What you can't ship from Japan to Canada
36 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 25 item types that cannot be sent to Canada and 11 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 July 25, 2026.
- Prohibited
- 25
- Conditional
- 11
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Canada. 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.
Plants & animals
3 prohibited · 5 conditional
- Prohibited
Goods packed in hay, straw, or other unprocessed plant material
Items packaged or wrapped in hay, straw, or other unprocessed plant materials are prohibited for shipment to Canada. For other plant-related restrictions, refer to the conditionally permitted 'plants' category.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 14
- Prohibited
Honeybees, used beehives, and used beekeeping materials
Honeybees, previously used beehives, and previously used beekeeping materials are prohibited from being shipped to Canada via regular mail, parcel, or EMS. This restriction applies to live bees as well as any beekeeping equipment that has been used.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Prohibited
Wild Bird Feathers, Heads, Wings, Tails, and Skins
Feathers, heads, wings, tails, and skins of wild birds are prohibited from being shipped to Canada via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers all such parts derived from wild birds.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Agricultural Seeds
Import of propagating cultivated seeds, vegetable seeds, and bulbs (excluding flower seeds) into Canada is conditionally permitted, provided they comply with import regulations under the Seeds Act and related standards, and have been inspected by customs and the local supervisor of the Plant Production Division of the regional Department of Agriculture. Flower seeds are excluded from this restriction.
Conditions and documents
- Propagating cultivated seeds, vegetable seeds, and bulbs (excluding flower seeds) comply with import regulations and other standards set out in the Seeds Act, and have been inspected by customs and the local supervisor of the Plant Production Division of the regional Department of Agriculture → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 12
- Conditional
Broomcorn (Sorghum vulgare var. technicum)
All broomcorn, including samples and brooms made from broomcorn, is conditionally permitted into Canada only between August 16 and May 14 of the following year, provided a permit issued by the Plant Protection Division of the destination country's Ministry of Agriculture (Ministère de l'agriculture) is attached. Shipments outside this seasonal window are not permitted under this condition.
Conditions and documents
- Shipment is made between August 16 and May 14 of the following year, AND a permit issued by the Plant Protection Division of the Ministry of Agriculture (Ministère de l'agriculture) of Canada is attached → permitted
Documents: Permit issued by the Plant Protection Division of the Ministry of Agriculture (Ministère de l'agriculture) of Canada
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 14
- Conditional
Bulbs and Bulb Roots
Bulbs or bulb roots may be shipped to Canada under conditional terms. If subsoil is used in packaging, it must have been collected from more than 2 feet below ground, sieved, dried, and stored to prevent insect or disease contamination, and a certificate confirming the subsoil originates from an area free of pests and disease must be attached.
Conditions and documents
- Subsoil used in packaging must be collected from more than 2 feet below ground, and sieved, dried, and stored to prevent insect or disease contamination → permitted with certificate
- Subsoil must originate from an area free of pests and disease → permitted with certificate confirming pest- and disease-free origin
Documents: Certificate confirming that the subsoil was collected from an area free of pests and disease
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Plants
Plants shipped to Canada may require an export inspection by a plant protection station and an import permit from the destination country. Rice, unless sent non-commercially for personal use, requires advance notification to the relevant regional agricultural administration office under Japanese food law.
Conditions and documents
- Export inspection by plant protection station and import permit from destination country obtained → permitted
- Rice sent non-commercially for personal use → no advance notification to regional agricultural administration office required
- Rice sent commercially or not for personal use → advance notification to regional agricultural administration office required
Documents: Export inspection certificate from plant protection station (植物防疫所による輸出検査); Import permit from destination country (名宛国の輸入許可証); Advance notification to regional agricultural administration office (地方農政局等への届出) — for rice sent other than non-commercially for personal use
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Wheat and wheat products (including bran, chaff, and straw)
All types of wheat — including bran, chaff, grain husks, and straw — are conditionally permitted for shipment to Canada, provided they are accompanied by a certificate confirming they were harvested in an area free from smut disease. See conditional items under 'Plants' for further reference.
Conditions and documents
- Accompanied by a certificate confirming the wheat was harvested in an area free from smut disease → permitted
Documents: Certificate confirming the wheat was harvested in an area free from smut disease (黒穂病の発生していない地方で収穫されたことを証明する証明書)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 10
Food
3 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Artificial Butter (Margarine and Similar Products)
Artificial butter and similar products are prohibited from being shipped to Canada via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers margarine and analogous butter substitutes.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 15
- Prohibited
Meat
Meat, meat products, and canned meat are prohibited from being shipped to Canada via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This restriction covers all forms of meat and meat-based goods.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Prohibited
Tea (prohibited types: mixed with non-tea plant leaves or spent leaves; tea containing harmful substances)
Tea mixed with leaves of plants other than tea or with spent tea leaves, and tea containing harmful substances, are prohibited from shipment to Canada. Other tea products may be subject to separate conditional rules under the 'plants' category.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 09
- Conditional
Canned fruits/vegetables and by-products, condensed milk, powdered milk
Canned fruits or vegetables and their by-products, condensed milk, and powdered milk are conditionally permitted to Canada, provided that a declaration/notice required by Canadian law is attached to the shipment.
Conditions and documents
- Declaration/notice required by the destination country's law is attached → permitted
Documents: Declaration/notice required by Canadian law
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 20
- Conditional
Food products (including dried foods, frozen foods, pet food, confectionery, candy, chocolate, vegetables, and all other foods and plants)
All food products and plants — including dried foods, frozen foods, pet food, confectionery, candy, chocolate, and vegetables — may be shipped to Canada conditionally. The intended end-use must be declared on the customs declaration, and quantities exceeding personal-use levels require a special export certificate and an import certificate from the end user.
Conditions and documents
- All shipments → Intended end-use must be declared on the customs declaration (e.g. personal use / non-commercial use, sample, commercial use, for experiment)
- Quantity exceeds what is considered personal use → Special export certificate and import certificate from the end user are required
Documents: End-use declaration on customs declaration form (e.g. personal use, sample, commercial use, for experiment); Special export certificate (required when quantity exceeds personal-use level); Import certificate from the end user (required when quantity exceeds personal-use level)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 21
Medicine & supplements
1 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Narcotics
Narcotics are prohibited for shipment to Canada via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This includes opium, morphine, cocaine, and other narcotic substances.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Biological preparations (veterinary)
Veterinary biological preparations are conditionally permitted for shipment to Canada. They are allowed only when accompanied by a permit issued by the Director General of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture (Directeur General veterinaire, Ministère de l'agriculture).
Conditions and documents
- Accompanied by a permit issued by the Director General of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture (Directeur General veterinaire, Ministère de l'agriculture) of Canada → permitted
Documents: Permit issued by the Director General of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture (Directeur General veterinaire, Ministère de l'agriculture)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Conditional
Medicines and pharmaceutical products (vitamins, vitamin supplements, ointments, drugs, prescription drugs, dental adhesives, cosmetics, etc.)
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.
Conditions and documents
- For personal use, not prohibited by law, quantity does not exceed a 3-month supply imported once per quarter → permitted
- 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
- Quantity deemed to exceed personal use (regarded as a commercial transaction) → requires authorization
Documents: Specific name of the medicine(s) must be stated on the customs declaration
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Weapons
3 prohibited
- Prohibited
Ammunition and Matches
Charged metallic percussion caps and cartridge cases for portable firearms, non-explosive raw materials for artillery fuses, and matches are prohibited from shipment to Canada via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. These items may not be sent through any of the listed shipping channels.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Simulated / replica military ordnance and explosive devices
Replica, simulated, or inert imitations of military ordnance and explosive devices — including imitation or inert grenades and other replica munitions — are prohibited, regardless of whether they are intended for display purposes.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Prohibited
Weapons
Weapons are prohibited from being shipped to Canada via regular mail, parcel, or EMS. No exceptions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Books & printed matter
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Printed Matter (exceeding 2 kg total weight)
Printed matter sent via regular shipping to Canada is prohibited when the total weight exceeds 2 kilograms. Printed matter not exceeding 2 kilograms in total weight is excluded from this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- total weight does not exceed 2 kilograms → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Unauthorized reprints of artistic or literary works
Unauthorized reprints of artistic or literary works protected by copyright in Canada, or reprints of British works that are copyright-protected and registered with the relevant Canadian authorities, are prohibited. This also covers old periodicals being put back into circulation for resale.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Chemicals
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Butane Gas Lighters and Refill Gas Canisters
Lighters using butane gas and refill gas canisters for lighters are prohibited for shipment to Canada via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Both the lighters themselves and the associated butane refill canisters are covered by this restriction.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Smoke-generating devices for use on automobiles or vessels
Smoke-generating devices intended for use on automobiles or vessels are prohibited from shipment to Canada via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers such devices regardless of whether they are intended for automotive or marine use.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
Currency & valuables
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Counterfeit currency, banknotes, jewels, and related valuables
Counterfeit coins and banknotes, gold bullion, gold dust, precious and semi-precious stones, bearer securities, and all personal-use articles made of gold or other precious metals (including jewellery-category items such as cigarette pipes, tobacco pouches, vanity cases, card cases, opera glasses, and chainmail wallets) are prohibited from shipment to Canada via Regular, Parcel, and EMS mail. An exception applies to coins sent to coin dealers or numismatists in insured parcels.
Details and exceptions
- Coins sent to coin dealers or numismatists in insured parcels → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Prohibited
Valuables
Valuables are prohibited for shipment to Canada via regular and parcel services. This includes coins, banknotes, currency, bearer securities, platinum, gold, silver (worked or unworked), pearls, gemstones, and other precious items.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Alcohol
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Alcoholic Beverages (including Wine)
All alcoholic beverages, including wine, are prohibited for shipment to Canada via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Samples of alcoholic beverages and wine are also prohibited, except when addressed to the relevant authorities of the destination country.
Details and exceptions
- alcoholic beverage or wine sample addressed to the relevant authorities of the destination country → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Tobacco
1 conditional
- Conditional
Tobacco
Tobacco shipments to Canada are permitted only when sent between manufacturers or sellers and only when they meet the applicable regulations of the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Shipped between manufacturers or sellers AND meets the applicable regulations of the destination country → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24
Other items
8 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Articles manufactured in prisons
Articles made inside prisons or by prisoners, including those sold by persons who deal in such articles, are prohibited from being shipped to Canada. This restriction applies across Regular, Parcel, and EMS shipping types.
- Prohibited
Contraceptive and abortifacient articles, and related publications
Articles intended for contraception or abortion, as well as books and newspapers relating to contraception or abortion, are prohibited for shipment to Canada via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers both the physical items and printed materials on these subjects.
- Prohibited
Lottery tickets and gambling tickets, and their advertising materials
Lottery tickets, other gambling tickets, and any advertising materials related to them are prohibited from being shipped to Canada via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers the tickets themselves as well as any promotional or advertising items associated with them.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Metal Commercial Name Plates / Signs
Metal commercial name plates and signs are prohibited from shipment to Canada via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to commercially designated metal sign and plate items.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 83
- Prohibited
Obscene, indecent, or disturbing articles
Books, printed matter, paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other articles of an obscene or indecent nature are prohibited from shipment to Canada. Also prohibited are articles likely to embarrass or harass the recipient, and items bearing inscriptions, marks, or symbols on their surface that are damaging to the recipient's social or commercial standing.
- Prohibited
Periodicals containing advertisements primarily targeting the destination country market
Periodicals are prohibited if they contain advertisements primarily targeting the Canadian market that differ from advertisements published in periodicals distributed in the country of origin, or if 5% or more of their total advertising space promotes products or services sold primarily in Canada. This restriction applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS services.
Details and exceptions
- Periodical contains advertisements primarily targeting the destination country market that are not identical to advertisements published in periodicals distributed in the country of origin → prohibited
- Periodical destined for the destination country where 5% or more of total advertising space promotes products or services sold primarily in the destination country market → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Posters depicting criminal or violent acts
Posters and flyers that depict criminal or violent acts are prohibited from being shipped to Canada via regular mail, parcel, or EMS. This restriction applies to printed materials of this nature regardless of format.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Unsolicited Payment Demand for Telex Directory Advertising (in the form of an invoice)
Payment demands for advertising in telex directories that were not ordered, presented in the form of an invoice or statement, are prohibited from being sent to Canada via Regular, Parcel, or EMS shipping. These items are banned regardless of shipping method.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
血清等
豚コレラの血清及びヴィールスは、名あて国の農林省獣医病理学課長 (Directeur general de la Division de la pathologie veterinaire au Ministere de l'agriculture) あてに発送され、かつ、同省獣医局長が発行する許可証が添付されている場合に限り許される。
Applies to every destination, including Canada
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 Canada?
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 Canada?
- Japan Post's import rules for Canada prohibit 25 item types, including Unsolicited Payment Demand for Telex Directory Advertising (in the form of an invoice); Posters depicting criminal or violent acts; Honeybees, used beehives, and used beekeeping materials; Butane Gas Lighters and Refill Gas Canisters; Printed Matter (exceeding 2 kg total weight); Wild Bird Feathers, Heads, Wings, Tails, and Skins; Goods packed in hay, straw, or other unprocessed plant material; Valuables; and 17 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 Canada only under conditions?
- 11 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Canned fruits/vegetables and by-products, condensed milk, powdered milk; Tobacco; Broomcorn (Sorghum vulgare var. technicum); Medicines and pharmaceutical products (vitamins, vitamin supplements, ointments, drugs, prescription drugs, dental adhesives, cosmetics, etc.); Bulbs and Bulb Roots; 血清等; Wheat and wheat products (including bran, chaff, and straw); Plants; and 3 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 Canada?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Canada; 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.