Sending a parcel to Japan
Prices, delivery times, customs rules and the best carriers for shipping a parcel to Japan. Independent comparison updated 2026.
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Summary
At a glance
A parcel to Japan arrives in 6–10 days (standard) or 3–5 days (express). Non-EU country — VAT from 0 €, customs duty from 100 €. Best carriers: dhl-express, fedex, ups.
Quick facts
Sending a parcel to Japan
schedule Updated
Summary
A parcel to Japan arrives in 6–10 days (standard) or 3–5 days (express). Non-EU country — VAT from 0 €, customs duty from 100 €. Best carriers: dhl-express, fedex, ups.
- Region
- asia
- EU
- No
- Currency
- JPY
- Standard delivery
- 6–10 days
- Express delivery
- 3–5 days
- Customs duty from
- 100 €
- VAT
- from 0 €
- CN23 required
- Yes
Carrier comparison
Carriers for Japan
| Carrier | Business days from carrier pickup. Does not include weekends or public holidays. | Indicative price for a 10 kg parcel. Calculated from average market rates — varies by season, volume and fuel surcharges. | Key strengths | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 DHL Express Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–2 days | 220 € | Fastest for non-EU destinations · Door-to-door in 72h worldwide | Detailsarrow_forward |
 FedEx Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–3 days | 202 € | Strong USA and Asia network · Fast intercontinental delivery (2–4 days) | Detailsarrow_forward |
 UPS Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–3 days | 194 € | Worldwide coverage in 220+ countries · UPS Saver express service (1–3 days outside EU) | Detailsarrow_forward |
 Česká pošta Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 3–5 days | 79 € | Pokrývá celý svět · Nejlevnější pro zásilky nad 2 kg mimo EU | Detailsarrow_forward |
Price by weight
Price by weight
Price curve for a parcel to Japan
Values are averages of the cheapest standard and fastest express service. Actual price depends on the carrier.
Prices by weight
Indicative prices and delivery time
| Weight | Standard shipping — balanced choice. Parcel typically arrives in 2–5 business days. Includes tracking. | Express shipping — priority handling and delivery in 1–2 business days. Surcharge is typically 50–150 % over standard. |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | 32 € | 72 € |
| 5 kg | 52 € | 110 € |
| 10 kg | 88 € | 168 € |
| 20 kg | 150 € | 280 € |
Prices are indicative, the actual amount depends on the carrier, exchange rate and seasonal surcharges. See the carrier comparison table below for exact numbers.
Customs
Japan is outside the EU. Consumption Tax (Japanese equivalent of VAT) is 10% and applies from the first euro. Customs duty applies on shipments above 10,000 JPY (approx. €60), with rates of 0–10% depending on goods category. All shipments require CN22/CN23 with a detailed contents description in English. Note: medicines, cosmetics, and electronic devices have specific import regulations.
Required documents
- CN22 is a simplified customs declaration for parcels up to 2 kg and €270 in value. Completed at the post office or generated by the carrier. Without CN22, the parcel may be held at customs.
- CN23 is a full customs declaration for parcels over 2 kg or above €270. You must list each item's description, quantity, weight and customs value. Issued at the post office or generated by the carrier.
- HS code
- Contents description in English
Prohibited items
These items cannot be shipped to Japan.
- Weapons and ammunition
- Drugs (including soft drugs)
- Pornography
- Certain prescription medicines
- Raw animal-origin food
- Ivory and protected species (CITES)
Free tool
How much will you pay when importing from Japan?
Enter the goods value, select a category, and get an exact cost breakdown including customs duty and VAT.
Data accuracy
Indicative information — verify at source
Shipping prices, delivery times and customs limits change over time and may differ by carrier, volume and season. Values on this page are indicative — they help you decide which carrier to pick, not to calculate a binding price. Before shipping, always verify current rates and conditions with the chosen carrier and the customs authority of Japan.
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Official sources
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How does parcel delivery work in Japan?
Japan is a premium destination with a structured customs system. Japanese Consumption Tax (JCT) of 10% applies from the first euro of declared value — the recipient typically pays this upon delivery. Customs duty applies on shipments over 10,000 JPY (approx. €60), with rates varying by goods category (0–10%).
Japan has specific import regulations for medicines (medical documentation or Ministry of Health approval required), cosmetics (limited to personal-use quantities), and electronics (Japanese PSE certification is required for chargers, power adapters, and power cables — EU CE marking alone is not sufficient). If you are shipping these categories, verify current rules via Japan Post or the Japan Customs website before sending.
For standard shipments (clothing, books, non-electronic gifts), the process is straightforward: complete a CN23 with a detailed description of each item in English, the declared value, and the HS code. DHL Express or FedEx deliver in 3–5 business days with dedicated customs assistance for the Japanese market.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I send a gift (anime figurines, collectibles) to Japan?
For higher-value items (figurines, collectibles, clothing) use DHL Express — 3–5 days, full tracking, customs assistance. Below 10,000 JPY (approx. €60) only a CN22 is required. Above that, a full CN23 plus proforma invoice is needed. Marking a package as "Gift" is noted but Japanese customs still applies the 10,000 JPY threshold to gifts.
No questions match your search.
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