Passing through Japanese customs with a tax-free knife [duplicate]

I am in Japan and I have purchased a kitchen knife (slightly over ¥16,000), claiming back the sales tax. The tax refund office did attach a document to my passport stating the sale.

Tomorrow I will be leaving through Narita. I have read about the procedure and I must show that I am taking the knife away with me. But of course, being it a knife I cannot take it with me in the cabin and I must leave it on the checked luggage.

What will be the proper procedure? May I go through customs before checking in? Or must I declare it when checking it somehow?

Best Answer

You don't have to declare anything in Japan.

First you check your luggage in, with the knife inside.

Then you go through security, and finally, just before the passport exit stamp gates, there is small desk with a box where you leave all the receipts you have attached to your passport. Nobody looks at them nor at you, so you don't have to declare anything.

You should declare your purchases in your home country when you arrive, and pay taxes on your purchases done in Japan, but this is a different story.

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Can you ship knives to Japan?

It's no problem. If you mail the knife to Japan, there is a chance that the recipient will have to pay 5% import duty plus 8% VAT based on the declared value. I would transport the knife in checked baggage.

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.

How does tax-free work in Japan?

\u201cTax-free\u201d means that the Japanese consumption tax will not apply to your purchase, while \u201cduty-free\u201d refers to an exemption from the government tax. \u201cDuty-Free\u201d shops are most commonly found at airports, and T Galleria in Naha, Okinawa, is famous for this service as well.

Is Japan tax-free for foreigners?

Tax-free shopping is available to foreign tourists only at licensed stores when making purchases of over 5000 yen at a given store or mall on one calendar day. A passport is required when shopping tax-free.

‘The Reluctant Master’: Sasuke 佐助 - famous Japanese blacksmith

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