MetEx House, 496a Great West Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW5 0TE  ·  Shipping since 1998
0800 096 38 39
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🇯🇵 Moving to Japan • Luggage Shipping • Est. 1998

Moving to Japan
Shipping Your Belongings from the UK

Moving to Japan from the UK. Air freight in 7–10 working days, subject to space and flight availability with the carriers. Japan Customs (税関). Clear quote before collection. 28 years experience.

How it works

Shipping personal effects to Japan when you move

Moving to Japan? We ship luggage, suitcases, boxes and personal effects to Japan door-to-door (subject to your destination) from the UK — everything from a few boxes to a full relocation. Whether you need to send luggage ahead, ship suitcases, or move boxes of belongings, we collect, handle your UK customs export entry, and deliver, so your move to Japan is one less thing to worry about.

Moving to Japan from the UK means deciding what travels with you and what ships ahead. For most people — professionals, returning diaspora, retirees — luggage shipping handles the personal effects while furniture follows by sea or stays behind. Here is the process.

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Door collection across the UK. Within M25: Mon–Fri 09:30–16:00 • Outside M25: Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00.
Air freight to Japan. Tokyo NRT via JAL or ANA Cargo. Transit: 7–10 working days from UK collection.
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Customs: Japan Customs (税関). Personal effects duty-free for people establishing Japanese residency. Items must be owned before arriving in Japan, imported within 6 months of first entry. Japan Customs is among the most thorough in the world — documentation accuracy is critical.
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Sender must equal receiver. The fundamental personal effects rule worldwide. Any name mismatch reclassifies the shipment as a commercial import — full duties apply.
Restrictions

What to know before you pack for Japan

CRITICAL: Many common UK prescription medicines are controlled or prohibited in Japan. ALWAYS carry medication with you — never ship. Codeine, certain antihistamines, stimulants: all controlled. No lithium batteries. Batteries can be packed and exported as declared dangerous goods — ask us. Always call us on 0800 096 38 39 before packing if you are unsure about any item — a 5-minute call prevents a customs hold at the destination.

ItemShip?Notes
Clothes, shoes, personal items✓ YesUp to 30kg per bag
Laptop / tablet (battery removed)✓ YesRemove lithium battery — carry in cabin
Books, kitchenware, household goods✓ YesWeigh before booking — dense items add up fast
Furniture, appliances✗ NoUse our sea freight service to Japan
Lithium batteries, aerosols, perfumes✗ NoProhibited in air freight — no exceptions
28 years experience

Why customers moving to Japan choose Excess Luggage Co.

Tokyo is an established route for UK professionals, educators and the Japan-enthusiast community. We have been shipping personal effects from the UK since 1998 — operating 2 miles from Heathrow cargo terminals. Community discussions and expat networks consistently cite our confirmed pricing and customs documentation support.

25+
Years
2mi
From Heathrow
FAQs

Moving to Japan — your questions answered

What are Japan's medication restrictions for shipments from the UK?
Japan strictly controls many UK-common medications — codeine-based products, certain antihistamines (pseudoephedrine), stimulants, some psychotropics. ALWAYS carry medication in cabin baggage. Never include in a freight shipment. Contact the Japanese Embassy in London or MHLW for your specific medications before shipping.
How long does shipping to Japan take?+
7–10 working days transit. Japan Customs adds 1–2 weeks for clearance — allow 3 weeks total from booking. Japan Customs is meticulous. Call 0800 096 38 39.
What is the maximum weight per bag?+
30kg per item. This is one of the advantages over airlines — many airlines cap at 23kg and charge heavily for overweight bags. Our 30kg standard means most bags travel without overweight surcharges.
How far in advance should I book?+
Minimum 10 working days for Japan. We recommend 14 working days to allow for customs clearance. Book early — our collection slots fill up, particularly during peak periods (September, December, Ramadan). See our booking lead times guide.
What happens if customs holds my shipment?+
Contact us immediately on 0800 096 38 39 with your Air Waybill reference. A hold is almost always a documentation issue. We advise on the exact documentation needed for Japan customs and the fastest resolution route. See our customs holds guide.
Is there a limit on how many bags I can ship?+
No bag limit. The same quoted rate per bag regardless of quantity. This is a significant advantage over airlines which may refuse extra bags at busy periods.

Ready to ship to Japan?

Clear quote before we collect. No guesswork. Established 1998.

📋 Get a Quote📞 0800 096 38 39💬 WhatsApp
📋 Official Customs Authority — Japan

For official customs requirements, import duties and restricted items guidance, visit the Japan Customs — the official customs authority for Japan. Always verify current requirements before shipping.

UK Collection

We collect from your door anywhere in the UK

Door collection Monday to Friday from any UK address. Select your nearest city for local collection times and details:

LondonManchesterBirminghamLeedsGlasgowEdinburghLiverpoolBristolSheffieldNewcastleNottinghamLeicesterBradfordCardiffCoventrySouthamptonPortsmouthOxfordCambridgeReading/SloughBrightonLutonMilton KeynesDerbyStokeWolverhamptonSwanseaAberdeenDundeeMiddlesbroughExeterPlymouthYorkBelfastHounslowHeathrow

✍ Within M25: Mon–Fri 09:30–16:00 • Outside M25: Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00

Moving to Japan • Excess Luggage Co. • Est. 1998
Get a Quote 📞 0800 096 38 39
💬 WhatsApp