How to Ship to Japan from the US
Japan is a reliable destination for US exports — customs is relatively straightforward for personal and commercial imports. Japan Post handles most final-mile delivery for USPS shipments. DHL has a strong Japanese business network for B2B and expedited consumer shipments.
Japan's tax-free limit is ¥10,000 in total customs value — at or under it, most imports pay no customs duty or consumption tax (a few items, such as leather bags and knitwear, are excluded). Over it, 10% consumption tax (8% on food) plus any customs duty applies.
Typical 1 lb cost
$34–$66 by USPS (retail, July 2026)
Typical transit
5-10 business days
Carrier Options to Japan
DHL Express Worldwide
3-5 business days. Strong Japanese commercial network.
FedEx International Priority
3-5 business days. Solid network to major Japanese cities.
USPS Priority Mail International
From $66.05 for 1 lb at retail. Tracking included; Japan Post handles final delivery. USPS quotes 6–10 business days for major markets.
UPS Worldwide Expedited
4-6 business days. Good for 2-20 lbs.
USPS First-Class Package International
Lowest USPS price under 4 lb: $33.95 for 1 lb at retail. Delivery confirmation to Japan when you buy online.
Customs Forms Required
A customs form goes on every parcel — it prints with the label when you buy postage online. USPS First-Class Package International is limited to 4 lb and $400 in value; use Priority Mail International above that.
Commonly Prohibited Items
- ✕Firearms and replicas (including airsoft with high muzzle velocity), ammunition, and knives, swords or daggers without prior permission
- ✕Pornography with uncensored imagery (Japanese law requires censorship)
- ✕Certain medications and supplements (even common US OTC drugs may be restricted)
- ✕Counterfeit goods
- ✕Live animals and certain plants — plants need a USDA phytosanitary certificate
- ✕Hoverboards
Japan-Specific Shipping Tips
- 💡 Japanese addresses read largest-to-smallest: Prefecture → City → Ward → District → Block → Building
- 💡 Include postal code (7 digits with a hyphen, e.g. 100-8001) — mandatory
- 💡 Write recipient name in Latin characters with Japanese script version if available
- 💡 Avoid shipping during Obon (mid-August) and Golden Week (late April/early May) — Japanese holidays
- 💡 US cold medicines with pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Actifed) and Vicks inhalers are banned in Japan — leave them out of care packages
How Much Does It Cost to Ship to Japan?
USPS set these prices on July 12, 2026. The first number is what the Post Office counter charges; postage bought online is a few percent less.
- First-Class Package International (up to 4 lb, up to $400 in value): $24.15 for 8 oz, $33.95 for 1 lb, $37.90 for 2 lb and $71.90 for 4 lb. Online: $32.24 for 1 lb, with delivery confirmation to Japan.
- Priority Mail International: $66.05 for 1 lb, $69.45 for 2 lb, $83.60 for 5 lb and $111.55 for 10 lb. Online: $63.91 for 1 lb.
- Priority Mail International Flat Rate: Envelope $49.75, Small Box $51.40 (both up to 4 lb), Medium Box $96.40 and Large Box $121.30 (both up to 20 lb).
- Express couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS): priced per shipment, by size as well as weight.
💡 Up to 2 lb, First-Class Package International is the lowest USPS price. At 3–4 lb, a Flat Rate Envelope ($49.75) or Small Flat Rate Box ($51.40) can cost less if the item fits — but USPS gives no tracking on those two. A 10 lb box costs $111.55 by weight but $96.40 in a Medium Flat Rate Box.
Duty and Consumption Tax in Japan
- ¥10,000 or less in total customs value: no customs duty and no consumption tax.
- The exemption does not cover some items, including leather bags, handbags, gloves, knitted clothing such as T-shirts and sweaters, ski boots and leather shoes.
- Over ¥10,000: 10% consumption tax (8% on food) plus any customs duty. The recipient pays before or at delivery.
- Japan has announced plans to end the tax-free limit on low-value imports (reported for 2028), so check before you rely on it.
ℹ️ The limit is in yen, so the dollar amount moves with the exchange rate. Put the real value on the customs form — don't guess low to stay under the line.
How to Write a Japanese Address
In Japanese, an address runs from large to small. In English, you can write it small to large, as in the US. Japanese block numbers are written as three numbers joined by dashes (chōme, block, building):
- Recipient's name (and company, if any).
- Building name and room number.
- Block numbers and district — for example '1-2-3 Ginza'.
- Ward or city — for example 'Chuo-ku, Tokyo'.
- Postal code: 7 digits with a dash — for example '104-0061'.
- JAPAN.
💡 If your recipient can send the address in Japanese, print it on the label as well. Japan Post reads it directly, and it avoids mix-ups with building names.
Medicines, Food and Other Things to Leave Out
- Cold and allergy medicine with pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed and Actifed, and Vicks inhalers are banned in Japan — even in small amounts.
- Plants and seeds need a USDA phytosanitary certificate. Japan suggests marking the box 'Contains plants'. Items without papers can be destroyed.
- Meat products need a USDA inspection certificate.
- Cash, gold and jewelry can only go by First-Class Package International with Registered Mail, or by insured Priority Mail International.
- Knives, swords and replica guns need prior permission. Hoverboards are banned outright.
Frequently asked questions
Is USPS reliable to Japan?
How much is Japanese consumption tax?
Can I ship food to Japan?
What medications can't I ship to Japan?
How long does DHL take to Japan?
How much does it cost to ship to Japan?
What is the cheapest way to ship to Japan?
Is Japan Post's US shipping suspension still in effect?
What items cannot be sent to Japan?
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