What you can't ship from Japan to Belgium
35 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 23 item types that cannot be sent to Belgium and 12 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 September 1, 2026.
- Prohibited
- 23
- Conditional
- 12
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Belgium. 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
4 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Radioactive Materials
Radioactive materials are prohibited from shipment to Belgium via regular mail, parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Prohibited
Toxic Substances (Non-Commercial/Non-Industrial Use) and Arsenic Residues from Aniline Manufacturing
Toxic substances intended for purposes other than commercial or industrial use are prohibited, as are arsenic residues arising from the manufacture of aniline. This prohibition applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipping to Belgium.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Prohibited
White Phosphorus Matches
White phosphorus matches are prohibited from shipment to Belgium via regular, parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition applies specifically to matches manufactured using white (yellow) phosphorus.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
White Phosphorus Matches
White phosphorus matches are prohibited from shipment to Belgium via Regular and EMS services. This prohibition applies to matches manufactured using white (yellow) phosphorus.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Conditional
White Lead (Lead Carbonate) and Lead Compounds
White lead and lead compounds may be shipped to Belgium only if a transport permit issued by the Belgian Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance is presented to Belgian customs, the container is clearly marked with the seller's name or mark and the nature of the contents, and the container is fitted with an additional sealing device bearing the manufacturer's mark or name.
Conditions and documents
- Transport permit issued by the Belgian Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance (Ministère du travail et de la prévoyance sociale) is presented to Belgian customs → permitted
- Container exterior is clearly marked with the seller's name (or mark) and the nature of the contents → permitted
- Container is fitted with an additional sealing device (lead seal or stamp bearing the manufacturer's mark or name) → permitted
Documents: Transport permit issued by the Belgian Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance (Ministère du travail et de la prévoyance sociale), to be presented to Belgian customs
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
Food
1 prohibited · 4 conditional
- Prohibited
Meat, fat, etc. of solipeds (single-hoofed animals)
Meat of domestic solipeds (single-hoofed animals), including canned or bottled forms, as well as fat and slaughter by-products of solipeds, are prohibited from shipment to Belgium. This restriction applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipping types.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Bones, animal-derived meals and powders (for animal feed or fertiliser)
Bones (including ground/powdered), meat meal, blood meal, liver meal, lung meal, tallow residue meal, fish meal, dried fish, and related animal-derived products intended for use as animal feed or fertiliser — including those derived from terrestrial mammals, aquatic mammals, or poultry — are conditionally permitted to Belgium, provided customs authorisation from the destination country has been obtained. This applies to these materials individually or as mixtures, whether used in raw or processed form.
Conditions and documents
- Intended for use as animal feed or fertiliser (alone or as a mixture), whether raw or processed, and customs authorisation from the destination country (Belgium) has been obtained → conditional
Documents: Customs authorisation from the destination country (Belgium)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 23
- Conditional
Dairy Products
Dairy products shipped to Belgium are subject to inspection by the competent authority (Office national des debouches agricoles et horticoles). Depending on the outcome of the inspection, items may be returned to sender or destroyed.
Conditions and documents
- Inspection by Office national des debouches agricoles et horticoles → Permitted, returned, or destroyed depending on inspection result
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Conditional
Marine invertebrates
Marine invertebrates intended to be consumed raw are permitted only if the shipper has obtained authorization from an institution approved by Belgium's Ministry of Public Health (Ministère de la santé publique). No conditions are specified for marine invertebrates not intended for raw consumption.
Conditions and documents
- Marine invertebrates intended to be consumed raw, with authorization obtained from an institution approved by Belgium's Ministry of Public Health (Ministère de la santé publique) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from an institution approved by Belgium's Ministry of Public Health (Ministère de la santé publique)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 03
- Conditional
Meat, fat, slaughter by-products, margarine, and other prepared edible fats
Meat, fat, slaughter by-products, margarine, and other prepared edible fats are conditionally permitted provided the destination country's veterinary inspector has granted approval. For margarine specifically, approval is required only when animal fat is the main ingredient.
Conditions and documents
- Approval obtained from the destination country's veterinary inspector → permitted
- Margarine where animal fat is NOT the main ingredient → permitted without veterinary inspector approval
- Margarine where animal fat IS the main ingredient, with approval from the destination country's veterinary inspector → permitted
Documents: Permission from the destination country's veterinary inspector (検査獣医の許可)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
Medicine & supplements
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Contraceptive and Abortifacient Articles and Related Advertising
Contraceptive or abortifacient articles and any advertising related to them are prohibited from shipment to Belgium via Regular and EMS services. This prohibition covers the physical products as well as promotional or informational materials concerning them.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Prohibited
Hypnotic drugs (sleeping drugs)
Hypnotic drugs (sleeping drugs) are prohibited from being shipped to Belgium via Regular and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of quantity or intended use.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Conditional
Narcotic Drugs (Opium, Morphine, Cocaine, and Other Narcotics)
Opium, morphine, cocaine, and other narcotic drugs sent for medical or scientific purposes are conditionally permitted to Belgium, provided they are accompanied by a permit issued by the destination country's Minister of Public Health, bear a specified red-and-black label on the exterior of the parcel, and are packaged in glass, metal, or non-degrading plastic containers bearing a poison label printed in black ink on a red-orange background with a skull symbol and the words 'Poison–Gift'.
Conditions and documents
- Sent for medical or scientific purposes AND accompanied by a permit issued by the Belgian Minister of Public Health → permitted
- Exterior of parcel bears the sender's and recipient's names and addresses, plus a label printed in black text on a red background reading 'Ne peut etre dedouane qu'apres verification par un agent du service des stupefiants' → permitted
- Contents are placed in glass, metal, or non-degrading plastic containers with the item name clearly displayed, and the containers bear a poison label (skull symbol and 'Poison–Gift' printed in black ink on a red-orange background) → permitted
Documents: Permit issued by the Minister of Public Health of Belgium (destination country); Red-background label with black text reading 'Ne peut etre dedouane qu'apres verification par un agent du service des stupefiants' affixed to the exterior of the parcel; Poison label (skull symbol and 'Poison–Gift' in black ink on red-orange background) affixed to the container
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
Plants & animals
1 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Coque du Levant (Levant Berry / Fish Berry)
Coque du Levant (Levant Berry), a plant berry historically used as a fish-stunning poaching agent, is prohibited from shipment to Belgium. An exception applies when the item is sold by a pharmacist and accompanied by the seller's invoice.
Details and exceptions
- Sold by a pharmacist and accompanied by the seller's invoice → permitted
Documents: Seller's invoice from a pharmacist
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 12
- Conditional
Birds, Fish, and Their Capture Equipment
The import of birds (including eggs), fish, and equipment used to capture them is subject to various restrictions in Belgium. Senders must obtain the necessary information from the relevant Belgian authorities before dispatching such items.
Conditions and documents
- Prior to dispatch, sender has obtained necessary information from the relevant Belgian authority (Ministère de l'agriculture, Administration des eaux et forêts) → import may be permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Plants (including bulbs, seeds, cut flowers, cut branches, fruits, vegetables, timber, and bark)
Plants and plant materials — including plants for cultivation, bulbs, seeds for sowing, cut flowers, cut branches, fruits (excluding pineapple, coconut, durian, banana, and dates), vegetables, timber, and bark — require a phytosanitary certificate; importation is not permitted without one. An export inspection by a plant protection station and an import permit from the destination country may also be required, and rice (except for non-commercial personal-use shipments) requires prior notification to the relevant regional agricultural policy bureau.
Conditions and documents
- Phytosanitary certificate is attached → importation permitted (subject to other applicable requirements)
- No phytosanitary certificate → importation not permitted
- Rice shipped non-commercially for personal use → prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau not required
- Rice shipped for purposes other than non-commercial personal use → prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau required
Documents: Phytosanitary certificate; Export inspection by plant protection station (where required); Import permit from destination country (where required); Prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau (for rice, except non-commercial personal-use shipments)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
Alcohol
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Absinthe
Absinthe is prohibited from being shipped to Belgium via Regular and EMS shipping. This restriction applies regardless of quantity or form.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
- Prohibited
Absinthe and Absinthe-Containing Liqueurs
Absinthe and liqueurs containing absinthe are prohibited from shipment to Belgium via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition applies regardless of the form or blend in which absinthe is present.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Currency & valuables
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Currency, Bills of Exchange, and Similar Instruments
Banknotes and coins made of bronze, copper, or nickel that are not legal tender in Belgium are prohibited. An exception applies to old coins sent as specimens for collection purposes.
Details and exceptions
- Old coins sent as specimens for collection purposes → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Monetary instruments / means of payment
Means of payment denominated in the currency of the destination country (Belgium) are permitted only when sent as insured letters or insured parcels.
Conditions and documents
- Denominated in the currency of the destination country (Belgium) AND sent as an insured letter or insured parcel → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Weapons
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Explosives
Explosives, including explosive substances and ammunition, are prohibited from shipment to Belgium via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions are indicated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Weapons
Weapons shipping to Belgium is divided into four categories: prohibited items (e.g. bombs, grenades, daggers, concealed weapons), defensive weapons (e.g. pistols, rifles, signal guns), military weapons (e.g. locked firearms, bayonets), and hunting/sporting weapons. Prohibited weapons may not be shipped under any circumstances; defensive and military weapons may only be shipped to specified recipients with appropriate documentation; hunting and sporting weapons have no restrictions.
Details and exceptions
- Defensive weapons (pistols, automatic pistols, rocket-firing pistols, clubs, hunting rifles, signal guns) addressed to arms manufacturers, arms dealers, or gunsmiths who present an occupational certificate issued by the municipal authority of the place of business → permitted
- Defensive weapons addressed to persons holding an acquisition permit → permitted
- Defensive weapons addressed to persons returning to the destination country where purchase or possession of weapons has been pre-authorized, presenting the authorization → permitted
- Military weapons (locked firearms used exclusively as military arms) addressed to arms manufacturers, arms dealers, or gunsmiths who present an occupational certificate issued by the municipal authority of the place of business → permitted
- Military weapons addressed to persons holding a weapons possession permit → permitted
- Military weapons addressed to persons returning to the destination country where possession of weapons has been pre-authorized, presenting the authorization → permitted
- Bayonets (no special restrictions apply) → permitted
- Hunting or sporting weapons (other than those listed as prohibited, defensive, or military weapons) → permitted
- Prohibited weapons: bombs, grenades, daggers, dagger-shaped knives, sword canes, cane guns, axes, folding guns (smooth-bore with bore diameter ≥16 mm), rocket bullets (disguised as pens, fountain pens, keys, penknives, etc.), all offensive concealed weapons not considered defensive or military → prohibited
Documents: Occupational certificate issued by the municipal authority of the place of business (for arms manufacturers, dealers, or gunsmiths receiving defensive or military weapons); Acquisition permit (for persons authorized to acquire defensive weapons); Pre-authorization for purchase or possession of weapons in the destination country (for persons returning to Belgium with defensive weapons); Weapons possession permit (for persons authorized to possess military weapons); Pre-authorization for possession of weapons in the destination country (for persons returning to Belgium with military weapons)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Books & printed matter
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Newspapers and other publications prejudicial to public order
Newspapers, periodicals, and other publications of a nature harmful to public order are prohibited from shipment to Belgium via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers any such printed or published material deemed prejudicial to public security.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Tobacco
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Tobacco and tobacco products
Tobacco and tobacco products sent from a business to an individual are prohibited for shipment to Belgium via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This includes cigarettes, cigars, roll-your-own tobacco, consumer e-cigarettes, substances intended for use in e-cigarettes, base liquids (PG, VG), booster liquids, and flavourings.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24
Other items
8 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Empty Ink Cartridges and Empty Laser Toner Cartridges
Empty ink cartridges and empty laser toner cartridges are prohibited from being shipped to Belgium via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Both empty inkjet and empty laser toner cartridges are covered by this restriction.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 84
- Prohibited
Facsimile postage stamps
Facsimile (reproduction/copy) postage stamps are prohibited from shipment to Belgium via Regular and EMS mail. This prohibition also applies to mail items that have facsimile postage stamps affixed to their exterior.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Goods bearing markings likely to be mistaken as originating from Belgium
Goods carrying markings, labels, or descriptions that could mislead recipients into believing the items originate from Belgium are prohibited from shipment to Belgium. This applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS services.
- Prohibited
Items contrary to public morality and contraceptive articles
Belgium prohibits the mailing of items contrary to public morality, including obscene images and publications, abortifacient drugs and instruments, pamphlets or materials that insult the Belgian royal family, foreign sovereigns, or diplomatic representatives accredited to Belgium, and documents promoting or describing methods of contraception. Contraceptive articles and materials are also prohibited.
- Prohibited
Items contrary to public order and morality
Mail items that bear obscene or morality-violating descriptions on their exterior, as well as obscene newspapers, obscene publications, and content samples related to such materials, are prohibited. This applies to both Regular and EMS shipments to Belgium.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Lottery tickets and lottery-related printed matter
Lottery tickets and any circulars, notices, or advertisements relating to lotteries are prohibited from being shipped to Belgium via Regular and EMS services. This prohibition covers all such lottery-related correspondence and promotional materials.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Postcards with mica flakes or glass powder on the surface (sent as printed matter without enclosure)
Postcards bearing mica flakes or glass powder on their outer surface, submitted as postal cards or printed matter without any enclosure, are prohibited from being sent to Belgium via Regular mail or EMS. This applies specifically to exposed/unenclosed postcards where such particles are adhered to the exterior.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Underwear, clothing, and rags (from cholera- or plague-affected regions)
Underwear, clothing, rags, flock, new paper cuttings, bedding, and linen goods sent from regions where cholera or plague is present are prohibited, including soldiers' or sailors' effects. Exceptions apply for new cuttings dispatched directly from mills or factories, and for goods transiting an affected region that have been certified by local customs authorities as having had no contact with contaminated items.
Details and exceptions
- New cuttings dispatched directly from spinning mills, weaving mills, tailoring workshops, or bleaching workshops → permitted
- Goods that transited an epidemic-affected region and are certified by the customs authority of that region as having had no contact with contaminated items → permitted
Documents: Certificate from customs authority of the epidemic-affected region confirming no contact with contaminated goods (required for transit goods seeking exemption)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
- Conditional
Antiques and handmade wool/fine hair carpets
Antiques over 100 years old and handmade wool or fine-hair carpets are conditionally permitted to Belgium, but only when authorization has been obtained from the Belgian customs authorities. No other antiques or carpets are covered by this restriction.
Conditions and documents
- Antiques over 100 years old or handmade wool/fine-hair carpets, with authorization obtained from the Belgian customs authorities → permitted
Documents: Authorization from Belgian customs authorities
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 57
- Conditional
Blood and Serum (Animal)
Animal blood and serum are conditionally permitted for laboratory use only, provided a certificate of origin and a quarantine certificate issued by the relevant Japanese authorities are included. No other use cases are permitted under these conditions.
Conditions and documents
- Animal blood and serum intended for laboratory use, accompanied by a certificate of origin and a quarantine certificate issued by the relevant Japanese authorities → permitted
Documents: Certificate of origin issued by the relevant Japanese authorities; Quarantine certificate issued by the relevant Japanese authorities
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Conditional
Free magazines, commercial mail, and catalogs wrapped in plastic
Free magazines, commercial mail, and catalogs wrapped in plastic are conditionally accepted for delivery to postal code ranges 1300–1499 and 4000–7999 only. Window envelopes are permitted only if plastic is not their primary component.
Conditions and documents
- Destination postal code falls within 1300–1499 or 4000–7999 → permitted
- Window envelope where plastic is not the primary component → permitted
- Window envelope where plastic is the primary component → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Applies to every destination, including Belgium
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 Belgium?
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 Belgium?
- Japan Post's import rules for Belgium prohibit 23 item types, including Absinthe; Coque du Levant (Levant Berry / Fish Berry); Goods bearing markings likely to be mistaken as originating from Belgium; White Phosphorus Matches; Postcards with mica flakes or glass powder on the surface (sent as printed matter without enclosure); White Phosphorus Matches; Underwear, clothing, and rags (from cholera- or plague-affected regions); Currency, Bills of Exchange, and Similar Instruments; and 15 more. On top of these, Japan Post refuses dangerous goods such as perfume, aerosols and loose lithium batteries to every destination.
- Which items can be shipped to Belgium only under conditions?
- 12 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Antiques and handmade wool/fine hair carpets; Marine invertebrates; Blood and Serum (Animal); Bones, animal-derived meals and powders (for animal feed or fertiliser); Monetary instruments / means of payment; Plants (including bulbs, seeds, cut flowers, cut branches, fruits, vegetables, timber, and bark); Birds, Fish, and Their Capture Equipment; Meat, fat, slaughter by-products, margarine, and other prepared edible fats; and 4 more. Whether a specific product qualifies depends on the item, which is what the ShipMate GO app checks before you book.
- Does an item that isn't listed here ship freely to Belgium?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Belgium; 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.