[utsu]

Also, there is a different option - unaccompanied luggage.
I had to ship our belongings like that, just to be sure to avoid customs duties.

When you arrive in Japan, you fill out a landing/customs form, there is a box there for "unaccompanied luggage". Check it, that way the customs guys are aware that there will be additional shipments coming.

I used an air shipping company, the downside was I had to collect the boxes at the airport myself. But it was cheap and hassle free when it came to customs clearances. I sent 12 huge plastic bins as unaccompanied luggage last year.


In the past I was been asked to pay customs duties even on my own stuff shipped to me in other ways (priority mail, FedEx, etc) and explaining that it was my stuff, used and old, was a nightmare.
But I guess it all depends on what you want to send.