How many minutes does it take to go through Customs in NRT or KIX?

When you are entering into Japan through one of those 2 major airports (NRT & KIX), how long did you wait in line going through Customs? Are there 2 lines, non-Japanese citizen and Japanese citizen? Wait is a given during the holiday season (around the new year's day, Obon period, and etc); so, I am more interested in hearing your own experience especially during so-called "off-peak" season.

If you have Japanese passport, it does not take much.
Yes, lines are separated for Japanese passport/reentry permits and non-Japanese passports. Sometimes there are lot more Japanese passport holders than others yet everytime I come back to Narita (3-4 times a year) from business trips, I feel that the queues for Japanese passports move very quickly.
I've never checked exactly how many minutes it takes, maybe 10-20 minutes (could be less when it is early in the morning) depending on how crowded the passport control is. (It depends on the time of the day than the travelling season. If you are arriving in the morning, it is less crowded.)

I only know Narita but think the lines for Japanese citizens are always shorter and quicker (of course, because they aren't checked as thoroughly as arriving foreign nationals).

I only know Narita but think the lines for Japanese citizens are always shorter and quicker

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Not always. I usually use the JPN nationals line (w/ a re-entry permit) and a couple of times the gaijin line was shorter. MOST of the time it is indeed quicker for national in immigration. Customs is as slow for everyone. Coincidentally, I've never had more than a quick "empty your pockets please" check.

GaijinPunch said:

Coincidentally, I've never had more than a quick "empty your pockets please" check.

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Did he (as far as I know I have not seen a female customs officer in Japan) also ask you to open the bag(s) you are carrying? When I was in college, I went to Los Angeles and New York City. Upon my re-entry back to OSA, I was able to go through it rather quickly. It was before KIX opened (the one on the sea). I am hoping it would be like that when I do that in a few months (if my plan works out as I have planned).

There are separate lines for Japanese residents and non-residents at immigration, not customs. Waiting in line at the non-resident line can be a while, maybe 10-15 minutes on a regular day. Customs has generally taken me about 60 seconds to get on line and go through.

About a week ago I went through KIX through the Japanese Nationals/re-entry line (for immigration), and it took maybe 10 minutes in all (the gaijin line was considerably longer and i would wager a guess at a 20-35 minute wait to get through).

Customs is a snap. They asked if i had anything to declare, I didn't, they let me through. I've only seen a few people get stopped long enough for the agents to rummage through their bags for a few minutes.

I think your wait time will vary depending on whose on the plane with you and how many people are arriving at the same time. And if you look suspicious, you can probably expect a longer ordeal...

I just went through Narita...it was really busy as there had been many delayed flights that all landed in a few minutes. From the time it took to get off the plane go through immigration and customs was an hour maybe an hour and a quarter. The foreigner side was much busier as I landed the day before the Chinese New Year and there were many Chinese on holiday. They do check while you are in line that you have your paper work filled out properly which I thought was nice as it avoided complications with the immigration officer. They have plenty of officers working. I did notice though that I got through immigration without saying a word...he just took my passport stamped it and sent me on through...I watched and maybe it was because I was american or maybe a girl, but the guys seemed to take longer...and other asians as well. Anyway, they have always been good to me!

The actual processing with the passport officer is relatively quick, about 5 min. or less at Narita. However, what is the main hassle is the wait in line to get to him/her. I found though experience that a quick trot after I've exited the plane (and going though the maze of stairs to get to the customs level) to the customs and immigration line will greatly aid in shortening the waiting period (beating your fellow passengers to the line). The longest wait was about 40 min. Then, after that, heading down to the baggage conveyors and waiting for the luggage to show up. The whole process at Narita is generally about an hour or so. At least that's been my experience.

Then, after finally getting into the main arrival lobby, I head over to the currency exchange window. I've usually had no more than 3-5 people ahead of me. After that, gotta boogie down to the JR office to exchange my Railpass voucher for the railpass and get a N'Ex train ticket for Tokyo.

I can't wait to do this in a month from now!

never very long 10 - 20 minutes. They have a lot of staff and it's efficient, what's new!!!

JerseyBoy said:

Did he (as far as I know I have not seen a female customs officer in Japan) also ask you to open the bag(s) you are carrying?

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Nope. I've had my bags opened in America twice (coming from Japan) but that's it. Coming into Japan, only a pack of smokes one time, and my pockets checked. That was on the way back from Thailand as well. I'm probably due for a search.

GaijinPunch said:

Nope. I've had my bags opened in America twice (coming from Japan) but that's it. Coming into Japan, only a pack of smokes one time, and my pockets checked. That was on the way back from Thailand as well. I'm probably due for a search.

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That is good as that would speed up the line. Were you carrying lots of baggage? I think it would be awkward to get the bag search if you are pulling a large suitcase along with a maximum sized carry on bag and a few gift items bought at the duty-free stories in that airport.

Well, the idea is that the bag searches are random. With my somewhat long hair, and rarely shaved face, you would think I'd get full cavity searches every time. Hasn't happened yet.

My advice is to leg it once you get off the plane and get to the passport control line ASAP. I didn't do this the first time at Narita and got stuck in a very long line. There must have been some international gymnastics event as there were all these kids in matching tracksuits in the que. Probably took 40 or 50 minutes

On my second visit my mate and I got off the plane sharpish and got into the little monorail shuttle to the main buildings quickly. It was then a little jog to get past the main mass of passengers and we were about 20th in line. Whistled through the immigration in about 10 mins.

The customs was a fairly informal open your bag please on the first trip. The official seemed more interested in our home towns as he's spent some time in England. I don't think they wanted to search my bag on the second trip, but maybe that was because I approached the desk with it unzipped and all ready for inspection???

Also make sure you fill in the immigration form while you are on the plane as this can save you time.

Just got to Japan a few days ago and customs didn't take long at all. Although I may have gotten into Narita at a really good time because customs didn't seem too busy. Short wait for the passport officer (fill the card out on the plane, which i didn't but it's my first time, to make it go quicker). I got my bags and went right through. All in All about 10 mins. It actually took longer to get to customs than through it or me.

If you become a Japanese national, can you use the citizen's line?
Be good to know for the future, if I do a lot of overseas business...

I must say it all depends on the flight (and some common sense).
If it's a full flight, and if there are other flights arriving at the same time, well, there will be more people in lines.

And there are airline factors. If you fly Japanese carriers, you're likely to be packed with lots of Japanese passengers, including pacakge tours (they have no manners! yuck!). From the US, United and Northwest tend to have more Japanese passengers than other carriers.

Narita is also a hub to many Asian destinations. Many passengers simply transit and do not enter Japan. You may pay attention to the dynamics of your flight once you board. Also, your seat is a big factor when it comes to time. Obviously, if you are seated in First or Business classes, you get off first. Then, even in the coach/economy section, if you manage to get a seat in the front of the section, you'll get to exit early. You save a few minutes there.

I understand that the OP has a Japanese passport. Japanese line at the immigration seems to move faster.

If you were on a full flight and if you checked in early, you may need to wait for your luggage longer than when you are on an empty flight. No rocket science there.

And for the customs, make sure you pick a right line. Stay away from OL-type with big luggage. They tend to be stopped. And anyone with musician-type appearance. They don't like you. They think you have something you're not supposed to bring in to Japan or something.

I've been to Japan 4 times since 2004 and I still haven't asked to open up my suitcases. I just said that I had nothing I could declare! And that I was visiting my family. (And I still haven't asked to show anything upon my arrival at LAX, either.)

But if you are relocating and have separate shipments (besso-hin), be prepared to spend extra minutes. But unless you have items you need to declare or the custom agent feels that any of the items you're carrying may be subject to duty taxes, you don't really have to worry.

Just have your paperwork ready, get out of the plane quick, walk fast, grab your stuff quick, and find a good line at the custom.

Allow a few more minutes if you choose to stop by the bank to change your money (I highly recommend it).

Ask around to find out the JFK flights. If you don't have anyone around you that fly to Japan, try JINA or other Japanese communities. They can tell you what it's like.

I hear United no longer flies direct from New York to Narita. I don't know about other carriers back east.

If you are moving back for good, Japanese travel agencies have cheaper one way fares. Airlines seem to only offer full price one way fares.

FYI - All flights out of LAX bound to Japan go to Narita. No more Osaka flights.

My last trip in February: I took American (AA 169) from LAX. Because of Chinese New Year, the flight was full. But a good chunk of passengers were changing at Narita for Singapre, Thailand or many Chinese cities. Plane arrived at the gate around 5 pm (Terminal 2). I was in the middle section of coach and it was about 5:15 when I got out. Immigration line was not very long, but still had to wait about 10 minutes. Actual paperwork with the officer took less than a minute. He just takes my passport, do his things, and return it to me. Japanese line seemed to be shorter and moved faster. Percentage of Japanese passport holders on American is definitely lower than Japan Airlines (duh). Then the baggage. Because I checked in rather early, my two suitcases didn't come out for about 20 minutes. Rushed to the customs. Took me about 5 minutes including the wait time. I had to take the 6:05 pm bus to Shibuya or I'd had to wait until after 8 pm. I got outside at about 5:55! I rushed to the bus counter, got my ticket. Then I had to look for a public phones to call my sister. Where are they? I had to rush to the end of the terminal. Made a quick call. Then, I saw restrooms right by the phones, I went in super quick. I realized that I didn't have time to stop by the bank to get some yen, but I knew I had about 10K yen with me from my last trip, so I decided to take care of that once I got to Tokyo. I rushed to the bus stop with a cart full of my things. I made it to the 6:05 bus!

My biggest tip is to have all paperwork filled out in advance. If you are offered the visitor card to fill out before you land then take it. Saves you having to waste precious time filling out forms where you could already be standing in line.

;-) I don't think it matters how much time you go through customs since it is a thing you have to go through. It's not like you have a way out of it or another option.

Just fill the paperwork while in flight and that's pretty much all you can do to save some time.

Mauricio

dark_secrester said:

If you become a Japanese national, can you use the citizen's line?
Be good to know for the future, if I do a lot of overseas business...

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Yes, but considering the notorious Heathrow, I think you should retain your UK or EU passport. (sorry if the situation gets better this year)


I was a bit surprised to see the passport control officer accepted non-Japanese soon after the Japanese line finishes at the passport control at Narita.

My experience at Narita last month was the fastest yet. It took me about 10 min. to get to the customs officer's window (the line was surprisingly short) and less than 5 min. later, I was getting my luggage (it was already standing next to the conveyor).

About 2 weeks ago, I went though Customs at KIX. It took me about 5 to 10 seconds (as much as showing my passport). Then, I was on my way out the door to the lobby where I met with my folks.

I went through NRT on a re-entry permit. Immigration: About 3 minutes total w/ waiting. Customs? About 20 minutes to wait on my luggage, 30 seconds to go through. I looked like a fool, too. Coming back from Hawaii in a T-shirt & shorts w/ my hair down.

Oh, I forgot to add my experience with customs - I was only in Japan for a short 14 hour layover so my luggage had been checked through (but only to Munich, not Rome - a SNAFU worthy of its own post).
Anyhow, I arrived at 1620 or so, and made it to the customs desk by 1640 after having flown through the passport control. The customs officer began to grill me why I only had a shoulder bag and when I replied that I was only here for a layover, he wanted to know why I was leaving the airport. Once I explained that a friend of mine works in Tokyo (I even showed him the note my friend had given me with her contact details/address in Japan written in both English and Japanese) he dropped the angry man routine then smiled, bowed and wished me a good stay.
Took less than 90 seconds (less time than it took me to write this post!).

My sister did that once. She got more of the "why on Earth would you bother" than anything else. What a dedicated brother I am. 90 minutes each way to go have coffee w/ my sister when she was on her way to Thailand.