View Full Version : customs, importing green tea and porn?
deepbluevibes
10-23-2005, 04:24 PM
got bored
I don't know about the specifics of the custom laws, as they vary from each respective countries. However, the matcha tea should be fine as long as it is packaged. Most countries don't have a problem with prepackaged food items, unless you are bringing them in HUGE quantities. And with porn- I would avoid carrying porn at all circumstances, mail it if possible.
And a link for Japan customs.
http://www.customs.go.jp/index_e.htm
Henjin
10-23-2005, 04:36 PM
I'm pretty sure you have to declare porn, and you might not be able to bring it in... Aside from looking incredibly creepy at the airport customs line, I wouldn't bother.
But you shouldn't have trouble w/ the tea as long as it's not tons. BTW, what the heck kinda party were you planning?
deepbluevibes
10-23-2005, 07:09 PM
ok i think you guys got this backwards...
i'm ALREADY in tokyo. i bought these things IN tokyo, and i want to know if it's ok to bring them back INTO the usa. =P
http://tracking.alliedintl.com/customs_reports/UNITEDSTATES.asp
The tea should be fine, as long as it is in small quantities. And as I've said, drop the porn.
Xenotrauma
10-23-2005, 07:41 PM
SMUGGLE that porn!
deepbluevibes
10-23-2005, 08:00 PM
drop 100 dollars worth of porn.. right... friend is going to pay me for it when i get back, im not about to just throw 100 dollars in the trash can. why should i drop it?
if it's any reason besides (illegal) then i don't care. i don't care how "bad" i look or whatever, if it's not illegal and will not get me thrown into jail, taxed out the ass, or my luggage ripped apart and confiscated, then im fine with it.
deepbluevibes
10-23-2005, 08:01 PM
and how small is small for the tea? right now im looking at three packets about each the size of a baseball, and three small containers also of tea that are about 2/3rds the size of a plum each.
hanacker
10-23-2005, 08:11 PM
I've never had a problem with customs going from Japan to USA. It's not a route that people are going to smuggle much. Declare the tea and if you're feeling lucky just hide the movies and bring them back. Maybe things are stricter where you live, but the customs agents here wouldn't make a big deal out of $100 worth of porn even if they did find it.
deepbluevibes
10-23-2005, 08:18 PM
ok but what i'm asking is, i do not want to just "not declare" the porn.
does anyone know the legitimate rules for/for not bringing porn into the USA from japan if it is legal porn and not child porn and so on? because i really don't want to risk them searching me and finding all this without declaring it, and im not just going to dump it..
and the tea quantity question also. sorry for being so demanding but we leave in about 10 hours so...
Henjin
10-23-2005, 08:19 PM
1. Relax.
2. I was talking about returning to the US.
3. I checked customs.gov, and it doesn't seem like you'll have a problem.
4. Your "friend's" a perv. :p
nice gaijin
10-23-2005, 08:20 PM
I actually forgot about my 100 yen lighter I picked up in Chiba on my way back. It was in my carry-on the whole way home and no one noticed.
I suppose you're taking a chance with the porn. I wouldn't bring it with me, even though I didn't get a thorough inspection of my bags. I carred a fairly large box of tea back with me along with a huge assortment of other gifts with me. The only thing I had to claim were tobacco and alcohol products.
Henjin
10-23-2005, 08:22 PM
I didn't see anything on the customs about porn, but for some reason, in the back of my mind, I remember hearing that it's not usually allowed...
I just imagine him dropping his bag of dirty DVDs and some cute helpful Japanese flight attendent stopping to help him only to recoil in horror. lol
deepbluevibes
10-23-2005, 08:22 PM
yeah, i just checked and it's prohibited.. for shipping in a box.
anyone know if it's prohibited for just taking in our luggage?
and
what are the penalties if i do take it with me, dont declare it and they search us and find it?
deepbluevibes
10-23-2005, 08:24 PM
wait a second. the only things you had to claim were the tobacco and alcohol (talking to nice gaijin) but not the tea and stuff? I thought you had to claim *everything* you took out of the country that you got there?
Henjin
10-23-2005, 08:24 PM
what are the penalties if i do take it with me, dont declare it and they search us and find it?
My best advice is to not even try it. You seriously want to try smuggling prohibited goods into the US? Think about it.
BTW, I think I remember reading on amazon.co.jp's help section that they can't send porn outside the country. That might've been where I saw it.
I said before. On the plane back, they hand you a customs card to fill out. It asks you a serious of questions, mostly about whether you're carrying prohibited material or not, or if you visited farms, etc... You don't have to make a long list of everything you bought. I think they only ask you for an estimate of the total value of everything you're bringing back into the country.
Antinomia
10-23-2005, 08:27 PM
I received packages from Japan, which included Green tea. That's not a problem, but as Kobun said before, don't do it in huge quantities. About the porn... well i also received normal DVD's from Japan. I think they won't check packages so much as long as it's just a couple of DVD's. Although you have to write on the box what's in the box, so best to send the porn with some other typical presents (some chocolate candy or something, and the green tea) and "forget" to write the Porn on the box ;)
So if you doubt you can't bring it with you in airplane, just send a package to your house or something.
Henjin
10-23-2005, 08:29 PM
If you find out for sure that it's prohibited, don't try to bring it in. You may get away with it, but what happens on the odd chance that you're caught? They pull random passengers aside and search their stuff. You want them to find $100 worth of stuff you're not supposed to have?
deepbluevibes
10-23-2005, 08:36 PM
ok. here's how it's going down here. thanks for the advice everyone, but seriously, i just need this stuff answered, and heres the situaton;
-we leave in less than 10 hours. cannot ship or use the post office for anything at this point. don't have time and need sleep.
-i have 3 bags of matcha green tea about as big as a baseball each, and three smaller containers in jars about as big as 2/3rds the size of a plum each with matcha green tea. IS THIS CONSIDERED TOO MUCH TO TAKE THROUGH CUSTOMS WITH ME?
-i have 100 dollars of porn. does ANYONE know the exact legitimate rules on whether or not this is legal to take back into the country?
-does anyone know FOR SURE the rules on if you get caught trying to bring said stuff into the country when you are not, what they penalize you with? jail? fines? something else? confiscation of said objects?
-What *exactly* do you have to claim? stuff that you've bought in japan? stuff that is related to drugs? only stuff if it goes over the 800 dollar limit? ? ? ? ?
Antinomia
10-23-2005, 08:42 PM
So, there isn't any post office nearby?
deepbluevibes
10-23-2005, 08:45 PM
-_-;;;;;
yes there is
did you not read my post?
it's 5AM in the morning here (6AM now)
my plane leaves at 5:55
the bus to the airport leaves at 2 (we have seven suitcases, so no we cant take the shuttle)
i need sleep
and have only packed half my things
so no i dont have time to use the post office
Henjin
10-23-2005, 08:48 PM
Seriously, just ask at the airport. Worst case, you have to dump it there.
The tea you have sounds fine, though. I wouldn't worry about that if I were you. The only thing I'd be concerned about is the porn, and like I said, if you want to risk it, just go ahead and see what happens. If you want to be safe, ask at the airport.
And don't worry about the declaring. It's not a problem, and the limit on monetary value is not $800. It's well above that. Don't worry so much. The only thing you need to be concerned about is the porn. And that can be resolved at the airport. Worst case like I said it's confiscated or you chuck it.
Go to bed.
deepbluevibes
10-23-2005, 08:50 PM
uhhh... wouldnt that be like super the worst thing to do? to ask at the airport i mean. thats like basically saying "dur hey im trying to get cocaine through here is it ok guyz?" i mean if i tell them i have it and its prohibited wouldnt they basically fucking own my ass?
Henjin
10-23-2005, 08:52 PM
No.
"I bought this, can I take it home with me."
Then either "Yes, you can. Enjoy your flight" or "No, you can't" then you give it to them and say you're sorry. Obviously it'd be best to know beforehand, but finding out at the airport in Japan (I didn't mean to ask when you arrive in the US) is better than getting caught w/ it trying to board or going through US customs.
Either way, you're on the internet now. Google it.
What's your dad think, btw?
Scott
10-23-2005, 09:04 PM
US Customs generally does not care what you bring in as long as it's not worth an exorbitant amount of money and you're not planning to retail it. This is what they told me when I asked, returning to the country with a bunch of books and manga. Declare it as 'recreational magazines' or some such and if they ask, tell them what it is. They shouldn't care.
Xenotrauma
10-23-2005, 09:07 PM
Porn goes into condom; you swallow said condom >:|
nice gaijin
10-23-2005, 10:02 PM
the only thind I had to claim was alcohol and tobacco. I didn't have a hundred dollars worth of porn on me.
If it's contraband, it'll at least get confiscated. You might be fined, but I don't think you'll see jail time unless it's some disturbing shit. Personally I think if you put it in the middle of your stuff in the bag it won't be noticed. I'm not going to advise you to do this if it's illegal, I'm just saying that the odds of you getting caught with $100 worth of Japanese porn aren't terribly good; small-fry porn smuggling isn't high on the customs agent's agenda, unless it's kiddie porn or something. Whether you decide to take that risk is your business.
The tea is not a problem, don't worry about that. I had more than you did. You only have to declare certain things, not everything you take back with you.
Masa the Masta
10-23-2005, 10:17 PM
You could always stuff the porn in different covers like, "Naruto vol. 1" or something, and re-label them. :p
I'm surprised no one's said this. I'll be damned if customs looks at the DVD cases, opens them up and says, "Hey let's watch these and see if he's telling the truth!"
Because that'd really shock me. :eek:
PopCulturePooka
10-23-2005, 11:31 PM
Yeah put the porn into a cheapy CD case with some other CD's.
Easy.
Henjin
10-24-2005, 12:04 AM
If his 'friend' gave him 100 bucks to buy this stuff, it probably wasn't last minute, so he should've checked on this before the morning of his departure. I'm kinda surprised he didn't seeing all the preparation/questioning he did earlier.
deepbluevibes is a porn smuggler.
And xenotrauma has been giving the best advice here. Why am I the only one who's noticing this?
deepbluevibes
10-24-2005, 12:34 AM
actually henjin, this was last minute.
none of my friends except for two of them gave me money before the trip for what they wanted.
i bought things for eight people.
they:re just paying me back when i get back.
and so at customs then will they give me some list of stuff i have to claim or not or ? unless this gets replied to within the next hour i wont be able to see it so yeah.
and ill ask at the japanese airport.. if anyone speaks decent enough english to understand ~_~;;
B MacD
10-24-2005, 01:35 AM
and ill ask at the japanese airport.. if anyone speaks decent enough english to understand ~_~;;
Hahah I'd love to see the look on the staff's face when you start waving around pornographic DVDs and ask in broken Japanese, "Is this ok?"..this is too funny.
On a serious note, I DO think you have to declare everything you are bringing home. (I can only report on the Canadian side of it, since I am Canadian, but I would suspect the procedures are largely similar.) When you go through customs in the US, they will ask precisely what you are bringing home, and it's value.
No one here can tell you what to do, it's up to you. Check the US Customs website regarding prohibited items. Asking in Japan is pretty useless IMO, since they're not American Customs officials and aren't qualified to say if it's permitted or not. Most likely they'll say NO, given how strict Japan is on importing these kind of things.
I don't think the penalties for getting caught after failing to declare your porn would be terribly severe. They would most likely seize it, and you might get slapped with a fine. You're not going to go to jail for $100 of porn. If it's not illegal, it's still illegal to lie to customs and intentionally not report something. You could plead ignorance.."I have no idea how 'Lesbian Gangang: Hiroko's Revenge' got in there, sir! Honest!"
If you do decide to do it: I think if you act calm and natural at Customs, you'll do fine. Act like a nervous wreck (i.e. give them a reason to search you) and you could have problems. I brought back a truckload of illegal stuff from Thailand last year (over a hundred pirated DVDs, and a switchblade knife, to name a few) and naturally I didn't declare any of it. Of course I could have been hit with a random search, in which case I'd be f*cked. You could be randomly searched too. People all around me were, and it was definately making me worried. Putting it in the middle of your bag will do nothing. If they search your stuff, it will be thorough. It's their job.
Anyways good luck if you decide to do it, and enjoy your tea and porn party when you get back.
Masa the Masta
10-24-2005, 01:39 AM
Anyways good luck if you decide to do it, and enjoy your tea and porn party when you get back.
There are worse things. There could be crumpets and sodomy.
stsparky
10-24-2005, 01:54 AM
Mail the porn back via Express Mail.
They'll tell you if it is okay or not.
- Sparky
Enjoy
10-24-2005, 01:58 AM
It won't be a problem.
Henjin
10-24-2005, 05:49 AM
Goodness. I freakin' went to Japan and came back to the US. I went through customs. You don't have to declare everything on a per item basis. They ask a bunch of questions (in written form) that are basically meant to see if you're bringing anything illegal into the States, then you estimate the total value. That's it. I don't know why he won't listen to me. This is the 20th time I've said this.
You fill out the card, you get to the airport, you stand in the US Citizen's line, you give them your passport/card, they stamp it say 'welcome home' and you pickup your bags and go home.
The only place that was doing random bag checks was Narita, as you boarded. Nothing like that when I got back, though it'll obviously vary depending on the airport. This was at O'Hare.
Pierrot le Fou
10-24-2005, 06:27 AM
Foresight is clearly not your forte.
Porn is a no-no as far as bringing it from the US to Japan (because of censorship laws). It may be illegal in the US or not. I have no idea. Nobody else likely does either. If it's DVDs, they're not going to watch them to check, and may just shrug, or may confiscate them. I've never heard of trouble going to the US, and plenty of trouble with porn into Japan, but that doesn't mean shit.
The form on the airplane will dictate what you have to declare. If you write, 'souvenirs/gifts $150' or whatever for the tea and porn, it's declared. Nobody has a copy of US customs law on the airplane, and so long as you declare the important stuff, you'll be fine. You shouldn't have any problems if you have under $500-$1000 worth of stuff you're declaring (I forget the exact amount).
Just take 'em back and hope would be my advice. Be aware of legal age as far as the ownership of porn is concerned in the state you're returning to though.
Henjin
10-24-2005, 06:28 AM
Next time tell your perv friends they can just buy it themselves online. :p
decswxaqz
10-24-2005, 08:33 AM
Indeed. j-list.com is one place that could cater to your friend's needs :P
As far as I know, British customs don't do anything :P
The multitude of times I've come backhome there hasn't been anyone after the baggage hall in the customs section. I've been able to walk on through without seeing any airport staff.
As for declaring stuff, I don't think you have to declare gifts unless they are expensive or electronic. They only want to know what they can tax you for =/.
I know it's too late for all of this, but you could have packed half the porn in your handluggage and half in the suitcase. Same with tea. The people in the baggage handling places (assuming they x-ray and check) will only see $50 worth of porn. Same for customs' guys before you leave the airport (in Japan, they've only asked to see my suitcase before leaving the airport).
deepbluevibes
10-24-2005, 08:34 AM
im at the airport right now, using the internet here.
anyways, yeah thanks for the advice guys, that sounds good, ill just declare it and if it gets taken, it gets taken.
also i'm 20, so i think that's well over age for california porn laws...
and yeah again, i didn't know i needed foresight for something i bought the last day of my trip >.>
Pierrot le Fou
10-24-2005, 09:12 AM
It's really simple.
Put it in the bag, declare it with the rest of the crap you have for gifts as 'souvenirs/gifts.' Don't try to hide them in the bag. Don't plead ignorance if they ask about them. And it's 99% likely you'll be fine.
kyaa the catlord
10-24-2005, 10:31 AM
I've gotten a few choice photobooks from j-list and amazon.co.jp no problem...
And Swing Girls.
Never had a problem with customers, even though a couple of the 'books are a bit on the loli side.
hah! I work forr customs you BITCHES!
I've got you RED HANDED deepblue! MUHAHAHAHHAA. Suckers. Time to report this.
kyaa the catlord
10-24-2005, 11:17 AM
Muahahahah. All you'll get is my hardcore transexual handicap pr0n.
I wonder if he's in Jail right now....
Just cursing, "Damn you op9! DAMN YOU!"
Henjin
10-24-2005, 05:26 PM
Yeah, I wanna know how he did.. But if he was in the airport around 9hrs ago... He's still got a few more hours before he hits the US... (maybe not as much if he's just flying to LA)
Radiance
10-24-2005, 06:53 PM
This is by far the best thread i've read this week. Just... I can't stop laughing. I look forward to the conclusion of this grand adventure.
lol. Henjin, I vote you to pick him up at prison upon his return.
Idlethought
10-24-2005, 07:59 PM
im surprised im the only one to say this but
people actually still buy porn? what do you use the internet for then?
Henjin
10-24-2005, 09:28 PM
I didn't tell him to do any international smut-shopping. Let his pervy friends bail him out. :p
It's for my "friend." :lol:
deepbluevibe's new title better be international smut-smuggler.
deepbluevibes
10-25-2005, 09:26 AM
well i made it through
and they DID confiscate...
the tangerines we bought. but nothing else. hahaha
Invictus
10-25-2005, 09:39 AM
Did you declare it, or just hope they wouldn't search? ;)
deepbluevibes
10-25-2005, 11:22 AM
oh, i declared it. =P
"6 cd's and three magazines of pornography"
悲しいパンダ
10-25-2005, 11:32 AM
oh, i declared it. =P
"6 cd's and three magazines of pornography"
lol XD There goes $100 worth of porn...did you tell your friends yet?
alansmithee
10-25-2005, 01:23 PM
Wow, that must've been some coming home party you had planned. 6 porn DVD's, green tea, and tangerines? I've heard of some kinky stuff, but that takes the cake :).
Pierrot le Fou
10-25-2005, 02:11 PM
Why the dickens would you bring tangerines? First of all, they're expensive as hell. Second of all, they will NEVER clear customs and state so on the plane.
Henjin
10-25-2005, 02:27 PM
I thought I was cool for smuggling in half a piece of cake someone made for me... :p
DGMavn
10-25-2005, 02:50 PM
I have to say that having read this entire thread in 10 minutes, seeing that you made it in with the porn merited a victory fist-pump. Job well done, sir.
And if he wanted to do something really kinky, he would've brought a noose and some Japanese lemons and had an autoerotic asphyxiation party. Tangerines don't give you the same rush when your jaw snaps shut on them.
deepbluevibes
10-25-2005, 03:50 PM
Why the dickens would you bring tangerines? First of all, they're expensive as hell. Second of all, they will NEVER clear customs and state so on the plane.
...three dollars for 10 tangerines? here in america it's about 5 dollars for 3 tangerines.
B MacD
10-25-2005, 04:11 PM
...three dollars for 10 tangerines? here in america it's about 5 dollars for 3 tangerines.
Shipping fruit/vegetables on your own across international borders is a big no-no. I thought this was generally considered common knowledge?
Anyways congrats on your mission..now you can break out the KY and teapot and get "down to business!" :D
stsparky
10-25-2005, 04:24 PM
Oh my. Just direct "your friend" to j-list next time. Peter Payne needs the business.
Henjin
10-25-2005, 04:40 PM
Everyone raise your hand if you believe he bought all that for "his friend."
*crickets*
Masa the Masta
10-25-2005, 05:52 PM
Everyone raise your hand if you believe he bought all that for "his friend."
*crickets*
Hey, don't make fun of imaginary friends. "My friend" enjoys pornography regularly as well. It's not fair to single him out because of his "friends". (Or maybe lacking thereof, in his case. :( )
Wow, that must've been some coming home party you had planned. 6 porn DVD's, green tea, and tangerines? I've heard of some kinky stuff, but that takes the cake :).
That made me laugh for some reason. Partly because it was already funny, and partly because I really don't want to do this hw and I needed a break.
Thanks.
WE NEED SOME BETTER LOL SMILIES!! DAMN IT!
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