Shipping Your Belongings to Japan When You Move: Sea, Air and Customs Basics
Updated: 2026-09-16
Quick answer
Hi, I'm Miya, and I help newcomers settle into life in Japan. This guide is about the physical side of moving here: getting your clothes, books, kitchen things and keepsakes from your old home to your new one. It's a general orientation rather than customs advice, and the rules can change, so the final word always belongs to Japan Customs.
The short version: bring less than you think, because a lot is easy to buy here. Choose sea freight, air freight or international post based on how much you're sending and how soon you need it. Declare any boxes arriving separately as unaccompanied baggage on your customs declaration when you land, check what's restricted before you pack, and time delivery for when you actually have an address.
Decide what to bring and what to buy here
Before you think about boxes, it's worth sorting your belongings into three piles: things you can't easily replace, things you'd rather not buy twice, and things that are simply cheaper and easier to get in Japan. Sentimental items, specialist tools, clothes and shoes in hard-to-find sizes, and a few favourite books usually belong in the first two piles. Everyday household basics often don't.
Space is part of the decision too. Apartments here are often smaller than people expect, with compact kitchens and narrow stairways, so large furniture can be hard to fit. Electrical appliances are another thing to think through, since voltage and plugs may differ from home — we have a separate guide on using foreign electronics. Many newcomers find that buying second-hand locally after they arrive works out well.
Sea, air or post: choosing how to send
Sea freight is generally the choice for larger volumes, such as a full household or many boxes. It tends to cost less for the weight you send, but it's slow, often taking weeks or longer from packing to delivery, and there are extra steps at the port. Air freight is much faster and suits a smaller amount of things you'll need soon, though it usually costs more for the same weight.
International post can work nicely for a handful of boxes, and many people send a few ahead of themselves this way. Each country sets its own size and weight limits and its own rules on what can go by air, so check with your local postal service before packing. Whichever method you choose, keep a simple list of what's in each box, as you'll usually need it for customs.
Declaring unaccompanied baggage when you land
Belongings you send separately and that arrive after you are known in Japan as unaccompanied baggage (bessouhin). The key step happens at the airport: when you arrive, you declare these items on the customs declaration form, indicating that you have goods being sent separately. Declaring them this way generally helps your personal effects clear customs as belongings that travelled with your move, rather than as ordinary imports.
There are details worth checking in advance. The declaration usually needs to be made when you arrive, not later, and the shipment generally needs to reach Japan within a set period after your arrival. You may also be asked to keep a copy of the stamped form and to mark the boxes as unaccompanied baggage. Japan Customs' own website explains the current procedure, and customs staff at the airport can help if you're unsure.
Items that are restricted or need extra checks
Some things can't be brought into Japan at all, and others need permits, inspections or are limited in quantity. Weapons and illegal drugs are the obvious examples, but everyday items can surprise people too: certain foods, meat products, plants and soil are subject to quarantine checks, and some medicines and cosmetics are only allowed in limited amounts for personal use.
Shipping methods add their own rules, especially for items such as batteries, aerosols and liquids that may not be allowed on aircraft. If you take regular medication, our separate guide on bringing medication to Japan covers that in more detail. The safest approach is to check Japan Customs' website and the quarantine authorities' guidance before you pack, rather than finding out when a box is held.
Timing delivery to when you'll have an address
It's easy to send boxes too early. In the first weeks you may be in temporary accommodation, and some places won't accept large deliveries or hold parcels for long. Many people send only what they'll need right away with them, and arrange for the rest to arrive once their lease has started and they know their permanent address.
Sea freight's long journey can work in your favour here, since it often lands after you've settled into your apartment. For post and air shipments, you can keep things with family or a storage option back home and send them later. Just keep the customs timeframe for unaccompanied baggage in mind, and check the current rules with Japan Customs so your shipment still counts.
Before the boxes arrive: a Japanese phone number
When your boxes reach Japan, delivery drivers and, sometimes, customs will need to reach you, usually by phone or text message, to confirm details or schedule a redelivery if you were out. Delivery slip forms and online redelivery requests also tend to ask for a Japanese phone number, so having one with data in place before your shipments land makes that last step much easier. Setting it up is refreshingly simple — once you have your residence card, you apply online, verify with a quick eKYC, and eSIM-capable phones can connect the same day, often within about fifteen minutes.
Have a look at our setup guide for eligibility and the step-by-step, and confirm current terms on the page before you apply. Pack thoughtfully, declare your boxes when you land, get your number ready, and your things will find their way to your new home. I'll be right here to help.
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