Do I have to declare cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments at Japan customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to Japan customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments in Japan?

Under カスタムスアンサー7305（関税法第67条、外国為替及び外国貿易法第19条第3項）, if the goods are found without being declared: the case is referred to the responsible authority.

Can I post or ship cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments to Japan instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Can I take cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments out of Japan?

Japan publishes no separate rule for taking cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Japan limit for cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

Japan Customs (Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance) states it in Procedures of Passenger Clearance. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “If you are carrying cash or other means of payment exceeding 1 million yen（*0.1million JPY in a case that you are bound for North Korea）, you are required to declare to Customs.”

How does Japan compare with other countries on cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments, 20 limit it and 0 let it through. Japan is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments can I bring into Japan?

Declare

You can bring Cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments into Japan, but you must declare it.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Required

Limit 1,000,000 JPY

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 1,000,000 JPY
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Procedures of Passenger Clearance Japan Customs, Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance Japan

Questions about Cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments in Japan

How much cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments can I bring into Japan?: Japan allows cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 1,000,000 JPY. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments at Japan customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Japan customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments in Japan?: Under カスタムスアンサー7305（関税法第67条、外国為替及び外国貿易法第19条第3項）, if the goods are found without being declared: the case is referred to the responsible authority.
Can I post or ship cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments to Japan instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments out of Japan?: Japan publishes no separate rule for taking cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Japan limit for cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Japan Customs (Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance) states it in Procedures of Passenger Clearance. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “If you are carrying cash or other means of payment exceeding 1 million yen（*0.1million JPY in a case that you are bound for North Korea）, you are required to declare to Customs.”
How does Japan compare with other countries on cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments, 20 limit it and 0 let it through. Japan is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Accompanied cash Cash and bearer negotiable instruments (all currencies) Cross-border movement of monetary instruments (cash and bearer negotiable instruments) Currency and monetary instruments (CAN$10,000 reporting) Currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 Foreign currency cash