All visitors to Japan complete a customs declaration on arrival, either on paper or via Visit Japan Web, before flying. Here is what to declare and the limits.
Japan’s customs declaration form is required from all visitors and covers what you are bringing into the country, goods, currency above certain thresholds, and restricted or prohibited items. For most tourists, the form takes under 5 minutes to complete, and nothing needs to be declared. But knowing the rules before you arrive helps you fill it out accurately and avoids delays at customs.
The customs declaration can now be submitted digitally via Visit Japan Web before your flight or completed on the paper form handed out on the plane.
Quick answer: Most tourists declare nothing and walk through the green lane in under 2 minutes. You must declare: cash or monetary instruments over 1 million yen, goods over the duty-free allowance, and any restricted items including certain medications. When in doubt, use the red lane it exists for this purpose.
Duty-Free Allowances for Tourists
You can bring the following into Japan without paying customs duty:
- Alcohol: 3 bottles (760ml each) 2.28 litres total
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of other tobacco, or a combination not exceeding 250g total
- Perfume: 2 ounces (56ml)
- Other goods: Items totalling up to 200,000 yen in value (approximately 1,800 USD), excluding personal effects, clothing, and items you will use during your trip
Items clearly for personal use during your trip, such as one camera, one laptop, and worn clothing, are not counted toward the 200,000 yen limit, regardless of value.
What Must Be Declared
- Cash and monetary instruments: Any amount of cash, traveller’s cheques, or monetary instruments totalling 1 million yen or more (approximately 9,000 USD) must be declared. This applies per person; there is no splitting among travel companions to avoid declaration.
- Goods over the duty-free limit: Gifts, shopping, and items purchased abroad that exceed the 200,000 yen duty-free allowance must be declared. Duty is typically 10 to 30 percent of the excess value.
- Restricted items: Anything in the restricted or prohibited categories. See the What Not to Bring to Japan guide for the full list.
- Plants and soil: Any plants or plant products require phytosanitary certification or declaration.
Prohibited Items – Cannot Be Declared or Brought In
- Narcotics: Heroin, cocaine, cannabis, MDMA, and most recreational drugs are absolutely prohibited. Japan enforces this strictly; even if cannabis products are legal in your home country, they are illegal in Japan.
- Counterfeit currency and forged documents
- Child sexual abuse material
- Certain firearms and weapons: Guns and ammunition are prohibited without specific permits. Pocket knives are generally fine in checked baggage.
How to Complete the Customs Declaration
On Paper (distributed on the plane)
Fill out one form per family travelling together (not per individual). The form asks whether you are carrying prohibited items, goods over the duty-free limit, or cash over 1 million yen. Answer honestly. Sign and hand it to the customs officer.
Digitally via Visit Japan Web
Complete the customs declaration section on the Visit Japan Web before your flight. You receive a QR code to show at customs. This speeds up the process and works in the dedicated digital lanes at major Japanese airports.
At Narita or Haneda Airport Customs
After immigration and baggage collection, proceed to customs. Green lane: nothing to declare. Red lane: items to declare or clarify. Customs officers conduct random bag checks in the green lane. Undeclared dutiable goods discovered this way incur fines in addition to any duty owed.
After customs, see the Narita Airport to Tokyo guide or the Haneda Airport to Tokyo guide for transport to the city.
