that either on the plane or in the baggage claim area at the
airport, 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. This copy can then be used to clear your personal
effects when they arrive. |
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How much is the duty-free allowance on entering Japan? |
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For a detailed breakdown of duty-free allowances on alcohol, tobacco and
perfume, please see our Customs Information page. |
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How many days are required for customs clearance? |
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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. |
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Can I use electric appliances from my home country in Japan? |
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The voltage in Japan is 100V, using American-style 2-prong plugs. 3-prong
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 or east of it)
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. |
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Am I allowed to bring food into Japan? |
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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. |
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Relocation from Japan to Overseas |
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What documents do you need from me to export my household goods? |
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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. Please inquire us regarding the required
import documents, as they depend on the destination country. |
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I don't have a permanent address abroad yet. Can you delay my shipment until I have found a place? |
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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 schedule their sea freight containing larger household
goods to arrive a month or two later when they are settled in their new
home. Please consult us on scheduling too. |
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I've never heard of your overseas partner. Are they reliable? |
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Our partners have been selected through years of experience and hundreds
of successfully completed relocations 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. |
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