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Send a parcel to Japan

Need to send a parcel to Japan? At Overland Express, we provide an efficient and cost-effective service, allowing you to compare prices from major courier companies like, DHL and UPS. When you book with us, we'll take the stress out of finding the best courier for the job, plus you can save up to 60% on postage to Japan. Whether you're sending gifts to friends in Tokyo or handmade crafts to Okinawa, you can trust us to deliver the goods. Sound perfect? Read on for more information about Japanese customs, import and export laws and how we can help you navigate it all.

Japan's rising logistics market

Japan has positioned itself as the third-largest global ecommerce market, after China and the United States of America, and it's freight and logistics industry is predicted to grow steadily in the coming years. By implementing new technologies and management systems, including drone tech and automation systems, Japan is setting an example of how to meet the demands of consumers in the ecommerce era. This directly influences the expected annual growth rate of more than 4% a year in this sector alone. Since the pandemic, Japan has seen a major increase in older demographics using online shopping as a solution to their consumer needs. B2C (business-to-consumer) online platforms and marketplaces have seen a consistent increase in annual sales, and with that comes a demand for smart delivery solutions and omnichannel experiences to meet consumers expectations. As a global leader in automobile manufacturing, Japan relies on imports and sea freight of machinery, raw materials, oil and gas from overseas. Osaka, Kobe, and Yokohama being major players in this, utilising their ports which serve as a bridge for international trading.

Prohibited and restricted items

When you prepare to send a package to Japan, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. As with most international deliveries, Japan has an extensive list of prohibited and restricted items that will not be allowed to pass customs. This includes, but is not limited to:

•Heroin, cocaine, MDMA, opium, cannabis, stimulants, psychotropic substances, and other narcotic drugs
•Firearms and ammunition
•Explosives
•Precursor materials for chemical weapons
•Imitation coins, paper money
•Bank notes, or securities, and forged credit cards
•Books, drawings, carvings and any other article which may harm public safety or morals. Like pornography and obscene materials
•Articles that infringe intellectual property rights

Japan has some restrictions on selling and using certain products. Such as medical products, farming products, and chemicals. For goods like these, Japanese Customs will examine the product before shipment, and you'll need licences and/or permits from the relevant legal bodies. Restricted items include:

•Supply of medicines for more than one month. This refers to toxicants, dangerous or prescription drugs
•More than two months' supply of medicines. It refers to non-prescription drugs or quasi-drugs
•More than 24 units of similar cosmetic products
•Plants and animals

We always recommend you check Japan's customs and import laws along with our own list of prohibited and restricted items to ensure your shipment clears customs and arrives safely.

Commercial invoices

When shipping internationally from the UK, a commercial invoice is required that details the contents and value of the goods being sent. But don't fret! We produce this document for you based on the information you provide us during the booking process:

•Description of the item(s) you are sending
•The value of each individual item in the consignment in GBP
•Explosives
•The HS Code (also known as a commodity code) for each unique item within your consignment
•The country where the item(s) originated or were manufactured
•If you are a VAT registered business, you will need to know your VAT number or EORI number

Failure to provide this information can cause delays and/or seizure of your goods at the Japanese border, and can even leave you accountable for fines and prosecution. We will send you this document via email, you'll need to print it out and attach it to one of the parcels being shipped. It's also worth noting that many deliveries being shipped outside the UK will incur import duty fees on arrival, so it's good practice to inform the recipient of your package that this might occur to avoid any surprise costs.

Why choose Overland Express

In short, we can help you find the cheapest way to send a parcel to Japan. Our quick and easy online booking system means you can have your delivery booked in the blink of an eye. We'll collect your package from your home, office or one of our designated drop-off points for your convenience. We offer shipping options to suit every budget with the latest collection times and fastest transit times, so you can choose the service that fits your needs. Our deliveries are fully tracked and parcels are covered for loss and damages at our expense up to the value of £50.00 (unless specifically excluded). For those more valuable items, you can opt for our independent insurance, which can cover up to £20,000.00 (restrictions apply) at a highly competitive price (we can sometimes offer discounts on insurance, so it's worth asking us to see if this applies to you). Our customer service team is available via telephone, email and Live Chat, so you'll be supported every step of the way in the unlikely event that something goes wrong, or if you just need help and advice before packing and sending your parcel to Japan. Booking with us couldn't be easier.

Get in touch today

Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. For more information, check out or Frequently asked questions which are posted below. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of the Overland Express customer services team.

A cardboard box must be used for the outer packaging due to COVID-19 handling restrictions.

Our Reviews on Trustpilot

Don't just take our word for it, see what other people are saying about us on Trustpilot.

Trustpilot 5 star rating 5 Star Rating on Trustpilot

After much searching, I finally found a…

After much searching, I finally found a courier with both great service and with the right level of enhanced insurance cover for high value items. Highly recommended!

Gareth Williams

Trustpilot 5 star rating 5 Star Rating on Trustpilot

Very good service

Very good service. We use them regularly. Our office is a very difficult place to find and if there are any queries, they call us. If we have any queries, they are dealt with promptly when we call them.

Cyd

Trustpilot 5 star rating 5 Star Rating on Trustpilot

Sold £7k watch and sent via Overland Express.

I sent a £7k watch I sold online via Overland Express. Brilliant service from start to finish. Fully tracked shipping via DHL was provided. Highly recommended.

Kab

Trustpilot

Specialist Areas

If you are sending liquids, paints, perfumes or wheels, please press the tile below that best suits your requirements.

Why Choose Overland Express?

Best Rates

We pride ourselves in offering the best rates for parcel deliveries, our buying power allows us to offer discounted rates from premium names.

Simple Process

Use our online 'Quote and Book' tool to obtain an instant price for domestic parcel deliveries. We can also ship to over 220 international destinations.

Premium Services

We only use the best courier names in the industry, we do not compromise by using budget providers that are renowned for poor quality of service.

SMS Updates

The majority of our parcel delivery services are provided with free updates via text messages, which will inform you of your delivery window.

Difficult Items

We also specialise in the shipping of difficult items, for example, liquids, paint and perfumes. See our specialist areas above for these services.

Speak with Real People

We are one of the few courier companies that allow you to speak directly with a customer service advisor without being placed in a complex calling queue.

Our Great Courier Partners

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Frequently Asked Questions


Q. What is the cheapest way to send a parcel to Japan?
A. The cheapest way to send a parcel to Japan is with our DHL express service, with a transit time of 2-3 working days.

Q. How long does DHL take from UK to Japan?
A. DHL delivery to Japan is 2-3 working days, subject to Customs.

Q. How much can I import without paying duty in Japan?
A. The current tax free threshold for importing goods to Japan is 10000 JPY.

Q. Do I need a commercial invoice to ship to Japan?
A. You will need a commercial invoice for anything other than documents, this is generated automatically during the booking process.

Q. Can I ship a cell phone to Japan?
A. Yes you can send a mobile phone to Japan, as long as the battery is contained within the device.

Q. Can I send a laptop to Japan?
A. You can send a laptop to Japan, please ensure that the battery is contained within the laptop and not packed separately.

Q. Can I send a parcel from Japan to UK?
A. We have great import rates from Japan to the UK, please enter the details in the quick quote box above.

Q. Can I send a gift to Japan?
A. You can send gifts to Japan, please make sure that it is sufficiently packaged and not just gift wrapped.