Can I ship medicine from Japan?
Japan Post rules checked across 179 destinations · last verified · guide reviewed
Short answer: Only under conditions, nearly everywhere. Japan Post accepts medicines and quasi-drugs only under conditions, typically personal-use quantities with documentation. Several destinations, among them Norway, Cyprus and the Czech Republic, prohibit medicines by post, and many more refuse particular kinds, such as unlabelled or unregistered medicines. Narcotics and psychotropic substances are refused to every destination.
Japan Post's carrier-wide rule treats medicines and quasi-drugs (over-the-counter remedies, medicated products) as conditional, and refuses controlled substances outright. Most destinations then add their own conditions: a quantity limit for personal use, a prescription or a doctor's letter, or an import permit for anything beyond that.
Some destinations go further and prohibit medicines by post entirely. The table below shows every covered destination with its own medicine rule; those without one follow the carrier-wide conditions and their general customs law.
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.
Narcotics and psychotropic substances (controlled drugs)
ProhibitedNarcotics and psychotropic substances as defined by the International Narcotics Control Board, and other illicit drugs prohibited in the destination country, are banned from international shipment. An exception exists only for narcotics and psychotropic substances sent as parcel post to countries that permit their dispatch for medical or scientific purposes.
- Narcotics or psychotropic substances sent as parcel post to a destination country that permits their dispatch for medical or scientific purposes — permitted
Source: Japan PostHS chapter 29On the full list
Medicines / Quasi-drugs (Pharmaceuticals & OTC Remedies)
ConditionalMedicines and quasi-drugs (including OTC remedies) are conditionally accepted for all international destinations; shipment is permitted provided the item contains no poisons, deleterious substances, flammable liquids, or compressed gases, and the specific product name (e.g. cold medicine, stomach medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, eye drops) is clearly stated in the item description field.
- Item contains no poisons, deleterious substances, flammable liquids, or compressed gases, AND the specific product name (e.g. cold medicine, stomach medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, eye drops) is stated in the item description field — permitted
Source: Japan PostHS chapter 30On the full list
Analgesics / Anti-inflammatory agents (liquid, solid, spray) — pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs
ConditionalAnalgesics and anti-inflammatory agents in liquid, solid, or spray form (including ointments, patches, and topical medications) are conditionally accepted; shipment requires declaration of flammable liquid content and alcohol concentration, and pressurized spray cans using compressed gas are not accepted under any circumstances.
- Contains no flammable liquid — permitted — shipper must state absence of flammable liquid in the item description field
- Contains flammable liquid with flash point above 60°C — permitted — shipper must confirm flash point exceeds 60°C and state this in the item description field
- Contains alcohol at concentration of 24% or below — permitted — shipper must confirm alcohol concentration is ≤24% and state this in the item description field
- Spray can type using compressed/high-pressure gas — prohibited — not accepted due to risk of rupture or explosion
- Contains no compressed/high-pressure gas — permitted — shipper must state absence of compressed gas in the item description field
Documents required: Declaration in the item description field stating whether flammable liquid is present or absent; Declaration in the item description field confirming flash point exceeds 60°C (if flammable liquid is present); Declaration in the item description field confirming alcohol concentration is 24% or below (if alcohol is present); Declaration in the item description field stating whether compressed/high-pressure gas is present or absent
Source: Japan PostHS chapter 30On the full list
Gargle medicine / Mouthwash (pharmaceutical / quasi-pharmaceutical)
ConditionalGargle medicine and mouthwash classified as pharmaceutical or quasi-pharmaceutical products are conditionally accepted because they may contain flammable liquid. Acceptance requires either confirmation that no flammable liquid is present, or confirmation that the alcohol concentration is 24% or below, with the applicable statement noted in the item description field.
- Contains no flammable liquid — shipper states this in the item description field — permitted
- Alcohol concentration is 24% or below — shipper confirms and states this in the item description field — permitted
Source: Japan PostHS chapter 30On the full list
Destinations with their own rule for medicine
92 of the 179 destinations Japan Post publishes rules for list medicine in their own import rules. Each row links to that destination's full list.
| Destination | Rule | Level | Japan Post's wording |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Unlabeled Pharmaceuticals | Prohibited | Pharmaceuticals that do not bear a name or label are prohibited from shipment to Albania via regular and parcel services. Only named/labeled medicines are pote… source |
| Medicines and Medical Devices | Conditional | Medicines and medical devices sent for the personal use of a patient or their family are conditionally permitted, but only when the recipient presents a medica… source | |
| Brazil | Medicine / Medication | Prohibited | Medicine and medication are prohibited for shipment to Brazil unless accompanied by a prescription issued by the destination country. Only items with a valid B… source |
| Cambodia | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceuticals listed under Cambodia's customs tariff law are prohibited from shipment via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or c… source |
| Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals may only be shipped to Cambodia if authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities in the destination country. Ship… source | |
| Chile | Goods recognized as harmful (beverages, foodstuffs, and medicines deemed harmful to health by the destination country's sanitary authority) | Prohibited | Beverages, foodstuffs, and medicines that the destination country's Sanitary Council (Conseil supérieur d'hygiène) has determined to be harmful to health are p… source |
| Medicines without prescription label on container | Prohibited | Medicines whose containers do not bear a prescription label are prohibited from shipment to Chile via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Any pharmaceutical pro… source | |
| China | Food, medicine, and other items originating from areas affected by infectious/contagious disease; food, medicine, and other items that may harm humans or livestock or spread disease | Prohibited | Food, medicine, and other goods originating from regions affected by infectious disease are prohibited from shipment to China. Additionally, any food, medicine… source |
| Colombia | Chemical products and pharmaceuticals | Prohibited | Chemical products and pharmaceuticals are prohibited from shipment to Colombia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in… source |
| Costa Rica | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals with Unknown Ingredients or Formulation | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceutical products whose ingredients or formulation are unknown are prohibited from shipment to Costa Rica via Regular, Parcel, and EMS serv… source |
| Cyprus | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are prohibited from being shipped to Cyprus via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated… source |
| Czech Republic | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Prohibited | Importation of pharmaceuticals and medicines from outside the EU into the Czech Republic is prohibited. This applies to regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipments. source |
| Ecuador | Prohibited or unidentifiable medicines/pharmaceuticals | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceutical products that do not clearly indicate a prescription, and medicines prohibited by Ecuador's health authorities, are not permitted… source |
| Georgia | Toxic substances and unauthorized pharmaceuticals | Prohibited | Toxic substances, pharmaceuticals lacking Ministry of Health authorization, hormone preparations, and blood products are prohibited from shipment to Georgia vi… source |
| Madagascar | Drugs / Medicines not listed in the official pharmacopoeia | Prohibited | Drugs and medicines that are not listed in the official pharmacopoeia are prohibited from being shipped to Madagascar via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. On… source |
| Mexico | Powdered articles, medicines, etc. | Prohibited | Powdered articles, medicines (including pills, lozenges, cachets, powdered drugs, capsules, and medicinal drops), and animal-derived whey and serum proteins ar… source |
| Monaco | Pharmaceuticals / Medicinal Products (unlabelled, not listed in destination pharmacopoeia) | Prohibited | Pharmaceutical products that are not listed in Monaco's pharmacopoeia and whose containers or outer packaging lack the required labelling — namely the product… source |
| Mozambique | Unlabeled Pharmaceuticals | Prohibited | Pharmaceuticals that do not bear a name or label are prohibited from shipment to Mozambique via regular and parcel shipping. Only named/labeled pharmaceutical… source |
| Patent medicines | Conditional | Patent medicines may be shipped to Mozambique via regular mail or parcel post, but prior authorization from the relevant authorities in the destination country… source | |
| Myanmar | Dental pharmaceuticals packed in insulated/cold storage boxes | Prohibited | Dental pharmaceuticals shipped in insulated or cold storage boxes are prohibited for shipment to Myanmar via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No additional d… source |
| Netherlands | Pharmaceuticals / Medicinal Drugs (unregistered or registration pending in the Netherlands) | Prohibited | Pharmaceutical products and medicinal drugs that are not registered or whose registration is pending in the Netherlands are prohibited from shipment via Regula… source |
| Nicaragua | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Prohibited | Medicines without a clear prescription and patent medicines not registered in Nicaragua are prohibited from being shipped via regular and parcel services. This… source |
| Nigeria | Medicines and similar items | Prohibited | Medicines (pharmaceuticals) and aphrodisiacs are prohibited for shipment to Nigeria via Parcel and EMS. An exception applies to penicillin, streptomycin, and s… source |
| Pharmaceutical drugs (penicillin, streptomycin, and similar medicines) | Conditional | Penicillin, streptomycin, and similar pharmaceutical drugs are permitted only if authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destinati… source | |
| Norway | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are prohibited from shipment to Norway via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of the… source |
| Philippines | Food and medicine bearing fake or inferior trademarks | Prohibited | Food products and medicines bearing fraudulent, counterfeit, or inferior trademarks are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EM… source |
| Romania | Medicines not in original containers | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceutical products that are not contained in their original packaging are prohibited from being shipped to Romania via parcel or EMS. Only m… source |
| Saudi Arabia | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals (without prescription) | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are prohibited for shipment to Saudi Arabia unless accompanied by a prescription issued by a competent authority. Shipmen… source |
| Medicines, Pharmaceuticals, and Related Products | Conditional | Medicines, pharmaceuticals, plant-derived products, and food intended for medical purposes require prior approval from the General Food and Medicine Authority… source | |
| Serbia | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are prohibited from being shipped to Serbia via regular mail and parcel services. No exceptions or conditions are specifi… source |
| Seychelles | Medicines derived from opium, morphine, cocaine, and Indian hemp (cannabis) sent to non-medical professionals | Prohibited | Medicines derived from opium, morphine, cocaine, or Indian hemp (cannabis) are prohibited when sent to recipients who are not a doctor, pharmacist, dentist, or… source |
| Slovenia | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are prohibited from shipment to Slovenia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions are indicated in the source. source |
| Spain | Tobacco, medicines (violating health laws), matches, playing cards, mahjong tiles, lottery tickets, and items contrary to public order and morals | Prohibited | The following items are prohibited from shipment to Spain via Regular and EMS services: tobacco, matches, medicines that violate Spain's health laws, playing c… source |
| Sri Lanka | Pharmaceuticals (medicines prohibited under the Sri Lanka Hospital Formulary Committee list) | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceutical products that are prohibited from importation under the drug list established by Sri Lanka's Hospital Formulary Committee are not… source |
| Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and related products | Conditional | Medicines and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases, preventive drugs, related advertisements, pharmaceutical labels affixed to medicine containers, and… source | |
| Taiwan | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Drugs Prohibited by Taiwan's Medical Laws | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceutical drugs that are prohibited under Taiwan's medical laws may not be shipped to Taiwan via Regular, Parcel, or EMS services. These ite… source |
| Ukraine | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Prohibited | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are prohibited from shipment to Ukraine via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in… source |
| Medicines (Pharmaceuticals) | Conditional | Medicines listed in the State Register of Medical Products of Ukraine are conditionally permitted. Medicines not listed in the State Register may also be sent,… source | |
| Vietnam | Betel leaves, areca nut, cinnamon bark, traditional medicines of animal/plant origin, and seeds containing anise or castor oil | Prohibited | The following items are prohibited from shipment to Viet Nam via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services: betel leaves, betel tree bark, fresh or dried areca nuts, a… source |
| Dangerous Pharmaceuticals | Prohibited | Pharmaceuticals, drugs, and medicinal preparations that may pose a danger to human life or animals are prohibited from shipment to Viet Nam via Regular, Parcel… source | |
| Algeria | Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices | Conditional | Medicines and medical/surgical instruments may be shipped to Algeria only if the required permit and/or visa from Pharmacie centrale algérienne has been obtain… source |
| Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, and Related Items | Conditional | Pharmaceuticals, medical foods, sera, vaccines, toxins, microorganisms, and similar items for human or animal use are permitted only with authorization from Al… source | |
| Angola | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Patent medicines are permitted only when shipped to a properly registered addressee. The packaging and labels must display all information regarding the medici… source |
| Australia | Non-infectious substances, poisons for medical purposes, and medicines | Conditional | Non-infectious substances, poisons intended for medical purposes, and medicines are conditionally permitted provided the specified conditions are met. Infectio… source |
| Austria | Pharmaceutical products / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products shipped to Austria are subject to special import procedures. Registered medicines imported by authorized importers do not… source |
| Azerbaijan | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines sent for purposes other than personal use may only be shipped if accompanied by a permit issued by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Public Health. No such pe… source |
| Bahrain | Medicines, Sera, and Vaccines | Conditional | Medicines, sera, and vaccines may only be shipped to Bahrain with prior authorization from the destination country's health authority (Ministere de la sante).… source |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals are conditionally permitted to Bosnia and Herzegovina: they must either have authorization from the relevant authorities of the d… source |
| Bulgaria | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines not listed in the Bulgarian Ministry of Health pharmacopoeia are permitted only if authorization from the Ministry of Health has been obtained. Medic… source |
| Canada | Medicines and pharmaceutical products (vitamins, vitamin supplements, ointments, drugs, prescription drugs, dental adhesives, cosmetics, etc.) | Conditional | Medicines and related products for personal use may be imported up to a 3-month supply once per quarter, provided they are not prohibited by law; prescription… source |
| Chad | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may only be shipped to Chad if consigned to a qualified pharmacist. Shipments addressed to any other recipient are not pe… source |
| Croatia | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are conditionally permitted for shipment to Croatia: they are allowed only if authorized by the competent authorities of… source |
| Cuba | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals are permitted only if they are in their original packaging and within their expiry date. Medicines addressed to individuals for c… source |
| Denmark | Pharmaceutical drugs / medicines | Conditional | Pharmaceutical drugs intended for pharmacists are permitted only when addressed to a government-approved institution in Denmark, and the quantity must not exce… source |
| DR Congo | Pharmaceuticals and Non-Infectious Substances | Conditional | Pharmaceuticals and non-infectious substances may only be shipped to the Democratic Republic of the Congo if authorization has been obtained from the destinati… source |
| El Salvador | Chemical Substances, Chemical Products, and Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Toxic chemical substances, general chemical products, and pharmaceuticals are conditionally permitted for import into El Salvador via parcel or EMS, provided t… source |
| Estonia | Pharmaceutical and medicinal products | Conditional | Medicines and other products used in medical treatment are conditionally permitted for shipment to Estonia. Prior authorization granted by the relevant authori… source |
| Finland | Pharmaceutical / Chemical Substances (Drugs) | Conditional | Pharmaceutical and chemical substances may only be shipped to Finland when consigned to specific authorized recipients, including pharmacists, licensed manufac… source |
| France | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may only be shipped to France if accompanied by a permit issued by the relevant French authority: Agence du medicament fo… source |
| French Guiana | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals are conditionally permitted for shipment to French Guiana, provided they are accompanied by a permit issued by the relevant compe… source |
| Gabon | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may only be shipped to Gabon if addressed to a qualified pharmacist. Shipments to other recipients are not permitted. source |
| Germany | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals (including vitamin supplements) are in principle prohibited, except for certain exceptions. Shipment is conditionally permitted d… source |
| Greece | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are conditionally permitted for shipment to Greece, provided that the container and outer packaging clearly state the pro… source |
| Patent Medicines / Proprietary Medicines | Conditional | Certain patent medicines (proprietary medicines) require authorization from the relevant authorities of Greece before import is permitted. Not all patent medic… source | |
| Greenland | Pharmaceutical drugs / medicines | Conditional | Pharmaceutical drugs intended for pharmacists are permitted only when addressed to a government-authorized institution in Greenland, and the quantity must not… source |
| Guadeloupe | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are conditionally permitted to Guadeloupe, provided they are accompanied by a permit issued by the relevant authority of… source |
| Guinea | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are permitted for shipment to Guinea only if the container and outer packaging clearly state the common name, the substan… source |
| Hungary | Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines, etc. | Conditional | Medicines (including antibiotics), sera, vaccines, therapeutics derived from bacteria or other microorganisms, and cosmetics bearing therapeutic claims are con… source |
| Indonesia | Pharmaceutical drugs and related medical products (potent medicines) | Conditional | Medicines, sera, and other products designated as 'potent drugs' by the Indonesian Ministry of Health are conditionally permitted. Shipment is allowed only whe… source |
| Iraq | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may only be shipped to Iraq if authorized by the Iraqi Ministry of Public Health (Ministère irakien de la santé publique)… source |
| Ireland | Vaccines and Related Biological/Pharmaceutical Products | Conditional | Vaccines, serums, toxins, antitoxins, antibiotics, salvarsan, penicillin, insulin, sterilized surgical gut, and animal-derived injectable solutions are conditi… source |
| Israel | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may only be shipped to Israel if authorized by the competent authority (Ministère de la Santé). The exact name and quanti… source |
| Italy | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals are conditionally permitted to Italy and must be accompanied by a certificate from an Italian pharmacist or health institute. Pat… source |
| Jamaica | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals may only be shipped to Jamaica if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country. Shipment… source |
| Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals are conditionally permitted for shipment to Jamaica. Each item and its packaging must clearly state the ingredients and indicatio… source | |
| Kuwait | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may be shipped to Kuwait only when accompanied by a prescription. Both regular mail and EMS are applicable shipping types… source |
| Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Pharmaceuticals and sera are permitted for shipment to Kuwait only if the Ministry of Health of the destination country has granted approval, and pharmaceutica… source | |
| Laos | Pharmaceutical products | Conditional | Pharmaceutical products are permitted for import into Lao PDR when intended for medical or scientific purposes. source |
| Latvia | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Pharmaceuticals and medicines are conditionally permitted to Latvia via parcel and EMS shipments, provided the shipment is accompanied by a certificate issued… source |
| Lebanon | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may only be shipped to Lebanon if authorization has been obtained from the destination country's Ministry of Public Healt… source |
| Pharmaceuticals and Related Items | Conditional | Pharmaceuticals, medical/food supplements, and research articles for testing may be shipped to Lebanon via EMS, provided that authorization from the Ministry o… source | |
| Liberia | Pharmaceuticals / Chemicals (Drugs / Medicines) | Conditional | Importation of pharmaceuticals and chemicals into Liberia is permitted only if prior authorization has been obtained from the relevant authority (National Publ… source |
| Malawi | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Preparations | Conditional | Pharmaceutical preparations and medicines are conditionally permitted for shipment to Malawi, provided that the directions for disposal and use are clearly sta… source |
| Martinique | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are conditionally permitted to Martinique, provided they are accompanied by a permit issued by the relevant authority of… source |
| Mauritius | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may only be shipped if they are addressed to a doctor or pharmacist. Shipments to any other recipient are not permitted. source |
| Montenegro | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals are conditionally permitted to Montenegro: they must either be authorized by the relevant authorities of the destination country… source |
| Morocco | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may only be shipped to Morocco if the relevant authorities of the destination country have granted permission. Shipments… source |
| Nauru | Non-infectious substances, pharmaceuticals, and related medical items | Conditional | Non-infectious substances, poisons intended for medical purposes, and pharmaceuticals are permitted only when the specified conditions are met. Infectious subs… source |
| New Zealand | Pharmaceutical / Medical Drugs | Conditional | Substances designated as narcotics under New Zealand's Narcotics Act 1965 are only permitted when accompanied by a Japanese export licence and the approval of… source |
| North Macedonia | Pharmaceutical products / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are conditionally permitted to Macedonia (MKD): they are allowed only if authorized by the relevant authorities of the de… source |
| Oman | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines are conditionally permitted to Oman provided the relevant authority (Ministere de la sante) has granted approval and the shipment meets all specified… source |
| Panama | Medicines (Pharmaceuticals) | Conditional | Medicines for personal use are permitted up to a 6-month supply, provided the recipient can present a prescription from a licensed professional, a detailed inv… source |
| Papua New Guinea | Medicines and Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Internal (oral) medicines and external-use medicines may only be shipped to Papua New Guinea if the sender or recipient has obtained permission from the Direct… source |
| Peru | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines sent for commercial purposes are conditionally permitted to Peru, provided the shipment meets specific documentation requirements including an import… source |
| Pitcairn Islands | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may only be shipped to Pitcairn if approved by the destination's military doctor or accompanied by a prescription from a… source |
| Portugal | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals are conditionally permitted for shipment to Portugal. They are allowed only when authorization has been obtained from the destina… source |
| Patent Medicine (Proprietary Medicine) | Conditional | Patent medicines may be shipped to Portugal conditionally: packaging and labels must display the manufacturer's representative's name, the medicine's ingredien… source | |
| Réunion | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products are conditionally permitted to Réunion, provided they are accompanied by a permit issued by the relevant authority of the… source |
| San Marino | Pharmaceuticals / Medicinal Products | Conditional | Patented medicines (including sera, vaccines, and insecticides) from countries other than San Marino, and dietetic products not registered in San Marino, are c… source |
| Senegal | Pharmaceuticals / Medicinal Drugs | Conditional | Pharmaceuticals for human medicine are conditionally permitted provided an import permit issued by the Direction de la pharmacie is attached; pharmaceuticals f… source |
| South Korea | Health functional foods and pharmaceuticals / medicines | Conditional | Shipments containing health functional foods or pharmaceuticals/medicines imported into Korea require the recipient to complete import customs clearance declar… source |
| Sweden | Pharmaceutical products / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may only be shipped to Sweden if the recipient is a person authorized to sell or manufacture with the medicine in Sweden,… source |
| Turkey | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Most medicines require prior authorization from Turkey's Ministry of Health; however, small quantities for the recipient's personal use are permitted without a… source |
| United Arab Emirates | Medicines / Pharmaceuticals | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals may only be shipped to the United Arab Emirates if prior authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the des… source |
| United States | Pharmaceuticals / Medicines | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceuticals may only be shipped to the United States if FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approval has been obtained, including for per… source |
| Vanuatu | Pharmaceuticals / Medicinal Products | Conditional | Certain pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements are conditionally permitted, provided they are accompanied by a permit issued by the Central Pharmacy Servi… source |
| Vatican City | Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products | Conditional | Medicines and pharmaceutical products may be shipped to Vatican City under conditional terms: a certificate from an Italian pharmacist or health institute must… source |
No destination-specific rule for medicine in the other 87 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.
- Afghanistan
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bonaire, Saba & Sint Eustatius
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Cayman Islands
- Cook Islands
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Curaçao
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Falkland Islands
- French Polynesia
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Grenada
- Guinea-Bissau
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- India
- Iran
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kyrgyzstan
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Micronesia
- Mongolia
- Montserrat
- Nepal
- New Caledonia
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Poland
- Qatar
- Saint Helena
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent
- Samoa
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Sint Maarten
- Slovakia
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Suriname
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Wallis and Futuna
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
- Can I send over-the-counter Japanese medicine?
- Only where the destination's rule allows it, usually in a personal-use quantity and sometimes with documentation. Several destinations prohibit all medicines by post. Check the destination row below, then the exact product in the ShipMate GO app.
- Which destinations prohibit medicine entirely?
- The table on this page shows every covered destination whose own rules prohibit medicines by post, with Japan Post's wording; in the current rules they include Norway, Cyprus, the Czech Republic and Slovenia. Narcotics and psychotropic substances are refused to every destination and are listed under related rules.
- Do supplements count as medicine?
- Some destinations group supplements and vitamins with medicines, others with health foods. Where a destination has such a rule it appears under related rules on this page.
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, toolshipmate.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 (110)
- Carrier-wide
- Medicines / Quasi-drugs (Pharmaceuticals & OTC Remedies) · Analgesics / Anti-inflammatory agents (liquid, solid, spray) — pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs · Gargle medicine / Mouthwash (pharmaceutical / quasi-pharmaceutical)
- Brazil
- Medicine / Medication
- Chile
- Goods recognized as harmful (beverages, foodstuffs, and medicines deemed harmful to health by the destination country's sanitary authority) · Medicines without prescription label on container
- Czech Republic
- Pharmaceuticals / Medicines
- Mozambique
- Unlabeled Pharmaceuticals · Patent medicines
- Netherlands
- Pharmaceuticals / Medicinal Drugs (unregistered or registration pending in the Netherlands)
- Nicaragua
- Pharmaceuticals / Medicines
- Nigeria
- Medicines and similar items · Pharmaceutical drugs (penicillin, streptomycin, and similar medicines)
- Saudi Arabia
- Medicines / Pharmaceuticals (without prescription) · Medicines, Pharmaceuticals, and Related Products
- Sri Lanka
- Pharmaceuticals (medicines prohibited under the Sri Lanka Hospital Formulary Committee list) · Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and related products
- Vietnam
- Betel leaves, areca nut, cinnamon bark, traditional medicines of animal/plant origin, and seeds containing anise or castor oil · Dangerous Pharmaceuticals
- Azerbaijan
- Medicines / Pharmaceuticals
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Medicines / Pharmaceuticals
- Bulgaria
- Pharmaceuticals / Medicines
- French Guiana
- Medicines / Pharmaceuticals
- Germany
- Medicines / Pharmaceuticals
- Greenland
- Pharmaceutical drugs / medicines
- Guadeloupe
- Medicines / Pharmaceuticals
- Martinique
- Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products
- Mauritius
- Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products
- Montenegro
- Medicines / Pharmaceuticals
- Morocco
- Pharmaceuticals / Medicines
- New Zealand
- Pharmaceutical / Medical Drugs
- North Macedonia
- Pharmaceutical products / Medicines
- Papua New Guinea
- Medicines and Pharmaceuticals
- Pitcairn Islands
- Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products
- San Marino
- Pharmaceuticals / Medicinal Products
- United Arab Emirates
- Medicines / Pharmaceuticals
- United States
- Pharmaceuticals / Medicines
- Vatican City
- Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products