What you can't ship from Japan to Mauritania
28 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 13 item types that cannot be sent to Mauritania and 15 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 September 1, 2026.
- Prohibited
- 13
- Conditional
- 15
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Mauritania. 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
2 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Cannabis plant material (seedlings, stems, flowers, and seeds)
Seedlings, stems, flowers, and seeds of Indian hemp (Cannabis) are prohibited from being shipped to Mauritania by parcel. This restriction applies to all such plant material derived from Cannabis.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 12
- Prohibited
Seedlings, fruits, seeds, etc. (specific prohibited plant materials)
Prohibited plant materials include opium poppy seedlings, seeds, and pods; Indian hemp (cannabis) seedlings, stems or stem parts, flowers, and seeds; and hyacinth cuttings, grafts, and other living plant parts. These items are prohibited from shipment to Mauritania via regular mail.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Cotton plant
Cotton plants — including seeds, seedlings (whole or in part), and unginned cotton — may only be shipped to Mauritania if the sender has obtained authorization from the Minister of Agriculture (Ministre de l'agriculture) and can provide a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the Minister of Agriculture (Ministre de l'agriculture) AND phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin is provided → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Minister of Agriculture (Ministre de l'agriculture); Phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 52
- Conditional
Plants and Seeds
Plants, living parts of plants, and seeds are conditionally permitted for shipment to Mauritania by parcel, provided a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin accompanies the shipment.
Conditions and documents
- Phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin is present → permitted
Documents: Phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Plants, Fruits, and Seeds
Live plants and plant parts — including cuttings, grafts, and seeds — are conditionally permitted for shipment to Mauritania, provided a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin is attached. Shipments without this certificate are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin is attached → permitted
Documents: Phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
Chemicals
1 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Matches
Matches are prohibited from being shipped to Mauritania via parcel. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Conditional
Dyes / Colorants (for food and beverages)
Dyes and colorants used for the artificial coloring of beverages or foodstuffs are permitted only if authorization has been obtained from the Mauritanian Minister of Health (Ministre de la santé). Shipments without such authorization are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the Minister of Health (Ministre de la santé) of the destination country → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Mauritanian Minister of Health (Ministre de la santé)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 32
- Conditional
Radioactive Materials
Radioactive materials are permitted only when exchanged between recognized/authorized institutions and with prior authorization from the Ministers of the Interior, Construction, and Telecommunications of the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Exchanged between recognized/authorized institutions AND prior authorization obtained from the Ministers of the Interior, Construction, and Telecommunications of Mauritania → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Minister of the Interior (Ministre de l'intérieur); Authorization from the Minister of Construction (Ministre de la construction); Authorization from the Minister of Telecommunications (Ministre des télécommunications)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
Medicine & supplements
1 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Narcotic / Anaesthetic Substances — Smoking Opium and Opium Dross
Smoking opium and opium dross (residues) are prohibited from being sent to Mauritania by parcel. These narcotic substances are entirely banned from import via this shipping method.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Narcotics
Opium, morphine, and other narcotics are only permitted when sent for medical or scientific purposes. This restriction applies to regular shipments to Mauritania.
Conditions and documents
- sent for medical or scientific purposes → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Narcotics
Narcotics sent for medical or scientific purposes are permitted only with authorization from the destination country's Minister of Health. The importer must also obtain a permit from customs.
Conditions and documents
- Sent for medical or scientific purposes AND authorization obtained from the destination country's Minister of Health AND importer holds a customs-issued permit → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Minister of Health of the destination country (Mauritania); Import permit issued by customs
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Weapons
1 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Weapons (excluding firearms)
All weapons excluding firearms are prohibited from shipment to Mauritania by parcel. This includes switchblades, daggers, bayonets, sword canes, swords, brass knuckles, clubs, and other similar weapons.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Ammunition
Ammunition for portable firearms (primed metallic caps and cartridges) and non-explosive artillery fuze components are conditionally permitted, provided they are packed strictly in boxes or barrels and the packaging bears a description of the nature of the contents.
Conditions and documents
- Primed metallic caps and cartridges for portable firearms, packed strictly in boxes or barrels and packaging bears a description of the nature of the contents → permitted
- Non-explosive artillery fuze components, packed strictly in boxes or barrels and packaging bears a description of the nature of the contents → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Military supplies and weapons for armed forces / police
Military supplies, firearms for the military and police, and military equipment may only be shipped to Mauritania with authorization from the Minister of Defense and Armed Forces (Ministre de la defense et des forces armees). Shipment by parcel is conditional on obtaining this ministerial permit.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the Minister of Defense and Armed Forces (Ministre de la defense et des forces armees) of Mauritania → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Mauritanian Minister of Defense and Armed Forces (Ministre de la defense et des forces armees)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Alcohol
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from being shipped to Mauritania via regular and parcel services. This includes alcohol-soluble extracts and preparations used in alcoholic beverage production, anise/star anise/fennel/hyssop extracts, absinthe and similar spirits, and palm wine and similar drinks.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
- Conditional
Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages (excluding absinthe, its imitations, and palm wine) are permitted only if the parcel bears a label stating the product name, manufacturer, importer's name and address, and the product's nature as a digestif or aperitif, with the same nature declaration required on the invoice. Pharmaceutical-grade pure alcohol, laboratory reagent alcohols, and alcohol-containing medicines require prior authorization from the destination country's Minister of Health; denatured alcohol and methyl alcohol require a permit from the Minister of Finance, Commerce and Economic Affairs.
Conditions and documents
- Alcoholic beverages other than absinthe, absinthe imitations, and palm wine — parcel bears a label stating the product name, manufacturer's name and address, importer's name and address, and the nature of the product as a digestif or aperitif; the same nature declaration is also included on the invoice → permitted
- Pharmaceutical-grade pure alcohol, laboratory reagent alcohols of all types, and alcohol-containing medicines — importer holds prior authorization from the destination country's Minister of Health → permitted
- Denatured alcohol and methyl alcohol — importer holds a permit from the Minister of Finance, Commerce and Economic Affairs (Ministre des finances, du commerce et des affaires economiques) → permitted
Documents: Label on the parcel stating product name, manufacturer's name and address, importer's name and address, and nature of the product as a digestif or aperitif (for alcoholic beverages other than absinthe, absinthe imitations, and palm wine); Invoice declaring the nature of the product as a digestif or aperitif (for alcoholic beverages other than absinthe, absinthe imitations, and palm wine); Prior authorization from the destination country's Minister of Health (for pharmaceutical-grade pure alcohol, laboratory reagent alcohols, and alcohol-containing medicines); Permit from the Minister of Finance, Commerce and Economic Affairs (for denatured alcohol and methyl alcohol)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Food
1 conditional
- Conditional
Meat
Meat and meat products from cattle, sheep, goat, and pig are conditionally permitted for import into Mauritania by parcel, provided authorization is obtained from the Veterinary Service of the Livestock Breeding Department (Les services vétérinaires du Service de l'élevage). Raw meat is subject to additional inspection by a designated veterinarian or physician.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the Veterinary Service of the Livestock Breeding Department (Les services vétérinaires du Service de l'élevage) → permitted
- Raw meat must undergo inspection by a designated veterinarian or physician → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Veterinary Service of the Livestock Breeding Department (Les services vétérinaires du Service de l'élevage); Inspection certificate from a designated veterinarian or physician (for raw meat)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
Tobacco
1 conditional
- Conditional
Cigarettes and Cigars
Cigarettes and cigars may be shipped to Mauritania only when packaged in boxes or containers that display the text 'Vente en Republique Islamique de Mauritanie' (Sale in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania) in clear lettering of at least 3mm in both height and width, and only when a trademark is present on the packaging.
Conditions and documents
- Packaging displays 'Vente en Republique Islamique de Mauritanie' in lettering at least 3mm in both height and width, and a trademark is present on the packaging → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24
Other items
7 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Coin minting equipment
Coin minting machines, coining presses, and any other instruments that can be used for minting currency are prohibited from shipment to Mauritania by parcel. This restriction covers all equipment capable of producing coins or currency.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 84
- Prohibited
Contaminated articles from regions with outbreak of infectious disease
Articles originating from regions where an infectious disease outbreak has occurred are prohibited from being shipped to Mauritania via parcel. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
- Prohibited
Foreign Coats of Arms / Heraldic Insignia
All foreign coats of arms or imitations thereof whose external wearing or public use could undermine public order are prohibited from shipment to Mauritania. This applies to both authentic insignia and reproductions.
- Prohibited
Foreign coats of arms and items bearing or reproducing them
Items bearing or reproducing foreign coats of arms — including goods, textiles, and other articles — are prohibited for parcel shipment to Mauritania where their public wearing or use could undermine public order. This prohibition covers any such item intended for external wear or public display.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 62
- Prohibited
Items containing harmful or crime-inducing symbols, images, or inscriptions
Any items of any kind that contain symbols, images, drawings, or inscriptions of a harmful nature or likely to incite criminal activity are prohibited from shipment to Mauritania. This prohibition applies to all such items regardless of their form or medium.
- Prohibited
Non-decimal weights and measures instruments
Weights and measures instruments that do not conform to the decimal system are prohibited from being shipped to Mauritania by parcel. Only decimal-based measuring instruments are permitted.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Prohibited
Unprocessed Diamonds
Unprocessed (rough) diamonds are prohibited from being shipped to Mauritania via regular mail and parcel services. This restriction applies to uncut, unpolished diamonds in their raw form.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Conditional
Distillation apparatus
Distillation apparatus and all instruments used for distilling alcohol, including their parts, are conditionally permitted for shipment to Mauritania by parcel only when used for experiments at a laboratory or scientific institution and when authorization from the Minister of Health has been obtained.
Conditions and documents
- Used for experiments at a laboratory or scientific institution AND authorization from the Minister of Health is obtained → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Minister of Health (保健衛生大臣の許可)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 84
- Conditional
Watches / Clocks
Watches and clocks may be shipped to Mauritania via regular mail only when sent with insurance coverage. Shipments without insurance are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Shipped with insurance (insured shipment) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 91
- Conditional
Applies to every destination, including Mauritania
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 Mauritania?
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 Mauritania?
- Japan Post's import rules for Mauritania prohibit 13 item types, including Unprocessed Diamonds; Matches; Contaminated articles from regions with outbreak of infectious disease; Coin minting equipment; Foreign Coats of Arms / Heraldic Insignia; Foreign coats of arms and items bearing or reproducing them; Alcoholic Beverages; Non-decimal weights and measures instruments; and 5 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 Mauritania only under conditions?
- 15 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Cigarettes and Cigars; Military supplies and weapons for armed forces / police; Watches / Clocks; Alcoholic beverages; Distillation apparatus; Plants, Fruits, and Seeds; Plants and Seeds; Dyes / Colorants (for food and beverages); and 7 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 Mauritania?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Mauritania; 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.