What you can't ship from Japan to Micronesia
26 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 13 item types that cannot be sent to Micronesia and 13 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
- 13
- Conditional
- 13
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Micronesia. 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 plant substances)
Straw, grass, or similar substances may not be used as packaging or filler material in parcels destined for Micronesia (FSM). Buckwheat husks and charcoal are exceptionally permitted as packaging material, but only if they are free of soil and have never been used with living plants.
Details and exceptions
- Buckwheat husks or charcoal, free of soil and never previously used with living plants → permitted as packaging material
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, or other parts) of ruminants or swine dispatched from regions where rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, hog plague, or swine fever is prevalent are conditionally permitted, provided they are processed in a manner approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). No such parts from those regions may be shipped without meeting this processing requirement.
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, hog plague, or swine fever 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 feathers with skin from all bird species is prohibited, except for washed feathers without skin, items for scientific or educational purposes, fishing flies, and certain feathers or skins imported for making fishing flies or women's hats with the Secretary of the Interior's approval; feathers with skin from countries where Newcastle disease is prevalent are permitted only when consigned to a facility approved by FSM's Department of Agriculture for additional processing.
Conditions and documents
- Washed feathers without skin → permitted
- Imported for scientific or educational purposes → permitted
- Fishing flies (fly tying) → permitted
- Certain bird feathers or skins imported for manufacturing fishing flies or women's hats, with approval of the Secretary of the Interior → permitted
- Feathers with skin dispatched from a country where Newcastle disease is prevalent, consigned to a facility approved by FSM's Department of Agriculture for additional processing → permitted
Documents: Approval from the Secretary of the Interior (for feathers/skins intended for fishing fly or women's hat manufacturing)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Insects and similar animals (dead specimens)
Dead insects and reptiles may only be shipped if they are completely dried and have been treated with preservative and pest-prevention measures, and are properly packaged. No other conditions for shipment are stated.
Conditions and documents
- Dead insects and reptiles that are completely dried and treated with preservative and pest-prevention measures, and are properly packaged → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 95
- Conditional
Live Honeybees
Live adult honeybees are conditionally permitted for shipment to the Federated States of Micronesia, but only when destined for experimental purposes addressed to the Bee Disease Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705. All other shipments of live adult honeybees are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Live adult honeybees for experimental purposes addressed to Bee Disease Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705 → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Plants
Shipping plants to the Federated States of Micronesia may require an export inspection by a plant protection station and an import permit from the destination country. Senders are advised to consult their nearest plant protection station or the FSM plant protection authority in advance.
Conditions and documents
- Export inspection by a plant protection station (植物防疫所) is required and/or an import permit from the destination country is required → conditional — shipment may proceed subject to compliance with these requirements
Documents: Export inspection certificate issued by a plant protection station (植物防疫所); 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 Federated States of Micronesia, provided they bear a label issued by the destination country's Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Division. Shipments without this label are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Soil sample bears a label issued by the FSM Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Division → permitted
Documents: Label issued by the FSM Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Division
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 dispatched from regions affected by rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, vesicular exanthema, or African swine fever are prohibited, unless sent for pharmacological or biological purposes with prior authorization from the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. Poultry meat and products (including eggs) dispatched from regions where Newcastle disease is prevalent are also prohibited.
Details and exceptions
- Ruminant or swine milk, cream, secretions, or organs sent 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 purpose shipments)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Prohibited
Perishable substances and related items
Perishable fish, fruits, and vegetables; malodorous substances; and any articles violating the FSM Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of June 25, 1938 are prohibited from shipment to the Federated States of Micronesia. This prohibition applies to both regular and parcel shipping.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 03
- Prohibited
Raw and frozen meat (from regions with rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease); smoked or dried meat (except items listed in 2.1.3.2)
Raw meat and frozen meat dispatched from regions where rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent are prohibited from shipment to the Federated States of Micronesia. Smoked or dried meat is also prohibited, except for items specifically exempted under clause 2.1.3.2.
Details and exceptions
- Raw or frozen meat dispatched from a region where rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent → prohibited
- Smoked or dried meat not listed under clause 2.1.3.2 → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Animal intestines
Animal intestines may only be shipped to the Federated States of Micronesia 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). Shipments without this permit are not permitted.
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 from cattle, pigs, sheep, or poultry and their products is conditionally permitted into FSM under specific processing and certification requirements that vary by disease-affected origin region. Salted and fully dried meat from rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease areas requires an official processing certificate from the country of origin; salted and dried pork from hog cholera, swine vesicular disease, or African swine fever areas must be consigned to a USDA-approved facility; and all beef, pork, mutton, and poultry meat and products must be fully heat-treated and sealed in airtight containers to be importable without refrigeration.
Conditions and documents
- Salted and fully dried meat dispatched from regions where rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent → Permitted only if accompanied by an official processing certificate from the country of origin containing information required by the destination country
- Salted and dried pork dispatched from regions where hog cholera, swine vesicular disease, or African swine fever is prevalent → Permitted only if consigned to a facility approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the destination country for further processing
- Beef, pork, mutton, or poultry meat and their products that have been fully heat-treated to be shelf-stable without refrigeration and packed in airtight containers → Permitted for import
Documents: Official processing certificate from the country of origin (required for salted and fully dried meat from rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease affected regions, containing information specified by FSM)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
Medicine & supplements
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Contraceptive devices and related materials; items related to illegal abortion
Contraceptive articles and items intended for illegal abortion, as well as documents related to contraception or illegal abortion, are prohibited from shipment to the Federated States of Micronesia. This prohibition applies to both regular mail and parcel shipping.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Prohibited
Narcotics
Narcotics are prohibited from shipment to the Federated States of Micronesia via regular and parcel post. 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 Federated States of Micronesia. Acceptance is limited to shipments that have obtained prior authorization 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 USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Weapons
1 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Ammunition and Matches
Primed metallic caps and cartridge cases for portable firearms, and matches, are prohibited from shipment to the Federated States of Micronesia via regular and parcel services. Non-explosive artillery fuze materials are permitted.
Details and exceptions
- non-explosive artillery fuze materials → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Conditional
Firearms
Firearms (including pistols and other concealable weapons, short-barreled shotguns, and short-barreled or modified rifles) may only be shipped conditionally to Micronesia (FSM) when destined for official use by military, judicial, criminal investigation personnel, public property guards, postal employees, firearms manufacturers, or firearms dealers. Antique firearms manufactured before 1898 sent as collectibles or works of art are exempt.
Conditions and documents
- Firearm is for official use AND addressed to military, judicial, or criminal investigation personnel, public property guards, postal employees, firearms manufacturers, or firearms dealers of FSM → conditional (permitted with documentation)
- Firearm was manufactured before 1898 and is being shipped as an antique or work of art → permitted (exempt)
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 is a duly qualified person; Certificate issued by the competent authorities of FSM stating the intended use of the firearm
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Switchblade knife (automatic opening knife)
Switchblade knives (automatic opening knives) are conditionally permitted for shipment to the Federated States of Micronesia. They may only be sent to recipients who have obtained authorization from the relevant authorities in the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Addressee has obtained authorization from the relevant authorities of the destination country → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 82
Chemicals
2 conditional
- Conditional
Pathogens (live microorganisms)
Live microbial pathogens may be shipped to the Federated States of Micronesia under conditional acceptance for REGULAR and PARCEL shipments, provided they are packaged in a specific three-layer containment system. The item must be placed in a suitable inner container surrounded by absorbent material, enclosed in a thick glass outer container also packed with absorbent material, and finally sealed inside a metal box.
Conditions and documents
- Placed in a suitable inner container surrounded by absorbent material, then enclosed in a thick glass outer container also packed with absorbent material, and finally sealed inside a metal box → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Conditional
Radioactive substances
Radioactive substances and articles containing them are conditionally permitted, subject to strict limits on radiation emission rates at package surfaces and maximum quantities of radioactive material per mailpiece. Liquid radioactive substances must be placed in sealed containers of suitable material surrounded by absorbent material.
Conditions and documents
- Gamma radiation dose rate at package surface does not exceed 10 milliroentgens per 24 hours → permitted
- No alpha, beta, or neutron radiation is emitted at the package surface under any circumstances → permitted
- Liquid radioactive substances are enclosed in a sealed container of suitable material surrounded by absorbent material → permitted
- Quantity of radium or polonium per mailpiece does not exceed 0.1 millicuries → permitted
- Quantity of strontium-89, strontium-90, or barium-140 per mailpiece does not exceed an atomic disintegration rate of 5,000,000 per second → permitted
- Quantity of other radioactive substances per mailpiece does not exceed an atomic disintegration rate of 50,000,000 per second → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
Alcohol
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from shipment to the Federated States of Micronesia via regular and parcel shipping. No exceptions are indicated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Currency & valuables
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Gold (coins, gold, and gold products)
Gold coins, gold, and gold products are prohibited unless the value does not exceed USD 100 and the shipment has been authorized by the Bureau of the Mint, United States Treasury Department. Shipments not meeting both conditions are prohibited.
Details and exceptions
- Value does not exceed USD 100 AND authorization obtained from the Bureau of the Mint, United States Treasury Department → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Bureau of the Mint, United States Treasury Department
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Other items
4 prohibited
- Prohibited
Articles violating patent or copyright law; counterfeit stamps, currency, and securities; prison-made goods
Items that violate the destination country's patent or copyright law, counterfeit postage stamps, coins, currency, or other negotiable instruments (excluding postage stamps or revenue stamps printed in black ink), and goods manufactured wholly or partly by prisoners are prohibited from shipment to the Federated States of Micronesia. This prohibition applies to both regular and parcel shipping.
- Prohibited
Fur and leather originating from the 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 Federated States of Micronesia. 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 Federated States of Micronesia via regular and parcel shipping. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Mail items with insulting or threatening content on the exterior
Mail items that bear insulting or threatening inscriptions, markings, or writing on the outside of the mailpiece are prohibited from shipment to the Federated States of Micronesia. This restriction applies to both regular mail and parcels.
Applies to every destination, including Micronesia
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 Micronesia?
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 Micronesia?
- Japan Post's import rules for Micronesia prohibit 13 item types, including Articles violating patent or copyright law; counterfeit stamps, currency, and securities; prison-made goods; Perishable substances and related items; Mail items with insulting or threatening content on the exterior; Gold (coins, gold, and gold products); Alcoholic Beverages; Ammunition and Matches; Animal products (ruminant/swine secretions and organs from disease-affected regions; poultry meat and products from Newcastle disease regions); Raw and frozen meat (from regions with rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease); smoked or dried meat (except items listed in 2.1.3.2); 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 Micronesia only under conditions?
- 13 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Live Honeybees; Serums and Vaccines (for Livestock); Insects and similar animals (dead specimens); Firearms; Plants; Bird feathers and skins; Soil; Animal intestines; and 5 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 Micronesia?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Micronesia; 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.