What you can't ship from Japan to Cuba
38 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 35 item types that cannot be sent to Cuba and 3 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
- 35
- Conditional
- 3
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Cuba. 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
- Prohibited
Fragrances / Flavoring Agents
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 · HS chapter 33
- Prohibited
Hair dye
Hair dye is prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are noted in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 33
- Prohibited
Toxic Substances
Toxic substances are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are noted in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
Food
3 prohibited
- Prohibited
Animal products including ham, sausage, bones, milk, and dairy products
Animal products — including ham, sausage, bones, milk, and dairy products — are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 16
- Prohibited
Chewing Gum
Chewing gum is prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of quantity or type.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 17
- Prohibited
Fresh meat for processing or freezing
Fresh meat intended for processing or freezing is prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of the type of meat.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
Medicine & supplements
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Medical devices / medical instruments
Medical devices and medical instruments are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions are noted in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Prohibited
Narcotics
Narcotics are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This includes opium, morphine, cocaine, and other narcotic drugs.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Medicines / Pharmaceuticals
Medicines and pharmaceuticals are permitted only if they are in their original packaging and within their expiry date. Medicines addressed to individuals for commercial purposes will not be delivered.
Conditions and documents
- In original packaging and within expiry date, and not addressed to individuals for commercial purposes → permitted
- Addressed to individuals for commercial purposes → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Plants & animals
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Fresh or raw plants and vegetables
Fresh or raw plants and vegetables are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. For other plant-related items, refer to the conditional entry for 'plants'.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Prohibited
Grains and Seeds
Grains and seeds that have not been approved by the public health authorities of the destination country (Cuba) are prohibited. This applies to shipments sent via Regular mail, Parcel, and EMS.
Details and exceptions
- grains and seeds approved by the public health authorities of the destination country (Cuba) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 10
- Conditional
Plants
Plants shipped to Cuba 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 prior notification to the relevant regional agricultural policy bureau.
Conditions and documents
- Export inspection by plant protection station and import permit from destination country obtained → permitted
- Rice sent non-commercially for personal use → permitted without prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau
- Rice sent commercially or not for personal use → prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau required
Documents: Export inspection certificate issued by plant protection station (植物防疫所による輸出検査証明); Import permit from destination country's plant protection authority (名宛国の輸入許可証); Prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau for rice shipped commercially (地方農政局等への届出、コメの商業的発送の場合)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
Tobacco
3 prohibited
- Prohibited
Cigarettes
Cigarettes are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition applies regardless of quantity or type.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24
- Prohibited
Cigars
Cigars are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of quantity or type.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24
- Prohibited
Cut tobacco (pipe tobacco / loose tobacco)
Cut/loose tobacco is prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of quantity or packaging.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24
Books & printed matter
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Maps
Maps are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No further details or conditions are provided in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Printed matter and publications contrary to public order or morality
Printed matter, paintings, written or mechanical works, engravings, documents, books, newspapers, sketches, photographs, records, and film negatives whose distribution is contrary to public order or morality are prohibited from shipment to Cuba. This applies across all shipping types including regular mail, parcels, and EMS.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Currency & valuables
2 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 shipping to Cuba. This prohibition applies to any such items enclosed within registered ordinary mail.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Prohibited
Securities of all kinds
Securities of all kinds are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition applies to all types of negotiable instruments and securities.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Alcohol
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Other items
17 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Articles contrary to the national interest
All articles whose importation is considered contrary to the general national interest of Cuba are prohibited. This applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipping types.
- Prohibited
Binoculars
Binoculars are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Prohibited
Electrical and Electronic Devices
Electrical and electronic devices are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Prohibited
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Prohibited
Gambling equipment and supplies
Gambling equipment and supplies are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 95
- Prohibited
Gemstones / Jewelry
Gemstones and jewelry are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via regular and parcel shipping. This restriction applies to all such items regardless of type or value.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Prohibited
Mail items whose contents exceed 200 convertible Cuban pesos (CUC) in value
Mail items with a declared contents value exceeding 200 convertible Cuban pesos (CUC) are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba. This applies across Regular, Parcel, and EMS shipping types.
Details and exceptions
- Contents value exceeds 200 convertible Cuban pesos (CUC) → prohibited
- Prohibited
Musical Greeting Card
Musical cards that play a melody when opened are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition applies across all available shipping types.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Parts for automobiles, scooters, motorcycles, and similar vehicles
Parts for automobiles, scooters, motorcycles, and similar vehicles are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition applies regardless of the specific vehicle type or part.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 87
- Prohibited
Photographic film, cinematographic film
Photographic film and cinematographic film are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. Both still photography film and motion picture film are covered by this restriction.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 37
- Prohibited
Photographic paper
Photographic paper is prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 37
- Prohibited
Postage Stamps
Postage stamps are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS mail. The only exception is stamps exchanged through philatelic (stamp collecting) organizations, which are not covered by this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- Stamps exchanged through philatelic (stamp collecting) organizations → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Recording Tape
Recording tape is prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Prohibited
Sealed containers (excluding medical products)
Sealed containers are prohibited for shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Containers used for medical products are exempt from this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- Container is used for medical products → permitted
- Prohibited
Soil and Minerals
Soil and minerals are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 26
- Prohibited
Used clothing and textiles
Used clothing and textiles are prohibited from shipment to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
- Prohibited
Used low-cut shoes (used oxfords / used ankle-height shoes)
Used low-cut shoes are prohibited from being shipped to Cuba via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to secondhand short shoes regardless of type or material.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 64
- Conditional
Postage stamps
Cancelled and uncancelled postage stamps, as well as philatelic items, are conditionally permitted when shipped to Cuba, but only if addressed to one of three specified official Cuban entities: ECOFIL, CUBARTIMPEX, or the Department of Stamps and Philately of the Ministry of Communications.
Conditions and documents
- Addressed to Entreprise Commerciale Philatelique (ECOFIL), Entreprise du Ministere du Commerce Exterieur (CUBARTIMPEX), or Departement des Timbres et Philatelie du Ministere des Communications → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Applies to every destination, including Cuba
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 Cuba?
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 Cuba?
- Japan Post's import rules for Cuba prohibit 35 item types, including Mail items whose contents exceed 200 convertible Cuban pesos (CUC) in value; Securities of all kinds; Alcoholic Beverages; Chewing Gum; Gambling equipment and supplies; Animal products including ham, sausage, bones, milk, and dairy products; Musical Greeting Card; Eyeglasses; and 27 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 Cuba only under conditions?
- 3 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Medicines / Pharmaceuticals; Postage stamps; Plants. 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 Cuba?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Cuba; 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.