Prohibited Items

Customs authorities and shipping partners are increasingly strict in enforcing regulations. To help you avoid canceled orders and delays, we have compiled this guide to prohibited items.

Items are often regulated for safety, legal, or customs reasons, and these rules vary by destination and carrier. Please note this list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure about a specific item, reach out to us at hello@japanrabbit.com before placing your order.

Please note that Japan Rabbit is unable to obtain or accept Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for items.

The most common prohibited items

Perfume, fragrance, and scented sprays
Ink, pens, and printer toner (depends on type; see our ink guide)
Sunscreen
Nail polish and ethanol-based products
Dietary supplements and medications
Oils, grease, and lubricants
Detergent, cleaning agents, and dye
Bleach
Insecticide and pesticide
Lithium-ion batteries (not installed in a device)
Lighters
Airsoft guns and model toy guns

What happens if an item cannot be shipped?

Before purchase: If we identify a prohibited item during order processing, the item will be canceled and you will not be charged. We’ll let you know the reason.

After arrival at our warehouse: If an item is found to be prohibited after it has been received, we’re unable to ship it internationally. You will have two options:

Dispose of the item. You can submit a disposal request from your account, and we’ll safely dispose of it on your behalf. For instructions, see our service request guide.
Ship domestically within Japan. The item can be sent to a domestic address, such as a friend or back to the seller. Domestic shipments are sent via Sagawa Express.

We do our best to offer practical options, but we’re unable to guarantee that every item can be shipped due to carrier and regulatory restrictions.

Shipping restrictions by carrier

Different carriers have different rules. Use this table to check what FedEx, DHL, and Japan Post will and won’t accept.

❌ Not shippable ⚠️ Conditionally shippable ✅ Shippable

Product	FedEx	DHL	Japan Post
Food and drinks (all meat products are prohibited for every method)	❌	✅ ❌ Canada, China, Macau, France, Hong Kong	✅
Honey (except when mixed with other foods)	❌	❌	❌
Alcoholic drinks (contact us with the product URL and ABV before ordering)	❌	⚠️	⚠️ ❌ USA, Canada
Hair oil, hair dye	❌	❌	❌
Cosmetics (ethanol-free)	❌	⚠️ Cannot ship liquids	✅
Cosmetics (containing ethanol): hair products, body soaps, bath salts, bath bombs	❌	❌	❌
Cosmetic brushes	❌	✅	✅
Candles (unscented)	❌	✅	✅
Aroma or scented candles	❌	❌	❌
Sunscreen	❌	❌	❌
Perfume, fragrance, cologne, scented liquids or sprays	❌	❌	❌
Acrylic and oil paints	❌	❌	❌
Water-based paints	❌	❌	✅
Level tools (with liquid)	❌	❌	❌
Snow globes (with liquid)	❌	❌	❌
Nail polish, UV/LED gel nail products, nail primer	❌	❌	❌
Lotion (adult)	❌	✅	✅
Over-the-counter medication, eye drops, supplements	❌	❌	❌
Detergent, cleaning agents, fabric dye	❌	❌	❌
Bleach	❌	❌	❌
Watches and clocks (all types)	✅ ❌ USA	✅	✅
Glasses, sunglasses, telescopes (with lenses)	✅ ❌ USA	✅ ❌ USA	✅
Glasses and sunglasses (frames only)	✅	✅	✅
Contact lenses (including colored)	✅ ❌ USA	✅ ❌ USA	✅
Shoes, sandals, slippers	✅ ❌ USA	✅	✅
Precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, gemstones, pearls)	❌	✅	❌ EMS ⚠️ Parcel Post (depends on country)
Lithium-ion batteries (≤2 batteries, installed in a device)	✅	✅	⚠️ Not available to some countries
Lithium-ion batteries (3+ batteries, installed in a device)	✅	✅	❌
Lithium-ion batteries (not installed in a device)	❌	❌	❌
Nickel-metal hydride batteries	✅	❌	✅
Power banks, mobile batteries	❌	❌	❌
Dry cell batteries	✅	✅	✅
Button batteries (installed in a device)	❌	✅	✅
Ink, pens, and markers	⚠️ See ink guide	⚠️ See ink guide	⚠️ See ink guide (not available for USA)
Lighters and lighter oil	❌	❌	❌
Zippo lighters	⚠️ Outer case only	⚠️ Outer case only	⚠️ Outer case only
Pyroelectric stones (for lighters)	❌	❌	❌
Charcoal filters	⚠️ Paper type only	❌	❌
Insecticides and pesticides	❌	❌	❌
Adhesives (flammable)	❌	❌	❌
Adhesives (non-flammable)	❌	✅	✅
Industrial magnets (general magnets are fine)	❌	❌	❌
Cigarettes and e-cigarettes	❌	❌	❌
Aroma oil, essential oil	❌	❌	❌
Incense	✅	✅	✅
Resin	❌	❌	❌
DVD, Blu-ray, laser disc	✅ ❌ USA	✅	✅
Nintendo Switch (3 batteries)	✅	✅	❌
Airsoft guns, model guns	❌	❌	❌
Swords and toy swords	❌	❌	✅ ❌ UK, Jersey
Wireless earphones with charging case (3 batteries)	✅	✅	❌
Speakers under 40 cm (including amplifier speakers)	✅	✅	❌
Steering wheels with airbags, airbags	❌	❌	❌
Seat belt pretensioners	❌	❌	❌
Suspension shock absorbers (including toys; contain oil and high-pressure gas)	❌	❌	❌
Parts with oil or grease (car parts, bike parts, toys; must be new and never lubricated)	❌	❌	❌
Engines and motors (including toys and RC cars)	❌	❌	❌
Deodorant (all types)	❌	❌	❌

Dangerous goods we cannot ship by any method

The following are classified as dangerous goods and are strictly prohibited from international shipping. This list is not exhaustive.

Items containing gas
High-pressure gas cylinders and cassettes, helium, chlorofluorocarbon, nitrogen (including liquid), camping gas products, portable gas stoves

Spray cans
All aerosol sprays including hair spray, deodorant spray, lacquer spray, medicated sprays

Oxygen products
Concentrated oxygen injectors, portable oxygen inhalers, oxygen cylinders (aqualungs), fire extinguishers, small oxygen generators

Hazardous and poisonous substances
Drug paraphernalia, anesthetics, mercury (including in batteries and thermometers), chloroform, peroxide bleach, oxidizing agents, asbestos, formalin, formaldehyde, uranium, plutonium, thorium, radioactive materials

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash, counterfeit currency, lottery tickets, gift certificates, food and beverage coupons, credit cards, bank statements

Cultural property
National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, Important Art Objects, official documents

Live organisms and plants
Animals, insects, bonsai, ornamental plants, seeds, any item with soil attached

Gas-producing substances
Dry ice, sodium hydroxide, barium carbonate

Flammable substances
Alcohol, thinner, igniters, cooking oil, fuel (gasoline, kerosene), matches

Explosives
Fireworks, crackers, firecrackers, ammunition

Items protected under the Washington Convention (CITES)
Taxidermy, ivory, tortoiseshell, fur, crocodile, snake, lizard, python, and other endangered species products

Perishables
Raw food, meat products, raw milk, eggs, and anything that cannot be stored at room temperature

Illegal media
Illegal adult material, obscene content, pirated CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays

Country-specific restrictions

United States
Meat products (including powdered and dried), all alcoholic beverages, all video media via FedEx, ink items via Japan Post

Canada
All alcoholic beverages

Australia and New Zealand
Natural products, seeds, wood, or any item that could pose a biohazard; fruit and vegetable products

France
Food items can only ship via Parcel Post or Small Packet (not EMS, DHL, or FedEx)

United Kingdom and Jersey
Swords, knives, and bladed items

Illegal items

We do not purchase or ship:

Illegal drugs or narcotics, or any products, tools, or materials for drug manufacturing, use, or cultivation (including cannabis seeds)
Stolen goods
Explosive materials
Live animals
Human organs, bodily fluids, or contaminated items
Items intended to facilitate identity theft (account credentials, login information, access codes)
Items containing computer viruses, malware, or spyware

If any illegal items are identified, we reserve the right to report the matter to the appropriate authorities.

We reserve the right to open and inspect any packages for prohibited or dangerous items. For the most up-to-date carrier information, we also recommend checking the official Japan Post prohibited items list.