When traveling as a family or group, preparing the right documentation for all members of your party is key. Along with passports and visas, documents like the Japan Customs Declaration are essential to meet entry requirements on arrival.
In this post, you’ll find details on the Japan CD guidelines for families and group travelers, and how best to process multiple forms.
Do All Family Members Need a Japan CD QR Code?
Yes, every traveler entering Japan must have their own Customs Declaration QR code. This includes adults, children, and infants.
It’s essential that an individual QR code is generated for each passenger in your party.
Traveling with children
Parents or guardians can complete the Japan Customs Declaration form online on behalf of minors. You can download all your QR codes onto 1 mobile device for convenience.
If you’re traveling with young children, customs officers will process and scan your forms together. It’s important to remember that customs limits and declaration rules apply to all passengers, including children.
Customs restrictions for young travelers
Passengers under the age of 20 are not permitted to bring any quantity of alcohol or tobacco products into Japan without paying duty tax. For a full list of restricted and dutiable items, see Japan’s customs regulations.
Children under the age of 5 can only bring personal items for their own use into Japan. This includes toys, clothing, and other products for children.
Adult groups of travelers
Your QR code is used to present the information you’ve given about items you’re bringing into Japan. Each traveler is responsible for declaring any items that exceed duty-free limits.
For that reason, groups of adult travelers must complete their applications individually. It’s also recommended to store your QR codes separately to avoid any mix-ups.
Individual Customs Declarations for All Travelers to Japan
In some cases, it’s possible to group applications when applying through the Japan CD official site. However, there are a number of steps required in this process, and generating individual QR codes can be complex.
To avoid confusion and save time, most families, and group travelers, submit individual applications. Applying separately without linking your form to other travelers is beneficial for a number of reasons.
Personal application
Completing your form separately means you can be precise about your luggage contents. This is especially important if you’re declaring any valuable or restricted goods, like medications, tobacco, or alcohol, so it’s clear who’s carrying which items.
Simple processing
If one member of your party makes an error in their declaration, there’ll be no delay for the rest of the group. Each person's application is processed independently, making it easy to clear up any issues quickly.
Flexible in case of changes
If there are last-minute changes to your itinerary, it’s easier to resolve if your applications are not linked. Anyone in your party who needs to modify their declaration can so do without affecting the rest of the group, or other family members.
Open to all ages
There’s no minimum age for travelers completing the Japan Customs Declaration. This means that forms can be completed on behalf of children, and there’s no need to join them to an adult application.
Tips for Groups and Families on Completing the Japan CD
By following these tips, you can ensure the Japan customs process runs smoothly for everyone in your party.
- Apply in good time — Fill out separate applications for the Japan CD in plenty of time, so there’s no last-minute rush to get your paperwork together.
- Double-check all details — Make sure all the information in the form is correct, especially if you’re applying on behalf of someone else.
- Keep your QR codes handy — Store printed or digital copies of your approved declarations in a convenient place so they’re ready to present on arrival.
How can we help?
Apply for your Japan CD on our site to benefit from extra services for families and groups that are not available on the government application page.
Our service is designed to be user-friendly and convenient for group travelers. Apply with us to get:
- Multilingual customer support — Need extra assistance with an application? We’re here to help if there are issues with a declaration for any member of your party.
- Money-back guarantee — Group travel can be expensive. If your form is rejected, we offer a full refund for peace of mind.
- Fast processing — If you’ve forgotten to get a QR code for someone in your group, opt in for our Priority Service to receive it in just 1 hour.
- Easy access — On our site, you can use the same email address for all of your Japan CD applications, making the process simple for travelers with children.
Questions about your QR codes and how to use them? Our Customer Support team is available to assist you. Get in touch with any queries about Customs Declarations for your group or family trip.
