I’m in Tokyo and want to import a CPAP machine from the US (cpap.com), and I’ve seen suggestions that I should apply for a Yunyu Kakunin-sho first. I found this site: [https://www.mhlw.go.jp/](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/) to apply for one online, but I’m confused by the order of procedures. I thought I had to apply first and then place the order, but the application asks for “Import date”, “B/L No., AWB No., etc.”, “Arrival Place (Airport, Port, or Storage Place)”, and “Reception of Application” (Kanto-Shinetsu or Kinki Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare). I have no idea what any of that information will be, other than an approximate arrival date based on shipping estimates, same as any other product ordered from overseas. I assume it’d be coming through Narita, but don’t know what the specifics would be. Should I place the order first and just wait for Customs to contact me? Does it cause problems if the Yunyu Kakunin-sho is not applied for *before* an imported medical device arrives from overseas? I do have a US prescription as well as a letter of diagnosis of severe OSA written in English but stamped/signed from a Japanese hospital.
I also found this document: [https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/dl/qa2.pdf](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/dl/qa2.pdf) but it appears to be more or less the same thing, it has an example for CPAP (KPAP? first I’ve seen that term) but it includes the incoming waybill/bill of lading information. I’ve never seen information like this when importing something before, from my perspective it’s just a typical online product order.
Then there’s this thread: [https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294232-i525-k14532351-Does\_a\_C\_pap\_in\_Japan\_require\_completion\_of\_the\_special\_form-Japan.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294232-i525-k14532351-Does_a_C_pap_in_Japan_require_completion_of_the_special_form-Japan.html) with a recent post from Sept 2023 that suggests an application is not necessary for a single personal-use CPAP machine, though the context is bringing one in person when entering Japan, rather than importing one while already living there. Also, I’m ordering it with a mask and accessories, so I’m not sure if that counts as “more than one” medical device?
If anyone has any clues how I’m supposed to manage all this, it’d be appreciated. Thanks!