What you can't ship from Japan to Indonesia
28 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 18 item types that cannot be sent to Indonesia 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 October 1, 2026.
- Prohibited
- 18
- Conditional
- 10
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Indonesia. 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.
Medicine & supplements
1 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Narcotics and Drugs
Narcotics and drugs are prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via EMS. This applies to all such substances without exception.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Narcotics
Opium, morphine, cocaine, and other narcotics are only permitted when shipped for medical or scientific purposes and accompanied by authorization from the Indonesian Minister of Health. Shipments not meeting both conditions are prohibited.
Conditions and documents
- Shipped for medical or scientific purposes AND authorized by the Indonesian Minister of Health → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Indonesian Minister of Health
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Pharmaceutical drugs and related medical products (potent medicines)
Medicines, sera, and other products designated as 'potent drugs' by the Indonesian Ministry of Health are conditionally permitted. Shipment is allowed only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authority (Departemen Kesehatan, Direktorat Djenderal Farmasi).
Conditions and documents
- Product is designated as a 'potent drug' by the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Ministere de la sante) and authorization has been obtained from Departemen Kesehatan, Direktorat Djenderal Farmasi → permitted
Documents: Authorization from Departemen Kesehatan, Direktorat Djenderal Farmasi
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Plants & animals
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Coca Leaves
Coca leaves are prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via regular, parcel, and EMS services. This item is not permitted for import regardless of quantity or form.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 12
- Prohibited
Feathers and other parts of birds of the parrot family (Psittacidae)
Feathers and other body parts derived from birds of the parrot family (Psittacidae) are prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via regular and parcel services. This restriction covers all feathers and physical parts sourced from psittacine birds.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Plants
Plants shipped to Indonesia may require an export inspection by a plant protection station and an import permit from the destination country's plant protection authority. Rice additionally requires advance notification to the relevant regional agricultural policy bureau, except when sent non-commercially for personal use.
Conditions and documents
- Export inspection by plant protection station conducted and import permit from destination country's plant protection authority obtained (where required) → permitted
- Rice sent non-commercially for personal use → permitted without advance notification to regional agricultural policy bureau
- Rice sent commercially or not for personal use → advance notification to regional agricultural policy bureau required
Documents: Export inspection certificate from 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); Advance notification to regional agricultural policy bureau (地方農政局等への届出) — required for rice except when sent non-commercially for personal use
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
Books & printed matter
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Printed matter
Books, magazines, and printed materials in the Indonesian language (including regional languages) published outside Indonesia are prohibited, as are newspapers and periodicals printed in scripts other than Latin, Arabic, Japanese, or Russian characters, unless prior permission has been obtained from the Indonesian security authority (Komando Pemulihan Keamanan dan Ketertiban) in Jakarta.
Details and exceptions
- Newspapers and periodicals printed in scripts other than Latin, Arabic, Japanese, or Russian characters with prior permission from Komando Pemulihan Keamanan dan Ketertiban in Jakarta → permitted
Documents: Prior permission from Komando Pemulihan Keamanan dan Ketertiban (Indonesian security authority in Jakarta)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Printed materials etc. in Chinese characters or Chinese language
Magazines, printed materials, records, and audio tapes in Chinese characters or the Chinese language may only be imported into Indonesia if permission has been granted by the relevant authority (Attorney General). Import is conditional on obtaining this authorization.
Conditions and documents
- Permission granted by the relevant authority (Attorney General) of Indonesia → permitted
Documents: Permission from the Attorney General of Indonesia
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Chemicals
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Explosive and Blasting Supplies
Explosives and blasting supplies are prohibited from shipment to Indonesia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers all explosive materials and related blasting equipment.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Conditional
White Lead (Lead Carbonate)
White lead (lead carbonate) may only be shipped to Indonesia for medical or scientific purposes. Shipments for any other purpose are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- shipped for medical or scientific purposes → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
Currency & valuables
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Currency (Indonesian Rupiah)
Indonesian Rupiah (the local currency of Indonesia) is prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to the destination country's own currency.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Registered ordinary mail containing valuables
Registered ordinary mail items sent to Indonesia that contain valuables — including coins, banknotes, currency, cheques, postage stamps, foreign currency, bearer securities, traveller's cheques, platinum/gold/silver (worked or unworked), pearls, gemstones, and other precious items — are prohibited. This restriction applies to regular shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Weapons
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Weapons, Explosives, Firearms, and Toy Weapons
Weapons, explosives, firearms, and toy weapons are prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via EMS. This applies to all such items regardless of type or intended use.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Weapons and Ammunition
Weapons, their parts, and ammunition are permitted for shipment to Indonesia only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Indonesia) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Indonesia)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Alcohol
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Absinthe and Similar Alcoholic Beverages
Absinthe and similar alcoholic beverages are prohibited from shipment to Indonesia via regular and parcel shipping. This restriction covers absinthe as well as alcoholic beverages similar in nature to absinthe.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Food
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Hair, hide, and meat of ruminants or pigs
Hair, hide, meat, and other parts derived from ruminants or pigs are prohibited from shipment to Indonesia via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition covers all such animal-origin materials from the specified animals.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
Other items
8 prohibited · 4 conditional
- Prohibited
Amulet / Lucky Charm Talisman
Amulet or lucky charm talismans (omamori-fuda) are prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 95
- Prohibited
Contaminated Articles
Articles that may transmit infectious diseases are prohibited from shipment to Indonesia via regular and parcel shipping. This restriction covers any goods posing a risk of spreading contagious illness.
- Prohibited
Microfilm, Microfiche
Microfilm and microfiche are prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via EMS. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 37
- Prohibited
Obscene materials
Obscene materials are prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via EMS. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Printed matter or paintings with potential political harm
Printed matter or paintings that could be politically harmful are prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via EMS. This applies to any such printed materials or artworks deemed to have the potential to cause political harm.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Sarong and similar articles
Sarongs and similar articles are prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction covers sarongs and items of a similar nature.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 62
- Prohibited
Textiles manufactured using batik wax-dyeing method
Textiles produced using the batik wax-dyeing technique are prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies specifically to fabrics processed with the batik wax-dyeing method.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 52
- Prohibited
Used / secondhand goods (including clothing)
Used and secondhand goods, including used clothing, are prohibited from being shipped to Indonesia via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions are stated in the source.
- Conditional
Lottery tickets
Lottery tickets and related articles are conditionally permitted for import into Indonesia. Shipment is allowed only when prior authorization has been obtained from the destination country's Ministry of Social Affairs (Ministere des affaires sociales).
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the Ministry of Social Affairs (Ministere des affaires sociales) of the destination country → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Ministry of Social Affairs (Ministere des affaires sociales) of Indonesia
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Metal
Metal shipments to Indonesia are conditionally permitted only if the sender or recipient has obtained authorization from the Indonesian Metal Association (Lembaga Alat Alat Pembajaran Luar Negeri). No other conditions are stated in the source.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the Indonesian Metal Association (Lembaga Alat Alat Pembajaran Luar Negeri) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 72
- Conditional
Military uniforms and equipment
Military uniforms and equipment of the type used by the Indonesian armed forces are only permitted when the recipient has obtained authorization from the Indonesian Minister of Defense (Ministre de la defense).
Conditions and documents
- Type used by the Indonesian armed forces AND authorization obtained from the Indonesian Minister of Defense (Ministre de la defense) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Indonesian Minister of Defense (Ministre de la defense)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 62
- Conditional
Mobile Phone
Mobile phones may be shipped to Indonesia via Regular, Parcel, or EMS services, but the IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity number) must be declared as part of the item details on the customs declaration form or invoice.
Conditions and documents
- IMEI number is declared as part of item details on the customs declaration or invoice → permitted
Documents: IMEI number stated in the item details section of the customs declaration form (CN22/CN23) or invoice
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
Applies to every destination, including Indonesia
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 Indonesia?
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 Indonesia?
- Japan Post's import rules for Indonesia prohibit 18 item types, including Amulet / Lucky Charm Talisman; Coca Leaves; Sarong and similar articles; Microfilm, Microfiche; Obscene materials; Printed matter; Printed matter or paintings with potential political harm; Feathers and other parts of birds of the parrot family (Psittacidae); and 10 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 Indonesia only under conditions?
- 10 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Metal; Printed materials etc. in Chinese characters or Chinese language; White Lead (Lead Carbonate); Military uniforms and equipment; Plants; Mobile Phone; Lottery tickets; Weapons and Ammunition; 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 Indonesia?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Indonesia; 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.