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Moving To Japan From The UK

Moving to Japan

If you’re moving to Japan Britannia will be able to help you through each stage of the process. Whether you’re moving to Tokyo, Osaka, or Kobe we have all the local knowledge to meet your needs and requirements.

Restrictions

Importing Personal Effects to Japan

For non  citizens, shipments of used household and personal effects are duty free providing they are owned and used longer than 12 months, and the owner has a visa valid for at least one year. The effects must be imported within 6 months of shippers arrival. A customs form C-5360-2 must be provided. This is normally completed on the flight to Japan, and stamped by customs on arrival. There are different requirements for Japanese Citizens. Your local Britannia Member will provide you with detailed customs regulations.

Prohibitions and Restrictions

In general it is in your interest not to import the following items:

  • Firearms & ammunition
  • Inflammable goods & substances
  • Plants & plant material
  • Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise
  • Narcotics and dangerous goods
  • Offensive materials
  • Alcohol & Tobacco
Transit

Transit Times

Sole use containers take an average of 7 – 8 weeks. Crated consignments may take longer, on average between 8 and 10 weeks.

Bar Coding

Bar Coding

All Groupage consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the shipping container. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.

Pets

Domestic Pets

Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures.

Find out more about pet transport.

Vehicles

Moving Motor Vehicles to Japan

Currently motor vehicles are subject to a 5% tax and may need extensive modifications to meet Japanese emission and safety requirements. We do not recommend shipment of vehicles to this destination.

International currency exchange

International FX

When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency.

IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments.

IFX offers :

  • International payments
  • Regular Overseas Transfers
  • Prepaid Currency Card
  • Forward Contracts

More info on the IFX website.

Moving to Japan with Britannia

Your Move to Japan With Britannia – Britannia can offer you a door to door service to Japan, and can either ship your effects by sole use container, or for smaller shipments, in a wooden crate (LCL). In addition we can offer a door to door shipping service to most destinations in Japan. Our agents in Tokyo will arrange customs clearance, and deliver and unpack the effects, including removal of debris on day of delivery.

Additional removal services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional services when moving to Japan. We are authorised to provide a comprehensive insurance, can arrange international storage prior to delivery, recommend a convenient way to transfer your money, and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in moving to Japan, find out more about your removal costs, and read more about our international removals.

Living in Japan

Japan is made up over 6,000 islands but four of these islands make up 97% of the country’s land mass. Japan is the world’s third largest economy and is the fourth largest exporter and fourth biggest importer of goods around the globe. Japan’s capital Tokyo is the largest metropolitan city in the world and is home to over 30 million residents.

The vast majority of citizens in Japan enjoy a high quality of life. The average life expectancy in Japan is the highest in the world. The country also has the lowest rate of infant mortality in the world. After Singapore, Japan has the lowest homicide rate in the world.

Interesting Facts about Japan

  • Sumo wrestling is Japan’s national sport but baseball is also very popular
  • Coffee is very popular in Japan and the country imports around 85% of Jamaica’s coffee beans
  • There are around 1,500 earthquakes a year in Japan
  • Japan is the largest consumer of Amazon rain forest timber
  • Japan’s national literacy rate is almost 100%

Tips about moving to and living in Japan

  • Working visas in Japan are granted to individuals with different backgrounds but some of the most common professions that are usually granted visas include university professors, senior management staff and those with a legal background.
  • Japan is home to some of the largest tech companies in the world such Sony and Panasonic. There are employment opportunities for westerners in these large organisations for the applicants with career backgrounds in technology. Japan is also home to large financial organisations that often look for westerners to join their businesses. Teaching English is also option for many westerners who have relocated to Japan.
  • Living expenses in Japan can be quite high depending on where and how you live. Land prices in central Tokyo are some of the most expensive in the world, which means property prices can be incredibly high. However if you move to the suburbs prices drop significantly. Western food can be quite expensive in Japan but if you eat local produce it’s often a lot cheaper.

Key Information

japanese flag Moving To Japan From The UK
Time Zone:

JST (UTC+9) - Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+9)

Currency: Yen (¥)
Calling Code: 81
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Downloads

FHIO APG Worldwide ISO9001 FIFI Living Wage accrediations2