Ship luggage to Japan

Standard delivery from the US to Japan takes 8 business days, and Preferred delivery takes 6 business days. You tell us the date you want your bags in Japan when you book, and every shipment is backed by our double money back on-time guarantee: if a bag arrives late, we refund double what you paid to ship it.

Read how our double money back on-time guarantee works.

Luggage Forward clears your bags through Japanese customs with our standard paperwork. We prepare and submit the customs documents using the passport, invoice, travel details and non-resale declaration you provide at booking, so your bags can travel straight to your delivery address in Japan. Leave every bag unlocked so customs can inspect it if needed.

No. Luggage Forward prepares and submits all customs paperwork using the passport, invoice, and travel details you provide at booking. Leave bags unlocked. Your part is to give us an accurate list of what is in each bag, so the paperwork matches the contents. Customs may open bags during screening, and a locked bag can delay delivery.

Read more about international luggage shipping.

Yes. Luggage Forward ships skis and snowboards anywhere in Japan, including ski resorts in Niseko and Hakuba. Skis and snowboards are priced by bag category, the same way as luggage, with no oversize or overweight fees. Pad bindings and tips as you would for a flight, and pack boots separately in a small boot bag.

See shipping skis and snowboards for packing details.

Yes. You can ship golf clubs and bikes to Japan with Luggage Forward. Golf clubs are priced by bag category, the same way as luggage, with no oversize or overweight fees. Bikes must be dismantled and packed in a corrugated box or a hard travel case before pickup.

See shipping golf clubs and bike shipping for packing details.

Yes. Luggage Forward delivers luggage door to door to hotels and ryokan anywhere in Japan, as well as to private homes and cruise ships. Enter the property’s address as your delivery address when you book, and you can track your bags online from pickup to delivery, so you always know where they are.

Yes. Luggage Forward delivers luggage to cruise ships in Japanese ports, including Yokohama and Kobe, so your bags are waiting when you board. Book with your ship and sailing date, and we schedule delivery to the ship. We can also collect your bags from the ship at the end of your cruise and send them home.

See how cruise luggage shipping works.

Not on used personal belongings. Used personal effects and used sporting equipment ship to Japan without duties or taxes. New items, items still in their original packaging and items with price tags attached may be charged duties and taxes by Japanese customs. If they are, Luggage Forward bills those charges to you.

No. Medication is on the Luggage Forward prohibited list, so you cannot ship prescription or over-the-counter medicines or vitamins to Japan. Carry any medicine you need with you instead. Japan also restricts some common over-the-counter medicines, so check what you may bring before you fly.

Your airline can tell you how to carry medicine on board. For what Japan allows, follow the guidance from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Yes. Luggage Forward ships luggage, skis, golf clubs and other gear from Japan back to the US, door to door. Book online with your pickup address in Japan and your US delivery address for an instant quote, or call our forwarding specialists at +1-617-482-1100 for a quote and help with your booking.

Book as soon as your travel dates are set. Luggage Forward accepts bookings up to 180 days before pickup. International shipments spend several business days in transit, so tell us the date you want your bags in Japan and we will show you the pickup dates and prices that meet it.

Booking at the last minute? You may need to print your labels and documents yourself to keep the scheduled pickup.

No. You do not need a box to ship luggage to Japan. Pack your suitcase or duffel as you would for a flight and ship it as it is, soft-sided or hard-sided. Sports equipment such as skis and golf clubs should have padding around any fragile or precision parts.

Complimentary value protection up to $500 is included for damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Read our guide to preparing and packing luggage for shipping.

You cannot ship hazardous materials, medication, food, alcohol, tobacco, pressurized containers, valuables, currency, electronics or batteries with Luggage Forward. These items are prohibited on international shipments, including shipments to Japan. Japan customs may restrict other items, and you receive a full list of disallowed items when you book.

• Medication, including over-the-counter, prescription and vitamins
• Food, including coffee beans and spices
• Alcohol, including perfume and hand sanitizer
• Tobacco
• Pressurized containers, including sunscreen
• Valuables or currency
• Electronics, except cables and converters
• Lithium or alkaline batteries, including tracking devices and range finders

For questions about a specific item, contact our forwarding specialists or read our Terms of Service. The FAA lists more hazardous materials you cannot pack.