Prohibited Items
The below are items we cannot ship out of Japan. This list is not all-inclusive so if in doubt please send us an email.
In many countries, only FedEx, DHL, and Seamail are available due to COVID-19. Many common items are unavailable via FedEx and DHL including:
- Beauty Products and Cosmetics (Cosmetics without ethanol are allowed ONLY for DHL)
- Car/Bike Engine Parts
- Food (Snacks OK ONLY for DHL)
- Liquid items (Beverages OK ONLY for DHL)
Please see our article regarding additional restrictions for DHL and FedEx .
We also recommend viewing the official prohibited item list by Japan Post for the most up-to-date information.
Non-Sendable Articles
These are some common items we cannot ship that have arrived with us in the past:
- Alcohol content above 24% (except for USA/Canada where ALL alcohol is banned)
- Engines, tanks, exhaust, or any other mechanical parts that could come into contact with oil/petrol
- Shock absorbers containing gas
- Zippo lighters
- Nail polish
- Perfume
- Stand-alone batteries or mobile battery chargers
- Items restricted by trade laws such as Ivory or Python Skin (goods made from endangered animals)
- Aerosols
- Sunscreen
- Hair Color Products
- Credit Cards, bank statements, etc
- Laundry Detergent and other cleaning liquids
- Any tobacco-related items (both normal and e-cigarette related)
- Money of any type including collectible coins and gift cards.
- Raw food such as fruits, vegetables, meat, etc
General Guidelines:
Explosives and hazardous materials
Below are some more general guidelines for items that will be refused for shipment.
Gunpowders
Including but not limited to Fireworks, firecrackers, ammunition
Flammable liquids
Including but not limited to Lighter fuel, paint, resin, oil (and any items that may have contained these such as oil tanks for cars), grease, lubricants
Compressed gasses
Including but not limited to Fire extinguishers, aqualungs, dust removers (spray type), portable condensed oxygen, helium gas, gas stove burners for camping, gas for portable stoves, gas for lighters
Flammable materials
Including but not limited to: Matches, lighters
Oxidizers
Including but not limited to: Bleach, peroxidative agents, oxygen generators for personal use
Oxidizers
Including but not limited to: Chloroform, insecticide transpirators (heat type)
Poisonous substances
Including but not limited to: Mercury, batteries
Radioactive substances
Including but not limited to: Plutonium, radium, uranium, caesium
Drugs
Including but not limited to: Narcotics and psychotropic substances or tobacco.
Live animals and plants
Live animals
Plants including Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Any item including soil/dirt
Country-Specific Restrictions
United States of America
- Meat products including powdered and dried content are not permitted.
- Alcoholic beverages
Canada
- Alcoholic beverages
Australia and New Zealand
- Natural products, seeds, wood, or any items that would pose a biohazard are not permitted
- Fruit and vegetable products
