Hello,
I am receiving some large/heavy packages (4×0.8cbm) from US to Yokohama port (door-to-port delivery) and need to arrange pickup/delivery on Japan side.
Has anybody experience on how to do that?
Renting van/moving staff for pickup should be straightforward, but I don’t have experience with port pickup.
* I assume pickup won’t be at the port itself but some warehouse near the port?
Will they phone me or contact me by post to let me know where/when to pick it up?
* Anybody know the exact steps?
I found this: [https://www.customs.go.jp/english/exp-imp/privatecargo/private.htm](https://www.customs.go.jp/english/exp-imp/privatecargo/private.htm)
Am I in second case? (good as general cargo)
* Customs paperwork
* anything I can do in advance?
* how long does it take to fill paperwork on pickup day? (if long, I better go by myself before moving staff/van so that they don’t wait 2 hours while I fill out paperwork)
* is there some step I need to do myself or can I ask a moving/delivery company to do the custom declaration/signing for me? (so that I don’t need to go to the port at all)
If anybody has experience doing this, any walkthrough/tips would be greatly appreciated!
3 comments
You may also want to try asking in /r/Tokyo.
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> is there some step I need to do myself or can I ask a moving/delivery company to do the custom declaration/signing for me? (so that I don’t need to go to the port at all)
You can ask Nittsu to do this, but they will charge quite a bit for clearance + delivery. I’d recommend doing it yourself. As for ‘second case’ , yes, sounds about right.
I picked something up from a port (Moji, KitaKyushu) with my own truck and filled out whatever paperwork etc but it was a while ago and I don’t remember how involved it was. I don’t recall spending ~hours there tho.
I’d suggest giving the customs/port a call and finding out all the stuff you can pre-fill in advance if you’re worried about time.
I used to work in logistics and dealt with this kind of thing a lot.
It’s not really clear exactly what the nature of this transport is but I’ll try to help.
Going through your points one by one.
1. You must have some documentation (bill of lading or something similar) which should show the receiving agent on this side. You should contact them if you are unsure of what to do. They are the ones that will receive the cargo and if it’s not cleared and picked up in time you’ll be paying storage fees, so don’t wait for them to contact you.
2. The receiving agent is the one who can help the best.
3. You can only prepare the required information. A registered customs broker is the one who will actually submit it.
4. After the broker submits it if there is nothing unusual or questions to be asked it should be cleared by the next day or at latest a few days.
Basically number one is confirming the contact point on Japan side. From there they should be able to arrange everything or give you the contact details of someone you can.