Traveling to Japan with CPAP

[MrQuickster]

Hello,

I'm a new user, so I apologize if this subject has been covered recently. (I was unable to find any information specific to this topic).

I will be traveling from the United States to Tokyo, Japan in a few weeks.

I have researched, but it is still unclear to me whether or not I will need a special form (Yakkan Shoumei) to enter the country with my personal CPAP.

Does anyone have any experience in this area?

[pbriggs]

Never went to Japan, but you might want to contact your airline or travel agent for details:
http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-medimport.html

According to the US Embassy:
"Generally, up to one month's supply of allowable prescription medicine can be brought into Japan. Travelers must bring a copy of their doctor's prescription as well as a letter stating the purpose of the drug. Travelers who must carry more than one month's supply (except prohibited drugs and controlled drugs), or are carrying syringes (pumps) or a CPAP machine, are required to obtain a so-called "Yakkan Shoumei", or an import certificate in advance, and show the "Yakkan Shoumei" certificate with your prescription medicines at the Customs."

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/he ... ls/01.html
(Contact for further information)
Contact for Drugs, Quasi drugs, Cosmetics and Medical devices
Kanto-Shin’etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare　　　　　　　　　　TEL: +81-48-740-0800
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 e-mail: yakkan-shomei@mhlw.go.jp
(Place of arrival: Narita international Airport, Tokyo International Airport, etc.)
Kinki Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　TEL: +81-6-6942-4096
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 e-mail: kiyakuji@mhlw.go.jp
(Place of arrival: Chubu Centrair International Airport, Kansai International Airport, etc)
Okinawa Narcotics Control Office, Kyushu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare
　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　TEL: +81-98-853-7100
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 　e-mail: okinawa-yakuji@mhlw.go.jp
(Place of arrival: Naha Airport, etc)
Contact for Narcotics and Psychotropics
Compliance and Narcotics Division, Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau, Ministry of Health,
Labour and Welfare　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　FAX　+81-3-3501-0034
(Place of arrival: All)


might want to drop them an email - otherwise you will loose your equipment best case, end up in jail worst case

[pbriggs]

Here is the link to the form:
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/he ... dl/qa1.pdf

it specifically talks about xPAP machines, so I would say you need one - they say it can take up to 2 weeks to process.

[dtsm]

I've visited almost every country in Asia, except Japan and never ever had even a remote issue/question re entry with cpap unit. Even though Japan are sticklers for rules, I don't anticipate you should have any problems.

The cpaptalk equivalent site for travel is Flyertalk.com and they have several threads - if you might want to get confirmation:

1. The japan thread is probably you're best bet to ask: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan-509/
2. There is also a disability travel thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/disability-travel-224/. You can do a search or ask here also.

FWIW, I've flown ANA multiple times in years past, and had to pre-register my ResMed model but that was all. They permitted on-board/inflight use from JFK to Tokyo. Safe travels.

[greyhound]

I've been to Japan several times and never had trouble bringing my CPAP machine. In fact, I'm planning on bringing it with me in two weeks.