Originally Posted by
hikouki
I always thought that you needed some sort of inspection before checking in???
At HND, I always visited the customs desk prior to checkin my luggage. They would scan my passport after I showed them the goods I bought that are still wrapped in sealed duty-free plastic (blue strip). Then I would check in.
Originally Posted by
malloc
What? I did not know about any desk before security at HND, where is this?
The one I have gone to is after security but before emigration, so you already have to had checked in by that point since you need the boarding pass to pass security...
Which makes me confused about inspections at that point, they would have to send you back out to the check-in area I guess.
My understanding (and according to
https://www.nta.go.jp/publication/pa...nation_eng.pdf) is that if your duty-free items will be checked-in, you should visit the pre-security custom office. Otherwise, you just need to scan your passport at the custom counter/booth after immigration. I always do the latter knowing the risk that if I get selected for inspection, they might have to pull out my check bags or I may have to pay the consumption tax.
Originally Posted by
bocastephen
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.
General goods are not sealed (unless purchased with consumable goods) and can be used in Japan. And as you said, should be quite trivial to prove that you are exporting the new device.