Detailed airport guideWhy is security screening required for connecting flights?
When you transfer at Narita Airport, in principle, you are required to be screened according to the Japanese criteria. Even if you cleared security screening at the departure airport, you need to be screened again according to that country’s criteria. There is a detailed explanation below.
1.Travel between foreign airports via Narita Airport
For example, if you fly from a city in Country A (Overseas City A) to a city in Country B (Overseas City B) via Narita Airport, you have to be screened twice—once in Country A and again at Narita Airport.
Steps for going through security screening
- 1.Passengers are allowed to depart from Overseas City A only if they have screened at the airport in Overseas City A according to Country A’s criteria.
- 2.After arriving at Narita Airport, they are required to be screened again according to the Japanese criteria. At the arrival area, you have only screened according to Country A’s criteria.
- 3.Passengers who have been screened security screening according to the Japanese criteria are allowed to depart for Overseas City B.
Example: Fly from overseas city A to overseas city B via Narita Airport
2.Fly from an airport in Japan to an overseas airport via Narita Airport
If you fly from City C in Japan to an overseas airport via Narita Airport, you have to be screened twice—once in City C and again at Narita Airport.
Steps for clearing security screening
- 1.Passengers are allowed to depart from City C in Japan if they have been screened according to the criteria for domestic flight
- 2.After arriving at Narita Airport, you have to be screened according to the Japanese criteria for international flights before entering the international departure area. Those who have been screened again are allowed to depart for an overseas city.
Example: Fly from City C in Japan to an overseas city via Narita Airport
3.Fly from an overseas airport to an airport in Japan via Narita Airport
If you arrive at Narita Airport from overseas and connect to a domestic flight, you are required to complete the immigration procedure and enter the Public Area. Therefore, you must be screened again before boarding a domestic flight.
For example, if you fly from Overseas City A to City C in Japan via Narita Airport, you have to be screened twice.
Steps for clearing security screening
- 1.Passengers are allowed to depart from Overseas City A only if they have been screened according to Country A’s criteria.
- 2.After arriving at Narita Airport, they are supposed to complete the immigration procedure and enter the Public Area. In order to enter the departure area for a domestic flight, they are required to be screened again according to the Japanese criteria.
- 3.Passengers who have be screened according to the Japanese criteria are allowed to depart for a destination in Japan.
Example: Fly from Overseas City A to City C in Japan via Narita Airport
4.Depart from Narita Airport and connect at an overseas airport
If you depart from Narita Airport and connect at an overseas airport, you may be required to be screened at the connection airport due to the difference of the security criteria.
For details, please make inquiries with your airline.