How to ship to Japan

Customs clearance in Japan is quite straightforward, however additional certificates and permits are needed for regulated goods such as food, kitchenware and medical products.

What documents do I need when shipping to Japan?

AnĀ air waybill,Ā commercial invoiceĀ and packing list are sufficient when shipping most goods to Japan. Make sure the information on them is complete and correct.

Additional documents might be required for commercial shipments of some product types such as food, kitchenware, medical, pharmaceutical or biological products and items subject to CITES (goods made from plant or animal species trade in which is controlled to ensure their survival).

The goods description on the commercial invoice

A clear and accurate goods description saves time in customs and helps customs authorities to classify goods correctly, so avoid vague descriptions such as 'samples', 'parts' or 'gift' on the commercial invoice and air waybill.

The commercial invoice should be written in English and the receiver's contact information (e.g. phone number) should be included on both commercial invoice and air waybill.

Japan's trade agreements

Japan has bilateral international trade agreements with many countries, including the USA,Ā  the EU, Canada, Switzerland, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Australia and most of Asia. These economic partnership agreements (EPA) are created to simplify trade and investment procedures and to reduce related costs, so more small firms can do business in both markets.

If you're shipping goods from a country that has an EPA with Japan, they may be eligible for reduced tariffs and duties. To benefit from the regulation, remember to state the country of origin of the goods on the commercial invoice. Depending on the EPA you may also need to provide a certificate of origin or other required documents.Ā 

To find out more you can consult the WTO's database on Regional Trade Agreements or contact your local chamber of commerce.

How will my shipment clear customs in Japan?

Japan Customs has three different clearance procedures. The procedure that applies to your shipment depends on the type and value of your goods, and the information available at the time of their arrival at customs.

Manifest clearance (MIC)
Just like express clearance in other countries, manifest clearance applies to low-value shipments worth less than JPY 10,000 including CIF (Cost Insurance and Freight). Since the parcel is low value, no duties or consumption taxes are charged.

Some goods cannot be processed by manifest clearance as they're always subject to additional taxes or approvals. Examples of such goods include leather goods, alcohol, some foodstuffs such as sugar or rice, and clothing made from knitted textiles.

Formal pre-clearance (Preliminary declaration)
This is a type of advance formal clearance where the shipment can be pre-filed with Japanese customs prior to its arrival in Japan. All types of goods can be shipped via pre-clearance as long as the paperwork is in order: the information and goods description on the commercial invoice must be complete and correct; and all other necessary documents should be provided in advance.

Formal clearance (After shipment arrives in Japan)
Formal clearance is used when the information on the commercial invoice is incomplete, if any required documents are not provided in advance, or if the receiver requests the ā€˜Hold and Notifyā€™ service. Formal clearance can also apply to high-value shipments (for example, with total duties and taxes above JPY 500,000) that require credit collection approval. These shipments are declared to customs after arrival in Japan.

Customs clearance in Japan

An overview of the three types of customs clearance in Japan:

Ā 

Express clearance

Formal clearance

Eligible shipments and values

  • Manifest clearanceĀ 
    Documents, gifts, or goods valued at JPY 10,000 or under
    (Most goods accepted except for leather goods, some food types, alcohol and knitted textile clothing)
  • Pre-clearance
    All shipments with correct paperwork are eligible
  • Formal clearance
    For shipments with incomplete information, if importer requests ā€˜Hold and Notifyā€™, or if credit approval is required
  • Goods of all values

Customs processing time

  • No delay
  • Pre-clearance No delay (shipment is processed prior to arrival)
  • Formal clearance
    Processing time depends on when the required information is provided or when credit approval is obtained

Required documentation

  • Air waybill
  • Commercial invoice
  • Air waybill
  • Commercial invoice
  • Additional documents ā€“ only required for certain goods

Do I need to provide additional documents for Japanese customs clearance?

You may need to provide additional documents, depending on the goods you're shipping. Extra paperwork is usually required for regulated goods such as food, medical or pharmaceutical products, kitchenware or items subject to CITES.

The most common additional documents include:

  • A packing list.
  • A certificate of origin or a 'statement on origin' on the commercial invoiceĀ  ā€“ for countries with an EPA or preferential trade deal, for exemption from customs duties and taxes
  • Specific licenses or certificates for regulated goods


Shipping regulated goods to Japan? See the list below for a detailed guide on Japan's customs regulations and the documentation you need to provide.

What product are you shipping to Japan?

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