Customs forms upon entry and Ocean Freight Shipping concerns

[tokyobelle 2]

hi everyone, hope someone experienced this before.

i am having my personal items shipped through ocean freight from Japan (where i currently live). i am not bringing furnitures with me but i do have a monitor, electric guitar and a bunch of clothes, shoes and books.

i read somewhere that i have to declare unaccompanied items (form #3299). do i need to fill out this form in advance or do i get it on the plane or the port of entry? do i need this to declare the said items i am shipping through ocean freight.

the shipping staffs are a bit confused with the situation but they said they will call me back. can i have the shipments arrived prior to my landing and if it's gonna be a concern?

i have only a couple of weeks left before i arrive so it will be hard to sell these stuff and most of it have sentimental value (darn why moving is so hard )

thank you in advance

[JeannieL 44]

The form 3299 has to be with the unaccompanied goods. I just shipped things from Canada to the US. One stipulation is that you have to arrive in the US before the shipment does. I arrived a week ago today. My shipment will be here on Tuesday. You can print the forms and fill them out. I attached a copy to each box/container just in case they got separated. You will need to provide a photocopy of your passport bio page and your visa page to the shipping company. If you need any help filling out the forms I can try to help :-)

Best wishes.

[tokyobelle 2]

The form 3299 has to be with the unaccompanied goods. I just shipped things from Canada to the US. One stipulation is that you have to arrive in the US before the shipment does. I arrived a week ago today. My shipment will be here on Tuesday. You can print the forms and fill them out. I attached a copy to each box/container just in case they got separated. You will need to provide a photocopy of your passport bio page and your visa page to the shipping company. If you need any help filling out the forms I can try to help :-)

Best wishes.

hi Jeannie, thanks for the information. so i just attach a copy of the forms in my goods, then i don't have to declare anything upon entry at the airport? so it looks like i really have to claim it myself. thanks again and i might bug you if i have further questions XD

[JeannieL 44]

You don't need to declare it at the airport if it isn't going with you. Attach one copy to each box (on the outside) just in case they get separated during shipping. Give 2 copies to the people who are shipping and keep one for yourself. You will fill a customs form out when you fly but that is just for the things that are going with you on that flight. Please feel free to contact me with any questions :-)