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Japan to Require Digital-Only Customs Declarations at Airports by 2030
The Finance Ministry will unveil a new customs vision this month that targets elimination of paper declaration forms by 2030. The shift follows record inbound arrivals and aims to speed processing while strengthening security checks.
Japan TimesAudio version
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Japan plans to eliminate paper customs declaration forms at airports and require only digital submissions by 2030 for all travelers, including Japanese nationals. The Finance Ministry will release its updated medium- to long-term customs vision later this month to guide the transition. All travelers entering Japan, including Japanese nationals, must file a customs declaration.
An electronic form has been available since 2021 through the Visit Japan Web site, and paper forms are no longer routinely distributed on flights. The new plan builds on the Smart Customs Initiative 2020. It calls for inspection centers at major airports, wider use of artificial intelligence to bolster cybersecurity, and inspection systems designed to function with reduced staffing.
Inbound tourist arrivals exceeded 40 million for the first time in 2025. The government has set a target of 60 million visitors by 2030. “Through these initiatives and with the cooperation of private-sector operators, we aim to achieve even faster flows of goods and people that contribute to economic revitalization, while also strengthening border inspections to ensure a safe and secure society,” Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said at a committee meeting last week.
