🇯🇵 Japan — restricted items
78 items are documented as restricted for import into Japan. These items require permits, documentation, quantity limits, or prior approval.
codeine medication
Requires a Yakkan Shoumei import certificate for quantities exceeding one month's supply.
Limit: Up to 1 month without certificate; up to 2 months with Yakkan Shoumei
pets dogs
180-day quarantine unless pre-qualified
tramadol medication
Designated drug — one month supply limit
Limit: One month supply without permit
power bank lithium
Japan Post restricts standalone lithium batteries
Limit: Max 100Wh, contained in device
cosmetics commercial
Personal imports limited to 24 items standard size
Limit: 24 items for personal use
food supplements commercial
PMDA classification determines requirements
melatonin
Not sold in Japan — personal import permitted
Limit: One month supply without permit
vape e cigarette
Devices allowed but nicotine liquid restricted
Limit: One month supply of nicotine liquid
insulin
One month supply; Yakkan Shoumei for more
Limit: One month supply without permit
testosterone
Controlled anabolic steroid; Yakkan Shoumei needed
Limit: One month supply
dairy products
Animal quarantine inspection required
Limit: Commercially packaged only
seeds plants
Plant quarantine inspection mandatory
textiles commercial
Japanese labeling requirements mandatory
toys ce marking
ST Mark safety certification recommended
antiquities
Important Cultural Properties restricted
alcohol spirits
Customs duty and liquor tax apply; documentation required
Limit: Personal gift quantities
perfume fragrance
Flammable liquid restrictions; surface mail only internationally
Limit: Small quantities surface mail
watches commercial
Consumption tax on all imports; ITA duty-free
Limit: Personal use
fresh fruit
Strict plant quarantine; most fruit prohibited
Limit: Only from approved origins with certificate
meat products
Strict animal quarantine; most meat prohibited
Limit: Only from MAFF-approved origins
tattoo equipment
Tattoo Equipment restricted; documentation or permits may apply
xanax alprazolam
Xanax / Alprazolam restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Limit: Up to 1-month supply without permit; over 1 month requires Yakkan Shoumei (Ministry of Health import certificate)
ozempic semaglutide
Ozempic / Semaglutide restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Limit: Up to 2-month supply without Yakkan Shoumei; over 2 months requires MHLW import certificate
drone batteries
Drone Batteries (LiPo) restricted; documentation or permits may apply
Limit: ≤100 Wh in carry-on; 101-160 Wh with airline approval; MLIT follows IATA DGR; LiPo batteries must be in protective cases
satellite messenger
Satellite Messenger restricted; documentation or permits may apply
walkie talkies
Walkie-Talkies / Two-Way Radios restricted; documentation or permits may apply
kava
Kava restricted; documentation or permits may apply
coral seashells
Coral & Seashells restricted; documentation or permits may apply
taxidermy
Taxidermy restricted; documentation or permits may apply
used cars
Used Cars restricted; documentation or permits may apply
motorcycles
Motorcycles restricted; documentation or permits may apply
feathers plumage
Feathers & Plumage restricted; documentation or permits may apply
drone batteries
Postal restrictions apply for drone batteries (lipo)
Limit: Japan Post prohibits lithium batteries by air; couriers: ≤100 Wh with UN3481; MLIT dangerous goods approval required above 100 Wh
wine
Postal restrictions apply for wine
beer
Postal restrictions apply for beer
laptops
Postal restrictions apply for laptops
coral seashells
Postal restrictions apply for coral & seashells
taxidermy
Postal restrictions apply for taxidermy
laptops
Import duties and regulations apply for personal laptops
Limit: Personal use
used cars
Import duties and regulations apply for personal used cars
Limit: Personal use
motorcycles
Import duties and regulations apply for personal motorcycles
Limit: Personal use
wine
Import duties and regulations apply for personal wine
Limit: Personal use
beer
Import duties and regulations apply for personal beer
Limit: Personal use
tattoo equipment
Import duties and regulations apply for personal tattoo equipment
Limit: Personal use
satellite phone
Satellite Phone may require documentation or declaration
poppy seeds
Poppy Seeds may require documentation or declaration
electronic cigarette liquid
E-Cigarette Liquid (Vape Juice) may require documentation or declaration
chocolate
Postal restrictions apply for chocolate
baby formula
Postal restrictions apply for baby formula
protein powder
Postal restrictions apply for protein powder
energy drinks
Postal restrictions apply for energy drinks
insulin
Postal restrictions apply for insulin
melatonin
Postal restrictions apply for melatonin
codeine medication
Postal restrictions apply for codeine (medication)
Limit: Codeine is regulated under Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law; mailing prohibited — must be carried personally with Yakkan Shoumei
tramadol medication
Postal restrictions apply for tramadol (medication)
Limit: Narcotic under NPCL; postal import strictly prohibited — MHLW enforcement; bring by personal carry with Yakkan Shoumei
adderall medication
Postal restrictions apply for adderall (medication)
Limit: Stimulant Drugs Control Law (Class 1) — postal import strictly prohibited; personal carry also generally prohibited
gold jewellery
Postal restrictions apply for gold jewellery
Limit: Gold bullion over 1 kg must be declared; jewellery imports subject to Japan Customs duty (tariff rate 0% for gold bullion, 5.2% for gold jewellery under HS 7113)
tobacco cigarettes
Postal restrictions apply for tobacco cigarettes
Limit: Japan Post prohibited item; personal carry: 400 cigarettes duty-free; postal import prohibited; commercial: Japan Tobacco (JT) monopoly rules apply
vape e cigarette
Postal restrictions apply for vape / e-cigarette
electronic cigarette liquid
Postal restrictions apply for e-cigarette liquid (vape juice)
cash currency
Declare JPY > 1,000,000 equivalent in any currency
Limit: JPY 1,000,000 equivalent (any currency or bearer instrument)
drone consumer
Owner registration + DIPS-REG required for drones ≥ 100 g
gold jewellery
Personal-effects allowance JPY 200,000 total; declare excess
Limit: JPY 200,000 personal-effects allowance
drone accessories
Drone accessories are importable without restriction, but spare LiPo batteries must be in carry-on, and drones require MLIT registration for operation in Japan.
Limit: Personal use quantities; declare if value over ¥200,000
binoculars optics
Standard binoculars are freely admitted; night-vision optics are dual-use goods subject to Japan's Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act export controls.
Limit: Personal use; items valued over ¥200,000 must be declared
hemp seeds sterilised
Sterilised hemp seeds (food grade) requires declaration / permit when posted to Japan.
dairy products
Dairy Products requires declaration / permit when posted to Japan.
vape e cigarette
Vape / E-Cigarette requires declaration / permit for personal import into Japan.
alcohol spirits
Alcohol / Spirits requires declaration / permit for personal import into Japan.
tobacco cigarettes
Tobacco Cigarettes requires declaration / permit for personal import into Japan.
hemp seeds sterilised
Sterilised hemp seeds (food grade) requires declaration / permit for personal import into Japan.
gold jewellery
Gold Jewellery requires declaration / permit for personal import into Japan.
coins collectible
Collectible coins (numismatic) requires declaration / permit for personal import into Japan.
meat products
Meat Products requires declaration / permit for personal import into Japan.
dairy products
Dairy Products requires declaration / permit for personal import into Japan.
fresh fruit
Fresh Fruit requires declaration / permit for personal import into Japan.
ivory cites
Ivory & CITES-Listed Items requires declaration / permit for personal import into Japan.
antiquities
Antiquities requires declaration / permit for personal import into Japan.