What are the restrictions for sending Alcohol / Spirits to Japan?

Quantity/weight limits: Personal gift quantities. Documentation required: Customs declaration with alcohol content details.

POSTING RULE

Send Alcohol / Spirits → 🇯🇵 Japan

Q: Can I post Alcohol / Spirits to Japan?

Customs duty and liquor tax apply; documentation required Japan Post prohibits international alcohol shipments (Universal Postal Union restrictions). Private courier (FedEx, DHL, UPS) accepts spirits only from registered alcohol importers under Japan's Liquor Tax Law; recipient must have an importer's licence (Shurui Hambai-gyo Menkyo). Personal-gift shipments to private addresses are categorically refused. Parcels found containing alcohol in postal channels are returned to sender or destroyed at importer's expense.

ANSWER

Can I post Alcohol / Spirits to Japan?

RESTRICTEDVERIFIED · 2026-05-13HIGH CONFIDENCE

Customs duty and liquor tax apply; documentation required

QUANTITY / LIMITS

Personal gift quantities

DUTY / TAX

15-30% + liquor tax

DOCUMENTS

Customs declaration with alcohol content details

DECLARATION

Required at the destination customs authority

SOURCE

customs.mof.go.jp

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Full Details

Japan Post prohibits international alcohol shipments (Universal Postal Union restrictions). Private courier (FedEx, DHL, UPS) accepts spirits only from registered alcohol importers under Japan's Liquor Tax Law; recipient must have an importer's licence (Shurui Hambai-gyo Menkyo). Personal-gift shipments to private addresses are categorically refused. Parcels found containing alcohol in postal channels are returned to sender or destroyed at importer's expense.

PRACTICAL ADVICE

Standard duty-free allowance applies (typically 1L spirits + 1-2L wine + beer). Declare any quantity above; excise + 10% VAT computed at Japan Customs (Ministry of Finance) Red Channel. Bring purchase receipts.

OFFICIAL SOURCES

customs.mof.go.jp post.japanpost.jp nta.go.jp

POSTING DETAILS

QUANTITY / WEIGHT LIMITS

Personal gift quantities

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

—Customs declaration with alcohol content details

DUTY / TAX RATE

15-30% + liquor tax

LEGAL REFERENCE

Japan Customs, Liquor Tax Law

DESTINATION CUSTOMS

Japan Customs (Ministry of Finance)

COUNTRY POSTING NOTES

Japan Post and customs assess duties and consumption tax on international parcels above JPY 10,000. Prohibited items cannot enter via post. Japan Post coordinates with Japan Customs for inspection.