E02
E02 · Before you fly

Visit Japan Web Pre-fill Guide

You’ll see 税関 zeikan: customs, the counter after baggage claim

Every visitor must make a customs declaration on arrival in Japan. Visit Japan Web lets you do it digitally before you land (the paper form is still accepted). This guide explains every field so you can fill it out correctly and skip the paper form at the airport.

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You do not need data at the border: your Visit Japan Web QR code is a screenshot and works offline. You will need it straight after.

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Quick answer

Visit Japan Web (services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web) is Japan's official digital entry system. You can complete it on your phone or computer before you fly. It can replace the paper customs declaration form, and at major airports one QR code covers both immigration and customs.

After completing the form, you'll receive a QR code. Show this at the customs inspection area to pass through quickly. You still need to go through passport control (immigration) separately.

Source: Digital Agency of Japan · Visit Japan Web · Updated April 2026

More about Visit Japan Web

Which purpose of visit to choose
  • Tourism / Sightseeing — Select “Tourism” on Visit Japan Web. Most nationalities get 90-day visa-free entry. You'll need: hotel/Airbnb address, return flight details, and approximate travel budget (just enter a reasonable estimate).
  • Business — Select “Business” on Visit Japan Web. Short business trips (meetings, conferences) are usually covered by visa-free entry. If you're carrying commercial samples or equipment, declare them in the customs section.
  • Transit — If you're staying airside (not leaving the airport), you generally don't need Visit Japan Web. If you're clearing immigration for an overnight layover, complete the form as a short-stay tourist.
  • Visiting friends/family — Select “Tourism” on Visit Japan Web (there is no separate “visiting” option). For accommodation address, enter your host's full address including postal code.
What to declare at customs
  • Cash over ¥1,000,000 (or equivalent). Declare any cash, travelers checks, or monetary instruments exceeding ¥1,000,000 (approx. $6,700). This includes all currencies combined.
  • Tobacco products. Duty-free allowance (Japan Customs, checked September 2026): 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 250g of other tobacco OR 10 packages of heated tobacco (IQOS/glo). Mixing types counts toward one 250g total. Exceeding these requires declaration.
  • Alcohol (more than 3 bottles). Duty-free: 3 bottles (760ml each). Beyond 3 bottles, you must declare and pay duty. Wine, beer, and spirits all count toward the limit.
  • Perfume (more than 2 oz). Duty-free: 2 oz (56ml) of perfume per person. Eau de toilette and cologne do not count toward this limit.
  • Gifts/purchases over ¥200,000. Total value of all other goods (gifts, souvenirs bought abroad) exceeding ¥200,000 must be declared. This is the combined value, not per item.
  • Meat, fruits, plants, or seeds. Japan has strict quarantine rules. Fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, rice, and plant products require inspection. Processed/packaged snacks are usually OK.
  • Prescription medication. Bring a copy of your prescription. Some common medications are banned in Japan (amphetamines, some ADHD/cold medicine). Use our Medication Checker tool.
  • Commercial goods or samples. Items brought for business purposes (samples, equipment) may be subject to duty even if temporarily imported. Declare if unsure.
Visit Japan Web — Field-by-Field Guide
  1. Passport Number: Your passport number exactly as printed. Do not include spaces or dashes.
  2. Flight Number: Your arrival flight number (e.g., JL001, NH203). Find it on your boarding pass or airline confirmation email.
  3. Accommodation: Enter your first hotel name and address. For Airbnb, use the property name and street address. "Friend's house" is acceptable with a full address.
  4. Purpose of Visit: Select "Tourism/Sightseeing" for vacation travel. This determines your landing permission category (90 days for most countries).
  5. Intended Length of Stay: Number of days. Visa-exempt tourists from most countries get 90 days. Enter your planned departure date minus arrival date.
  6. Items to Declare: Check "Yes" if you carry any declarable items (excess cash, tobacco beyond duty-free limits, commercial goods). When in doubt, declare — there is no penalty for declaring items that turn out to be within limits.
First Time in Japan: 10 Safety TipsMedication Import Rules 2026After you land: Suica, PASMO or ICOCA?Airport to hotel: Uber, taxi fares and flat faresMobile data: eSIM vs pocket WiFi vs SIM cardIs the JR Pass worth it for your route?

Frequently asked questions

Is Visit Japan Web mandatory?
Not strictly mandatory, but strongly recommended. Without it, you must fill out a paper customs declaration form on the plane or at the airport. The digital version is faster and lets you use the electronic gates at major airports.
When should I fill it out?
Register and fill in your trip before you fly — ideally a few days ahead, so you have time to fix mistakes. Save or screenshot your QR codes before landing, because airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable at the immigration hall.
Does Visit Japan Web replace immigration?
No — you still pass through immigration in person. But since January 25, 2024, major airports read a single Visit Japan Web QR code for both immigration and customs, so you register your immigration and customs details in the same app and show one code at each counter.
Do I need to fill out an arrival card (landing card) for Japan?
Yes. Every foreign visitor, including Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR passport holders, gives immigration a disembarkation card and gives Japan Customs a customs declaration. You can do both online in Visit Japan Web before you fly, or on paper after landing.
What is the joint kiosk at Japanese airports?
A joint kiosk takes your Visit Japan Web QR code, passport, face photo and (for foreign visitors) fingerprints once, for both immigration and customs. As of September 24, 2026 joint kiosks operate at Kansai (T1, T2), Haneda (T2, T3), Narita (T1, T2, T3) and Fukuoka airports.
Can I still use the paper customs declaration form?
Yes. Japan Customs still accepts the paper Customs Declaration Form, and you can download it and print it on A4 paper before your trip. Electronic customs declaration gates, which read the Visit Japan Web QR code, are available at 7 international airports.
Can Visit Japan Web be used for tax-free shopping?
Yes. According to the Digital Agency, Visit Japan Web covers immigration, customs and a tax-free shopping service. Note that from November 1, 2026 Japan switches tax-free shopping to a refund method: you pay tax at the store and get it back after Customs confirms export.
Can I use it for re-entry (resident visa)?
Yes. Visit Japan Web works for both tourists and residents. If you have a residence card, you can also register it for faster processing at electronic gates.
What if I make a mistake on the form?
You can edit your customs declaration on Visit Japan Web until you generate the final QR code. After generating the QR, you can create a new declaration if needed. Customs officers can also correct minor issues at the airport.
Sources · 6 official pages · checked September 24, 2026
  1. Digital Agency — Visit Japan Web (official site)
    Official registration site
  2. Digital Agency — Visit Japan Web policy page
    Covers immigration, customs and a tax-free shopping service
  3. Japan Customs — Declaration of accompanied and unaccompanied articles
    Every passenger declares; electronic or paper form
  4. Japan Customs — Electronic customs declaration at airports
    One Visit Japan Web QR code for immigration and customs since January 25, 2024
  5. Japan Customs & Immigration Services Agency — Joint kiosks at Narita Terminals 1 and 2 (September 18, 2026 notice) (Japanese)
    Joint kiosks from September 24, 2026; list of airports already using them
  6. Japan Customs — Passenger clearance and duty-free allowances
    Alcohol, tobacco and perfume allowances

Fact-checked by the TravelSafe Japan team against these pages; AI helped with drafting. General information, not legal advice. Report an error · How we verify

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