Carrying cash from Australia to Japan
Two separate rules apply to any cash journey: one where you leave, one where you arrive.
Do you need to declare?
Yes: and on both legs of the journey. Leaving Australia, AUSTRAC requires a declaration above AUD 10,000. Entering Japan, Japan Customs requires a declaration above JPY 1,000,000. The two rules are independent: satisfying one does not satisfy the other.
The two legs
| Leg | Limit | Form | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaving Australia | AUD 10,000 | Cross-Border Movement: Physical Currency Form | AUSTRAC |
| Entering Japan | JPY 1,000,000 | Declaration of Carrying of Means of Payment | Japan Customs |
The same duty applies moving money out. Bearer negotiable instruments payable to any person must also be reported.
Required when the total exceeds ¥1,000,000 or its equivalent. The threshold falls to ¥100,000 if you are travelling to or from North Korea.
If you do not declare
Australia: Significant fines; undeclared cash may be seized.
Japan: Penalties under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.
There is no limit on how much you may legally carry in either direction, the duty is to report it, not to keep under it. Failing to report is the offence.
Currencies
Australia uses AUD; Japan uses JPY.
Sources: rules as of 22 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; always check the official authority before travelling.