ShipMate

Can I ship lighters from Japan?

Japan Post rules checked across 179 destinations · last verified · guide reviewed

Short answer: No. Japan Post refuses oil lighters and gas lighters to every destination, and several destinations, among them Canada, France, Hong Kong and Singapore, list lighters in their own import rules as well. Matches are refused too.

A lighter contains fuel, butane gas or lighter fluid, and is dangerous goods in international mail whether or not it has ever been lit. Japan Post lists oil lighters and gas lighters by name on its carrier-wide list, and lists matches alongside them.

Several destinations repeat the prohibition in their own rules, sometimes extending it to refill canisters and lighter fluid. The table below shows them with Japan Post's wording.

Whether a specific product can go in a specific parcel is decided per item: the ShipMate GO app asks the follow-up questions a rule needs and gives a verdict before anything is booked.

Japan Post's carrier-wide rules

These apply to every destination, before any country's own import rules.

  • Gas lighter

    Prohibited

    Gas lighters are prohibited on all international shipments across all destinations and transport modes. This ban applies to both air and surface shipping without exception.

    Source: Japan PostHS chapter 96On the full list

  • Oil lighter

    Prohibited

    Oil lighters are prohibited on all international shipments regardless of destination, shipping type, or transport mode. This is a carrier-wide ban applying to both air and surface services.

    Source: Japan PostHS chapter 96On the full list

Destinations with their own rule for lighters

29 of the 179 destinations Japan Post publishes rules for list lighters in their own import rules. Each row links to that destination's full list.

DestinationRuleLevelJapan Post's wording
AlgeriaButane Gas LightersProhibitedLighters that use butane gas are prohibited from being shipped to Algeria via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This restriction applies to butane-fueled lighters… source
BahrainButane gas lighters and refill gas canistersProhibitedLighters that use butane gas, as well as refill gas canisters for lighters, are prohibited from shipment to Bahrain via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Ligh… source
CanadaButane Gas Lighters and Refill Gas CanistersProhibitedLighters using butane gas and refill gas canisters for lighters are prohibited for shipment to Canada via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Both the lighters… source
Côte d'IvoireButane Gas LightersProhibitedLighters that use butane gas are prohibited for shipment to Côte d'Ivoire via regular, parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies specifically to butan… source
DenmarkGas lighterProhibitedGas lighters are prohibited from shipment to Denmark via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated. source
EgyptButane gas lighters and butane gas containersProhibitedLighters that use butane gas, and butane gas containers, are prohibited for shipment to Egypt via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Empty lighters containing… source
FranceButane Gas LighterProhibitedLighters that use butane gas are prohibited from shipment to France via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of quantity or t… source
French GuianaButane gas lightersProhibitedLighters using butane gas are prohibited from shipment to French Guiana via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies specifically to butane-… source
GibraltarGas lighters filled with butane gas and their gas canistersProhibitedGas lighters filled with butane gas and their associated gas canisters are prohibited from being shipped to Gibraltar via regular mail and parcel services. Thi… source
GreenlandGas lighterProhibitedGas lighters are prohibited from shipment to Greenland via regular mail and parcel services. This restriction covers gas-filled lighters as an item category. source
GuadeloupeButane Gas LightersProhibitedLighters that use butane gas are prohibited for shipment to Guadeloupe via Regular and EMS services. This restriction applies to butane-fueled lighters regardl… source
Butane Gas LightersProhibitedLighters that use butane gas are prohibited for shipment to Guadeloupe via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies specifically to butane-f… source
GuineaButane Gas LighterProhibitedLighters that use butane gas are prohibited for shipment to Guinea via regular and parcel shipping. This restriction applies specifically to butane-fuelled lig… source
Hong KongLighters and similar items (butane gas lighters and aerosols)ProhibitedAerosols, butane gas lighters, and butane gas refill canisters are prohibited from shipment to Hong Kong via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibitio… source
JamaicaGas-filled lightersProhibitedLighters filled with gas are prohibited for shipment to Jamaica via Regular and EMS services. Lighters that are not filled with gas are permitted. source
KuwaitButane gas (including butane-filled lighters and containers filled with butane or other compressed gases)ProhibitedLighters filled with butane gas, butane gas itself, and any containers holding butane or other compressed gases are prohibited for shipment to Kuwait. This app… source
LebanonButane Gas Lighters and Their PartsProhibitedLighters that use butane gas, along with their component parts, are prohibited from shipment to Lebanon via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition… source
MalaysiaButane gas lighters and refill gas canistersProhibitedGas lighters that use butane gas and butane gas refill canisters are prohibited from being shipped to Malaysia via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. Both the ligh… source
MartiniqueButane Gas LighterProhibitedLighters that use butane gas are prohibited for shipment to Martinique via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This restriction applies regardless of lighter type o… source
PortugalButane Gas / Lighters Filled with Butane GasProhibitedButane gas and lighters filled with butane gas are prohibited from shipment to Portugal via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction covers both the… source
SingaporeLighters (butane gas-filled, refill gas, and pistol/revolver-shaped lighters)ProhibitedLighters filled with butane gas, replacement/refill gas for lighters, and lighters shaped like a pistol or revolver are prohibited from shipment to Singapore.… source
South AfricaButane gas lighters (containing fuel) and their fuelProhibitedLighters that use butane gas and their fuel are prohibited for shipment to South Africa via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Empty (unfuelled) butane lighter… source
Sri LankaLighters and lighter flintsProhibitedLighters and lighter flints are prohibited for shipment to Sri Lanka via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. A conditional exception may apply under the gift pa… source
United Arab EmiratesButane gas lighters and butane gas canistersProhibitedLighters that use butane gas and butane gas canisters are prohibited from shipment to the United Arab Emirates via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. Lighters that… source
VanuatuButane Gas LightersProhibitedLighters that use butane gas are prohibited for shipment to Vanuatu via regular and parcel services. This restriction applies to butane-fueled lighters. source
IndiaLightersConditionalLighters are conditionally permitted for shipment to India via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. They are only allowed when authorization has been obtained fr… source
IrelandLighterConditionalButane gas lighters are conditionally permitted for import into Ireland, but only when the specific type has received individual approval from the relevant Iri… source
ItalyLighters and Other Ignition Devices (and Their Parts)ConditionalLighters, other ignition devices, and their parts may only be shipped to Italy with authorization from the destination country's Ministry of Finance. Shipment… source
San MarinoLighters and Other Ignition Devices (and Their Parts)ConditionalLighters, other ignition devices, and their parts may only be shipped to San Marino if authorization has been obtained from the destination country's Ministry… source
Vatican CityLighters and Other Ignition Devices (and Their Parts)ConditionalLighters, other ignition devices, and their parts may only be shipped to Vatican City if prior authorization has been obtained from the destination country's M… source
No destination-specific rule for lighters in the other 150 destinations

Japan Post's carrier-wide rules above still apply to each of them, and so does the destination's general customs law. No rule is not a statement that the item can be sent.

Not sure about a specific item?

This page lists Japan Post's rules. The ShipMate GO app checks your actual item against them, asks the one or two questions a conditional rule needs, and tells you the outcome before anything is charged. Sending a parcel from Japan? Booking is free and you pay once, after weighing. Shopping from abroad with Shop for Me? Anything that can't ship is dropped from your order before you pay for the goods.

Check an item in the appNot in Japan? Shop for Me checks it too

Common questions

Does an empty or brand-new lighter make a difference?
No. Japan Post's rule names the lighter, not its fuel level, and a sealed new lighter contains fuel in any case. Both are refused.
Are matches refused too?
Yes. Matches are on Japan Post's carrier-wide list of dangerous goods and on several destinations' own lists. They appear under related rules on this page.
Can I send a Zippo as a collectible?
Japan Post's rule names oil lighters without an exception for collectibles or unfilled cases. Treat a Zippo as refused; the ShipMate GO app gives the verdict for a specific listing.

Reading this page as a program or AI assistant?

The same rules are published in forms built for that. None of them needs an API key. An item that is not listed has no specific rule here, which is not the same as being allowed.

Markdown
https://www.shipmate.jp/en/can-i-ship/lighters.md
JSON
This guide is built from one JSON read per destination: https://www-api.shipmate.jp/restrictions/rules?destination_country={alpha-3}&scope=destination, plus scope=carrier_global. No API key is needed.
MCP
https://www-api.shipmate.jp/mcp, tool shipmate.get_restriction_rules

Site-wide guidance for agents is at /llms.txt.

Sources

Japan Post's page for each carrier-wide and destination rule above (32)
Carrier-wide
Gas lighter · Oil lighter
Algeria
Butane Gas Lighters
Bahrain
Butane gas lighters and refill gas canisters
Canada
Butane Gas Lighters and Refill Gas Canisters
Côte d'Ivoire
Butane Gas Lighters
Denmark
Gas lighter
Egypt
Butane gas lighters and butane gas containers
France
Butane Gas Lighter
French Guiana
Butane gas lighters
Gibraltar
Gas lighters filled with butane gas and their gas canisters
Greenland
Gas lighter
Guadeloupe
Butane Gas Lighters · Butane Gas Lighters
Guinea
Butane Gas Lighter
Hong Kong
Lighters and similar items (butane gas lighters and aerosols)
Jamaica
Gas-filled lighters
Kuwait
Butane gas (including butane-filled lighters and containers filled with butane or other compressed gases)
Lebanon
Butane Gas Lighters and Their Parts
Malaysia
Butane gas lighters and refill gas canisters
Martinique
Butane Gas Lighter
Portugal
Butane Gas / Lighters Filled with Butane Gas
Singapore
Lighters (butane gas-filled, refill gas, and pistol/revolver-shaped lighters)
South Africa
Butane gas lighters (containing fuel) and their fuel
Sri Lanka
Lighters and lighter flints
United Arab Emirates
Butane gas lighters and butane gas canisters
Vanuatu
Butane Gas Lighters
India
Lighters
Ireland
Lighter
Italy
Lighters and Other Ignition Devices (and Their Parts)
San Marino
Lighters and Other Ignition Devices (and Their Parts)
Vatican City
Lighters and Other Ignition Devices (and Their Parts)

Based on carrier-published restriction data. Final acceptance is decided by the carrier and destination customs; general import rules of the destination still apply.

Japan Post sets these rules; ShipMate publishes them and ships under them. Rule text is Japan Post's, translated and summarised, and every rule links to its source. The rule table refreshes daily; the written answer is reviewed by a person and dated above. Full carrier-wide list · All item guides