What are some ways to make a temporary international move go smoothly?

April 5, 2006 9:44 AM

I am moving to Okinawa, Japan in seven months. I am looking for logistical tips on how to make a temporary international move go smoothly.

I'll be there for nine months with my wife. We own a house here in the U.S. that we will likely rent out, either to friends (ideally) or strangers (sub-optimally). The plan is to bring only the essentials for the project I'm working on -- books and computers, photography equipment and the like.

Since I've never done this before, I'm trying to plan well in advance. I'm hoping MeFites who have done similar things have advice for me.

Any general "things I wish I had known/things you should think about" tips on preparing for this move would be much appreciated. Any ideas about the specific matters I'm about to list would also be nice.

Specifically, I'm trying to get ideas for how best to:

* Get an international driver's license/prepare for driving
* Handle financial transactions in the U.S. from abroad (such as receiving rent checks, paying my mortgage)
* Dealing with Japanese taxes or any import duties on electronics
* Signing up for the Japanese health care system

Thanks in advance!

posted by jeffmshaw to Travel & Transportation around Okinawa, Japan (5 answers total)

I've taken several computers and various electronic equpment in and out of Japan and I have never paid import duty. If you are worried about customs, 'sea-mail' is your friend. It is a cheaper way send bulk items (about $30 for a computer tower ), but they will take about a month to arrive. This is the best way to send non-essential items like books or protect expensive electronics from import duty.

I got my international driver's licence at a local AAA. It took less than an hour and cost about $15. Call your local branch and see if they can help you out.

If you don't speak Japanese you might need someone to help you sign up for heathcare, the forms are pretty complicated. Your boss or a co-worker might be willing to help you. I did it at city hall and got my insurance book the same day. The national heathcare system is pretty great. I had a wisdom tooth pulled for about $20, drugs included!
posted by Alison at 9:59 AM on April 5, 2006

You should sign up for the healthcare because you only have to pay the bare minimum in the first year. By the time they work out how much you earn you'll be back home.

When you ship your stuff just write on the form "used personal effects" and customs won't touch them. You only have to pay duties on new items.

Surely you can do all of your US banking via the Internet?
posted by dydecker at 11:16 AM on April 5, 2006

I've never been charged any tariff for electronics I was bringing with me for my own use. Bring your own deodorant (and other hygiene stuff) if you are particular about it. I've switched to the crystal rock stuff which is really good and widely available. Make sure you've got online banking set up before you come, and bring your checkbook to mail utility checks and the like.

As a result of mergers, my U.S. bank since the early '80s is now owned by the Japanese bank where I have my main account, yet I cannot transfer money internationally between the accounts, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE THE SAME COMPANY!! My Paypal account attached to both of them is how I transfer money. Stupid! Get it all spelled out, what you can and cannot do, before you leave, especialy if you don't have a mom or sister back home to handle transactions for you.

International mail forwarding co.

Also, you should stop in kyoto on the way and bring me a pair of size 13 black loafers and a bag of chile picante lemon Corn Nuts, because these are , umm, ancient Japanese folkways for ensuring good luck in your endeavor. ;-)
posted by planetkyoto at 11:35 AM on April 5, 2006

If you don't have one, get an account with a VoIP phone provider. My friends who are stationed on a short tour in Korea all use Lingo, and if you have to take care of any US business by phone, it will make a huge difference (Lingo tells us it doesn't support use overseas. It works fine anyway).
posted by Cricket at 12:35 PM on April 5, 2006

Skype has a thing called SkypeIn, which is a phone number you choose, and you can choose from many countries and states. There are also decent USB handsets out there, so if you need a homephone that your family can call, get a number in their area code (or within their local calling area if possible) and then they can talk to you for the price of the phone number (which is fairly cheap, last time I checked). Call quality ranges from crappish but usable to crystal clear, in my experience. I've used it on many long phone calls.
posted by cellphone at 3:14 PM on April 5, 2006