Sending to Japan: at a glance
- Duty-free limit
- JPY 10,000 total customs value exempt from customs duty and consumption tax (Japan Customs FAQ). Excise taxes on liquor and tobacco are not waived.
- Used personal items
- Assume there is no special relief for used personal items sent by post or courier; the ordinary parcel thresholds apply.
- Put in the parcel
- Customs declaration (CN22/CN23 or commercial invoice) listing contents and value
These are the usual rules. Customs and courier rules can change at any time, so confirm with Japan Customs (Ministry of Finance) before sending.
Japan Customs (Ministry of Finance)What can you usually send?
MedicinesUsually limited
- Prescription and controlled medicines: Reasonable personal quantities are generally allowed; some controlled substances need import authorisation (yakkan shoumei) from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Drugs and narcoticsUsually not allowed
- Narcotics and other prohibited imports: Prohibited items cannot enter by post; see the Japan Customs prohibited-goods page.
Other goodsUsually not allowed
- Narcotics and other prohibited imports: Prohibited items cannot enter by post; see the Japan Customs prohibited-goods page.
Anything not listed here (clothes, bags, toys, your own used things) usually follows the standard parcel rules and the duty-free limit above.
Send it yourself
- Ask the office holding it whether they post items, or who may collect it for you (a written authorisation and a copy of your ID).
- Someone collects it and packs it securely.
- Book a courier with a clear description and value; outside the EU it needs electronic customs data.
- The receiver pays any import duty or tax on arrival.
Offices usually work Greek office hours, and staff may answer in Greek. A service we recommend can make the calls and handle the pickup for you.
Rather not do it yourself? Couriers we recommend
Ask whether they can collect it from the office that has it, pack it and send it, and help with the customs paperwork. Ask for the price first.
Family-run Athens courier since 1988. Sends parcels within Greece and abroad, helps with customs clearance, and can store extra bags for travellers and deliver them later. Ask for a price on their website.
We recommend services we think are useful; some may pay us a fee if you book. Prices and terms are set by the service, so check them before you book.
More details
In short
Japan Customs exempts goods with a total customs value of JPY 10,000 or less from duty and consumption tax. For parcel post the limit applies to all items in one package, and split shipments from one sender to one recipient are added together.
Good to know
- Confirm current limits on the Japan Customs site before sending.