Are gifts requested by my host, but bought by me, items "requested from someone else" according to customs in Japan?
When traveling to Japan, upon arriving, passengers are requested to fill out a custom declaration form. Question number 1.6 asks whether the passanger is bringing "any items [they] have been requested from someone else to bring into Japan".
If I'm bringing a gift that was requested by my host, but purchased by me abroad, does this count as an "item requested from someone else"?
Best Answer
No, that question is intended to find out if someone has asked you to take something through customs that does not belong to you (and you might not know what it contains).
You are bringing a gift, and so the question that applies (from the English version) is
- Goods (personal, souvenirs, gifts) exceeding duty-free allowance.
which is elsewhere qualified as
¥200,000 (total of overseas market value).
So if the value is less than the duty-free allowance, there should be no need to declare it.
It makes no difference if someone has asked "I would like some ..."
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What items are prohibited to bring into Japan?
Don't Bring These Restricted Items to Japan- Certain fresh fruits or vegetables & soil. ...
- Certain types of ham, sausage & bacon. ...
- Items made from CITES-listed species. ...
- Illegal drugs. ...
- Weapons such as guns & explosives. ...
- Fake products. ...
- Uncensored adult videos or books & child pornography. ...
- Counterfeit money & credit cards.
What do Japanese like as gifts?
There are three main kinds of thank-you gifts in Japan: okaeshi, ochugen, and oseibo. Okaeshi are small gifts that you give in return for a gift you have received. Generally, the gift should be around half the value of the original present. Popular items include alcohol, hand towels, or packaged sweets.How do you accept gifts in Japanese?
The correct Japanese etiquette is to present and receive gifts with both hands, just like when you'd give your business card. To keep the image of modesty, before accepting a gift it is polite to refuse at least once or twice before accepting.How much can you bring into Japan?
200,000yen. Any item whose overseas market value is under 10,000yen is free of duty and/or tax and is not included in the calculation of the total overseas market value of all articles. There is no duty-free allowance for articles having a market value of more than 200,000yen each or each set.How to understand the fundamental idea of Japanese Gift Culture and pick the best gift!
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