What you can't ship from Japan to Germany

Animal parts and products not confirmed free of pathogens / from disease-affected animals

Animal parts, products, and processed goods derived from animals that have been, are suspected of being, or are susceptible to epidemic disease, and whose pathogens have not been confirmed as sterilized, are prohibited from shipment to Germany via all mail types. This applies regardless of the form of the animal-derived material.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05

Cacao fruit (including cacao powder and products containing it)

Cacao fruit, cacao powder, and products mixed with cacao powder are prohibited from being shipped to Germany via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 18

Plants and parts thereof

Plants and parts of plants are prohibited from being shipped to Germany via EMS. This restriction covers whole plants as well as any portions or components of plants.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06

Soil and Related Materials

Soil containing plant parts or humus (excluding peat), dead grapevine wood, and used grapevine stakes are prohibited from shipment to Germany via Regular, Parcel, and EMS. For other plant-related items, refer to the conditional entry for 'Plants'.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06

Used Beehives

Used beehives are prohibited from being shipped to Germany via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. Only secondhand/used beehive equipment is covered by this restriction.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 44

Animal Hair

Unprocessed wool, ruminant animal hair, and pig bristles are conditionally permitted to Germany, provided that the relevant regulations of the destination country are complied with.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 51

Animal Semen

Animal semen may only be shipped to Germany if a permit issued by the competent authority of the destination country is held. This condition applies to regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipments.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05

Bones and Bone Meal

Bones (up to 5 kg) and bone meal or similar products (up to 250 g) are conditionally permitted when sent as samples only. No other circumstances are stated as permissible.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05

Hatching eggs and feathers (raw/unprocessed)

Hatching eggs and unprocessed feathers require a permit issued by the destination country's quarantine authority. These items are conditionally allowed subject to obtaining the relevant permit.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05

Hides, Furs, Horns, etc. (Hoofed Animals)

Hides and furs from hoofed animals, as well as horns, hooves, and animal-based fertilizers, are conditionally permitted for shipment to Germany. As a general rule, a permit issued by the destination country's quarantine authority is required.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 41

Honeybees

Honeybees may be shipped to Germany but are subject to a permit requirement. As a rule, a permit issued by the quarantine authority of the destination country is required.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01

Hoofed animal products and related items

Products, parts, and processed goods derived from hoofed animals (ungulates), as well as fodder, straw products, and straw, are conditionally permitted for shipment to Germany. As a rule, a permit issued by the quarantine authority of the destination country is required.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05

Plants (including bulbs, seeds, cut flowers, cut branches, fruits, vegetables, timber, and bark)

Plants and plant materials — including cultivated plants, 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/or an import permit from the destination country may also be required under applicable plant protection law.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06

Corrosive substances

Corrosive substances are prohibited from shipment to Germany via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This includes acids, bases, tear-inducing substances, corrosive metal salts, and volatile sulfur compounds.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28

DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and products containing DDT

DDT and any products to which DDT has been added are prohibited from shipment to Germany via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This applies to the substance itself as well as DDT-containing preparations and products.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29

Explosives and Incendiary Materials

Explosive or flammable substances, articles loaded with explosive substances, igniting agents, and fireworks are prohibited from shipment to Germany via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This covers all such items regardless of form or intended use.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36

Methyl Alcohol Products

All products containing methyl alcohol (methanol) are prohibited from shipment to Germany via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This applies to any product in which methyl alcohol is an ingredient or component.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29

Parasites and Harmful Pathogens

Harmful viruses, bacteria, fungi, and animal parasites are prohibited from shipment to Germany via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. No exceptions or conditions are noted in the source.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30

Spontaneously combustible substances and easily ignitable materials

Spontaneously combustible substances and easily ignitable materials are prohibited from shipment to Germany via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This includes yellow phosphorus, metal powders (magnesium, aluminium, zinc), substances with an ignition point of 21°C or below, liquids with alcohol content of 82% or more, flammable gases (including mixed gases), and substances that generate flammable gas upon contact with water.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28

Toxic substances

Toxic substances are prohibited from shipment to Germany via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28

White Phosphorus Matches

White phosphorus matches are prohibited from shipment to Germany via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition applies specifically to matches manufactured using white (yellow) phosphorus.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36

Animal Pathogens

Animal pathogens and vaccines containing them may only be sent to Germany if accompanied by a permit issued by the quarantine authority of the destination country. Shipment is conditional on holding this permit.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30

Matches

Matches are conditionally permitted to Germany. White phosphorus matches are only allowed if prior authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36

Meat and Meat Products, including Poultry Meat and Poultry Meat Products

Meat and meat products, as well as poultry meat and poultry meat products, are prohibited from being shipped to Germany via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers all forms of meat and poultry-derived products.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02

Milk and Dairy Products

Milk and dairy products are prohibited from shipment to Germany via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. An exception applies to toffee, chocolate, biscuits, and similar items with a total weight of 2 kg or less.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04

Animal Feed

Animal feed is conditionally permitted for import into Germany. Animal-derived feed requires an import permit.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 23

Duck eggs

Edible duck eggs are conditionally permitted to Germany, provided they bear the labeling required by the destination country's laws and regulations.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04

Egg products

Egg products may only be imported into Germany if an import permit is held. Shipment via regular mail, parcel, or EMS is subject to this condition.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04

Foodstuffs

Foodstuffs are permitted only when they comply with Germany's applicable regulations governing food products. Postal items containing food may be required to include a certificate or equivalent document issued by the country of origin if customs determines the shipment is for commercial purposes.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 21

Meat of solipeds (single-hoofed animals)

Meat from dead solipeds and soliped meat not intended for human consumption may only be shipped to Germany if a permit issued by the destination country's quarantine authority is obtained. No other conditions are stated in the source.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02

Rennet (coagulating enzyme)

Rennet substitutes may only be imported into Germany if an import permit is held. The restriction applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipping types.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 35

Semi-processed ice cream containing eggs

Semi-processed ice cream products containing eggs, as well as noodle products, are permitted for import into Germany only when an import permit is held. Shipment via Regular, Parcel, or EMS services is subject to this condition.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 21

Absinthe and similar beverages, and essences/extracts for manufacturing similar beverages

Absinthe and beverages similar to absinthe, as well as essences and extracts used to manufacture such beverages, are prohibited from shipment to Germany via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition covers both the finished drinks and the raw flavoring ingredients used to produce them.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages are conditionally permitted to Germany, provided that the relevant regulations of the destination country are complied with. Applies to Regular, Parcel, and EMS shipments.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22

Wine

Beverages containing wine (including all varieties) are conditionally permitted to Germany, provided the relevant regulations of the destination country are complied with.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22

Medicines / Pharmaceuticals

Medicines and pharmaceuticals (including vitamin supplements) are in principle prohibited, except for certain exceptions. Shipment is conditionally permitted depending on the nature of the item.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30

Narcotics

Narcotics (including medicines containing narcotics) are conditionally permitted for shipment to Germany only when sent for medical or scientific purposes and when authorization has been obtained from the competent authority of the destination country (Bundesgesundheitsamt). All other shipments of narcotics are not permitted.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30

Veterinary medicines / animal drugs

Veterinary medicines and animal drugs are conditionally permitted to Germany, provided that all relevant regulations of the destination country are complied with.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30

Obscene publications and recordings for retail or mail-order distribution

Obscene publications, recordings, photographs, films, and similar materials intended for retail sale or mail-order distribution (other than personal use by the recipient) are prohibited. This restriction applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS services to Germany.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49

Publications and materials glorifying violence or inciting racial hatred

Publications, recordings, photographs, films, drawings, and similar materials that depict violence against persons in a cruel or brutal manner so as to glorify or trivialize such violence, or that incite racial hatred, intended for personal use, retail, or mail-order sale, are prohibited. Also prohibited are other publications that cause serious harm to the morals of young people.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49

Weapons and Ammunition

Weapons and ammunition are prohibited from shipment to Germany via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This includes firearms and similar articles, portable guns, sharp weapons and blades, major firearm components and devices, special weapons, switchblades, steel whips, axes, ammunition, tranquilizer rounds, and tear-gas rounds.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93

Weapons and Ammunition

Firearms and similar articles, portable guns, sharp weapons or pointed weapons, main parts and mechanisms of firearms, special weapons, switchblades, steel whips, axes, and ammunition (excluding anaesthetic rounds and tear-gas rounds), as well as weapon parts and bullets, are permitted only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93

Counterfeit / Altered Coins, Medals, and Related Items

Coins and medals that have been counterfeited or altered since 1850 and are no longer in circulation as legal tender, printed materials or reproductions resembling banknotes, and items used to alter coins/certificates or produce banknote-like printed materials or reproductions are prohibited. This restriction applies to regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipments to Germany.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49

Tobacco and cigarette paper

Raw tobacco may only be sent to registered tobacco manufacturers, registered raw tobacco dealers, or persons with customs authorization to receive it; cigarettes, cigars, and cut tobacco sent for commercial or trade/industrial purposes are generally permitted only when fully packaged for retail sale. Cigarette paper may only be sent to registered cigarette paper manufacturers, registered cigarette paper dealers, or persons with customs authorization to receive it.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24

Decorated postcards and cards with loose surface materials (unenclosed)

Postcards and cards decorated with mineral powder, glass powder, metal powder, or similar substances are prohibited when not enclosed in a sealed envelope. This restriction applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipping types.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49

Human remains (bones and ashes)

Human remains, including bones and cremation ashes, are prohibited from shipment to Germany via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. No exceptions are noted in the source.

Source: Japan Post

Mail items bearing political or religious content on the address side

Mail items that have political or religious inscriptions, text, or markings written or printed on the address-facing side of the mailpiece are prohibited. This restriction applies to Regular mail, Parcels, and EMS shipments to Germany.

Source: Japan Post

Unconstitutional materials and items

Materials and items declared unconstitutional under German law are prohibited from shipment to Germany via all shipping types. This includes publications, recordings, photographs, films, or artwork inciting aggressive war; propaganda against the constitutional order or inter-national reconciliation; badges of unconstitutional organizations; materials defaming the German President, the state and its symbols, or constitutional institutions; propaganda aimed at disrupting the Bundeswehr; and publications or items that could endanger or defame the safety and honor of Allied forces.

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49

3068

Source: Japan Post

Daily necessities (tobacco products, cosmetics, and equivalent items including toys and traps)

Tobacco products, cosmetics, and equivalent daily necessities — including toys and traps — are conditionally permitted to Germany, provided they comply with the destination country's food-related regulations. Shipment is allowed only when those regulatory requirements are met.

Source: Japan Post

Paper (identical or closely resembling banknote/government bond paper)

Paper that is identical to or closely resembles the paper used in Germany's banknotes or government bonds is conditionally permitted, only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant German authorities (Ministre federal des finances or Administration de la dette publique).

Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 48