Country Conditions for Mailing — Japan
Prohibitions (130)
Items that infringe on patent rights, utility model rights, design rights, trademark rights, copyrights, neighboring rights, or layout design rights.
Narcotics, unless the intended recipient has received prior permission from the competent authority in the prefecture in which that person resides.
Restrictions
Banknotes; securities payable to bearer; coins, gold bullion; bills of exchange; letters of credit; and other payment orders are subject to the conditions laid down in the law concerning foreign exchange and trade control.
Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); securities payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or not; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles may only be sent in registered First-Class Mail International or First-Class Package International Service shipments or insured Priority Mail International parcels.
Firearms, including handguns, pistols, machine guns, and rifles; other types of weapons, including daggers, swords, spears, and switch blade knives; and the components of firearms and weapons may not be imported into Japan unless the intended recipient has received prior permission from the competent authority (i.e., the Public Safety Commission) in the prefecture in which that person resides.
Meat products are prohibited unless accompanied by an inspection certificate issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Observations
- Human ashes may be accepted if presented for mailing by a licensed crematory or licensed mortuary. The ashes must be packed in a sealed metal container enclosed in a substantial outer container. There must be enclosed within the outer container, but outside the metal container, a certified copy of the death certificate and a statement or certificate executed by the crematory or mortuary to the effect that the ashes are those of the person named in the death certificate.
- Many articles are subject to an import license. Senders should ascertain from the addressee before mailing whether the necessary documents are held. Import permits are not required for articles intended for personal use and in quantities such that they could not be used for commercial purposes; articles for the relief of disaster victims; ashes of the dead; and publications sent to libraries as part of an exchange between countries.
- A sales invoice is required for all articles valued at more than U.S. $1,600.00. The invoice must be affixed to the outside of the parcel or may be enclosed with the customs declaration in the plastic envelope of PS Form 2976-E. The sales invoice must not obscure the customs declaration, which must show through the plastic envelope.
Customs Forms Required (123)
First-Class Mail International items and Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes:
PS Form 2976 (see 123.61)
Priority Mail International parcels:
PS Form 2976-A inside 2976-E (envelope)
Global Express Guaranteed (210) Price Group 3
Insurance (212.5)
Value Limit (212.1)
The maximum value of a GXG shipment to this country is $2,499 or a lesser amount if limited by content or value.
Size Limits (211.22)
The surface area of the address side of the item to be mailed must be large enough to completely contain the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label), postage, endorsement, and any applicable markings. The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches long.
Maximum length: 46 inches
Maximum width: 35 inches
Maximum height: 46 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches
General Conditions for Mailing
See Publication 141, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide, for information about areas served in the destination country, allowable contents, packaging and labeling requirements, tracking and tracing, service standards, and other conditions for mailing.
Express Mail International (220) Price Group 12
Express Mail International — Flat Rate Envelopes and Flat Rate Boxes
Insurance (222.8)
Available for Express Mail International merchandise shipments only
Articles Admitted
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Required Customs
Form/Endorsement
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Correspondence, business papers, computer cards, punched paper tapes, shipping documents, and check clearances between financial institutions.
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No form required. Endorse item clearly next to mailing label as BUSINESS PAPERS.
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Merchandise samples not exceeding 10,000 yen in value, magnetic tapes and disks, and microfilm.
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PS Form 2976, Customs — CN 22 and Sender’s Declaration.
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Merchandise or any articles subject to customs duty.
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PS Form 2976-A, Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note CP 72, inside a PS Form 2976-E, Customs Declaration Envelope CP 91.
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Size Limits (221.52)
Maximum length: 60 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches
Notes:
- Commercial shipments must be accompanied by two (2) copies of the invoice.
- Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles are prohibited in Express Mail International shipments to Japan.
- Express Mail International With Guarantee service — which offers a date-certain, postage-refund guarantee — is available to Japan.
Reciprocal Service Name: Business Mail
Country Code: JP
Areas Served: All, including Okinawa.
Priority Mail International (230) Price Group 12
Note: Ordinary Priority Mail International includes indemnity at no cost based on weight. (See 230.)
Priority Mail International — Flat Rate
Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.
Flat Rate Boxes — Medium and Large: The maximum weight is 20 pounds, or the limit set by the individual country, whichever is less. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.
Insurance (232.92)
Available for Priority Mail International merchandise parcels only (see 323.72 for markings)
Size Limits (231.22)
Maximum length: 60 inches
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches
First-Class Mail International (240) Price Group 3
For the prices and maximum weights for letters, large envelopes (flats), and postcards, see Notice 123, Price List.
Size Limits
Letters: See 241.212
Postcards: See 241.221
Large Envelopes (Flats): See 241.232
Airmail M-bags (260) —
Direct Sack to One Addressee Price Group 3
Matter for the Blind (270)
Free when sent as First-Class Mail International, First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes, or Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes. Weight limit: 4 pounds.
Free when sent as Priority Mail International. Weight limit: 15 pounds.
First-Class Package International Service (250) Price Group 3
For the prices and maximum weights for packages (small packets), see Notice 123, Price List.
Size Limits
Packages (Small Packets): See 251.22 and 251.23.
Certificate of Mailing (313)
COD and Certified
NOT for International Mail
International Business Reply Service (382)
Fee: Envelopes up to 2 ounces $1.75; Cards $1.25
International Postal Money Order (371)
Use MO Form MP1
Maximum Amount Available: $700 Fee: $4.50
Money Order Inquiry: Fee: $5.75
International Reply Coupons (381)
NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013
Registered Mail (330)
Fee: $12.95
Maximum Indemnity: $46.14
Available only for First-Class Mail International,
including postcards, Priority Mail International
Flat Rate Envelopes, Priority Mail International
Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes, and matter for the
blind or other physically handicapped persons.
Restricted Delivery (350)
NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013
Return Receipt (340)
Fee: $3.50
Available for Registered Mail only.
