What you can't ship from Japan to Iran
34 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 27 item types that cannot be sent to Iran and 7 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
- 27
- Conditional
- 7
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Iran. 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
2 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Matches
Matches are prohibited from shipment to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of type or quantity.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Unstable Chemical Dyes (Unsuitable for Carpet Dyeing)
Unstable chemical dyes in powder or liquid form that are unsuitable for carpet dyeing are prohibited for shipment to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition applies to such dyes regardless of whether they are in powder or liquid state.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 32
- Conditional
Methylene Blue
Methylene blue may only be shipped to Iran if authorization has been obtained from the destination country's authorities. Shipment is conditional upon holding such official permission.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the destination country's authorities → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 32
- Conditional
Saccharin
Saccharin may only be shipped to Iran if the relevant authorities of the destination country have granted permission. Import is conditional on obtaining such authorization.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Iran) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Toxic substances / Poisons
Toxic substances and poisons may only be shipped to Iran if the recipient country's police authority has granted permission. Without such authorization, shipment is not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the police authority of the destination country (Iran) → permitted
Documents: Permission from the police authority of Iran
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
Weapons
3 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Ammunition and Gunpowder
Ammunition and gunpowder are prohibited from shipment to Iran via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition applies to all such items regardless of type or quantity.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Prohibited
Ammunition and Matches
Matches, primers, cartridge cases, firearms, and ammunition are prohibited from shipment to Iran via Regular and EMS services. This category covers the full range of propellant and ignition items listed.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Prohibited
Firearms
Firearms are prohibited from shipment to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Ammunition
Ammunition is conditionally permitted to Iran. Primers and cartridge cases are allowed only when accompanied by a government permit from the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- primers (雷管) and cartridge cases (薬きょう) → permitted only when accompanied by a government permit from the destination country
Documents: Government permit from the destination country (Iran)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Currency & valuables
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Currency (specific prohibited types)
Certain specific currency items are prohibited from shipment to Iran, including Chervonets coins, pre-WWII German Reichsmark banknotes, Ruble coins, counterfeit US dollar coins, and metal buttons and medals resembling coins.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Prohibited
Valuables
Coins, banknotes, traveller's cheques, platinum, gold, silver (worked or unworked), pearls, precious stones, and other valuables are prohibited from being sent to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS mail. No liability is accepted for loss or damage to such items.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Food
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Adulterated Tea
Tea that has been adulterated or mixed with other substances is prohibited from shipment to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Only tea containing adulterants or additives falls under this restriction.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 09
- Prohibited
Sugar
Sugar is prohibited from being shipped to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 17
Medicine & supplements
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Opium
Opium is prohibited from being shipped to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This item is not permitted for import through any of these shipping channels.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Morphine, cocaine, and other narcotic drugs
Morphine, cocaine, and other narcotic drugs are permitted for shipment to Iran only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Iran) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
Plants & animals
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Plants (Zarghcheh)
Plants, specifically Zarghcheh, are prohibited from being shipped to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of shipping method.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
Tobacco
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Tobacco and tobacco substitutes (including electronic cigarettes)
Tobacco products, tobacco substitutes, and electronic cigarettes are prohibited from shipment to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers all forms of tobacco and related alternatives.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24
Other items
15 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Alcoholic beverages, gambling equipment, animal hides forbidden by Islam, musical instruments, fashion magazines
Alcoholic beverages, gambling equipment, animal hides forbidden under Islamic law, musical instruments, and fashion magazines are prohibited from being shipped to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
- Prohibited
Articles bearing a portrait of Abdu'l-Bahá
Items depicting a portrait of Abdu'l-Bahá are prohibited from being shipped to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to any article on which such a portrait appears.
- Prohibited
Articles contrary to Islamic principles
Items that are contrary to Islamic principles are prohibited from shipment to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No further specification of qualifying items is provided in the source.
- Prohibited
Articles contrary to public order and morality
Books, newspapers, pictures, and other articles contrary to public order and morality are prohibited from shipment to Iran via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition covers printed and visual materials as well as other items deemed offensive to public order and morality.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Counterfeit and trademark-infringing goods
Goods bearing the coat of arms or national flag of the destination country as a trademark, goods bearing counterfeit trademarks, and goods containing false descriptions are prohibited from shipment to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services.
- Prohibited
Counterfeit Postage Stamps
Counterfeit postage stamps are prohibited from being shipped to Iran via Regular mail, Parcel, and EMS. This restriction applies specifically to forged or falsified stamps, not genuine postage stamps.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Flying Robot Devices (Drones)
All types of drones, both personal and commercial, are prohibited from being shipped to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction covers every category of unmanned aerial vehicle regardless of intended use.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 88
- Prohibited
Gifts exceeding 10 kilograms
Gifts weighing more than 10 kilograms are prohibited from being shipped to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Gifts at or below this weight threshold are not covered by this restriction.
Details and exceptions
- Gift weight exceeds 10 kilograms → prohibited
- Prohibited
Lottery tickets
Lottery tickets are prohibited from being shipped to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This applies to all forms of lottery tickets.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Promotional Records (Vinyl)
Promotional records (vinyl) are prohibited from shipment to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies specifically to records intended for promotional purposes.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Prohibited
Radios and Transceivers (and their parts)
Radios, transceivers, and parts/components thereof are prohibited from shipment to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers both complete devices and individual components.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Prohibited
Telegraph machines, telephones, and their parts
Telegraph machines, telephones, and parts thereof are prohibited from shipment to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers the devices themselves as well as their component parts.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Prohibited
Thread/Yarn Dyed with Unstable Dyes
Thread and yarn dyed with unstable dyes are prohibited from shipment to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies specifically to thread or yarn where the dyeing uses unstable (non-fast) dyes.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 52
- Prohibited
Used clothing and rags
Used clothing and rags are prohibited from being shipped to Iran via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to all forms of secondhand or worn garments and textile scraps.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
- Prohibited
- Conditional
Cameras and Projectors (Aerial/Aircraft Use)
Cameras and projectors intended for use in aircraft are conditionally permitted to Iran, but only when the recipient has obtained prior authorization from the Iranian government.
Conditions and documents
- Camera or projector is for aircraft use AND prior government authorization from the destination country (Iran) has been obtained → permitted
Documents: Government authorization from the Iranian government
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Conditional
Mobile Phone
Mobile phones (cell phones) are conditionally permitted to Iran, limited to one unit per person per year. Shipment is only allowed if the customs declaration includes the recipient's full name and national identification number.
Conditions and documents
- maximum one unit per person per year → permitted
- customs declaration includes recipient's full name and national identification number → permitted
Documents: Customs declaration (CN22/CN23) stating recipient's full name; Customs declaration (CN22/CN23) stating recipient's national identification number
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
Applies to every destination, including Iran
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 Iran?
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 Iran?
- Japan Post's import rules for Iran prohibit 27 item types, including Opium; Articles contrary to Islamic principles; Gifts exceeding 10 kilograms; かみそり; Sugar; Articles bearing a portrait of Abdu'l-Bahá; Tobacco and tobacco substitutes (including electronic cigarettes); Matches; and 19 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 Iran only under conditions?
- 7 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Saccharin; Methylene Blue; Morphine, cocaine, and other narcotic drugs; Cameras and Projectors (Aerial/Aircraft Use); Ammunition; Toxic substances / Poisons; Mobile Phone. 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 Iran?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Iran; 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.