What you can't ship from Japan to Afghanistan
27 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 27 item types that cannot be sent to Afghanistan and 0 that can be sent only under conditions. Separately, Japan Post applies 278 carrier-wide rules to every destination, covering dangerous goods and items banned from international mail — perfume, aerosols and lithium batteries among them. Rules last verified against Japan Post on August 1, 2026.
- Prohibited
- 27
- Conditional
- 0
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Afghanistan. They do not repeat the items Japan Post refuses to every country — those are on one shared page, linked below. A rule marked conditional allows the item only when the stated conditions hold; whether your product qualifies is what the ShipMate GO app works out before you book.
Chemicals
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Poisons / Narcotics
All poisons and narcotics — including opium, morphine, cocaine, and hashish — as well as alcohol are prohibited for shipment to Afghanistan via regular and parcel services. Certain narrow exemptions exist for alcohol only (for foreign representatives, Europeans, public health department pharmaceutical use, and licensed physicians or pharmacists), but these do not extend to the poisons and narcotics.
Details and exceptions
- Alcohol intended for foreign representatives or Europeans with special permission → permitted
- Alcohol for use in pharmaceutical manufacturing by the national public health department (Departement d'Etat pour la sante publique) → permitted
- Alcohol for use by a physician or pharmacist licensed/approved by the national public health department → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Prohibited
Unstable Chemical Dyes (Unsuitable for Carpet Dyeing)
Unstable chemical dyes in powder or liquid form that are unsuitable for carpet dyeing are prohibited from shipment to Afghanistan via regular and parcel services. This applies to both powder-form and liquid-form chemical dyes of this type.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 32
Alcohol
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from shipment to Afghanistan via regular and parcel shipping. No alcoholic drinks of any kind may be sent.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Books & printed matter
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Printed matter contrary to public order or Islamic teachings
Printed materials — including books, newspapers, pamphlets, manuscripts, picture postcards, and other printed matter — that violate public order, morality, or Islamic doctrine are prohibited from shipment to Afghanistan. This restriction applies to both regular and parcel shipping.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Currency & valuables
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Registered ordinary mail containing valuables
Registered ordinary mail items containing coins, banknotes, currency, bearer securities, traveler's checks, platinum, gold, or silver (worked or unworked), pearls, gemstones, or other valuables are prohibited for regular shipments to Afghanistan. These items may not be sent via registered ordinary mail to this destination.
Medicine & supplements
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Narcotics manufactured from poppy or cannabis
Narcotics manufactured from poppy or cannabis are prohibited for shipment to Afghanistan via regular and parcel services. This restriction covers all such narcotic substances regardless of form.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
Plants & animals
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Live Plants
Live plants are prohibited from being shipped to Afghanistan via regular and parcel shipping. This restriction applies to all living plant material.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
Other items
20 prohibited
- Prohibited
Artificial hair and feather necklaces
Artificial hair and feather necklaces are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce ordinance dated January 29, 1934, as well as any items subsequently banned by the Afghan government on grounds of hindering the development of domestic industry. These items are prohibited for both regular mail and parcel shipping.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 67
- Prohibited
Bracelets made of coral or metal (excluding those made of gold or silver)
Bracelets made of coral or metal — other than gold or silver bracelets — are prohibited from importation into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce order dated 29 January 1934. This prohibition also extends to goods that the Afghan government may designate in the future as harmful to the development of domestic industry.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Prohibited
Carpets of European or Iranian manufacture
Carpets manufactured in Europe or Iran are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce decree dated January 29, 1934, and on the grounds that they hinder the development of domestic industry. This prohibition applies to both regular mail and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 57
- Prohibited
Chess sets (Western chess boards)
Western chess boards are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce decree dated January 29, 1934. This prohibition applies to both regular and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 95
- Prohibited
Children's toys (excluding sporting equipment)
Children's toys, excluding sporting equipment, are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce ordinance dated January 29, 1934, as well as any items subsequently banned by the Afghan government on the grounds of hindering the development of domestic industry. This prohibition applies to both regular mail and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 95
- Prohibited
Earrings made of celluloid, bronze, or glass
Earrings made of celluloid, bronze, or glass are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce decree dated January 29, 1934, as items that hinder the development of domestic industry. This prohibition applies to both regular mail and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Prohibited
Expensive fabrics woven with gold thread
Expensive fabrics woven with gold thread are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce decree dated January 29, 1934, as well as under any subsequent government prohibitions on goods deemed to hinder the development of domestic industry. This restriction applies to both regular mail and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 58
- Prohibited
Fireworks
Fireworks are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce decree dated January 29, 1934, and are also subject to prohibition as goods deemed to hinder the development of domestic industry. This prohibition applies to both regular and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Fragile items: liquids and ceramics/porcelain
Parcels containing liquid substances or fragile ceramic/porcelain articles that are easily damaged in transit are prohibited for shipment to Afghanistan. The designated operator of the destination country bears no liability for damage resulting from the inclusion of such items.
- Prohibited
Imitation pearls made of wax or glass
Imitation pearls made of wax or glass are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce decree dated January 29, 1934, and are also subject to prohibition as goods deemed to hinder the development of domestic industry. This prohibition applies to both regular and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Prohibited
Kolah (a type of hat)
Kolah (a traditional type of hat) is prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce ordinance dated January 29, 1934, and is also subject to prohibition as a product deemed to hinder the development of domestic industry. This restriction applies to both regular and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 65
- Prohibited
Lace made of gold thread
Lace made of gold thread is prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce decree dated 29 January 1934, and also falls under goods whose import the Afghan government may prohibit on the grounds that they hinder the development of domestic industry.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 58
- Prohibited
Metal amulets / protective charms (metal)
Metal amulets and protective charms are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce ordinance dated 29 January 1934, as well as any future government prohibitions on goods deemed to hinder the development of domestic industry. This prohibition applies to both regular mail and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 83
- Prohibited
Metal rings (excluding gold or silver rings)
Metal rings made from materials other than gold or silver are prohibited from import into Afghanistan. This prohibition applies under a Ministry of Commerce ordinance dated January 29, 1934, as well as any items subsequently banned by the Afghan government on grounds of hindering domestic industry development.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Prohibited
Prayer beads (rosaries/masbaha) made of celluloid, glass, or ceramic — excluding those made in Islamic holy sites
Prayer beads (masbaha/tasbih) made of celluloid, glass, or ceramic are prohibited from import into Afghanistan via regular and parcel shipping, unless they were manufactured in Islamic holy sites. This prohibition applies under an Afghan Ministry of Commerce decree dated 29 January 1934, covering goods whose importation is banned or deemed to hinder the development of domestic industry.
Details and exceptions
- Prayer beads made in Islamic holy sites → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 96
- Prohibited
Silk fabrics and silk tablecloths
Silk fabrics and silk tablecloths are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce decree dated January 29, 1934, as well as any future government prohibition on goods deemed to hinder the development of domestic industry. This prohibition applies to both regular mail and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 50
- Prohibited
Silk sleepwear (British-style gowns) and silk undergarments
Silk sleepwear including British-style gowns and silk undergarments are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce decree dated 29 January 1934, as well as under any subsequent government prohibitions on goods deemed to hinder the development of domestic industry.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 61
- Prohibited
Wall hangings (gelim) and lace
Wall hangings (including gelim/kilim-style textiles) and lace are prohibited imports into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce decree dated 29 January 1934, as well as any subsequent government prohibitions on goods deemed to hinder the development of domestic industry. These items are prohibited for both regular mail and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 57
- Prohibited
Women's collars and men's scarves
Women's collars and men's scarves are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce ordinance dated 29 January 1934, as well as any items the Afghan government may subsequently prohibit on the grounds of hindering the development of domestic industry. Both regular mail and parcel services are affected.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 62
- Prohibited
Women's handbags (excluding wallets)
Women's handbags (excluding wallets) are prohibited from import into Afghanistan under a Ministry of Commerce ordinance dated 29 January 1934, as well as any items the Afghan government may subsequently prohibit on grounds of hindering the development of domestic industry. This prohibition applies to both regular and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 42
Applies to every destination, including Afghanistan
Japan Post applies 278 carrier-wide rules to every country on top of the rules above — outright bans on dangerous goods such as perfume, aerosols and lighters, and conditions on items such as lithium batteries.
Not sure about a specific item for Afghanistan?
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
- What can't I ship from Japan to Afghanistan?
- Japan Post's import rules for Afghanistan prohibit 27 item types, including Kolah (a type of hat); Bracelets made of coral or metal (excluding those made of gold or silver); Prayer beads (rosaries/masbaha) made of celluloid, glass, or ceramic — excluding those made in Islamic holy sites; Earrings made of celluloid, bronze, or glass; Carpets of European or Iranian manufacture; Imitation pearls made of wax or glass; Printed matter contrary to public order or Islamic teachings; Alcoholic Beverages; and 19 more. On top of these, Japan Post refuses dangerous goods such as perfume, aerosols and loose lithium batteries to every destination.
- Does an item that isn't listed here ship freely to Afghanistan?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Afghanistan; an item that isn't named has no specific rule here, but it may still fall under Japan Post's carrier-wide bans or a general category such as food or medicine. Check the exact item in the ShipMate GO app, which reads these rules live and asks the follow-up questions a conditional rule needs.