Japan

Specific Information

C-5360 form is critical. Two copies must be completed in duplicate and submitted to customs officials at the accompanied baggage inspection area upon arrival in Japan. One copy is stamped and returned to the shipper. This certified duplicate is required for clearance of all unaccompanied shipments. If the form is not completed and certified upon entry, all brand-new items (including food) will be taxable, and a petition letter to customs will be required.

The C-5360 can be obtained on the flight to Japan (request two copies from the flight attendant) or at the airport upon arrival. Japanese citizens use form C-5360; foreign nationals use form C-5360-B.

Air shipments: The packing list requires detailed values of all items.

Physical size constraints: Japanese houses and apartments are generally smaller than Western homes. Oversized furniture (e.g., large sofas, king-size mattresses) may not fit through entrance doors, staircases, or other access areas. This is a frequent operational issue that should be discussed with the customer before packing.

Container access: Due to road conditions and traffic regulations, full-size ocean containers cannot typically be delivered directly to residences. All shipments must be transferred from the container to a smaller van at a bonded warehouse on the day of delivery. This adds cost and handling.

Customs inspections: Customs may inspect all shipments physically.

Advance Filing Rules (since March 2014): Shipping companies or NVOCCs must electronically submit cargo information for maritime container cargoes to Japanese Customs no later than 24 hours before departure of the vessel from the port of loading. Penalties apply for failure to file or filing false information.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions: Used household goods and personal effects that have been in the owner's use are duty-free, provided: all required documents are completed, the shipment consists of used goods for continued personal use, and clearance occurs within 6 months of entry (as stamped on the C-5360). Persons living in Japan for more than 1 year may import used items duty-free within specified timeframes.

New items: Newly purchased items are duty-free up to JPY 200,000 total market value per person, excluding an 8% consumption tax on the invoice. Items individually valued under JPY 10,000 are excluded from the total calculation. Keep receipts with English translations for all new items.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Original passport
• Original Customs Declaration Form C-5360
• Original vehicle registration certificate proving use by the shipper
• Bill of sale, receipt, or purchase invoice
• Application for duty exemption on automobiles (Customs Form T No.1280)
• Proof of ownership for more than 1 year
• Original bill of lading
• Insurance certificate
• KANGI form (obtained from the Foreign Ministry in Japan)
• Letter of assurance not to resell the vehicle within 2 years
• Alien registration card (for foreign residents)

Specific Information

Ownership duration: Vehicles must have been owned and used by the importer for more than 1 year prior to import.

Duty-free conditions: Vehicles may be imported temporarily free of duty and tax provided they will be re-exported.

Japanese standards compliance (SHAKEN): All automobiles must comply with Japanese exhaust emission control and safety regulations. A test (SHAKEN) will be administered. Modifications to meet Japanese standards can be extremely expensive. Contact the destination agent before shipping any vehicle.

Resale restriction: Vehicles cannot be resold within 2 years of import (letter of assurance required).

Left-hand drive: Japan drives on the left. Right-hand drive vehicles are standard. Left-hand drive vehicles can be imported but are unusual and may face additional scrutiny at inspection.

Diplomats: Should arrive in Japan at least 40 days prior to vehicle import to obtain the necessary documents.

Strong recommendation: Contact the destination agent before shipping any vehicle, motorcycle, camping car, or motor boat to Japan.

Pets

• ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip documentation
• Rabies vaccination certificates (two vaccinations required from Category 2 countries; none from Category 1)
• Rabies titer test (RNATT/FAVN) results from a Japanese government-approved laboratory (Category 2 countries only)
• Advanced Notification Form filed with the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) at least 40 days before arrival
• Approval of Notification from AQS
• Veterinary health certificate issued within 2 days of entry, endorsed by the government veterinary authority
• Parasite treatment records (ticks, tapeworm, nematodes, cestodes)
• Transport cage must be sealed

Pets cannot be imported as part of household goods shipments. They must travel separately.

Country classification: Japan classifies countries into two categories.

Category 1 (rabies-free): Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, and Guam. Pets born in or continuously residing in these regions for at least 6 months require no rabies vaccination or titer test. The destination agent should confirm the current Category 1 list, as Japan periodically updates it.

Category 2 (all other countries): Includes the United States (mainland), Canada, the UK (per PetTravel 2026), and all other countries not in Category 1.

Quarantine: Pets meeting all requirements are held at the AQS facility for up to 12 hours before release. Pets NOT meeting requirements face mandatory quarantine at AQS facilities for up to 180 days. Quarantine cannot be served at a private residence; it must be at AQS premises, even for long quarantine periods. This is one of the longest potential quarantine periods in the world.

To achieve the 12-hour release (from Category 2 countries), ALL of the following must be satisfied: (1) microchip implanted, (2) two rabies vaccinations with an inactivated or recombinant vaccine (second given 30+ days after the first and before the previous vaccination expires), (3) rabies titer test (RNATT/FAVN) showing antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml processed at a Japanese government-approved laboratory, (4) at least 180 days have passed since the blood was drawn for the titer test, (5) not more than 2 years since the blood was drawn, (6) continuous booster vaccinations maintained.

The 180-day wait is the critical timeline. If 180 days have not passed at time of arrival, the pet will be detained to make up the remaining days. Planning must start at least 7-8 months before the move.

Titer test validity: Valid for up to 2 years from the blood draw date, provided rabies vaccinations are kept continuously current. If the second vaccination expires before a booster is given, the process resets and a new titer test plus 180-day wait is required.

Advance notification: Required at least 40 days before arrival. AQS may request a change of date or port depending on quarantine facility availability.

Minimum age: Puppies and kittens cannot be vaccinated before 91 days of age. From Category 2 countries, the effective minimum age is approximately 10-11 months (91 days + 30 days between vaccinations + 180-day wait after titer test).

Entry points: Pets may enter only at designated airports and seaports. Dogs requiring quarantine must enter at specific starred ports (Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Fukuoka, Kagoshima for air; Yokohama, Osaka for sea).

Leptospirosis: Dogs must also be tested/cleared for leptospirosis (in addition to rabies) immediately before departure.

Banned breeds: Japan does not ban any dog or cat breeds (except hybrids with wild animals such as wolf hybrids).

Species covered: Dogs, cats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks are all subject to rabies quarantine requirements under the Rabies Prevention Law.

Japan is NOT on the CDC high-risk rabies country list (note: CDC results showed 2 matches but these are references to Japan within the context of other country listings, not Japan itself being listed).

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