Japan Yakkan Shoumei: medication import certificate step-by-step

title: "Japan Yakkan Shoumei: medication import certificate step-by-step" description: "How travelers obtain a Yakkan-Shoumei medication-import certificate for Japan. Covers controlled substances, OTC banned items, application timing, and what happens at the airport." category: "traveling" estimatedReadMinutes: 8 lastUpdated: "2026-05-13"

Japan's medication-import rules are among the strictest in the world. Common Western medications — Adderall, Vicodin, several over-the-counter cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine — are prohibited for travelers regardless of prescription. Other medications that would be casual at home (codeine, tramadol, certain antidepressants) require a Yakkan-Shoumei import certificate before you board the flight.

This guide walks through the Yakkan-Shoumei procedure, including what medications need it, what's banned outright, and what to do if you're already on the plane.

What is Yakkan-Shoumei?

Yakkan-Shoumei (薬監証明 — "drug regulatory certificate") is a Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) approval letter for personal-use medication import. It is issued before travel by the regional MHLW Pharmaceutical Affairs Bureau covering your arrival airport.

You'll need Yakkan-Shoumei if you're carrying:

• More than 2 months' supply of any prescription drug.
• More than 24 doses of any over-the-counter (OTC) drug.
• Any quantity of "drugs requiring designated handling" — psychotropics (alprazolam, lorazepam, diazepam, modafinil), narcotics (codeine, tramadol, fentanyl), stimulants, and several controlled categories.
• More than 1 month's supply of injectable medication (insulin is a notable carve-out).

Categorically banned (no Yakkan-Shoumei available)

These cannot be brought to Japan at all:

• Stimulants — Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, Ritalin (Ritalin actually has very limited Yakkan-Shoumei availability for ADHD diagnoses with prior approval; Adderall has none).
• Pseudoephedrine over 10% — Most US OTC cold + allergy products (Sudafed, NyQuil, DayQuil, certain Claritin-D variants). Japan classifies pseudoephedrine as a controlled substance under its Stimulants Control Act.
• Codeine over 10mg/dose — most US OTC pain products containing codeine.
• Cannabis-derived products — including CBD, hemp oil, and any THC content. Japan's Cannabis Control Act prohibits all derivatives.

Carrying any of these — even with a valid US prescription — risks arrest, prosecution, and deportation. Multiple US travelers have been jailed for Adderall import.

The application process

1. Identify what you need to declare. Common scenarios needing Yakkan-Shoumei: 3-month supply of SSRIs, 1-month supply of opioid pain relief, modafinil for narcolepsy, testosterone replacement therapy.

2. Download the application from the MHLW website. There are separate forms for prescription medications vs. medical devices vs. cosmetics in commercial quantities.

3. Complete the form with:

   • Your full name + passport number + arrival date + arrival airport.
   • Generic + brand name of each medication.
   • Dose, frequency, total quantity carried.
   • Reason for use (be specific).
   • Prescribing physician's name + contact + practice address.

4. Attach:

   • Doctor's letter (translated to Japanese is best — there are professional services like Japan-Medi at JPY 5,000 per letter).
   • Copy of the prescription.
   • Copy of your passport ID page.

5. Submit by email to the regional MHLW Pharmaceutical Bureau covering your arrival airport: Narita / Haneda → Kanto-Shinetsu Bureau, Kansai → Kinki Bureau, Chubu (NGO) → Tokai-Hokuriku Bureau, Fukuoka → Kyushu Bureau, Naha → Okinawa Bureau, etc.

6. Wait 1-2 weeks. Approval is emailed back as a PDF certificate. Print it.

At the airport

On arrival:

• Walk to the Red Channel (declaration line) at customs.
• Present Japan Customs Form C-5360-A (Declaration of Personal Effects), with the medication declared.
• Hand over the printed Yakkan-Shoumei certificate + original prescription + doctor's letter.
• The customs officer matches the medication, signs the certificate, and waves you through.

This typically adds 10-20 minutes to your arrival. Without the certificate for medication that requires it, you'll be detained while MHLW is contacted (which can take hours, especially outside Tokyo business hours), and the medication may be seized.

What if you forgot to apply?

If you're already on the plane or landed without Yakkan-Shoumei for a medication that requires it:

• Worst case: Customs seizes the medication; you may face a fine + administrative deportation.
• Best case (rare): Customs detains you while MHLW is contacted; if your prescription is verified during business hours + the medication is otherwise legal, they may issue an emergency Yakkan-Shoumei + release.

The best move: schedule a return flight via Singapore, Seoul, or Hong Kong for medical re-supply, then re-enter Japan after obtaining Yakkan-Shoumei.

Insulin + medical devices

Injectable insulin (under 1 month supply) is one of the few medications that does not require Yakkan-Shoumei. Carry the syringes / pens, the original prescription, and a doctor's letter explaining the type of insulin + delivery system. CPAP machines + similar medical devices also don't require Yakkan-Shoumei.

Where to go for help

• MHLW English-language Yakkan-Shoumei page: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/01.html
• Embassy of Japan in your country (each has a medication-import information page).
• Travel-medicine clinics often help with letter preparation.

For Japan's full traveling-with-medication rules, see /traveling/medications/japan. For Adderall-specific rules across destinations, see the Adderall medication page.