What you can't ship from Japan to Marshall Islands
28 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 14 item types that cannot be sent to Marshall Islands and 14 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
- 14
- Conditional
- 14
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Marshall Islands. 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.
Plants & animals
1 prohibited · 6 conditional
- Prohibited
Prohibited packaging materials (straw, grass, and similar substances)
Straw, grass, and similar substances are prohibited as parcel packaging or filling materials for shipments to the Marshall Islands. Buckwheat husks and charcoal are permitted as packaging materials only if they are free of soil and have not previously been used with living plants.
Details and exceptions
- Buckwheat husks or charcoal used as packaging, free of soil and not previously used with living plants → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 14
- Conditional
Animal parts (ruminant or swine, non-edible, from disease-endemic regions)
Non-edible parts (hides, hair, bones, organs, and other parts) of ruminants or swine dispatched from regions where rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, or swine cholera is prevalent are conditionally permitted, provided they are processed in a manner approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). No other animal parts are addressed by this restriction.
Conditions and documents
- Non-edible hides, hair, bones, organs, or other parts of ruminants or swine dispatched from regions where rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, or swine cholera is prevalent → Permitted only if processed in a manner approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Bird feathers and skins
Import of feathered bird skins is generally prohibited, but exceptions exist for cleaned loose feathers, items for scientific or educational purposes, fishing flies, and certain feathers or skins for making fishing flies or ladies' hats (with Secretary of the Interior permit) or feathered bird skins originating from Newcastle disease-affected countries (directed to an approved Ministry of Agriculture facility for additional processing).
Conditions and documents
- Cleaned feathers without skin attached → permitted
- Imported for scientific or educational purposes → permitted
- Fishing flies (fly tying) → permitted
- Certain bird feathers or skins for manufacture of fishing flies or ladies' hats, with permit from the Secretary of the Interior of the Marshall Islands → permitted
- Feathered bird skins dispatched from a country where Newcastle disease is prevalent, directed to a facility approved by the Marshall Islands Department of Agriculture for additional processing → permitted
Documents: Permit from the Secretary of the Interior (for feathers/skins intended for manufacture of fishing flies or ladies' hats)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Honeybees (live adult)
Live adult honeybees are conditionally permitted only when shipped for experimental/research purposes and addressed to the Bee Disease Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705. No other shipments of live adult honeybees are allowed.
Conditions and documents
- Live adult honeybees shipped for experimental purposes and addressed to Bee Disease Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705 → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Insects and Similar Animals (Dead Specimens)
Dead insects and reptiles may be shipped to the Marshall Islands only if they are completely dried and have been treated with preservative and pest-prevention measures before packaging. No other conditions are stated in the source.
Conditions and documents
- Dead insects and reptiles that are completely dried and treated with preservative and pest-prevention measures, and packaged accordingly → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 95
- Conditional
Plants
Shipping plants to the Marshall Islands may require an export inspection by a plant protection station and an import permit from the destination country. Senders are advised to contact their nearest plant protection station or the Marshall Islands' plant quarantine authority in advance.
Conditions and documents
- Export inspection by a plant protection station and import permit from the destination country are obtained → conditional
Documents: Export inspection certificate from a plant protection station (植物防疫所による輸出検査); Import permit from the destination country (名宛国の輸入許可証)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Soil
Soil samples are conditionally permitted for shipment to the Marshall Islands. They must bear a label issued by the Plant Quarantine Division of the destination country's Department of Agriculture.
Conditions and documents
- Soil sample bears a label issued by the Plant Quarantine Division of the Marshall Islands Department of Agriculture → permitted
Documents: Label (sticker) issued by the Plant Quarantine Division of the Marshall Islands Department of Agriculture
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 26
Food
3 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Animal products (ruminant/swine secretions and organs from disease-affected regions; poultry meat and products from Newcastle disease regions)
Milk, cream, other secretions, and organs of ruminants or swine shipped from regions affected by rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, vesicular exanthema, or African swine fever are prohibited, unless dispatched for pharmacological or biological purposes with prior authorization from the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. Poultry meat and products (including eggs) originating from regions where Newcastle disease is prevalent are also prohibited.
Details and exceptions
- Ruminant or swine milk, cream, secretions, or organs dispatched for pharmacological or biological purposes with authorization from USDA APHIS Veterinary Services → permitted
Documents: Authorization from Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture (for pharmacological or biological purposes)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Prohibited
Perishable substances and related items
Perishable fish, fruits, and vegetables, malodorous substances, and any articles violating the Marshall Islands Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of June 25, 1938 are prohibited from shipment. This restriction applies to both regular mail and parcel services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 03
- Prohibited
Raw and frozen meat, and smoked or dried meat, from regions affected by rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease
Raw meat and frozen meat dispatched from regions where rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent are prohibited, as are smoked or dried meat (except those listed under 2.1.3.2). This restriction applies to both regular and parcel shipments to the Marshall Islands.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Animal intestines
Animal intestines may only be shipped to the Marshall Islands if a permit has been obtained from the relevant authority (Permit Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Federal Building, Hyattsville, MD 20782). Shipment is conditional on holding this permit.
Conditions and documents
- Permit obtained from Permit Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Federal Building, Hyattsville, MD 20782 → permitted
Documents: Permit from Permit Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Federal Building, Hyattsville, MD 20782
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Meat
Meat of cattle, pigs, sheep, or poultry and their products are conditionally permitted into the Marshall Islands subject to specific processing, packaging, and certification requirements depending on the origin region and animal type. Salted and fully dried meat from regions affected by rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease requires an official treatment certificate from the exporting country; salted and dried pork from regions affected by hog cholera, swine vesicular disease, or African swine fever must be consigned to a USDA-approved facility for further processing; and meat of cattle, pigs, sheep, or poultry must be fully heat-treated for preservation without refrigeration and packed in hermetically sealed containers.
Conditions and documents
- Salted and fully dried meat dispatched from regions affected by rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease → Permitted only if accompanied by an official treatment certificate from the exporting country containing the particulars required by the Marshall Islands
- Salted and dried pork dispatched from regions affected by hog cholera, swine vesicular disease, or African swine fever → Permitted only if consigned to a facility approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the destination country for further processing
- Meat of cattle, pigs, sheep, or poultry and their products that are fully heat-treated for preservation without refrigeration and packed in hermetically sealed containers → Permitted for import
Documents: Official treatment certificate from the exporting country (required for salted and fully dried meat from regions affected by rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease, containing particulars required by the Marshall Islands)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
Weapons
1 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Ammunition and Matches
Primed metallic cartridges and primers for portable firearms, as well as matches, are prohibited for shipment to the Marshall Islands. Non-explosive fuse compositions for artillery are permitted.
Details and exceptions
- Non-explosive fuse compositions for artillery → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Conditional
Firearms
Firearms (including pistols and other concealable weapons, short-barreled shotguns, and short-barreled or converted rifles) may only be shipped to the Marshall Islands conditionally, limited to official use by military, judicial, law enforcement, public property guards, postal staff, firearms manufacturers, or licensed arms dealers. Firearms manufactured before 1898 and shipped as antiques or works of art are excepted from these restrictions.
Conditions and documents
- Firearm is for official use and addressed to military, judicial, or criminal investigation personnel, public property guards, postal staff, firearms manufacturers, or licensed arms dealers of the destination country → permitted
- Firearm was manufactured before 1898 and is being shipped as an antique or work of art → permitted
Documents: Outer packaging must bear the word 'FIREARM' in capital letters and indicate the recipient's qualifying status (e.g. 'For Army Officer'); Proof that the recipient holds a legitimate qualifying status; Certificate issued by the relevant authorities of the destination country stating the intended use of the firearm
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Switchblade Knife (Flick Knife)
Switchblade knives (flick knives) may only be shipped to the Marshall Islands if the addressee has obtained authorization from the relevant authorities of the destination country. Shipment is conditional on such prior approval.
Conditions and documents
- Addressee has obtained authorization from the relevant authorities of the destination country → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 82
Currency & valuables
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Imitation securities (counterfeit stamps, currency, and other negotiable instruments)
Imitations of postage stamps, coins/currency, and other securities or negotiable instruments are prohibited from being shipped to the Marshall Islands via regular mail and parcel services. Items that are reproductions of postage stamps or revenue stamps printed in black ink are excluded from this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- Reproduction of postage stamps or revenue stamps printed in black ink → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Gold (coins, raw gold, and gold products)
Gold coins, gold, and gold products may only be shipped to the Marshall Islands if the value does not exceed USD 100 and a permit from the Bureau of the Mint, United States Treasury Department has been obtained. Both conditions must be met simultaneously.
Conditions and documents
- Value does not exceed USD 100 AND a permit from the Bureau of the Mint, United States Treasury Department has been obtained → permitted
Documents: Permit from the Bureau of the Mint, United States Treasury Department
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Medicine & supplements
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Narcotics
Narcotics are prohibited from shipment to the Marshall Islands via regular and parcel shipping. This includes opium, morphine, cocaine, and other narcotic drugs.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Serums and vaccines (for livestock)
Serums, vaccines, and similar biological products for livestock, as well as items that may transmit livestock diseases, are conditionally permitted for shipment to the Marshall Islands. Acceptance is limited to cases where prior authorization has been obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Washington D.C. 20250 → permitted
Documents: Authorization from U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Washington D.C. 20250
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Alcohol
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from shipment to the Marshall Islands via regular mail and parcel post. No exceptions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Chemicals
1 conditional
- Conditional
Radioactive substances
Radioactive substances and articles containing them are conditionally permitted, subject to strict limits on radiation emission rates at the package surface, prohibition of alpha, beta, or neutron radiation at the surface, containment requirements for liquid forms, and maximum quantity limits per postal item depending on the specific isotope.
Conditions and documents
- Gamma radiation dose rate at the surface of the package does not exceed 10 milliroentgens per 24 hours → permitted
- No alpha, beta, or neutron radiation is emitted at the surface of the package under any circumstances → permitted
- Liquid radioactive substances are placed in a sealed container of appropriate material with absorbent material packed around the container → permitted
- Quantity of radium or polonium per postal item does not exceed 0.1 millicurie → permitted
- Quantity of strontium-89, strontium-90, or barium-140 per postal item does not exceed a disintegration rate of 5,000,000 atoms per second → permitted
- Quantity of other radioactive substances per postal item does not exceed a disintegration rate of 50,000,000 atoms per second → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
Other items
6 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Articles Made by Prisoners
Articles wholly or partly manufactured by prisoners are prohibited from being shipped to the Marshall Islands via regular mail and parcel services. This restriction applies regardless of the nature of the goods themselves.
- Prohibited
Articles violating patent law or copyright law of the destination country
Items that infringe the patent law or copyright law of the Marshall Islands are prohibited from shipment via regular mail and parcel services. This covers any goods that violate intellectual property protections under the destination country's applicable statutes.
- Prohibited
Contraceptive devices and related materials; illegal abortion articles and documents
Articles intended for contraception or illegal abortion, as well as documents relating to contraception or illegal abortion, are prohibited from shipment to the Marshall Islands. This prohibition applies to both regular and parcel shipping.
- Prohibited
Fur and Leather (origin: former Soviet Union or mainland China)
Fur and leather products originating from the former Soviet Union or mainland China are prohibited from being shipped to the Marshall Islands. This restriction applies to both regular mail and parcel shipments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 43
- Prohibited
Lottery tickets and related items
Lottery tickets and related articles, as well as documents associated with fraudulent merchandise sales, are prohibited from being shipped to the Marshall Islands. This applies to both regular mail and parcel services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Mail items with insulting or threatening content on the exterior
Mail items that display insulting or threatening inscriptions or markings on the outside of the mailpiece are prohibited from being sent to the Marshall Islands. This applies to both regular mail and parcel shipments.
- Conditional
Pathogens (live microorganisms)
Live microbial pathogens are conditionally permitted to the Marshall Islands provided they are packaged in a specific triple-layer containment system. The packaging must consist of an inner container with absorbent material, surrounded by a thick glass outer container with additional absorbent packing, all enclosed in a sealed metal box.
Conditions and documents
- Placed in an appropriate inner container wrapped with absorbent material, then placed in a thick glass outer container with additional absorbent packing, and finally enclosed in a sealed metal box → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Applies to every destination, including Marshall Islands
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 Marshall Islands?
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 Marshall Islands?
- Japan Post's import rules for Marshall Islands prohibit 14 item types, including Articles Made by Prisoners; Articles violating patent law or copyright law of the destination country; Perishable substances and related items; Imitation securities (counterfeit stamps, currency, and other negotiable instruments); Mail items with insulting or threatening content on the exterior; Alcoholic Beverages; Ammunition and Matches; Animal products (ruminant/swine secretions and organs from disease-affected regions; poultry meat and products from Newcastle disease regions); and 6 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 Marshall Islands only under conditions?
- 14 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Honeybees (live adult); Gold (coins, raw gold, and gold products); Serums and vaccines (for livestock); Insects and Similar Animals (Dead Specimens); Firearms; Plants; Bird feathers and skins; Soil; and 6 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 Marshall Islands?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Marshall Islands; 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.