Japan - Customs

Customs Rules for Yachts Arriving/Departing Japan

Length of Stay:

A foreign boat can be left in Japan indefinitely, with no special paperwork or fees required. As a result, foreign cruisers often leave their boat in Japan while they go to Korea or some other country at the end of their 90-day visa and then return to get a new 90-day visa. Similarly, many foreign cruisers leave their boat in Japan over the winter and then return the following spring to continue cruising Japan and/or to go to North America.

Customs Document - Naikosen:

At your first port of entry, be sure to request from Customs a “Naikosen” to change the boat's domestic status for Customs purposes (it does not change the boat registration). With that in hand, it is not required to do Customs paperwork as your cruise Japan (and that includes no requirement to advise Customs of your planned route/ports).

Superyachts over 24m can now also apply for a Naikosen.

See Clearance for more details.

Customs officials often approach visiting yachts when entering a new port, however, as soon as you present the Naikosen, they will almost certainly not bother you anymore.

Unfortunately, some Customs offices seem increasingly reluctant to issue a Naikosen, but be persistent as it will make your time cruising in Japan so much easier. If you don't get one, then Customs will approach you in every port and want you to fill in copious forms.

It is important to cancel the Naikosen (returning the boat to “foreign” status) before leaving Japan. Once it has been cancelled, you can fill up with tax-free fuel before leaving Japan.

Having fresh produce on board can complicate one’s request for a Naikosen. See Biosecurity for details.

All Customs procedures are explained and relevant forms available at:http://www.customs.go.jp/english/law/customsform/form_C_e.htm

Duty-Free Fuel:

Foreign cruisers that do NOT have a Naikosen are, technically, eligible to buy duty-free fuel, but only in large commercial ports (not smaller commercial ports and fishing ports). The specific procedures vary by Customs office (some of which are more co-operative than others) and different fuel companies have different procedures and fees. So it is best to contact the local Customs office for guidance on how to get duty-free fuel.

In any case, the hassles and challenges of cruising Japan without a Naikosen are FAR greater than the modest savings realized through getting duty-free fuel.

Boats leaving Japan are eligible to get duty-free fuel after cancelling their Naikosen status with the local Customs office. Customs offices and fuel facilities at ports that handle a lot of departing foreign cruisers (such as Kushiro, Naha, Ogasawara), usually make getting duty-free fuel relatively easy.

The Customs form to fill out for tax-free fuel is at Declaration of Loading of Ship's ( Aircraft's ) Stores of Domestic Goods(C-2160). This should be given to the company you buy fuel from.

See Yachting Essentials for more details on fuel.

Other Customs Information:

• Firearms and ammunition must be declared on arrival and the penalty for non-declaration is imprisonment. Arms will be sealed on board or kept in custody ashore.
• It is illegal to bring into Japan some over-the-counter medicines commonly used in other countries. See Health for more details.

Last updated:  January 2025