PCS to Japan Unaccompanied Baggage

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So when we set up our HHG we were originally told not to do the unaccompanied baggage (used to be called express shipment) due to the fact that it would arrive the same time as out HHG. I am here to tell you that is not true do not let them tell you that. I did more research and found out it’s not true and a very good Idea to send it. Your accompanied baggage is picked up a few weeks before your HHG and is shipped via air via Space A so it will likely arrive when you arrive in Japan if not shortly after and by time you get housing; ours arrived before we even arrived. Once you get housing you can go to personal property and arrange for your unaccompanied baggage to be delivered. I used a bunch or resources to pack our unaccompanied baggage; if you take to Pinterest and google and just search for “what to pack in unaccompanied baggage to japan” or something similar it will bring up a bunch of lists. One that I think I took the most from was at worldtravelingmilitaryfamily.com. I left somethings out and added some others but this is the one I decided worked for us.
Now that we have received our shipment there are a few things I did not put in ours that I wish I had. I only sent one set of dishes for each person in the family and one set of utensils, this was a bad idea I would suggest at least 2. We also PCSed during Christmas, I would suggest doing some early Christmas shopping and sending some of that ahead of time. We did not do this although it wouldn’t have mattered because we did not get into housing before Christmas but if you are going to PCS around Christmas but will be there about 2 months before I would send some stuff ahead. We did not send a shower curtain that was a mistake as well. I would at least send one however you can by a cheap one at the NEX if you do not send one. We also did not send tools again we should have we ended up having to buy a set of screwdrivers.

A defiant must is to take a look at the school supply requirements for the kid’s new school, the base school (Shirley Lanham) has a list on their website. I suggest sending the school supplies ahead or even putting them in the kid’s luggage. The exchange on Atsugi is small and has a small supply of school supplies when it is not back to school season. I was able to put most of the required supplies in the kid’s suit case. We also did not pack a coffee pot why I do not know it was very stupid. So pack one for your sanity.     

Please let me know if you packed anything I did not and I will add it to the list.

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