Upon arrival in Japan you are required to submit a written declaration about you belongings. The necessary customs declaration forms are available on the plane or at the customs desk. If you are not travelling with any goods that may be subject to duty or tax you take the green channel at customs, otherwise it’s the red channel.

You are allowed to bring up to three 760ml bottles of alcohol with you into Japan, up to 100 cigars, 400 cigarettes, 500 grams of loose tobacco and up to two ounces of perfume. Personal effects and any professional equipment you are travelling with are exempt from tax as long as their quantity or volume doesn’t lead customs officials to believe they are items for sale in Japan.

If you intend to stay in Japan for more than twelve months you or your family’s effects may be imported free of duty or tax, within reasonable limits.

There is no limit on the total amount of money you bring in or take out of Japan, should it be cash in any currency or traveller’s cheques. However if you’re travelling with more than the equivalent of 1,000,000 yen, or with precious metal of more than 1kg, you will need to submit a report to Customs.

You cannot legally enter Japan if you are in possession of narcotic drugs, firearms or ammunition (unless for hunting purposes, for which you will require a permit), or pornography.