What you can't ship from Japan to Ghana
21 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 11 item types that cannot be sent to Ghana and 10 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
- 11
- Conditional
- 10
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Ghana. 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.
Currency & valuables
4 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Banknotes
Banknotes are prohibited from being shipped to Ghana via parcel. This restriction applies regardless of currency or denomination.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Banknotes, Coins, and Related Negotiable Instruments
Banknotes, treasury bonds, bills of exchange, and coins are prohibited from being sent to Ghana via regular shipping. These monetary instruments and negotiable instruments are not permitted for shipment.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Counterfeit and Altered Currency
Counterfeit or altered coins and banknotes, items bearing designs similar to currency in circulation in Ghana or any other country (unless authorized by the relevant Ghanaian minister), and coins that do not meet the standard weight and quality are prohibited from being shipped to Ghana via Regular and EMS services.
Details and exceptions
- Items bearing designs similar to currency in circulation in Ghana or any other country and authorized by the relevant Ghanaian minister → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the relevant Ghanaian minister (for items bearing designs similar to currency)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Registered ordinary mail containing valuables
Registered ordinary mail items that contain banknotes, bearer securities, traveler's checks, platinum/gold/silver (worked or unworked), pearls, gemstones, or other valuables are prohibited for shipment to Ghana. This prohibition applies to regular shipping.
- Conditional
Insured Parcels Containing Current Coins and Banknotes
Insured parcels containing current coins and banknotes in circulation are conditionally accepted for shipment to Ghana under Article 9.4. Acceptance is subject to the conditions specified in that provision.
Conditions and documents
- Insured parcel containing current coins and banknotes (Article 9.4) → conditional
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Plants & animals
1 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Animals (and their bones/parts) contaminated with diseases listed under the destination country's laws
Animals, their bones, and any parts thereof that are contaminated with diseases specified under Ghanaian law are prohibited from being shipped to Ghana via Parcel or EMS. This prohibition applies regardless of the animal species or the form in which the item is shipped.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Cacao
Live cacao plants, their parts, and seeds may only be shipped to Ghana if the recipient has obtained permission from Ghana's Ministry of Agriculture. This condition applies to both parcel and EMS shipments.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the destination country's Ministry of Agriculture → permitted
Documents: Permission from Ghana's Ministry of Agriculture
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 12
- Conditional
Coffee seeds
Coffee seeds are conditionally permitted for shipment to Ghana via parcel or EMS. A phytosanitary/quarantine certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture must accompany the shipment.
Conditions and documents
- Quarantine certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture is attached → permitted
Documents: Quarantine certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 09
- Conditional
Cotton seeds
Cotton seeds may only be shipped to Ghana if addressed to the country's Ministry of Agriculture (Ministere de l'agriculture). Shipments not directed to that ministry are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Addressed to the Ministry of Agriculture (Ministere de l'agriculture) of Ghana → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 12
Weapons
2 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Ammunition
Ammunition is prohibited from being shipped to Ghana via parcel or EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of type or quantity.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Prohibited
Weapons and ammunition (projecting harmful liquids, gases, or other substances)
All types of weapons capable of projecting harmful liquids, gases, or other substances, and ammunition containing or capable of containing such harmful substances, are prohibited from shipment to Ghana via Parcel and EMS. This prohibition covers the full range of such weapons and their associated harmful-substance ammunition.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Cartridge cases and related equipment (for rifles and air guns)
Cartridge cases for rifles and air guns, as well as machinery and accessories for manufacturing or loading cartridge cases, are permitted only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country. No other conditions are stated in the source.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Ghana) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Ghana)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Weapons, Equipment, and Related Items (Military/Police Use)
Weapons, equipment, uniforms, and clothing intended for the armed forces, police, their reserves, or government agencies of Ghana are conditionally permitted, provided they do not violate the laws and regulations of Ghana. Shipments of this nature via parcel or EMS are subject to this condition.
Conditions and documents
- Intended for the armed forces, police, their reserves, or government agencies of Ghana, and does not violate the laws and regulations of Ghana → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Alcohol
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Harmful Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages classified as harmful are prohibited from being shipped to Ghana via Parcel and EMS services. This restriction applies specifically to harmful alcoholic beverages.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Books & printed matter
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Seditious and Defamatory Printed Materials
Books, newspapers, and printed materials that are seditious, defamatory, or immoral are prohibited from shipment to Ghana via Regular and EMS services. This restriction covers all such printed matter regardless of format.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Medicine & supplements
1 conditional
- Conditional
Narcotics
Parcels containing narcotics such as opium, morphine, or cocaine are permitted only when sent for medical or scientific purposes and accompanied by an authorization from Ghana's Ministry of Health. No other conditions for shipment are stated.
Conditions and documents
- Sent for medical or scientific purposes AND accompanied by an authorization from the Ministry of Health (Ministere de la sante) of the destination country → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Ministry of Health (Ministere de la sante) of Ghana
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
Other items
2 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Lottery tickets and lottery advertisements (foreign)
Lottery tickets and lottery advertisements originating from countries other than Ghana are prohibited from being shipped to Ghana via Regular and EMS services. This prohibition covers both the lottery tickets themselves and any printed or written advertising material for lotteries issued outside Ghana.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Motion Picture Film (for public theatrical release)
Motion picture film intended for general public theatrical screening is prohibited for shipment to Ghana, except when destined for the Tema or Takoradi port areas. Shipments addressed to the Tema or Takoradi port districts are exempt from this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- Shipment is destined for the Tema or Takoradi port area → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 37
- Conditional
Carbon Paper
Carbon paper is conditionally permitted for shipment to Ghana via Parcel and EMS, provided the sender explicitly declares on customs declaration form CN23 that the paper is wax-coated and contains no oxidizing substances of oil or fat origin.
Conditions and documents
- The carbon paper is wax-coated and contains no oxidizing substances of oil or fat origin, and the sender explicitly states this on customs declaration form CN23 → permitted
Documents: Customs declaration form CN23 explicitly stating the carbon paper is wax-coated and contains no oxidizing substances of oil or fat origin
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 48
- Conditional
Handcuffs, metal tubes, and key-cutting machines
Handcuffs, metal tubes, and key-cutting machines are conditionally permitted for shipment to Ghana by parcel or EMS only if authorization has been obtained from the destination country's Ministry of Finance (Ministère des finances). Shipments without such authorization are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the destination country's Ministry of Finance (Ministère des finances) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Ministry of Finance of Ghana (Ministère des finances)
- Conditional
Valuables (Precious Metals)
Gold, silver, platinum, and other precious metals may only be shipped to Ghana if their value does not exceed 10 cedis and the parcel is sent as an insured parcel. Both conditions must be met simultaneously.
Conditions and documents
- Value does not exceed 10 cedis AND shipped as an insured parcel → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Applies to every destination, including Ghana
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 Ghana?
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 Ghana?
- Japan Post's import rules for Ghana prohibit 11 item types, including Motion Picture Film (for public theatrical release); Counterfeit and Altered Currency; Banknotes, Coins, and Related Negotiable Instruments; Banknotes; Harmful Alcoholic Beverages; Registered ordinary mail containing valuables; Seditious and Defamatory Printed Materials; Ammunition; and 3 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 Ghana only under conditions?
- 10 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Carbon Paper; Cacao; Coffee seeds; Valuables (Precious Metals); Handcuffs, metal tubes, and key-cutting machines; Weapons, Equipment, and Related Items (Military/Police Use); Insured Parcels Containing Current Coins and Banknotes; Narcotics; and 2 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 Ghana?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Ghana; 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.