What you can't ship from Japan to Nauru
37 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 13 item types that cannot be sent to Nauru and 24 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
- 24
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Nauru. 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
Soil
Soil is prohibited from being shipped to Nauru via regular mail and parcel services. This prohibition includes small amounts of soil attached to plants or other items.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 26
- Conditional
Animals and Animal Products
Animals and a wide range of animal products (including untanned leather drums, hunting trophies, vaccines, cultures, honey, cooked and canned meat, live fish, fish eggs, animal hair, reptile and fish skins, wool, animal feed made from fish or whale, and insects) are conditionally permitted to Nauru, each subject to specific authorizations, certificates, or conditions as stated by the destination country's customs, quarantine, or relevant ministerial authorities. Pork in cooked or canned form is explicitly excluded from the meat provisions.
Conditions and documents
- Animals, untanned leather drums, hunting trophies, and other animal products, vaccines or cultures, and honey → Permitted only with authorization from the destination country's customs authority or quarantine service (service de la sante)
- Cooked meat and canned meat (excluding pork), with a specification statement regarding weight, storage location, and temperature conditions, plus certificates from government authorities and the manufacturer → Permitted only when the required specification statement and government/manufacturer certificates are provided
- Live fish and fish eggs, with authorization from the Minister responsible for customs and general taxation, and compliance with sanitary regulations → Permitted only with ministerial authorization and compliance with sanitary regulations
- Honey addressed and dispatched to the Chief Quarantine Officer of the destination country → Permitted only when consigned directly to the Chief Quarantine Officer of the destination country
- Animal hair with a specification statement regarding its washing/cleaning → Permitted only when accompanied by a specification statement about its cleaning
- Reptile skins and fish skins with authorization from the quarantine officer of the destination country → Permitted only with authorization from the destination country's quarantine officer
- Wool and wool samples not exceeding 3 pounds (1.362 kg), meeting destination country conditions for dispatch and disinfection, and sent by sea mail → Permitted only when weight does not exceed 3 lbs (1.362 kg), dispatch and disinfection conditions are met, and shipment is by sea mail
- Animal feed made from fish or whale sent by sea mail → Permitted only when sent by sea mail
- Insects and insect parasites intended for experimental or plant/animal protection purposes, with authorization from the Director of the Quarantine Station → Permitted only when intended for experiment or plant/animal protection and authorized by the Director of the Quarantine Station
Documents: Authorization from the destination country's customs authority or quarantine service (service de la sante) — for animals, untanned leather drums, hunting trophies, other animal products, vaccines, cultures, and honey; Specification statement regarding weight, storage location, and temperature conditions — for cooked meat and canned meat (excluding pork); Certificate from government authorities — for cooked meat and canned meat (excluding pork); Certificate from the manufacturer — for cooked meat and canned meat (excluding pork); Authorization from the Minister responsible for customs and general taxation — for live fish and fish eggs; Evidence of compliance with sanitary regulations — for live fish and fish eggs; Consignment addressed to the Chief Quarantine Officer of the destination country — for honey; Specification statement regarding cleaning/washing — for animal hair; Authorization from the quarantine officer of the destination country — for reptile skins and fish skins; Evidence that dispatch and disinfection conditions specified by the destination country are met — for wool and wool samples; Authorization from the Director of the Quarantine Station — for insects and insect parasites
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Honeybees
Honeybees are conditionally permitted for shipment to Nauru via regular and parcel post, provided that the specified conditions are met.
Conditions and documents
- specified conditions are met → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Leeches and Silkworms
Leeches and silkworms are conditionally permitted for shipment to Nauru via regular and parcel services. Shipment is allowed only when the specified conditions are met.
Conditions and documents
- specified conditions are met → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Plants
Shipping plants to Nauru is conditional and 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 Nauru's plant quarantine authority in advance.
Conditions and documents
- Export inspection by plant protection station and import permit from destination country may be required → conditional — contact nearest plant protection station or destination country's plant quarantine authority in advance
Documents: Export inspection certificate from plant protection station (植物防疫所による輸出検査); Import permit from destination country (名宛国の輸入許可証)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Plants
Plants shipped to Nauru are subject to conditional requirements based on the plant quarantine regulations specified in Japanese Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Notification No. 231 of August 1950 (Export Plant Quarantine Regulations), as listed in the Plant Protection Station's reference table of foreign phytosanitary requirements. Shippers must consult the Plant Protection Station's official list of Nauru's phytosanitary requirements before shipping.
Conditions and documents
- Complies with requirements listed in the Plant Protection Station's reference table of foreign phytosanitary requirements (based on Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Notification No. 231 of August 1950) → conditional
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Straw packaging
Packaging made from straw or similar materials is permitted for shipment to Nauru only with authorization from the Director of the Quarantine Station. No straw-based packaging may be used without this prior approval.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the Director of the Quarantine Station → permitted
Documents: Permit from the Director of the Quarantine Station
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 14
Food
2 prohibited · 4 conditional
- Prohibited
Animal products (various)
A wide range of animal-derived products are prohibited from shipment to Nauru via regular and parcel services. These include honeycombs, animal fertilisers (excluding guano), animal bladders, egg packaging materials, used animal care implements (excluding harnesses), dried blood and blood proteins, meat and meat products, cooked meat and edible animal parts, canned pork, animal stomachs and their unprocessed extracts, milk in any form, animal semen, bird carcasses and edible parts (including poultry), eggs, egg noodles, egg whites in any form, bird feathers, and oysters in shell.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Prohibited
Tea Grounds (Used Tea Leaves)
Used tea leaves / tea grounds are prohibited from being shipped to Nauru via regular mail and parcel services. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 09
- Conditional
Cheese
Cheese may only be shipped to Nauru if the sender has obtained permission from the Deputy Director of Quarantine of the destination country. Import is conditional on holding this quarantine authorization.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the Deputy Director of Quarantine of the destination country → permitted
Documents: Permission from the Deputy Director of Quarantine of Nauru
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Conditional
Confectionery
Confectionery containing alcoholic beverages is only permitted if authorization has been obtained from the customs authorities of the destination country (Nauru). All other confectionery is not subject to this restriction.
Conditions and documents
- confectionery contains alcoholic beverages AND customs authority authorization has been obtained → permitted
Documents: Authorization from Nauru customs authorities
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 17
- Conditional
Perishable Food
Perishable food items may be shipped to Nauru via regular and parcel services only if they meet the prescribed conditions. Shipments that do not satisfy those conditions are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- meets the prescribed conditions → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Sugar, Molasses, and Syrups
Sugar, molasses, and syrups may only be shipped to Nauru with the prior permission of the destination country's Minister of Primary Industries. Shipments without such permission are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the Minister of Primary Industries of Nauru → permitted
Documents: Permission from the Minister of Primary Industries of Nauru
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 17
Medicine & supplements
1 prohibited · 5 conditional
- Prohibited
Tuberculosis prophylactic drugs
Tuberculosis prophylactic drugs are prohibited from shipment to Nauru via regular and parcel shipping. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Conditional
Aphrodisiacs and Glycol-Containing Products
Cantharides and other aphrodisiacs, as well as food, beverages, and medicines containing glycol, are conditionally permitted for shipment to Nauru. These items require prior authorization from the Director General of Health of the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the Director General of Health of Nauru → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Director General of Health of Nauru
- Conditional
Non-infectious substances, pharmaceuticals, and related medical items
Non-infectious substances, poisons intended for medical purposes, and pharmaceuticals are permitted only when the specified conditions are met. Infectious substances are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- non-infectious substances, medically purposed poisons, and pharmaceuticals meeting specified conditions → permitted
- infectious substances → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Conditional
Tablets (pills)
Tablets (pills) are conditionally permitted for shipment to Nauru via regular and parcel services. They are only allowed when the prescribed conditions are met.
Conditions and documents
- prescribed conditions are met → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Conditional
Therapeutic goods, hazardous goods, used clothing, and related items requiring Director General of Health approval
The following categories of items may only be sent to Nauru if prior permission has been obtained from the Director General of Health: narcotics, hallucinogens, amphetamines, other CNS stimulants, and barbiturates; devices with therapeutic effects via electricity, ultrasound, magnetism, or radioactive elements; used jute sacks (subject to 90-day detention and possible disinfection per the Chief Quarantine Officer); goods deemed dangerous and harmful to the public; antidotes for hangovers, alcoholism, nicotine addiction, or opium/cocaine/drug addiction; absinthe oil; internal and external medicines; clothing and fabrics made from hazardous chemicals; human bones and tissue for scientific purposes; used carpets and similar items; used clothing (except items imported for personal or family use); smallpox vaccines, emulsions, and plasma; and pathogenic bacteria, germs, pathogens, and substances such as cultures and viruses that contain or may contain them.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the Director General of Health of Nauru → permitted
- Used jute sacks detained for 90 days and, where required, disinfected per the Chief Quarantine Officer's instructions, with Director General of Health permission → permitted
- Used clothing imported for personal or family use → exempt from Director General of Health permission requirement
Documents: Permission from the Director General of Health (名あて国の保健局長の許可); Disinfection certificate or instructions from the Chief Quarantine Officer (for used jute sacks, where applicable)
- Conditional
Thermometer
Thermometers are conditionally permitted for shipment to Nauru via regular and parcel services. They are only allowed when the conditions specified by the destination country are met.
Conditions and documents
- Conditions specified by the destination country (Nauru) are met → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
Currency & valuables
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Counterfeit Banknotes
Counterfeit banknotes are prohibited from being shipped to Nauru via regular and parcel shipping. This applies to all imitation or replica banknotes.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Counterfeit Currency
Counterfeit currency is prohibited from being shipped to Nauru via regular mail and parcel services. This restriction applies to all forms of forged or falsified monetary currency.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Currency and Precious Metals
Currency and precious metals are conditionally permitted to Nauru only when sent as insured parcels or registered mail. Shipment by other methods is not allowed.
Conditions and documents
- sent as insured parcel or registered mail → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Weapons
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Firearm Silencers / Suppressors
Silencers and suppressors designed for firearms are prohibited from shipment to Nauru via regular and parcel shipping. This restriction covers all such sound-suppressing devices intended for use on guns.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Weapons
Weapons are conditionally permitted to Nauru via regular and parcel shipping, but only when customs authority of the destination country has been obtained. Covered items include pistols and their parts, firearms of calibre 0.22 inches (approx. 5.6 mm) or above and their parts, sword-concealing belts, laser gun sighting devices, clubs/batons, daggers, jackknives, axes, brass knuckles, sword canes, and gun canes.
Conditions and documents
- Customs permission from the destination country (Nauru) has been obtained → permitted
Documents: Nauru customs authority permit
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Chemicals
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Matches
Matches are prohibited from being shipped to Nauru via regular and parcel shipping. No exceptions are noted in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
Other items
5 prohibited · 7 conditional
- Prohibited
Articles made by prisoners
Articles manufactured wholly or partly by prisoners are prohibited from being shipped to Nauru via regular mail and parcel services. No exceptions are stated in the source.
- Prohibited
Cardboard containers for delivering fruit
Cardboard containers intended for delivering fruit are prohibited from being shipped to Nauru, regardless of whether they are new or used. This applies to both regular mail and parcel services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 48
- Prohibited
Collectible stamps (registered mail items with false addresses)
Registered mail items containing collectible stamps and bearing a false or fictitious address are prohibited from being sent to Nauru. This restriction applies to regular shipping.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 97
- Prohibited
Opium pipes and their parts and accessories
Opium pipes, along with their parts and accessories, are prohibited from shipment to Nauru via regular mail and parcel services. No exceptions are indicated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 96
- Prohibited
Used bedding and articles made from textile waste
Used bedding, as well as rags and waste materials such as wool scraps and cotton scraps, and bedding or other articles made from such materials, are prohibited from shipment to Nauru via regular and parcel post. This applies to secondhand bedding and any items manufactured from textile waste or similar scrap materials.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
- Conditional
Electronic dog collar
Electronic dog collars are conditionally permitted for shipment to Nauru via regular and parcel shipping. They are allowed only when the specified conditions are met.
Conditions and documents
- meets the specified conditions → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Conditional
Film etc.
Motion picture film may only be shipped to Nauru if prior approval has been obtained from the destination country's relevant authority (Chief Film Censor). Shipment is conditional on holding this permission.
Conditions and documents
- Approval obtained from the Chief Film Censor of Nauru → permitted
Documents: Permission from the Chief Film Censor of Nauru
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 37
- Conditional
Items bearing national flags, coats of arms, or easily confusable insignia of the destination country or its territories
Items displaying the national flag, coat of arms, or designs easily mistaken for these symbols of Nauru or its territories are subject to conditional restrictions for both regular and parcel shipments. Shippers must ensure compliance with the applicable conditions before sending such goods.
- Conditional
Liquids
Liquids are conditionally permitted for shipment to Nauru via regular and parcel services. Acceptance is subject to specified conditions being met.
Conditions and documents
- specified conditions are met → permitted
- Conditional
Paste / Putty / Kneaded Substances
Paste, putty, and kneaded substances are conditionally permitted for shipment to Nauru via regular and parcel services. Importation is allowed only when the specified conditions are met, though the specific conditions are not detailed in the source text.
Conditions and documents
- meets the prescribed conditions (所定の条件にかなっている場合) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 34
- Conditional
Powder
Powder is conditionally permitted for shipment to Nauru. It is allowed only when the applicable specified conditions are met.
Conditions and documents
- meets specified/prescribed conditions → permitted
- Conditional
Printed Matter and Clothing (Restricted Categories)
Certain printed matter and children's clothing are conditionally permitted to Nauru, but only when authorization has been obtained from Nauru's customs authorities. The restricted items are documents that may incite the violent overthrow of the government, annulment of laws, assassination of officials, or unlawful destruction of property, and children's clothing made from flammable fabrics.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from Nauru customs authorities → permitted
Documents: Customs authority permit from Nauru
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Applies to every destination, including Nauru
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 Nauru?
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 Nauru?
- Japan Post's import rules for Nauru prohibit 13 item types, including Opium pipes and their parts and accessories; Matches; Counterfeit Currency; Counterfeit Banknotes; Tuberculosis prophylactic drugs; Articles made by prisoners; Collectible stamps (registered mail items with false addresses); Firearm Silencers / Suppressors; 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 Nauru only under conditions?
- 24 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Cheese; Paste / Putty / Kneaded Substances; Film etc.; Honeybees; Straw packaging; Printed Matter and Clothing (Restricted Categories); Liquids; Confectionery; and 16 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 Nauru?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Nauru; 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.