Importing medicine into Japan - Applying for Yakkan Shoumei (約款証明)

[venusire]

I will live in Tokyo for a year and I have to bring more than 70 boxes of medicine. Now I am doing the Yakkan Shomei, I've just sent all necessary papers and I'm waiting for the certificate. But, I have to declare those medicines in Narita Airport ? And I have to take with my hand luggage or just with the checked luggae? Which is tge procedure when I arrive to Narita? Thanks!

[getoutofmyband]

@venusire Keeping it in your hand luggage is best because if it's put in your checked luggage, customs could open them without you being there to explain/show the yakkan shoumei, etc. Also if you keep it with you, there's no risk of losing them in case your checked luggage is misplaced/lost/stolen, etc.. Once you arrive at Narita, make sure you have the Yakkan Shoumei, doctors prescriptions, letter.. anything that may help the custom officers understand what/why you're bringing meds.

[venusire]

@getoutofmyband Thank you so much for the information :)

[getoutofmyband]

@venusire Declare that you are importing medication at the customs when they ask you and show them the Yakkan Shoumei and keep other important papers such as doctor's prescription, pamphlets explaining what the meds are..etc nearby (I would even suggest to just carry a clear file in hand so they would see you're prepared.)

[en4cer450]

How about those Transderm-Scop patches placed behind one's ear for motion sickness? Will they confiscate that without a certificate? I don't have an Rx for it either (it was given as a sample).

[getoutofmyband]

@en4cer450 I'm sorry, I have no idea about that.. but if you have less than a month's worth of those, I wouldn't worry. If you want to make sure, please write to the email address I left in the description.

[akiko86]

Also for the record, International reply coupons are still available in the US - I bought mine online at the USPS store. Though you may not need them - when I got my Yakkan Shoumei in the mail, they sent back my IRCs with it.

[akiko86]

If anyone needs it, the address for if you're arriving in Naha is :

Section of Medicinal Inspection and Guidance.

Naha Daiichi chiho Godochosha

15-15-1 chome Higawa, Naha city Okinawa Pref Japan, 540-0008

[serenecelene]

I put in a $5 bill because they dont have reply coupons anymore supposedly...and they dont have japanese postage where I live o_o Do you think that will be okay? I would happily pay extra for express shipping, but can't seem to reach customs through email or phone. Gah! >_<

[getoutofmyband]

@serenecelene I don't think that will work. You should go to a bank and get a japanese 1000yen bill. BUT before you do that... email yakkan-shomei (at) mhlw.go.jp they usually reply very quickly. Write "Urgent about Yakkan Shoumei" in the title and explain who you are and your situation.

[serenecelene]

@getoutofmyband Thank you for your response! My problem is I keep receiving emails that say emails can't be sent to that address >_< i already sent the package before i posted here...thank u for the response though. I hope things work out :S

[azngeezer]

Do you have to show the yakkan shoumei when you go through customs? Or can you just not show it unless they request it? Also, do you know if it matters if you take all your medication in your carry on? Or would it be problematic just to throw it and your certificate in your luggage? Thanks! ^^

[getoutofmyband]

@azngeezer If they don't ask for it, you don't have to show it. But make sure you get it because you never know when they might ask you and if you are carrying medication for more than 1 month and you don't have it they will confiscate everything that's over a 1 month dose and you may be interrogated for a while... which is not fun when you've spent many many hours on a plane and people are waiting for you etc..

And ALWAYS carry your medication in your carry on!

[Kelailleana]

Very helpful, thank you very much :>

[oXAyaChanXo]

Good to know! Thanks a lot! J'espère que ton voyage ce passe bien! ;)

Ja matta ne!

[lockerzfan1359]

omfg i getting so high because of vicks inheler

O.o

[Keirabug]

OMFG i USED TO HAVE A HEDGEHOG JUST LIKE THAT! He was a puppet with the bandana and ALL omg what happened to him ;_____; I wish i knew where he went...

[getoutofmyband]

@Keirabug It's a puppet from Avon cosmetics 1984. I got it when I was born. img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/9/­0/8/9/1/webimg/371449389_tp.jp­g

[Keirabug]

@getoutofmyband Omg no wonder I had the same exact one, my grandma works for Avon! Haha she's been working for Avon since before I was born so it must have come from her >w< aww I wish I still had it he is so cute<3

[Octomundunchkin]

Thanks for the advice. Great video! (^____^)

[JustMiyabi]

Nice music. :)

[Entropy102]

I'm sure it will come back to you quickly. You come across as having a good grasp of the language and thats the main thing. I didn't speak or read any Japanese in August 2006 and now I'm making fun of kanji so I am sure that with a few years of formal Japanese education that you will have nooooooooooooooooooo problem. ;)

[Entropy102]

This is really useful. Good job :D

[getoutofmyband]

@Entropy102 Thank you Tony! ^_^;

[Entropy102]

@getoutofmyband : You must have watched my channel introduction to know my name then eh? Or maybe you just took the time to read my profile. Either way, thanks. :D

[getoutofmyband]

@Entropy102 I've started to watch your videos a few days ago and I like them, that's why I subscribed. I need to learn kanji. I studied japanese in university from 2006 to 2008 but then I had to comeback to my hometown where the east asian program isn't offered (and the only japanese classes offered here for beginners and it's serious crap.) so I've forgotten almost all the kanji I've learned due to lack of practice. I have Anki but I've only used it sporadically...

[getoutofmyband]

@Entropy102 but I need to start studying again.. moving to Japan in 20days. :S I'm soooo going to hate myself for not studying during the past 2 years...

[7h6yu]

my eyesight is terrible what's the eye corrective research like over there  if you know, if not please find out.

[getoutofmyband]

@7h6yu I'm sorry I don't know anything about eye corrective research in Japan. I think you'll get more answers from google than from me and I'm sorry I really don't have the time to research that at the moment. I know they have laser corrective surgery over there too but I don't know the price ranges. If I find answers to your question in the future I'll let you know.

[bravo6ranger]

Thank-you!!!! <3 u!!!!

[thinker900]

25$ more than Canadian prices. Hmmm that is pretty cheap compared to the US.

[getoutofmyband]

@thinker900 a month of 18mg concerta cost about 80$CND

[thinker900]

@getoutofmyband Well, I know that 27mg I'm taking was about 130$ USD. So, if you add the extra 25$USD it's 155$USD. Compared to >105$ it isn't all that bad.

[thinker900]

Hold on! I did mean to offend you, but I read a part of your description and thought that perhaps some good advice was in order. I too have a form of ADD called ADHD. I had fewer problems getting most meds I needed due to my time on active duty. However, rather your gong to Japan and or needing promission to carry meds it is still expensive. (V)

[getoutofmyband]

@thinker900 you didn't offend me, i was just confused as to why your comment was about allergies. I just misunderstood your comment and didn't mean to sound offended! Sorry. ;_;

Applying for the Yakkan Shoumei and bringing my meds with me is still less expensive and less trouble than trying to get them in Japan. A friend of mine who lives in Japan told me 1month of prescription for Concerta costs 20-25$ more than it does here.

[sakurabloodrose]

YAY!!!!! I'm hope you keep us updated!

[thinker900]

Or you can buy and eat local honey<- good for any pollen allergy( flowers,trees, weed,etc.) a lot cheaper.

[getoutofmyband]

@thinker900 is your comment a reply to me? coz I don't have any allergies. I have ADD which stands for "Attention deficit disorder".

[talktal]

what part of canada are you from? you have an interesting accent

[getoutofmyband]

@talktal hahaha i have the worst accent ever. I'm from Quebec.

[yumyumsesame]

This video is so informative! :) I had no idea the yakkan shoumei existed before you started talking about it and it will be super important for me in about a years time. So thank you. ^_^

[getoutofmyband]

@yumyumsesame Ohh glad I could help! ^_^

[PokemonNewsPT]

I like you. (:

[getoutofmyband]

@PokemonNewsPT :) thank you!

[zlollylawz]

Thank you :)

[getoutofmyband]

@zlollylawz my pleasure!

[isunamitch]

I'm so happy for you, finally got the right way to get everything right!

I like the background you take for your video... very nice!!!

[getoutofmyband]

@isunamitch Thanks Mitch!

It's one of my father's precious aquarium ^^

[darksunmoon]

You can't take Vicks inhalers there? Do they have anything with eucalyptus to "sniff" over there?

That stuff saved my life so many countless times!

I'm glad they let Concerta an Ritalin in, though, because it affects livelihood a lot!

P.S. Love the aquarium in the background!!

[getoutofmyband]

@darksunmoon I have no idea if they have anything similar to vicks inhalers but I'll inquire and let you know...

yeah concerta seriously changed my life. I never thought ADD was the cause of my constant exhaustion and anxiety and when my doctor told me it was obvious and prescribed me concerta I was floored by the results. I have so much more energy now that I don't waste it all trying super hard to concentrate on every little thing i have to do.

[yistgleichmmalxplusb]

@darksunmoon you can get vicks vapo steam for 1.260Yen. The family I stay at has it. So there might be Vicks inhalers. I don't know this stuff, but if you need more informations, let me know and I'll get them XD

[AJSensei]

If you go to Tokyo go to Sanno Hospital. They specialize in English. They have many English speaking doctors and translators. I go there when ever I need a doctor or dentistry.

[getoutofmyband]

@AJSensei Oh thanks for the info! :)

[AnyaE11]

Hmmm, Nyquil? Did not know that. Perhaps that's why they keep it behind the counter at the on base store.

[sukolovesyou]

今日本にいるの？

[getoutofmyband]

@sukolovesyou Masuko-chan! ^_^ I'm leaving Canada on June 15th.

[sukolovesyou]

@getoutofmyband really?! I'm leaving to Japan June 2nd & i'll be there till August!! Keep in touch, and let's meet!!! :-)

[getoutofmyband]

@sukolovesyou OMG YES!!!! SURE! ^_^ Are you going to be staying anywhere near Tokyo?

[sukolovesyou]

@getoutofmyband I'll be staying in Tokyo! but a little later I'll be going back & forth to my grandparent's in the country side, and then back in Tokyo~ :-) How about you??

[getoutofmyband]

@sukolovesyou When I arrive I'm going to stay at my friend's place in Matsudo (saitama) for a few days until I can find a suitable room to rent in a guesthouse. I want a private room but I can't afford anything too pricey so I'm going to hunt for a nice cheap place as soon as I arrive. I have a few places at the limits of Tokyo & Chiba to check out.

[sukolovesyou]

@getoutofmyband ahhh!! ok ok! once i get a cellphone in japan, i'll let you know my number and we must must muuuust hang outt! :-)

[getoutofmyband]

@sukolovesyou awesome, you can send me a private message here or on lj! ^^

[studyingjapanese]

This is really informative. thanks!

[getoutofmyband]

@studyingjapanese I'm glad to hear that! ^_^

[ImAlwaysR1ght]

そのアクアリウム、きれいですね。

[getoutofmyband]

@ImAlwaysR1ght ね〜！父のアクアリウムです。（●＾＿＾●）コメントは、ありが­とうございました。

[bookofmatch]

Ah, so scheduled drugs are not all allowed in Japan?

Amphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, etc.) are not allowed whatsoever in Japan, even with a prescription? Wow, but then again that sounds a lot like South Korea as South Korea only allows the use of methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin, etc.) and not any amphetamine-based ADHD psychostims.

Also, it's sad that Japan doesn't allow methadone and many other opioids into the country for ppl on maint./pain mgmt. They allow bupe tho.

[getoutofmyband]

@bookofmatch from the information I was able to gather amphetamines are extremely illegal in Japan. They still give a fax number on the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's website for people inquiring about stimulants, narcotics, etc.. but I think unless you have a life-threatening condition and a ton of papers and prescriptions to prove it they probably do not allow people to import them.

[bookofmatch]

@getoutofmyband ah wow, thanks for the quick response and info! Yeah, I currently am on dextro-amphetamine (Dexedrine) 10mg 3x day and therefore wouldn't be able to bring this into Japan as I was planning on visiting a few family friends there. I also plan to teach english in S. Korea once I finish my bachelors and since both S.Korea/Japan are real strict against amphetamines I guess my only option is to switch to Concerta one day. Maybe 54mg would work well for me, but I'd have to see.

[getoutofmyband]

@bookofmatch I'm not an expert but I've been told by people at the Canadian embassy in Tokyo that it can sometimes be really difficult to get medication for disorders such as ADD/ADHD, depression, anxiety, etc.. in Japan. Doctors will often ask the patient "Don't you wanna try harder?" a few times before accepting to prescribe the meds. Some will be extremely against it. Also as I said in the video it can be hard finding the same brand for the same price you paid in your home country.

[bookofmatch]

@getoutofmyband Do you know how Japanese doctors respond to anxiety problems? I sometimes take hydroxyzine (Vistaril) PRN for anxiety but I used to take benzos (Klonopin) and if I ever needed them in Japan I wouldn't want my options to be limited to me in case I have issues with that. I'm also on MMT (methadone maintenance) for opioid addiction and unfortunately Japan doesn't allow importing methadone into the country, only bupe (Subutex/Suboxone.) So I'd have to switch there too... lol!

[getoutofmyband]

@bookofmatch Dr.Doug Berger is a psychiatrist located in Tokyo.. that's the only one I know (just google his name). I think the embassy/consulate is also able to provide with a list of english speaking doctors. Or you can just google "English medical services Japan" you will find a few websites with lists too.

[getoutofmyband]

@bookofmatch I take Concerta (Methylphenidate) 18mg once daily and I was told that without the Yakkan Shoumei the maximum I could bring was 1.8gram (100 capsules of 18mg) they consider that to be a month worth of medicine but in my case 100 capsules = 100 days...so a bit more than 3 months. I sent my application today to import a year worth of Concerta, we'll see how it goes. I sent it by priority mail with about 20$ of reply-coupons so they could send me the certificate by EMS.

[bookofmatch]

@getoutofmyband Ah so they are only allowing you to bring up to 1.8grams of methylphenidate? How would follow-up scripts every month reach you? I would think that a relative could fill your script for Concerta in Canada/the states/etc. and then mail your script to you every month. Otherwise you would need to find a doctor to give you a script every month in Japan if you plan to stay there for a long period of time, right? I hope things work out!

[getoutofmyband]

@bookofmatch actually I have a prescription for 1yr of Concerta and the doc wrote a note for the pharmacist to inform him I was moving to Japan for a year so I'll be able to buy 365 capsules & bring them with me. I was told by the Kanto-Shinetsu that I can't have my meds sent to me by mail. I can only bring them with me on my flight to Japan along with my prescription/doc letter/yakkan shoumei. And if I haven't received the Yakkan Shomei b4 leaving they'll probably confiscate my meds at customs.

[bookofmatch]

@getoutofmyband Oh wow, you're lucky. I guess Canada allows you to fill one year of scripts for methylphenidate; in the states here we would only be allowed to get 3 months max and would need to get a new hardcopy/script from the doctor every 3 months due to DEA regulations. I wonder how this would work out if you wanted to stay for a longer period outside of the states... meh. Good luck, and thanks for the advice! I guess one would have to find a doc to script meds there with US laws..

[getoutofmyband]

@bookofmatch yeah I was surprised to see that I could fill one year of scripts too!

[bookofmatch]

@getoutofmyband Hm, oh wow, sorry I missed what you said earlier but wow, Canada would allow you to fill a years worth of Concerta at one time to import? Holy crap, that would never be allowed in the states, only up to 3 months here for schedule 2 meds (most ADHD meds), hence I asked about how you would get follow up scripts each month.... ah

[APOKALYPSE34]

This is going to be really helpful for people! Good to see you covering things that not alot of people are talking about.

Cheers!

[getoutofmyband]

@APOKALYPSE34 I went through so much trouble to apply for Yakkan Shoumei that I figured out making a video could prevent other people from getting headaches and panic attacks like I did.. hehe. Thanks for your comment! ^_^ Are you still coming to Japan this summer?