Body Armour → Japan

Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import

Details

Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import. Enforcement in Japan carries fines from JPY 5,000,000 to JPY 30,000,000 and imprisonment up to 10 years in aggravated cases under Customs Law Art. 109; Narcotics Control Law; Cannabis Control Law. Because body armour is prohibited rather than restricted, there is no permit route for an ordinary traveller — attempted import is treated as smuggling regardless of intent. Arrival checks are carried out by Japan Customs (Ministry of Finance); when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving Japan with body armour is a separate question: restricted — Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from Japan above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Leaving with this item

Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from Japan above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Practical advice

Do not carry civilian body armour, ballistic vests, or stab vests into Japan. Japan Customs requires an end-user permit issued only to law-enforcement / military / accredited security professionals; tourist carriage is treated as a weapons-import offence.

Customs authority

Japan Customs (Ministry of Finance) · https://www.customs.go.jp