What you can't ship from Japan to Cook Islands
41 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 15 item types that cannot be sent to Cook Islands and 26 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 October 1, 2026.
- Prohibited
- 15
- Conditional
- 26
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Cook Islands. 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
3 prohibited · 6 conditional
- Prohibited
Explosives and Flammable/Explosive Substances
Explosives and all flammable or explosive substances are prohibited from shipment to the Cook Islands via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services; this includes matches, phosphorus, cartridge cases, calcium carbide, sodium chloride (unless safely boxed and packaged), calcium sulfide, and any items violating local explosives legislation.
Details and exceptions
- Sodium chloride packed and packaged in a safe box → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Radioactive substances
Radioactive substances are prohibited from being shipped to the Cook Islands. However, items that emit only trace amounts of radioactivity, such as clocks and watches, are unconditionally permitted.
Details and exceptions
- Items emitting only trace amounts of radioactivity (e.g. clocks, watches, and similar articles) → permitted unconditionally
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Prohibited
Tableware manufactured using lead or lead compounds
Tableware that is manufactured using lead or lead compounds is prohibited from shipment to the Cook Islands via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition applies regardless of the type or style of tableware involved.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 69
- Conditional
BHC (Benzene Hexachloride) and DDT
BHC (benzene hexachloride) and DDT are conditionally permitted to the Cook Islands only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination. Shipments without such authorization are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination (Cook Islands) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the relevant authorities at the destination
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Non-infectious substances
Non-infectious substances are conditionally permitted for shipment to the Cook Islands. Import is allowed only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination (Cook Islands) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the relevant authorities at the destination (Cook Islands)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 38
- Conditional
Paint (lead-containing)
Lead-containing paint is conditionally permitted for shipment to the Cook Islands. It is allowed only if the packaging bears the French-language label 'Cette peinture contient du plomb' (meaning 'This paint contains lead').
Conditions and documents
- Packaging bears the label 'Cette peinture contient du plomb' → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 32
- Conditional
Poisons (Category 1)
The following specific poisons are conditionally permitted to Cook Islands provided they are packaged in accordance with the Cook Islands law of 1960: arsenic and its salts and compounds, formaldehyde, chloropicrin, calcium cyanide, potassium cyanide, sodium cyanide and their compounds, dinitrophenol and analogues, methyl bromide, nicotine and its salts, and strychnine and its salts.
Conditions and documents
- Packaged in accordance with the Cook Islands law of 1960 → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Conditional
Poisons (Class 2) — Cantharidine, diethylamide of lysergic acid, thalidomide, and other substances listed in the 1964 Poisons Regulations of the destination, including their salts and mixtures
Cantharidine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), thalidomide, and other substances listed in the Cook Islands' 1964 Poisons Regulations — including their salts and mixtures — are conditionally permitted. Shipment is allowed only when addressed to a recipient approved by the Minister of Health (Ministre de la santé) of the destination.
Conditions and documents
- Consignment is addressed to a recipient approved by the Minister of Health (Ministre de la santé) of the Cook Islands → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Textiles treated with nitrocellulose lacquer / clothing made from such textiles
Textiles processed with a lacquer containing nitrocellulose, and clothing manufactured from such textiles, are conditionally permitted to the Cook Islands. Shipment is allowed only when prior authorization has been obtained from the destination customs authority.
Conditions and documents
- Prior authorization obtained from the destination customs authority of the Cook Islands → permitted
Documents: Authorization from Cook Islands customs authority
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 59
Plants & animals
2 prohibited · 7 conditional
- Prohibited
Animal Hair and Bristles
Animal hair and bristles are prohibited from being shipped to the Cook Islands via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers all forms of animal coarse hair and bristle materials.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Prohibited
Plants
Plants, seeds, timber, and wood products require authorization from the competent authorities of the destination (Cook Islands) prior to import. Shipment is prohibited without such authorization.
Details and exceptions
- Authorization obtained from competent authorities of the destination country → permitted
Documents: Authorization from competent authorities of the Cook Islands
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Animal Hair
Animal hair may only be shipped to the Cook Islands if the competent authority officer at the destination (Médecin du service de santé) has confirmed that the risk of anthrax bacillus survival is negligible. Import is conditional upon obtaining that official opinion.
Conditions and documents
- The competent authority officer at the destination (Médecin du service de santé) has issued an opinion that the risk of anthrax bacillus survival is negligible → permitted
Documents: Official opinion from the destination authority officer (Médecin du service de santé) confirming negligible risk of anthrax bacillus survival
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Animal semen
Animal semen may only be shipped to the Cook Islands if the relevant authorities at the destination have granted permission. Import is conditional on obtaining such authorization prior to shipment.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination (Cook Islands) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables (excluding dried, canned, salted, or bottled forms) are conditionally permitted, provided the quantity does not exceed the import limit set by the destination and the shipment has received authorization from the Director of Customs (Ministre des douanes).
Conditions and documents
- Quantity does not exceed the import limit set by the destination AND authorization obtained from the Director of Customs (Ministre des douanes); dried, canned, salted, or bottled forms are excluded from this restriction → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Director of Customs (Ministre des douanes)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 07
- Conditional
Honeybees (live)
Live honeybees may only be shipped to the Cook Islands if the consignee has obtained prior permission from the relevant authority (Ministre de l'agriculture). Shipment is conditional on holding this authorization.
Conditions and documents
- Prior permission obtained from the relevant authority (Ministre de l'agriculture) at the destination → permitted
Documents: Permission from Ministre de l'agriculture (Cook Islands relevant authority)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Insect specimens
Insect specimens are conditionally permitted to the Cook Islands via Regular and EMS shipping, provided they are packaged in a manner that allows inspection of the contents.
Conditions and documents
- Packaged in a manner that allows inspection of the contents → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 95
- Conditional
Insects and insect eggs
Insects and insect eggs may only be shipped to the Cook Islands if the sender has obtained prior permission from the competent authority (Ministre de l'agriculture et des peches). Shipments without such authorization are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Prior permission obtained from the competent authority (Ministre de l'agriculture et des peches) of the destination → permitted
Documents: Permission from the Ministre de l'agriculture et des peches (Cook Islands competent authority)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Wool samples
Wool samples destined for the Cook Islands do not require prior authorization, but may be subject to inspection or fumigation upon arrival. Note that raw (unprocessed) wool, by contrast, requires prior permission from the Director of the Animal Hygiene Division of the Department of Agriculture.
Conditions and documents
- Wool sample (not raw/unprocessed wool) → Permitted without prior authorization, but may be inspected or fumigated
- Raw (unprocessed) wool — with prior permission from the Director of the Animal Hygiene Division of the Department of Agriculture of the destination → Permitted
- Raw (unprocessed) wool — without prior permission from the Director of the Animal Hygiene Division of the Department of Agriculture of the destination → Not permitted
Documents: Prior permission from the Director of the Animal Hygiene Division of the Department of Agriculture (Cook Islands) — required for raw/unprocessed wool only
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 51
Food
5 conditional
- Conditional
Cacao (cocoa beans and cacao products made from cocoa beans)
Cacao beans and cacao-derived products are conditionally permitted for shipment to the Cook Islands via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Specific conditions must be met for these items to be accepted.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 18
- Conditional
Eggs and their packaging materials
Eggs in any form (raw, powdered, liquid, frozen, or otherwise processed) and their packaging materials are only permitted when authorization has been obtained from the competent authorities at the destination (Ministre des douanes and Ministre de l'agriculture et des peches). Sausages (腸詰) are permitted only when properly packaged.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from Ministre des douanes and Ministre de l'agriculture et des peches at the destination → permitted (eggs in all forms and their packaging materials)
- Properly packaged → permitted (sausages / 腸詰)
Documents: Authorization from Ministre des douanes (Cook Islands); Authorization from Ministre de l'agriculture et des peches (Cook Islands)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Conditional
Meat
Meat and meat products are conditionally permitted to the Cook Islands, provided they have been heat-sterilized and sealed in airtight containers in accordance with the Importation of Animals Regulations (as amended in 1966). Shipments not meeting these requirements are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Heat-sterilized and sealed in an airtight container in accordance with the Importation of Animals Regulations (as amended in 1966) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Noodles
Various noodle products — including egg udon, rice udon, shrimp udon, chicken udon (with dehydrated sauce packets), other noodle varieties, bean fibers, and bean sticks — are conditionally permitted, provided they are commercial products in sealed packaging.
Conditions and documents
- Commercial product in sealed packaging → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 19
- Conditional
Wheat or Wheat Flour
Wheat and wheat flour may only be shipped to the Cook Islands if the sender or recipient has obtained prior authorization from the relevant authorities of the destination. This restriction applies to regular mail, parcels, and EMS.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination (Cook Islands) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 11
Weapons
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Brass knuckles, knuckle knives, sword canes, disguised weapons, concealable-blade knives, and switchblades
Brass knuckles, knives combined with brass knuckles, sword canes, all weapons disguised as other objects, knives capable of concealing their blade, and switchblades (flick knives) are prohibited for shipment to the Cook Islands unless prior authorisation has been obtained from the Minister of Customs. Shipments lacking such authorisation are prohibited across all applicable shipping types.
Details and exceptions
- Prior authorisation obtained from the Minister of Customs of the Cook Islands → permitted
Documents: Authorisation from the Minister of Customs of the Cook Islands
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Prohibited
Weapons and devices emitting tear gas, harmful/toxic gas, smoke, anesthetic gas, or nerve-paralyzing gas
Weapons or devices designed to discharge tear gas, harmful or toxic gas, smoke, anesthetic gas, or nerve-paralyzing gas are prohibited from shipment to the Cook Islands. Items used for medical, surgical, veterinary, scientific, agricultural, or industrial purposes are excluded from this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- Used for medical, surgical, veterinary, scientific, agricultural, or industrial purposes → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Firearms
Firearms are conditionally permitted for import into the Cook Islands, but only if the recipient has obtained prior authorization from the local police authorities. Shipment is allowed via regular mail, parcel, and EMS services subject to this condition.
Conditions and documents
- Prior authorization obtained from the police authorities of the destination (Cook Islands) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the police authorities of the Cook Islands
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Medicine & supplements
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Ultrasonic Therapeutic Device (600,000+ cycles per second)
Ultrasonic therapeutic devices that deliver vibrations of 600,000 or more cycles per second to the human body are prohibited from shipment to the Cook Islands via regular post, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition applies regardless of the shipping method used.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Conditional
Vaccines
Vaccines are conditionally permitted to the Cook Islands. Yellow fever vaccines are allowed only with prior authorization from the Director of the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Hygiene.
Conditions and documents
- Yellow fever vaccine with authorization from the Director of the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Hygiene (Directeur de la Division de la sante publique du Ministere de l'hygiene) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Director of the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Hygiene (Directeur de la Division de la sante publique du Ministere de l'hygiene)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Alcohol
1 conditional
- Conditional
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages may only be shipped to the Cook Islands if the sender or consignee has obtained authorization from the relevant authorities at the destination. Shipment is conditional on holding such permission.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Books & printed matter
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Books: unauthorized reproductions in violation of copyright law at destination
Reproductions of books that violate copyright law at the destination (Cook Islands) are prohibited. This applies to all applicable shipping types including regular mail, parcel, and EMS.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Currency & valuables
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Counterfeit or Altered Currency
Counterfeit or altered currency is prohibited from being shipped to the Cook Islands via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This applies to any forged or tampered monetary coins or banknotes.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Other items
5 prohibited · 5 conditional
- Prohibited
Articles contrary to public order and morals
Articles contrary to public order and morals are prohibited from shipment to the Cook Islands via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This applies across all standard shipping types.
- Prohibited
Articles made by prisoners
Goods manufactured inside a prison or by prisoners, as well as goods sold by persons who deal in such articles as a trade, are prohibited from being shipped to the Cook Islands. This prohibition applies across all regular, parcel, and EMS shipping services.
- Prohibited
Brushes made from animal hair that come into contact with the human body during use
Brushes manufactured using animal hair that contact the human body during normal use are prohibited from shipment to the Cook Islands via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies specifically to animal-hair brushes intended for personal or body contact use.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 96
- Prohibited
Goods in violation of trademark law; articles contrary to public order and morality
Items that violate the Cook Islands Merchandise Mark Act, as well as any articles that are contrary to public order and morality, are prohibited from shipment to the Cook Islands. This restriction applies across all shipping types including regular mail, parcels, and EMS.
- Prohibited
Mail containing defamatory content
Postal items that contain defamatory content are prohibited from being sent to the Cook Islands via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
- Conditional
Articles bearing coats of arms
Articles bearing the British Royal coat of arms, the coat of arms of the Cook Islands, or any arms liable to be confused with these are only permitted when authorisation has been obtained from the customs authorities of the Cook Islands.
Conditions and documents
- Authorisation obtained from the customs authorities of the Cook Islands → permitted
Documents: Authorisation from the customs authorities of the Cook Islands
- Conditional
Printed materials soliciting gambling on football and other competitions
Printed materials that solicit gambling on football or other sporting competitions are conditionally permitted to the Cook Islands. Such items are allowed only when authorization has been obtained from the customs authority at the destination.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the customs authority at the destination → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the customs authority of the Cook Islands
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Used clothing
Used clothing, rags, and bedding may only be shipped to the Cook Islands with permission from the destination customs authority. Items intended for the personal use of a person entering or residing in the Cook Islands are exempt from this requirement.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the customs authority of the Cook Islands → permitted
- Intended for the personal use of a person entering or residing in the Cook Islands → permitted
Documents: Permission from the Cook Islands customs authority
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
- Conditional
Wool bags
Wool bags may only be shipped to the Cook Islands if prior permission has been obtained from the destination customs authority (Ministère des douanes). Shipment is conditional on holding this authorization.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the destination customs authority (Ministère des douanes) → permitted
Documents: Permission from the destination customs authority (Ministère des douanes)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
- Conditional
Wool waste
Wool waste (and waste of cotton and similar fibres) may only be shipped to the Cook Islands if the relevant authorities at the destination have granted permission. Shipment is conditional on obtaining that prior authorisation.
Conditions and documents
- Prior permission obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination (Cook Islands) → permitted
Documents: Permission/authorisation from the relevant authorities of the Cook Islands
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 51
Applies to every destination, including Cook Islands
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 Cook Islands?
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 Cook Islands?
- Japan Post's import rules for Cook Islands prohibit 15 item types, including Brass knuckles, knuckle knives, sword canes, disguised weapons, concealable-blade knives, and switchblades; Articles made by prisoners; Ultrasonic Therapeutic Device (600,000+ cycles per second); Brushes made from animal hair that come into contact with the human body during use; Counterfeit or Altered Currency; Articles contrary to public order and morals; Goods in violation of trademark law; articles contrary to public order and morality; Books: unauthorized reproductions in violation of copyright law at destination; and 7 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 Cook Islands only under conditions?
- 26 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example BHC (Benzene Hexachloride) and DDT; Cacao (cocoa beans and cacao products made from cocoa beans); Eggs and their packaging materials; Printed materials soliciting gambling on football and other competitions; Honeybees (live); Noodles; Articles bearing coats of arms; Vaccines; and 18 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 Cook Islands?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Cook Islands; 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.