Moving from United States to Japan is a container sea-freight corridor with a typical door-to-door transit of 4–6 weeks. A two-bedroom household of roughly 18–22 m³ usually lands between $6,200 and $11,000 on a full-service basis, based on published corridor benchmarks we track for this route.
On arrival, Japan applies Unaccompanied Articles Declaration (Customs Form C-5360) under Japanese national customs framework. Import VAT in Japan is 10%, and relief is what keeps your household goods out of that charge. Shipments normally arrive through Yokohama or Kobe.
This page covers what actually changes on the United States → Japan route: what you will pay, how long the shipment is at sea, the paperwork Japan customs expects from a departure in United States, and what to do about pets, a vehicle and somewhere to live when you land.
Departures from United States normally load at New York / New Jersey, Savannah, Houston. Household goods leaving the US move under an ocean carrier booking filed with US Customs at least 24 hours before loading. Personal effects shipments are normally filed by your forwarder; you sign a power of attorney authorising them to act. Video or in-home surveys are widely available across the continental US; crews are typically scheduled 2–4 weeks ahead.
| Home size | Estimated volume | Typical method | Door-to-door range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Few Items | 3–5 m³ | LCL groupage (shared container) | $3,200–$5,400 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | 8–12 m³ | LCL groupage (shared container) | $3,200–$5,400 |
| 2-Bedroom Home | 18–22 m³ | 20-foot container (sole-use FCL) | $6,200–$11,000 |
| 3-Bedroom Home | 28–32 m³ | 20-foot container (sole-use FCL) | $6,200–$11,000 |
| 4+ Bedroom Home | 45–60 m³ | 40-foot high-cube container (FCL) | $12,000–$18,500 |
Ranges are anchored to published benchmark pricing we track on this corridor. This is an estimated relocation cost for planning purposes, not a binding quote. Final pricing is confirmed by a vetted international moving partner after a survey.
Booking & packing lead time
4–6 weeks in peak season (May–September), 2–3 weeks off-peak
Port-to-port sailing
4–6 weeks
Clearance & delivery
4–6 weeks typical clearance window in Japan
Shipments from United States are treated as an import from outside Japan's customs territory. The requirements below apply, and the supporting evidence customs will ask for — proof of address, residence history, ownership records — must be documents issued in United States.
Unaccompanied Articles Declaration (Customs Form C-5360) — Japanese national customs framework
Japan Customs grants duty- and consumption-tax-free entry for used personal effects when the Unaccompanied Articles Declaration is stamped on arrival at the airport and presented with the shipment.
Conditions
Documents from United States
Rules vary by destination and may also depend on your country of origin, immigration status and circumstances. This guide is educational and is not legal, tax or customs advice.
Open the full customs guideTransit from the US West Coast is one of the shortest ocean lanes in the world (origins outside North America take longer), but Japanese delivery is where the budget goes: containers are devanned at a depot and shuttled into cities by small truck.
Find furnished temporary housing through our AltoVita partnership.
MyExpatGo helps connect you with temporary housing options. Availability is subject to AltoVita and provider inventory — MyExpatGo does not guarantee or book accommodation.
Japan is a extreme-complexity pet destination, regulated by Animal Quarantine Service (AQS). Allow 6–7 months of preparation before departure from United States. Quarantine: 0 days if compliant, up to 180 days if not.
Japan pet import requirementsImported cars need JAI inspection and Shaken roadworthiness certification, plus proof of a registered parking space (Shako Shomeisho) before plating. A vehicle registered in United States may need conformity, lighting or emissions work before it can be road-legal in Japan.
Vehicle import guide
Asian Tigers
Asia's leading relocation group with 14 country offices across the region's primary commercial centres.
Elite Shipping India
India-based global relocation specialist offering fine art and pet relocation services.
Globe Moving
India's longest-established international mover, with a door-to-door network spanning 180+ countries.
Intermovers
Malaysia corporate-relocation specialist and UniGroup Worldwide UTS partner with a 1,200-office network.
KLH Movers
Chennai-based customs-clearance and LCL-consolidation specialist for household goods and personal effects.
Partners do not pay to be part of the matched network. How we vet partners.
Tell us what you are shipping and we will match you with vetted movers who run this corridor. Free, no obligation, and partners never pay for placement.
