Can I ship meat (wagyu, jerky) from Japan?

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

Short answer: Mostly no. Most destinations that have a meat rule prohibit meat and meat products by post, including the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand; Australia prohibits raw meat. A few, such as Singapore and the Netherlands, accept it only with a quarantine or veterinary certificate.

Meat is controlled by animal-health law at the destination, and a prohibition covers processed products too: jerky, sausages, canned meat and retort curry with meat are refused where fresh meat is. Raw and chilled meat is refused more widely still, and cannot survive international mail in any case.

The destinations that list meat as conditional require import authorisations or quarantine or veterinary certificates that an individual parcel rarely has. The table below shows every covered destination with its own meat rule and the exact 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.

No carrier-wide rule names meat. The full carrier-wide list still applies to anything you send.

Destinations with their own rule for meat

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

DestinationRuleLevelJapan Post's wording
AlgeriaMeat and Animal ProductsProhibitedMeat, offal, all animal products, and fish products are prohibited for shipment to Algeria, except for small quantities of meat and animal products (excluding… source
Meat and Animal Products (excluding ham and pork)ConditionalSmall quantities of meat and animal products for the recipient's personal use are conditionally permitted to Algeria, provided they meet the conditions set by… source
ArmeniaRaw meat and meat productsProhibitedSending raw meat and meat products to Armenia is prohibited. Parcels containing these items will not be returned to the sender and will be disposed of accordin… source
AustraliaMeat (raw)ProhibitedRaw meat is prohibited from being shipped to Australia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to raw meat in any form. source
Meat productsConditionalAustralia does not admit uncanned meat by mail for personal use — fresh, frozen, dried, smoked, salted or vacuum-packed meat needs an import permit that privat… source
AustriaMeat and Meat Products (Spoiled, Semi-processed, Imitation, Counterfeit, or Damaged)ProhibitedMeat and meat products that are spoiled, semi-processed, imitation, counterfeit, or damaged are prohibited from shipment to Austria via Regular, Parcel, and EM… source
Animal meat and animal-origin materialsConditionalAnimal raw materials, products derived from animals (including eggs, egg yolk, milk, and semen), and items carrying pathogens that cause animal diseases requir… source
AzerbaijanRaw meat and meat productsProhibitedSending raw meat and meat products to Azerbaijan is prohibited. Parcels containing them will not be returned to the sender and will be disposed of according to… source
BelarusPork and pork products (manufactured in Russia)ProhibitedPork, pork products, pork skin, and pork intestines manufactured in Russia are prohibited from shipment to Belarus via Parcel and EMS. This restriction applies… source
Poultry meat and poultry products (manufactured in Switzerland only)ProhibitedPoultry meat and products manufactured in Switzerland are prohibited from being shipped to Belarus via Parcel or EMS. This restriction applies specifically to… source
BelgiumMeat, fat, etc. of solipeds (single-hoofed animals)ProhibitedMeat of domestic solipeds (single-hoofed animals), including canned or bottled forms, as well as fat and slaughter by-products of solipeds, are prohibited from… source
Meat, fat, slaughter by-products, margarine, and other prepared edible fatsConditionalMeat, fat, slaughter by-products, margarine, and other prepared edible fats are conditionally permitted provided the destination country's veterinary inspector… source
BeninAnimals and MeatProhibitedLive animals and meat are prohibited from shipment to Benin via regular and parcel services. Live organic matter is also included in this prohibition. source
Bosnia and HerzegovinaMeat and Dairy ProductsProhibitedMeat products, milk, and other dairy products are prohibited from being shipped to Bosnia and Herzegovina via regular and parcel shipping. This restriction cov… source
CanadaMeatProhibitedMeat, meat products, and canned meat are prohibited from being shipped to Canada via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This restriction covers all forms of meat a… source
ChinaRaw or cooked meat (including offal/organs) and meat products, as well as aquatic animal productsProhibitedRaw and cooked meat, including offal and all meat products, as well as aquatic animal products, are prohibited from shipment to China via Regular, Parcel, and… source
ColombiaMeatProhibitedMeat is prohibited from being shipped to Colombia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source. source
CubaAnimal products including ham, sausage, bones, milk, and dairy productsProhibitedAnimal products — including ham, sausage, bones, milk, and dairy products — are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exce… source
Fresh meat for processing or freezingProhibitedFresh meat intended for processing or freezing is prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless o… source
DenmarkPoultry MeatProhibitedPoultry meat is prohibited from being shipped to Denmark via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to meat from poultry (birds raised for… source
Livestock products (margarine, butter, fat, meat, and other livestock products)ConditionalMargarine, butter, fat, meat, and other livestock products may only be shipped to Denmark with prior permission from the destination country's Ministry of Agri… source
EgyptMeat, offal, pig fat; slaughtered birds and poultry, bird liverProhibitedMeat, offal, and pig fat, as well as slaughtered birds, poultry, and bird liver, are prohibited from shipment to Egypt via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. T… source
FranceRaw meat, raw hides, raw wool (sheep), and animal hairProhibitedRaw meat, raw hides, raw sheep wool, and animal hair are prohibited from shipment to France via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions… source
French GuianaRaw meat, raw hides, raw wool (sheep), animal hairProhibitedRaw meat, raw hides, raw sheep wool, and animal hair are prohibited from being shipped to French Guiana via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or… source
GeorgiaRaw meat and meat productsProhibitedSending raw meat and meat products to Georgia is prohibited for parcels. Items containing them will not be returned to the sender and will be disposed of accor… source
GermanyMeat and Meat Products, including Poultry Meat and Poultry Meat ProductsProhibitedMeat and meat products, as well as poultry meat and poultry meat products, are prohibited from being shipped to Germany via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services.… source
Meat of solipeds (single-hoofed animals)ConditionalMeat from dead solipeds and soliped meat not intended for human consumption may only be shipped to Germany if a permit issued by the destination country's quar… source
GreeceMeatProhibitedMeat is prohibited for shipment to Greece via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Raw meat, pork, sausages, unprocessed animal hides, wool, animal horns, hooves… source
Meat and related animal productsConditionalRaw meat, pork, sausages, unprocessed animal hides, wool, animal horns, hooves, and slaughter by-products are conditionally permitted for shipment to Greece on… source
GreenlandPoultry MeatProhibitedPoultry meat is prohibited from shipment to Greenland via regular mail and parcel services. This restriction applies to meat derived from poultry. source
Livestock products (margarine, butter, fat, meat, and other livestock products)ConditionalMargarine, butter, fat, meat, and other livestock products are conditionally permitted for shipment to Greenland, provided the sender has obtained authorizatio… source
GuadeloupeRaw meat, raw hides, raw wool (sheep), and animal hairProhibitedRaw meat, raw hides, raw sheep wool, and animal hair are prohibited from shipment to Guadeloupe via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditi… source
IndonesiaHair, hide, and meat of ruminants or pigsProhibitedHair, hide, meat, and other parts derived from ruminants or pigs are prohibited from shipment to Indonesia via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition… source
IraqHarmful food, adulterated food, non-canned meat, and soft fruitsProhibitedFood items that are harmful or adulterated, meat that is not canned, and soft fruits are prohibited from shipment to Iraq via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services… source
ItalyMeat (fresh, frozen, or preserved chicken and rabbit; other meats over 1 kg)ProhibitedFresh, frozen, or preserved chicken and rabbit meat (excluding canned) are prohibited. Meat of other types is also prohibited when the quantity exceeds 1 kilog… source
JamaicaMeatProhibitedMeat is prohibited from being shipped to Jamaica via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source. source
KyrgyzstanRaw meat and meat productsProhibitedSending raw meat and meat products to Kyrgyzstan by parcel is prohibited. Parcels found to contain them will not be returned to the sender and will be disposed… source
LatviaRaw meat and meat productsProhibitedSending raw meat and meat products to Latvia is prohibited. Parcels containing them will not be returned to the sender and will be disposed of according to the… source
LiechtensteinOdd-toed and even-toed ungulates, their meat, meat products (excluding canned), and raw materialsProhibitedOdd-toed ungulates (e.g. horses, rhinoceroses) and even-toed ungulates (e.g. cattle, pigs, sheep, deer), along with their meat, meat products (excluding canned… source
Meat and Meat ProductsConditionalMeat, meat products, and livestock feed are conditionally permitted into Liechtenstein; they require a permit from the competent authority (Office vétérinaire… source
LuxembourgMeat products (for commercial import)ProhibitedRaw meat of all animal types — including livestock, fish, and edible mollusks — and meat or fish products that have not been treated to remain shelf-stable at… source
Meat and fish meat productsConditionalMeat and fish meat products intended for commercial purposes are conditionally permitted, provided they have been treated to remain shelf-stable at room temper… source
Marshall IslandsAnimal products (ruminant/swine secretions and organs from disease-affected regions; poultry meat and products from Newcastle disease regions)ProhibitedMilk, cream, other secretions, and organs of ruminants or swine shipped from regions affected by rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, vesicular exa… source
Raw and frozen meat, and smoked or dried meat, from regions affected by rinderpest or foot-and-mouth diseaseProhibitedRaw meat and frozen meat dispatched from regions where rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent are prohibited, as are smoked or dried meat (except th… source
MeatConditionalMeat of cattle, pigs, sheep, or poultry and their products are conditionally permitted into the Marshall Islands subject to specific processing, packaging, and… source
MartiniqueRaw meat, raw hides, raw wool (sheep), and animal hairProhibitedRaw meat, raw hides, raw sheep wool, and animal hair are prohibited from shipment to Martinique via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditi… source
MexicoMeat, Ham, and Pork ProductsProhibitedMeat, ham, and pork products are prohibited from shipment to Mexico via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers all forms of meat, ham, and… source
MicronesiaAnimal products (ruminant/swine secretions and organs from disease-affected regions; poultry meat and products from Newcastle disease regions)ProhibitedMilk, cream, other secretions, and organs of ruminants or swine dispatched from regions affected by rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, vesicular… source
Raw and frozen meat (from regions with rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease); smoked or dried meat (except items listed in 2.1.3.2)ProhibitedRaw meat and frozen meat dispatched from regions where rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent are prohibited from shipment to the Federated States o… source
MeatConditionalMeat from cattle, pigs, sheep, or poultry and their products is conditionally permitted into FSM under specific processing and certification requirements that… source
New ZealandBeefProhibitedBeef and beef products are prohibited from being shipped to New Zealand via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction covers beef in all its product… source
MeatConditionalMeat and meat products are conditionally permitted to New Zealand, provided they have been heat-treated/sterilized and sealed in airtight containers in accorda… source
NigeriaMeat, vegetables, and other foodstuffs deemed unfit for human consumption by the destination country's health authoritiesProhibitedMeat, vegetables, and other foodstuffs that have been determined unfit for human consumption by Nigeria's health authorities are prohibited from import via par… source
NorwayRaw MeatProhibitedRaw meat is prohibited from being shipped to Norway via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to all raw meat. source
SausageProhibitedSausages and similar products are prohibited from being shipped to Norway via Regular and EMS services. This restriction covers sausages and analogous processe… source
SausageConditionalSausages and similar products may only be shipped to Norway if prior authorization has been obtained from the destination country's Ministry of Agriculture (Mi… source
PalauAnimal products (ruminant/swine secretions and organs from disease-affected regions; poultry meat and products from Newcastle disease regions)ProhibitedMilk, cream, other secretions, and organs of ruminants or swine dispatched from regions affected by rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, vesicular… source
Meat (raw, frozen, smoked, and dried)ProhibitedRaw and frozen meat dispatched from regions affected by rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease is prohibited for shipment to Palau. Certain smoked or dried meats… source
MeatConditionalMeat from cattle, pigs, sheep, or poultry and their products are conditionally permitted into Palau, subject to specific requirements depending on the type of… source
PhilippinesMeat products (beef and related)ProhibitedBeef, beef offcuts, animal feed made from cattle, sheep, or goat, and bovine embryos are prohibited from being shipped to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel,… source
PolandBeefProhibitedBeef and beef products are prohibited from being shipped to Poland via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to all beef products. source
Meat products and dairy productsConditionalMeat, meat products, and dairy/milk products are conditionally permitted when accompanied by a quarantine certificate from the country of origin; items listed… source
QatarMeat and Fish (fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or brined; perishable foods liable to emit foul odors or leak liquids/oils)ProhibitedAll types of meat (fresh, chilled, and frozen only) and fish (fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, or brined only) are prohibited. Perishable foodstuffs that… source
RéunionRaw meat, raw hides, raw wool (sheep), and animal hairProhibitedRaw meat, raw hides, raw sheep wool, and animal hair are prohibited from shipment to Réunion via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions… source
San MarinoMeat (fresh, frozen, or preserved young chicken and rabbit)ProhibitedFresh, frozen, or preserved young chicken (broiler) meat and rabbit meat are prohibited, except when canned. Meat of other types is permitted only up to 1 kilo… source
Saudi ArabiaBeefProhibitedBeef and beef products are prohibited from being shipped to Saudi Arabia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to all forms of beef p… source
SlovakiaRaw MeatProhibitedRaw meat is prohibited from being shipped to Slovakia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source. source
South KoreaMeat, meat products, and dairy productsProhibitedMeat, meat products (including dried beef or pork products, poultry products, and sausages), and dairy products are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of… source
Sri LankaMeat and Meat ProductsProhibitedMeat and meat products are prohibited from being shipped to Sri Lanka unless the relevant authorities of the destination country have granted permission. This… source
SwedenPreparations of meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebratesProhibitedPrepared or processed products made from meat, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, or other aquatic invertebrates are prohibited from shipment to Sweden via Regular,… source
SwitzerlandOdd-toed and even-toed ungulates, their meat, meat products (excluding canned), and raw materialsProhibitedOdd-toed ungulates (e.g. horses, donkeys, rhinos) and even-toed ungulates (e.g. cattle, pigs, sheep, deer), along with their meat, meat products (excluding can… source
Meat and meat productsConditionalMeat, meat products, and livestock feed require a permit from the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office (Office vétérinaire fédéral) to be imported into Switzerland.… source
TaiwanMeat and meat products (including poultry)ProhibitedBeef, beef trimmings, animal fat, other meat (including poultry), animal feed, foods containing raw meat, and embryos and blood of cattle, sheep, and goats are… source
Food products (excluding Chinese mitten crab / Shanghai crab, and beef products whose import is prohibited)ConditionalFood products shipped to Taiwan are conditionally permitted, but require an import inspection application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department… source
TajikistanRaw meat and meat productsProhibitedSending raw meat and meat products to Tajikistan by parcel is prohibited. Parcels containing these items will not be returned to the sender and will be dispose… source
ThailandMeatProhibitedMeat and meat products are prohibited from shipment to Thailand via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Retort/sterilized packaged meat products are addressed s… source
TurkeySalted and spiced beef and sausagesProhibitedBeef and sausages that have been salted and spiced are prohibited from shipment to Turkey via Regular and EMS services. This restriction applies to these cured… source
Ham and SausageConditionalHam and sausage sent to Turkey are subject to inspection upon arrival and may be returned or destroyed depending on the results. Items accompanied by a quarant… source
UkraineRaw meat and meat productsProhibitedSending raw meat and meat products to Ukraine is prohibited. Postal items containing them will not be returned to the sender and will be disposed of according… source
United KingdomMeat and meat products, poultry and poultry productsProhibitedMeat, meat products, poultry, and poultry products are prohibited from being shipped to the United Kingdom via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibit… source
United StatesBeefProhibitedBeef and beef products are prohibited from being shipped to the United States via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to beef products… source
MeatProhibitedRaw meat, frozen meat, and certain smoked or dried meat products shipped from regions where cattle plague (rinderpest), foot-and-mouth disease, hog cholera, sw… source
MeatConditionalMeat (beef, pork, sheep, and poultry) and meat products may be imported into the United States under specific conditions depending on origin and processing: sa… source
VanuatuRaw Meat, Raw Hides/SkinsProhibitedRaw meat and raw hides/skins are prohibited from being shipped to Vanuatu via regular and parcel shipping. No exceptions are stated in the source. source
Vatican CityMeat (young chicken and rabbit — fresh, frozen, or preserved, excluding canned)ProhibitedFresh, frozen, or preserved young chicken meat and rabbit meat (excluding canned) are prohibited for regular shipments to Vatican City. Other types of meat are… source
Cook IslandsMeatConditionalMeat and meat products are conditionally permitted to the Cook Islands, provided they have been heat-sterilized and sealed in airtight containers in accordance… source
FinlandMammals, Birds (live), Raw Meat, Milk, Milk Fat, and Bird EggsConditionalLive mammals, live birds, their raw meat, milk, milk fat, and bird eggs are conditionally permitted for shipment to Finland, but only when authorization has be… source
Meat and Meat ProductsConditionalMeat and meat products may be sent to Finland only with authorization from the Veterinary Director General of the destination country's Ministry of Agriculture… source
IrelandLard, Ham, and Other Pork ProductsConditionalLard, ham, and other pork products may only be shipped to Ireland if permission has been obtained from the destination country's Ministry of Agriculture. Shipm… source
IsraelMeatConditionalCanned meat products destined for Israel are conditionally permitted, but only as commercial samples, provided they have received approval from the relevant Is… source
KuwaitCanned meat, milk, and dairy productsConditionalCanned meat, milk, and dairy products require a permit issued by the competent authorities of the destination country (Kuwait). Shipment is conditional upon ob… source
LebanonPorkConditionalPork is conditionally permitted for shipment to Lebanon. It is allowed only when the shipper has obtained authorization from Lebanon's Ministry of Public Healt… source
MauritaniaMeatConditionalMeat and meat products from cattle, sheep, goat, and pig are conditionally permitted for import into Mauritania by parcel, provided authorization is obtained f… source
NetherlandsMeat and Meat ProductsConditionalMeat and meat products (including poultry) are conditionally permitted for both personal and commercial imports, provided a veterinary certificate issued by a… source
PortugalFoodstuffs (meat, milk, butter, margarine, fish)ConditionalCertain foodstuffs shipped to Portugal are subject to sanitary inspection upon arrival. The affected items are fresh, salted, or smoked meat; milk; butter; mar… source
SamoaMeatConditionalMeat and meat products may only be shipped to Samoa if they have been heat-sterilized in accordance with the destination's Importation of Livestock Regulations… source
SingaporeMeat (beef and pork only)ConditionalBeef and pork may be sent to Singapore for personal use only, with parcels limited to 5 kg; an export quarantine certificate issued by the Animal Quarantine Se… source
SpainAnimals, Meat, and Related ProductsConditionalAnimals, meat, hides, tallow, horns, hooves, and their products, as well as marine mammals, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and parts thereof, are conditionally p… source
VietnamDried meat, salted meatConditionalDried meat and salted meat may each be shipped to Viet Nam, but neither may exceed 1,000 grams per shipment. Both types are subject to this quantity limit acro… source
No destination-specific rule for meat in the other 108 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.

Common questions

Is packaged or dried meat treated differently from raw?
Rarely in the sender's favour. A destination that prohibits meat products refuses jerky, sausages and canned meat as well as fresh meat. Where a destination's rule names raw meat only, processed products still fall under its general food rules.
Which destinations list meat as conditional?
The table on this page lists them with Japan Post's wording and the conditions, typically an import authorisation or a quarantine or veterinary certificate. Singapore and the Netherlands are examples.
What happens if customs finds undeclared meat?
The parcel is held or destroyed at the destination and the sender may be fined. ShipMate declares contents accurately and does not carry items a rule prohibits.

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.

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 (99)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Meat and Dairy Products
Canada
Meat
Colombia
Meat
Jamaica
Meat
New Zealand
Beef · Meat
Saudi Arabia
Beef
Slovakia
Raw Meat
Thailand
Meat
United States
Beef · Meat · Meat
Cook Islands
Meat
Israel
Meat
Lebanon
Pork
Mauritania
Meat
Samoa
Meat

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