Is a cane considdered a “medical device” ?
Is a cane considdered a “medical device” ?
So my dad has a cane, and a CPAP machine.
Everything I’ve read says I need to fill out a “Yakkan Shoumei or a Yunyu Kakunin-sho” (import license) for medical devices.
The Japan embassy in the US states that “You can bring one (1) medical device for household
use without applying for a Yakkan Shoumei. When you bring your personal
medical devices, officers at customs will check the number of devices,
and then you can bring them into Japan.”
The MHLW (ministry of health labour and welfare) also agrees with this: “When you bring your personal medical devices into Japan up to the amount
described below, you do not have to apply for “Yunyu Kakunin-sho”,
instead the officers at customs check the amount of your bringing
devices, and then you can bring them into Japan.”So my question is: “does a cane qualify as a medical device” ?
and does both it and the CPAP count towards his “1 medical device”
so that we have to do an import form for either the cane, CPAP, or both?- 2 Replies
Hello,
My power wheelchair has never been classified as a medical device, so a simple cane certainly would be fine. I think the CPAP machine would be considered a medical device though.
We are good.
I got a responce from the MHLW confirming:
“Your father can bring one CPAP machine set into Japan without any paperwork.
However, in order to clear the Customs, Doctor’s letter or medical report with his name as
patient indicating the need for CPAP, as an evidence of his personal use, is required.
As for the others, there is no problem and no paperwork required”So no “import license” required for any of it. cane/CPAP/Scooter.
But will need Doctor’s letter for the CPAP to prove personal use.
I might get one for the scooter too, anyway, if we DO get him a scooter that is.
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