MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- "Good morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Sgt. Stan Smith, and I will be your customs and immigration representative for this portion of the customs process. At this time I will be briefing you on restricted and prohibited items that can or cannot be brought into the country of Japan per Department of Defense regulation 5030.49R and Marine Corps Bases Japan Order 5840.1A."
People coming to or leaving Japan will hear these words uttered to them by Smith or other customs representatives.
"Before we search anything, I always give a brief and give the passengers an amnesty period. During this time they can bring to us anything at all and we will not charge them with anything," stated Smith, a senior customs inspector for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. "But once the amnesty period is over, it is over."
In his field of work, Smith said he must be clear about things he wants people to declare.
"People must understand that it is very serious what they bring along with them (when entering or departing countries)," said Smith.
One of the top priorities for customs is pornographic material, drugs, weapons and copied digital videodiscs. Alcohol, tobacco, organic materials, food, medication and contraband are other items that will be heavily examined, according to Smith.
Service members in units that go on deployments should take heed to the introduction (brief) that is given to them, said Gunnery Sgt. David Walker, H&HS customs chief.
"There are so many items that people buy and bring with them while deployed that can get them in trouble. Whether it is a pirated compact disc, DVD, or animal products and by-products, there are consequences," said Walker.
Coming from a recent deployment to Thailand, a service member purchased a pair of elephant tusks poached by hunters, said Smith.
"That's a federal offense in the United States. Somebody caught with an item like that would easily get 10 to 15 years in prison. But during the amnesty period, it was brought forth and no charges were filed," said Smith.
Same rules apply if somebody is outbound from Japan, Smith said. For selected items such as household goods, correct paperwork must be filled out. If not, items will be thoroughly searched both here and at the point of destination, and possibly confiscated, if not declared.
For more information on customs clearance, contact the Customs Office at 253-3592.