Originally Posted by
hikouki
Every time I bought items at Sogo and Takashimaya (both in Yokohama), I have always been told to have my items checked before checking in. There is a "CIQ" booth (I cannot remember the exact acronym) opposite end of the ANA business island, and right beside the entry to security. It is abandoned, with some glass "exhibits". You pick up the phone and someone will come out of the door. It is a customs officer and will take your passport for scanning behind that door. 3 out of 4 times, they wanted to see that the items were still sealed. There are no tables there so I always ended up opening my suitcase on the floor and the customs officer would always feel sorry for me having to do that. LOL
Interesting to know - but one issue when buying Apple or any electronics for that matter, is the unwillingness to keep them box sealed. I need to open the boxes to transfer data over and make sure the device is working and stable before I leave because once I get back to the USA, if there is an issue with the device, the local Apple store will not want to know about my purchase in Japan and will refer me back there. I guess I can show I still have both old and new devices and match the serial number on the new device against the receipt for them.