Shipping an iPhone INTO Japan

3 comments

1. Not illegal. But Non Japanese iPhone can’t use Suica or Pasmo.
   But they have the annoying camera shutter always on…

   Just have it marked “Gift”

   Edit: Nevemind. It seems the HK version of the iPhone can use Suica…. I didn’t realize this till I doubled checked.

2. Depends on if customs decides to tax you. I had someone send me an iphone and mark it as a gift. It was not taxed. It probably helped that I had them open the box up so the phone doesn’t look brand new.

   Also make sure you ship regular post, not fedex etc. The 3rd party shippers are overzealous and always collect tax.

3. There are no laws that prohibit importing a mobile phone.

   Import taxes may be levied.

   One thing to note however is, if it is an eSim-only phone, you [may have difficulty getting an eSim from some providers, if you are unable to show that the phone has Japan’s “mark”](https://www.reddit.com/r/japanlife/comments/xwwlwt/cant_contract_with_rakuten_mobile_using_an/).