Shipping Furniture from Japan
While it is most economical to ship only those items you can pack yourself, we understand that some people consider shipping large items (such as pieces of furniture) internationally from Japan. When shipping pieces of furniture, it is important that you pack them well. Unless you find suitable boxes, you will need to place large items in custom-made crates. We offer packing services in the Tokyo and Osaka area.
Some important points when shipping furniture
- When shipping large items internationally, if you are unable to find packages large enough, don’t wrap the items only in bubble wrap or vinyl sheets.
- If some of your items must be crated, we can arrange for pickup by a chartered truck that will then deliver them to a packing company.
- Because pickup by chartered truck is necessary when some items must be crated, the trucking charges can be expensive (depending on the distance) if you reside in an area far from Tokyo or Osaka.
- Shipping by sea is the only realistic way to ship large items. As you can see elsewhere on this website, airfreight is cost-effective for small shipments. However, even when you are shipping something light, volume will be taken into consideration. This could make shipping by air expensive because pieces of furniture, while light, take up much volume.
Tamami mat, Tansu, Shoji screens
Japanese household furniture such as Tansu, shoji screens, byobu and tatami (straw mats) are popular items to ship because they are typically not available elsewhere in the world.
- Tatami is made of straw, so there may be some restrictions on import depending on the destination country.
- Some light items, such as clothing, can be placed inside chest drawers to save space.
Shipping of household furniture
Typical household furniture includes sofas, tables, beds, chairs, etc. You might want to decide which large items you will ship, as these items take up a lot of space. Perhaps furniture with sentimental value would be worth shipping.
Shipping of electric appliances
Massage chairs, refrigerators, washing machines, etc. Massage chairs are very popular in Japan and are good items to bring home, as they are often difficult to buy elsewhere in the world. It might not be a good idea to ship a refrigerator or a washing machine because the shipping cost can be expensive. However, some refrigerators and washing machines in Japan have special functions, in which case you might want to ship them.
Shipping of purchased furniture or antique
People moving out of Japan are not the only ones who need shipping services. In fact, we often receive inquiries from people living outside Japan who are considering buying furniture online from shops like Nitori or people looking for a shipping company that can ship antique furniture they’ve purchased on eBay. Unlike most international movers here, we can ship furniture and other goods that are not considered unaccompanied personal belongings but, rather, business shipments.
About crating
When we crate furniture and any other large items, we use wooden material that meets ISPM15, the standard for packing materials used for international shipping or plywood. To learn more about ISPM 15, please visit this page.
- Wooden materials that meet ISPM 15 standards have stamps of verification.
- Plywood can be used because it has been heat-treated.
- When making a crate yourself, you must use wooden materials which meet the ISPM 15 standards or plywood. You must use the same kind of wooden materials for the skid parts. Please do not use normal wooden materials.