What You Can Bring into Japan by Air
- The import and export of local or foreign currency is not limited (amounts equivalent to 100,000,000 JPY or more are subject to mandatory declaration). Gold items of 900th standard are also subject to mandatory declaration if their total weight exceeds 1 kg.
- People over 20 years of age are allowed duty-free importation of up to 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars, or 500 g of tobacco.
- Up to 56 ml (2 ounces) of perfume.
- Other items up to a maximum of 200,000 JPY.
What Is Forbidden to Bring into Japan
- Firearms and ammunition (cold, hunting, and pneumatic weapons may only be imported with a permit from the National Security Service of Japan)
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances (their importation is subject to deportation and a lifetime ban on entry into the country)
- Some medications (especially those containing 1-deoxyephedrine)
- Fake securities and currency
- Fresh fruits, vegetables, and plants, animals, and a range of foods of animal and plant origin (primarily meat and meat products, and various fruit crops)
- Pornographic materials, films, or publications containing scenes of violence and cruelty
- Magazines, photographs, drawings, and engravings of obscene content
- Prints and other materials that undermine public order
- Counterfeit goods and things and objects prejudicial to trademark, copyright, and patent law
What Is Prohibited to Take out of Japan
- Art and antiques without the permission of the relevant authorities
How Much Alcohol Can Be Brought into Japan
- Up to 3 bottles of alcoholic beverages (up to 0.75 liters each)
How Much Alcohol Can Be Taken out of Japan
- Alcohol can be taken out of Japan in reasonable quantities
Many Japanese stores have a Tax-Free system. Foreign tourists who make a purchase of 10,000 JPY or more at a participating Tax-Free store are exempt from paying VAT (5%).
The tax exemption process in Japan is much simpler than in Europe. The 5% difference is deducted immediately from the price of the goods by sticking a receipt in your passport. This is collected by the customs officer at the airport of departure, who may rarely ask you to show the goods you bought.
Some stores will write a receipt and give you cash at the service desk after you pay for the item.
Tax refunds are not available for alcohol, food, cosmetics, and medicines.
