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 de minimis threshold is ¥10,000 (~$65 USD) — under this, imports are duty and consumption tax exempt. Over this, 10% consumption tax + customs duty applies.
Typical 1 lb cost
$25-$50 USD
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
7-10 business days. Japan Post handles final delivery — reliable.
UPS Worldwide Expedited
4-6 business days. Good for 2-20 lbs.
Customs Forms Required
CN22 under $400. CN23 + commercial invoice above.
Commonly Prohibited Items
- ✕Firearms and replicas (including airsoft with high muzzle velocity)
- ✕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
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
- 💡 Certain US medications (Sudafed, Vicks inhalers) are illegal in Japan — check Japanese customs rules
Frequently asked questions
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