What you can't ship from Japan to Laos
13 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 1 item types that cannot be sent to Laos and 12 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 August 1, 2026.
- Prohibited
- 1
- Conditional
- 12
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Laos. 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.
Books & printed matter
1 conditional
- Conditional
Newspapers, publications, printed matter, and all other articles
Newspapers, publications, printed matter, and all other articles are permitted for import provided they are not liable to cause harm to the destination country. Items that may cause such harm are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- not liable to cause harm to the destination country → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Currency & valuables
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Valuables
Valuables are prohibited from shipment to Lao PDR via regular and parcel services. This includes coins, banknotes, bearer securities, traveler's checks, platinum, gold, silver (worked or unworked), pearls, gemstones, and other precious items.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Medicine & supplements
1 conditional
- Conditional
Pharmaceutical products
Pharmaceutical products are permitted for import into Lao PDR when intended for medical or scientific purposes.
Conditions and documents
- For medical or scientific purposes → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Other items
10 conditional
- Conditional
Commercial Samples
Commercial samples are permitted for import into Lao PDR. No additional conditions are specified beyond their classification as samples.
Conditions and documents
- item is classified as a commercial sample → permitted for import
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 98
- Conditional
General goods (all items)
All items not otherwise listed as conditionally permitted are allowed only with prior approval from the destination country's Ministry of Industry and Commerce (Ministère de l'industrie et du commerce). This condition applies to Regular, Parcel, and EMS shipments to Lao PDR.
Conditions and documents
- Approval obtained from the destination country's Ministry of Industry and Commerce (Ministère de l'industrie et du commerce) → permitted
Documents: Approval from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR (Ministère de l'industrie et du commerce)
- Conditional
Goods abandoned at customs
Goods that have been abandoned at customs are permitted for import into Lao PDR. This applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipping types.
Conditions and documents
- Goods have been abandoned at customs → permitted for import
- Conditional
Goods imported by diplomatic missions or consuls
Goods imported by diplomatic missions or consuls are permitted entry into Lao PDR. This applies across regular, parcel, and EMS shipping types.
Conditions and documents
- Imported by a diplomatic mission or consul → permitted
- Conditional
Non-commercial packages and mail items
Packages and mail items of a non-commercial nature are permitted to be imported into Lao PDR. Import is conditional on the shipment having no commercial character.
Conditions and documents
- Package or mail item is non-commercial in nature → permitted
- Conditional
Original works of art
Original works of art may be imported into Laos conditionally. Import is permitted when the item is imported by the artist (author) themselves.
Conditions and documents
- Imported by the artist (author) themselves → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 97
- Conditional
Personal effects
Personal effects such as furniture and clothing are permitted for import into Lao PDR. This applies across regular, parcel, and EMS shipping types.
Conditions and documents
- Items are personal effects such as furniture and clothing → permitted
- Conditional
Re-imported goods (temporarily exported items)
Goods that were temporarily exported from Lao PDR and are being re-imported are permitted entry. This conditional status applies to items returning after temporary export.
Conditions and documents
- Goods were temporarily exported and are being re-imported → permitted
- Conditional
Red Cross supplies
Red Cross supplies are permitted for import into the Lao PDR. No additional conditions are specified beyond the item's identification as Red Cross supplies.
Conditions and documents
- goods are Red Cross supplies → import permitted
- Conditional
Trousseau / Outfit Goods (Wedding or School Enrollment)
Trousseau and outfit goods are conditionally permitted for import into Lao PDR when associated with a marriage or school enrollment. Import is not permitted outside of these specific circumstances.
Conditions and documents
- Goods are a trousseau associated with marriage → permitted
- Goods are outfit goods associated with school enrollment → permitted
Applies to every destination, including Laos
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 Laos?
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 Laos?
- Japan Post's import rules for Laos prohibit 1 item types, including Valuables. 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 Laos only under conditions?
- 12 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Goods abandoned at customs; General goods (all items); Goods imported by diplomatic missions or consuls; Personal effects; Re-imported goods (temporarily exported items); Trousseau / Outfit Goods (Wedding or School Enrollment); Non-commercial packages and mail items; Commercial Samples; and 4 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 Laos?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Laos; 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.