# Can I ship perfume from Japan?

> No. Japan Post refuses perfume and fragrance to every destination, by EMS, airmail and surface mail alike, because the alcohol base is a flammable liquid. Fragrance oils and mists are listed separately and accepted only when their flash point is above 60°C.

Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.shipmate.jp/en) › [Can I ship it from Japan?](https://www.shipmate.jp/en/can-i-ship) › perfume

- Item guide · Carrier: Japan Post · Destinations checked: 179 · Guide reviewed 31 October 2026 · Rules last verified October 2, 2026
- Carrier-wide rules named: 2 · Destinations with their own rule: 5

## Short answer

Perfume sits on Japan Post's carrier-wide list of dangerous goods. The rule applies before any destination's own import rules, so there is no country for which a ShipMate parcel can carry it. A few destinations list perfume in their own rules too, some as conditional; a destination's conditions never lift Japan Post's refusal.

The refusal is about the product, not the packaging: a sealed bottle, a sample vial or a gift set with perfume inside is refused the same way. Fragrance oils and mists have their own conditional rule: Japan Post accepts them only when the flash point is confirmed to be above 60°C and stated in the item description.

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.

## How to read this guide

- Every rule below is **prohibited** or **conditional**. The list holds Japan Post's published restrictions only.
- An item that is not listed has **no specific rule here**. That is not a statement that it is allowed: it may fall under a general category (food, medicine, batteries), under the destination's customs law, or under Japan Post's carrier-wide rules.
- A **conditional** rule allows the item only when its stated conditions hold. Whether a specific product qualifies is decided per item, which is what the ShipMate GO app does before a booking.
- The **carrier-wide layer** (items Japan Post refuses or conditions to every destination) applies before and on top of any destination's own rules.
- These are Japan Post's rules for parcels sent from Japan. ShipMate ships on Japan Post and publishes them; it does not set them.
- This guide covers **one item**. A destination that does not appear under "Destination rules" has no destination-specific rule naming it; the carrier-wide rules and that destination's general customs law still apply.

## Carrier-wide rules (apply to every destination)

- **Perfume / Fragrance** — Prohibited
  - Perfume and fragrance products are prohibited across 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 Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/question/dangerous-goods-search/detail.php?detail_id=103&lang=_ja) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-07-23 · ref `GLO/japanpost/dgdb-103`
- **Fragrance Oil / Fragrance Mist** — Conditional
  - Fragrance oils and fragrance mists may contain flammable liquids and are therefore subject to a conditional acceptance policy. Shipment is permitted provided the flash point exceeds 60°C, and this must be confirmed and stated in the item name field.
  - Condition: Flash point exceeds 60°C and this is confirmed and stated in the item name field → permitted
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/question/dangerous-goods-search/detail.php?detail_id=359&lang=_ja) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-07-23 · ref `GLO/japanpost/dgdb-359`

## Destination rules

### Cuba (CUB)

- **Fragrances / Flavoring Agents** — Prohibited
  - Fragrances and flavoring agents are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=53&nid=1493&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-08-01 · ref `CUB/japanpost/1493`

Full list: https://www.shipmate.jp/en/international-shipping/ship-from-japan-to-cuba/restricted-items.md

### India (IND)

- **Fragrances / Flavoring Substances (Import-Prohibited by Indian Law)** — Prohibited
  - Fragrances and flavoring substances whose import is prohibited under Indian law may not be shipped to India via Regular, Parcel, or EMS services. Only those specific fragrances/flavorings banned by Indian regulations fall under this restriction.
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=101&nid=581&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-07-25 · ref `IND/japanpost/581`
- **Fragrances / Flavoring Agents** — Conditional
  - Fragrances and flavoring agents are conditionally permitted to India; shipment is allowed only when the sender or recipient holds authorization from the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports, New Delhi. No other conditions are specified in the source.
  - Condition: Authorization obtained from the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports, New Delhi → permitted
  - Documents required: Authorization from the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports, New Delhi
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=101&nid=603&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-07-25 · ref `IND/japanpost/603`

Full list: https://www.shipmate.jp/en/international-shipping/ship-from-japan-to-india/restricted-items.md

### Tunisia (TUN)

- **Perfume** — Prohibited
  - Perfume is prohibited from being shipped to Tunisia via regular mail, parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=199&nid=2947&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-08-01 · ref `TUN/japanpost/2947`

Full list: https://www.shipmate.jp/en/international-shipping/ship-from-japan-to-tunisia/restricted-items.md

### Peru (PER)

- **Cosmetics and Perfume** — Conditional
  - Cosmetics and perfume may be shipped to Peru only when accompanied by an importer's affidavit stating either the sanitary registration number or the date of submission of the application. Shipments lacking this documentation are not permitted.
  - Condition: Importer's affidavit stating the sanitary registration number is attached → permitted
  - Condition: Importer's affidavit stating the date of submission of the sanitary registration application is attached → permitted
  - Documents required: Importer's affidavit (誓約書) stating the sanitary registration number or the date of submission of the application
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=161&nid=4286&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-08-01 · ref `PER/japanpost/4286`

Full list: https://www.shipmate.jp/en/international-shipping/ship-from-japan-to-peru/restricted-items.md

### Sweden (SWE)

- **Perfumes, lotions, and other items containing alcohol** — Conditional
  - Perfumes, colognes, toners, and other alcohol-containing cosmetic or toiletry items are conditionally permitted to Sweden. Shipment is allowed only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country.
  - Condition: Authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Sweden) → permitted
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=184&nid=2434&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-10-01 · ref `SWE/japanpost/2434`

Full list: https://www.shipmate.jp/en/international-shipping/ship-from-japan-to-sweden/restricted-items.md

## Destinations with no destination-specific rule for perfume

174 destinations: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bonaire, Saba & Sint Eustatius, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Réunion, Romania, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Samoa, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna. Japan Post's carrier-wide rules apply to each; no rule is not a statement that the item can be sent.

## Related rules that may cover perfume

Rules for the broader category. Whether one applies to a specific product is decided per item.

### Carrier-wide

- **Beauty oil / Face oil / Cosmetic oil** — Conditional
  - Beauty oils and face oils are conditionally accepted for international shipping. They may be shipped if they contain no flammable liquid (or if any flammable liquid present has a flash point above 60°C) and contain no pressurized gas; aerosol spray-can formats using compressed/pressurized gas are not accepted. The applicable condition must be stated in the item name/description field on the shipment.
  - Condition: Contains no flammable liquid → permitted — must state 'contains no flammable liquid' in the item name/description field
  - Condition: Contains flammable liquid with flash point above 60°C → permitted — must confirm flash point exceeds 60°C and state this in the item name/description field
  - Condition: Contains flammable liquid with flash point at or below 60°C → not accepted
  - Condition: Aerosol spray-can format using pressurized/compressed gas → not accepted — risk of bursting or explosion
  - Condition: Contains no pressurized gas → permitted — must state 'contains no pressurized gas' in the item name/description field
  - Documents required: Statement in the item name/description field confirming absence of flammable liquid, OR confirming flash point exceeds 60°C if flammable liquid is present; Statement in the item name/description field confirming absence of pressurized gas
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/question/dangerous-goods-search/detail.php?detail_id=260&lang=_ja) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-07-23 · ref `GLO/japanpost/dgdb-260`
- **Cosmetics** — Conditional
  - Cosmetics are conditionally accepted for all international destinations via air and surface shipping, as they may contain flammable liquids (such as nail polish remover) or pressurized gas (such as aerosol/spray cans). Shippers must describe the contents specifically and verify that no individually prohibited items are included.
  - Condition: Contents are specifically described and individually prohibited items (flammable liquids such as nail polish remover, or pressurized aerosol/spray cans) are confirmed to be absent → permitted
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/question/dangerous-goods-search/detail.php?detail_id=97&lang=_ja) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-07-23 · ref `GLO/japanpost/dgdb-97`
- **Makeup tools / Toilet set / Cosmetics** — Conditional
  - Shipments declared generically as 'makeup,' 'toilet set,' or 'cosmetics/makeup tools' are conditionally accepted; the shipper must provide a specific, itemized description of the contents and confirm that none of the individual items fall into prohibited categories such as flammable liquids or pressurized aerosol containers.
  - Condition: Shipper provides a specific itemized description of contents and confirms no prohibited items (e.g. flammable liquids or pressurized aerosol/high-pressure gas containers) are included → permitted
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/question/dangerous-goods-search/detail.php?detail_id=306&lang=_ja) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-07-23 · ref `GLO/japanpost/dgdb-306`
- **Milky lotion (emulsion / lotion cosmetic)** — Conditional
  - Milky lotion may be accepted for shipment provided it contains no flammable liquids (or, if it contains alcohol, the alcohol concentration is 24% or below) and is not in a pressurized spray-can format; the applicable conditions must be declared in the item-name field. Pressurized spray-can versions containing compressed gas cannot be accepted under any circumstances.
  - Condition: Contains no flammable liquid AND is not a pressurized spray-can product containing compressed gas → permitted — shipper must declare absence of flammable liquid and compressed gas in the item-name field
  - Condition: Contains alcohol at a concentration of 24% or below AND contains no compressed gas AND is not in spray-can format → permitted — shipper must declare the alcohol concentration (≤24%) and absence of compressed gas in the item-name field
  - Condition: Contains compressed gas (pressurized spray-can format) → prohibited — not accepted under any circumstances
  - Documents required: Declaration in the item-name field stating that no flammable liquid is present (if applicable); Declaration in the item-name field stating that alcohol concentration is 24% or below (if product contains alcohol); Declaration in the item-name field stating that no compressed gas is present (if applicable)
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/question/dangerous-goods-search/detail.php?detail_id=231&lang=_ja) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-07-23 · ref `GLO/japanpost/dgdb-231`

### Tunisia (TUN)

- **Loose face powder (cosmetic)** — Prohibited
  - Loose face powder is prohibited from being shipped to Tunisia via regular mail, parcel, and EMS services. No additional conditions or exceptions are stated in the source.
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=199&nid=2965&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-08-01 · ref `TUN/japanpost/2965`

### Canada (CAN)

- **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 drugs must be compounded by a pharmacist and packaged in pharmacy or hospital packaging for a single dose or a 3-month quarterly allowance. Quantities deemed to exceed personal use are treated as commercial transactions and require prior authorization.
  - Condition: For personal use, not prohibited by law, quantity does not exceed a 3-month supply imported once per quarter → permitted
  - Condition: Prescription drugs compounded by a pharmacist and packaged in pharmacy or hospital packaging, quantity is a single dose or up to a 3-month supply imported once per quarter → permitted
  - Condition: Quantity deemed to exceed personal use (regarded as a commercial transaction) → requires authorization
  - Documents required: Specific name of the medicine(s) must be stated on the customs declaration
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=37&nid=1306&p=1) · HS chapter 30 · verified 2026-07-25 · ref `CAN/japanpost/1306`

### Egypt (EGY)

- **Soap (including cosmetic and shaving soap)** — Prohibited
  - Soap, including cosmetic soap and shaving soap, is prohibited from being shipped to Egypt via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction covers all forms of soap within these categories.
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=60&nid=6319&p=1) · HS chapter 34 · verified 2026-07-25 · ref `EGY/japanpost/6319`

### Germany (DEU)

- **Daily necessities (tobacco products, cosmetics, and equivalent items including toys and traps)** — Conditional
  - Tobacco products, cosmetics, and equivalent daily necessities — including toys and traps — are conditionally permitted to Germany, provided they comply with the destination country's food-related regulations. Shipment is allowed only when those regulatory requirements are met.
  - Condition: Complies with the destination country's food-related regulations → permitted
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=6&nid=3054&p=1) · verified 2026-07-24 · ref `DEU/japanpost/3054`

### Jamaica (JAM)

- **Cosmetic oils** — Prohibited
  - Cosmetic oils are prohibited from being shipped to Jamaica via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=110&nid=2241&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-10-01 · ref `JAM/japanpost/2241`

### Panama (PAN)

- **Cosmetics** — Conditional
  - Personal-use cosmetics are conditionally permitted into Panama, limited to 6 items per person per month with a total volume not exceeding 500 mL.
  - Condition: Personal use only, maximum 6 items per person per month, total volume ≤ 500 mL → permitted
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=156&nid=6588&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-08-01 · ref `PAN/japanpost/6588`

### Romania (ROU)

- **Cosmetics (cosmetic soap)** — Conditional
  - Cosmetic soap is conditionally permitted in parcels and EMS shipments to Romania. The quantity allowed per parcel is limited to a maximum of 20 bars/pieces of cosmetic soap.
  - Condition: cosmetic soap → maximum 20 pieces per parcel
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=168&nid=5150&p=1) · HS chapter 34 · verified 2026-08-01 · ref `ROU/japanpost/5150`

### San Marino (SMR)

- **Alcoholic beverages containing methyl alcohol, cosmetics, nail care products, and related items** — Prohibited
  - San Marino prohibits the shipment of methyl alcohol, alcoholic beverages containing methyl alcohol, disinfectants, perfumes, cosmetics, volatile oils, essences, dyes, skin/hair/nail care products, formaldehyde solutions, and all preparations containing formaldehyde via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. These items are fully prohibited regardless of quantity or form.
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=172&nid=2148&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-08-01 · ref `SMR/japanpost/2148`

### Slovakia (SVK)

- **Essential oils, resinoids, cosmetics, and soaps** — Conditional
  - Shipments of essential oils, resinoids, cosmetics, and soaps to Slovakia are conditionally permitted for commercial purposes, provided a permit issued by the destination country's Ministry of Economy and a certificate issued by the National Inspection Authority are enclosed. Depending on the type of goods, a permit from the Ministry of Environment may also be required.
  - Condition: For commercial purposes, with a permit issued by the destination country's Ministry of Economy and a certificate issued by the National Inspection Authority → permitted
  - Condition: Depending on the type of goods, an additional permit from the destination country's Ministry of Environment may be required → additional permit required
  - Documents required: Permit issued by the Ministry of Economy of Slovakia; Certificate issued by the National Inspection Authority of Slovakia; Permit issued by the Ministry of Environment of Slovakia (required depending on the type of goods)
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=219&nid=6360&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-08-01 · ref `SVK/japanpost/6360`

### Turkey (TUR)

- **Cosmetics** — Prohibited
  - Cosmetics are prohibited from being shipped to Turkey via Regular and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
  - Source: [Japan Post](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=201&nid=6256&p=1) · HS chapter 33 · verified 2026-08-01 · ref `TUR/japanpost/6256`

## Frequently asked questions

### Why does Japan Post refuse perfume?

Perfume is an alcohol-based flammable liquid, which international mail treats as dangerous goods. Japan Post applies that rule to every destination and every service, so ShipMate cannot carry it on any lane.

### Does a sealed, unopened bottle or a small tester change anything?

No. The rule names the product, not its size or seal. Testers, minis and gift sets containing perfume are refused in the same way.

### Can Shop for Me buy perfume for me?

ShipMate checks every item against Japan Post's rules before it is bought. Perfume is removed from the order at that step, before payment, so you are not charged for an item that cannot ship.

## Sources

- [Japan Post: items that cannot be sent abroad](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/service/send/oversea/attention/restriction/upc.html)
- [Japan Post: international mail (EMS)](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/ems/)
- [Japan Post, Carrier-wide: Perfume / Fragrance](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/question/dangerous-goods-search/detail.php?detail_id=103&lang=_ja)
- [Japan Post, Carrier-wide: Fragrance Oil / Fragrance Mist](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/question/dangerous-goods-search/detail.php?detail_id=359&lang=_ja)
- [Japan Post, Cuba: Fragrances / Flavoring Agents](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=53&nid=1493&p=1)
- [Japan Post, India: Fragrances / Flavoring Substances (Import-Prohibited by Indian Law)](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=101&nid=581&p=1)
- [Japan Post, India: Fragrances / Flavoring Agents](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=101&nid=603&p=1)
- [Japan Post, Tunisia: Perfume](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=199&nid=2947&p=1)
- [Japan Post, Peru: Cosmetics and Perfume](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=161&nid=4286&p=1)
- [Japan Post, Sweden: Perfumes, lotions, and other items containing alcohol](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-kokusai/nonmailable_articles_result.php?cid=184&nid=2434&p=1)

## Machine-readable access

- Per-destination JSON (no API key): `https://www-api.shipmate.jp/restrictions/rules?destination_country={alpha-3}&scope=destination`; the carrier-wide layer is `scope=carrier_global` read through any covered destination. OpenAPI: https://www-api.shipmate.jp/openapi.json
- MCP: `https://www-api.shipmate.jp/mcp`, tool `shipmate.get_restriction_rules`.
- Per-destination Markdown: `https://www.shipmate.jp/en/international-shipping/ship-from-japan-to-{country-slug}/restricted-items.md`; carrier-wide: https://www.shipmate.jp/en/international-shipping/japan-post-prohibited-items.md
- Other item guides: https://www.shipmate.jp/en/can-i-ship (Markdown at `https://www.shipmate.jp/en/can-i-ship/{item}.md`)
- Exact-item check: the ShipMate GO app at https://go.shipmate.jp asks the follow-up questions a conditional rule needs and gives a per-item verdict.
- Site-wide guide for agents: https://www.shipmate.jp/llms.txt

---

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; every rule links to its source. The rule lists refresh daily; the written answer is reviewed by a person and dated above.

HTML version: https://www.shipmate.jp/en/can-i-ship/perfume