What you can't ship from Japan to New Zealand
47 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 17 item types that cannot be sent to New Zealand and 30 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
- 17
- Conditional
- 30
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for New Zealand. 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.
Food
1 prohibited · 8 conditional
- Prohibited
Beef
Beef and beef products are prohibited from being shipped to New Zealand via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction covers beef in all its product forms.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Animals and animal products
Animals and animal products may only be sent to New Zealand if prior authorization has been obtained from the relevant authority (Directeur de la division de la sante des animaux au Ministere de l'agriculture et des peches). An exception applies to cooked meat in sealed containers, which does not require this authorization.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the relevant authority (Directeur de la division de la sante des animaux au Ministere de l'agriculture et des peches) → permitted
- Cooked meat in sealed containers → permitted without authorization from the relevant authority
Documents: Authorization from the relevant authority (Directeur de la division de la sante des animaux au Ministere de l'agriculture et des peches)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Eggs and their packaging materials
Raw eggs, powdered, liquid, frozen, or otherwise processed eggs, and their packaging materials are conditionally permitted for shipment to New Zealand. Entry is allowed only when authorization has been obtained from the competent authorities of the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the competent authorities of the destination country (Ministre des douanes and Ministre de l'agriculture) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the competent authorities of the destination country (Ministre des douanes and Ministre de l'agriculture)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Conditional
Fish and similar aquatic products
Marine fish are generally permitted to New Zealand; however, salmonid fish (salmon and trout) are only permitted if cooked at 110°C for 20 minutes, and molluscs are only permitted if they meet conditions set by the Director, Fisheries Management Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Wellington.
Conditions and documents
- Marine fish (non-salmonid) → permitted
- Salmonid fish (salmon, trout) cooked at 110°C for 20 minutes → permitted
- Molluscs meeting conditions set by the Director, Fisheries Management Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Wellington → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 03
- Conditional
Meat
Meat and meat products are conditionally permitted to New Zealand, provided they have been heat-treated/sterilized and sealed in airtight containers in accordance with New Zealand's livestock import regulations (amended 1966). Shipments not meeting these requirements are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Heat-sterilized and sealed in an airtight container in accordance with New Zealand's livestock import regulations (amended 1966) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Noodles
Various noodles — including egg udon, rice udon, small shrimp udon, chicken udon (including those with dehydrated sauce packs), other noodle varieties, bean fiber, and bean sticks — are conditionally permitted, provided they are commercially produced and in sealed packaging.
Conditions and documents
- commercially produced product in sealed packaging → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 19
- Conditional
Processed whale products
Processed whale products may only be shipped to New Zealand if customs authority permission has been obtained. Import is conditional on holding such approval.
Conditions and documents
- Customs authority permission has been obtained → permitted
Documents: Customs authority permission
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 16
- Conditional
Sausage Casings
Natural and synthetic sausage casings may be shipped to New Zealand only if approved by the competent authority (Ministère de l'agriculture et des pêches). Shipment is conditional on obtaining that approval.
Conditions and documents
- Approved by the competent authority of the destination country (Ministère de l'agriculture et des pêches) → permitted
Documents: Approval from the competent authority (Ministère de l'agriculture et des pêches) of New Zealand
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 39
- Conditional
Wheat or wheat flour
Wheat and wheat flour may only be shipped to New Zealand if the relevant authorities at the destination have granted permission. This restriction applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipping types.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 11
Plants & animals
1 prohibited · 7 conditional
- Prohibited
Animal bristles or hair
Animal bristles and hair are prohibited from being shipped to New Zealand, unless the destination country's sanitary authorities have determined that they pose no risk of transmitting anthrax. Items cleared by those authorities are excepted from the prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- Destination country's sanitary authorities have determined that the item poses no risk of transmitting anthrax → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Animal Hair
Animal hair may only be shipped to New Zealand if the relevant authority (Médecin du service de santé) has confirmed that the risk of anthrax spore survival is negligible. Shipment is conditional on obtaining that official opinion.
Conditions and documents
- Relevant authority (Médecin du service de santé) has confirmed that the risk of anthrax spore survival is negligible → permitted
Documents: Official opinion from the Médecin du service de santé confirming negligible risk of anthrax spore survival
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 51
- Conditional
Animal semen
Animal semen may only be shipped to New Zealand if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination. Import is conditional on holding such authorization.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination (New Zealand) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Cacao (cocoa beans, including ground)
Cacao beans, including ground cacao/cocoa, are conditionally permitted to New Zealand only if approval has been obtained from the relevant authority (Ministre de l'agriculture et des peches). Shippers should also refer to the conditional permitted items section for 'Plants'.
Conditions and documents
- Approval obtained from the relevant authority (Ministre de l'agriculture et des peches) of the destination country → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 18
- Conditional
Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables (excluding dried, canned, salted, or bottled forms) are conditionally permitted, provided the quantity does not exceed the import limit set by the destination country and prior authorization from the Director of Customs (Ministre des douanes) has been obtained. See also conditional items under 'Plants'.
Conditions and documents
- Quantity does not exceed the import limit set by the destination country AND authorization from the Director of Customs (Ministre des douanes) has been obtained; item is not in dried, canned, salted, or bottled form → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Director of Customs (Ministre des douanes)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 07
- Conditional
Honeybees
Live honeybees, honey and other honeybee products, and equipment used in beekeeping (excluding containers for imported bees) are conditionally permitted to New Zealand, but only with prior approval from the relevant New Zealand authority (Directeur de la division des services consultatifs, Ministere de l'agriculture et des peches, or Ministre de l'agriculture et des peches). Containers used to import the bees themselves are excluded from this requirement.
Conditions and documents
- Prior approval obtained from the relevant authority (Directeur de la division des services consultatifs, Ministere de l'agriculture et des peches, or Ministre de l'agriculture et des peches) → permitted
- Containers used solely for importing the bees → excluded from the approval requirement
Documents: Prior approval from the relevant New Zealand authority (Directeur de la division des services consultatifs, Ministere de l'agriculture et des peches, or Ministre de l'agriculture et des peches)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Plants
Plants shipped to New Zealand may require an export inspection by a plant protection station and an import permit from the destination country. Rice (other than non-commercial shipments for personal use) additionally requires prior notification to the relevant regional agricultural policy bureau.
Conditions and documents
- Export inspection by plant protection station and import permit from destination country obtained → permitted
- Rice shipped non-commercially for personal use → permitted without prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau
- Rice shipped for purposes other than non-commercial personal use → prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau required
Documents: Export inspection certificate from plant protection station (植物防疫所による輸出検査); Import permit from New Zealand plant protection authority (名宛国の輸入許可証); Prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau (地方農政局等への届出) — required for rice except non-commercial personal use shipments
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Wool samples
Wool samples destined for New Zealand do not require prior permission, but may be subject to inspection or fumigation upon arrival. Unprocessed/raw wool, by contrast, requires prior authorization from the Director of the Animal Health Division of the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture.
Conditions and documents
- Wool samples (not raw/unprocessed wool) → No prior permission required, but inspection or fumigation may be applied
- Unprocessed (raw) wool → Permitted only with prior authorization from the Director of the Animal Health Division of the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 51
Chemicals
2 prohibited · 5 conditional
- Prohibited
Explosives and flammable/explosive substances
Matches, phosphorus, cartridge cases, calcium carbide, sodium chloride (unless packaged in safety boxes), calcium sulfide, and all explosive or flammable substances are prohibited to New Zealand via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Items that violate New Zealand's laws on explosive materials are also prohibited.
Details and exceptions
- Sodium chloride packaged in safety boxes → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Radioactive Materials
Radioactive materials are prohibited from shipment to New Zealand via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. No exceptions are indicated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Conditional
BHC (Benzene Hexachloride) and DDT
BHC (benzene hexachloride) and DDT are conditionally permitted to New Zealand only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination. Shipment without such permission is not allowed.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination (New Zealand) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Paint (lead-containing)
Paint containing lead is conditionally permitted for shipment to New Zealand. It is only allowed if the packaging bears the French-language statement 'Cette peinture contient du plomb' (meaning 'This paint contains lead').
Conditions and documents
- Packaging bears the statement 'Cette peinture contient du plomb' → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 32
- Conditional
Poisons (Category 1)
The following specific poisons are conditionally permitted to New Zealand when packaged in accordance with New Zealand's 1979 legislation: arsenic, arsenic salts and their compounds; formaldehyde; chloropicrin, calcium cyanide, potassium cyanide, sodium cyanide and their compounds; dinitrophenol and analogues; methyl bromide; nicotine and its salts; strychnine and its salts.
Conditions and documents
- Packaged in accordance with New Zealand's 1979 legislation → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Conditional
Textiles treated with nitrocellulose lacquer
Textiles processed with lacquer containing nitrocellulose, or clothing manufactured from such textiles, are conditionally permitted for import into New Zealand. Shipment is allowed only when permission has been obtained from the New Zealand Customs authority.
Conditions and documents
- Permission has been obtained from the New Zealand Customs authority → permitted
Documents: Permission from New Zealand Customs authority
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 59
- Conditional
Toxic Substances (2) – Controlled Drugs / Dangerous Substances
Substances including cantharidin, diethylamide of lysergic acid (LSD), thalidomide, other substances listed under New Zealand's 1975 Misuse of Drugs legislation, and mixtures containing these substances are conditionally permitted. Shipment is allowed only with prior approval from New Zealand's Minister of Health, in accordance with the 1977 Misuse of Drugs Regulations.
Conditions and documents
- Approval granted by New Zealand's Minister of Health (Ministre de la sante) in accordance with the 1977 Misuse of Drugs Regulations → permitted
Documents: Approval from the New Zealand Minister of Health under the 1977 Misuse of Drugs Regulations
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
Weapons
3 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Hand Grenades and Grenade-Like Items
Hand grenades, items resembling hand grenades, deactivated or defused hand grenades, and grenade-shaped toys, promotional items, and decorative objects are prohibited from shipment to New Zealand. This prohibition covers both functional and inert/replica forms regardless of intended use.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Prohibited
Knuckle dusters and disguised/concealed weapons
Knuckle dusters, knuckle duster knives, sword canes, weapons disguised as other objects, knives capable of concealing a blade, and flick knives are prohibited unless authorisation has been obtained from the Minister of Customs of New Zealand. Shipment via regular mail, parcel, and EMS is not permitted without such authorisation.
Details and exceptions
- Authorisation obtained from the Minister of Customs of New Zealand → permitted
Documents: Authorisation from the Minister of Customs of New Zealand
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Prohibited
Weapons and devices emitting tear gas, harmful/toxic gas, smoke, anaesthetic gas, or nerve-paralysing gas
Weapons or devices capable of releasing tear gas, harmful or toxic gas, smoke, anaesthetic gas, or nerve-paralysing gas are prohibited from shipment to New Zealand. Items used for medical, surgical, veterinary, scientific, agricultural, or industrial purposes are excluded from this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- Used for medical, surgical, veterinary, scientific, agricultural, or industrial purposes → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Firearms
Firearms are conditionally permitted to New Zealand provided the recipient has obtained authorization from the New Zealand police authorities. Shipment via regular mail, parcel, or EMS is subject to this requirement.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the police authorities of the destination country (New Zealand) → permitted
Documents: Police authority permit/authorization from New Zealand
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Medicine & supplements
3 conditional
- Conditional
Narcotic drugs
All narcotic drugs listed in Schedules 1, 2, and 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, or prohibited under international treaties, may only be shipped to New Zealand if accompanied by an import permit issued by the Director General of Health Services. Shipment is conditional on presentation of this permit.
Conditions and documents
- Import permit issued by the Director General of Health Services (Directeur general des services de la sante) is attached → permitted
Documents: Import permit issued by the Director General of Health Services (Directeur general des services de la sante)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Pharmaceutical / Medical Drugs
Substances designated as narcotics under New Zealand's Narcotics Act 1965 are only permitted when accompanied by a Japanese export licence and the approval of the destination country's Director General of Health. Yellow fever vaccines are only permitted with approval from the Director of the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health.
Conditions and documents
- Item is designated as a narcotic under New Zealand's Narcotics Act 1965, accompanied by a Japanese export licence, and the approval of the Director General of Health (Directeur general du Ministere de l'hygiene) of New Zealand has been obtained → permitted
- Item is a yellow fever vaccine and approval of the Director of the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health (Directeur de la division de la sante publique du Ministere de l'hygiene) of New Zealand has been obtained → permitted
Documents: Japanese export licence (輸出許可書) issued in Japan; Approval from the Director General of Health of New Zealand (Directeur general du Ministere de l'hygiene) — required for narcotics; Approval from the Director of the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health of New Zealand (Directeur de la division de la sante publique du Ministere de l'hygiene) — required for yellow fever vaccines
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Conditional
Ultrasonic therapeutic device
Ultrasonic therapeutic devices that deliver vibrations of 600,000 cycles per second or more to the human body are conditionally permitted, provided customs authority approval has been obtained.
Conditions and documents
- delivers vibrations of 600,000 cycles per second or more to the human body AND customs authority approval has been obtained → permitted
Documents: Customs authority approval
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
Currency & valuables
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Counterfeit or Altered Currency
Counterfeit or altered currency is prohibited from being shipped to New Zealand via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This applies to any forged, falsified, or tampered monetary coins or notes.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Valuables
Banknotes, coins, cheques, credit cards, securities, and share certificates are prohibited from being sent to New Zealand via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. These items are classified as valuables and are not accepted for shipment.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Alcohol
1 conditional
- Conditional
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are permitted to New Zealand only if authorisation has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country. This condition applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipping types.
Conditions and documents
- authorisation obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Books & printed matter
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Books infringing copyright (pirated/counterfeit copies)
Reproduced/pirated copies of books that violate the copyright laws of New Zealand are prohibited from being shipped via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Counterfeit or unauthorized reproductions of copyrighted books are not permitted to be sent to New Zealand.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Tobacco
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Tobacco (excluding cigars, hookah tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff)
Tobacco products (except cigars, hookah tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff), tobacco leaves, and tobacco residue are prohibited from shipment to New Zealand. Items of this type arriving at the exchange office will be confiscated and destroyed.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24
Other items
6 prohibited · 5 conditional
- Prohibited
Articles prohibited from sale under destination country regulations
Items whose sale is prohibited in New Zealand under the Food and Drug Regulations 1973 are not permitted for shipment via Regular, Parcel, or EMS services. This prohibition applies to any article banned from commercial sale under that regulation.
- Prohibited
Brushes made from animal hair that contact the human body during use
Brushes manufactured using animal hair that come into contact with the human body during use are prohibited from shipment to New Zealand via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition applies regardless of brush type, provided both conditions (animal hair construction and bodily contact in use) are met.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 96
- Prohibited
Defamatory or fraudulent mail
Mail items containing defamatory content are prohibited from being sent to New Zealand. This also covers fraudulent mail, including items with deceptive or misleading claims or those intended to solicit money from recipients.
- Prohibited
Goods manufactured by prisoners
Goods made inside a prison or by prisoners, as well as goods sold by persons who trade in such items, are prohibited from being shipped to New Zealand. This prohibition applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS services.
- Prohibited
Items violating public order and morality / Items violating the Merchandise Marks Act
Items that violate public order and morality are prohibited from shipment to New Zealand. Goods that infringe New Zealand's Merchandise Marks Act are also prohibited.
- Prohibited
Tableware manufactured using lead or lead compounds
Tableware that is manufactured using lead or lead compounds is prohibited from being shipped to New Zealand via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition applies regardless of the type or style of tableware involved.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 69
- Conditional
Articles bearing coats of arms
Articles bearing the British royal coat of arms, the coat of arms of the destination (New Zealand), or any coat of arms liable to be confused with either are only permitted when authorisation has been obtained from the customs authorities of the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Authorisation has been obtained from the customs authorities of the destination country → permitted
Documents: Authorisation from the customs authorities of New Zealand
- Conditional
Printed matter soliciting gambling on football and other sports
Printed materials that solicit or promote gambling on football or other sporting events are conditionally permitted for shipment to New Zealand. Such items are only allowed when authorization has been obtained from the customs authorities of the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization has been obtained from the customs authorities of the destination country (New Zealand) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from New Zealand customs authorities
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Used clothing
Used clothing, rags, and bedding may only be shipped to New Zealand if the destination country's customs authority has granted permission. Items intended for the personal use of a person entering or residing in New Zealand are exempt from this requirement.
Conditions and documents
- Customs authority of New Zealand has granted permission → permitted
- Items are for the personal use of a person entering or residing in New Zealand → permitted
Documents: Permission from the customs authority of New Zealand
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
- Conditional
Wool bags
Wool bags are conditionally permitted for shipment to New Zealand. They are only allowed if authorization has been obtained from the destination country's customs authority (Ministere des douanes).
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the destination country's customs authority (Ministere des douanes) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from New Zealand customs authority (Ministere des douanes)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
- Conditional
Wool waste
Wool waste (and similar textile waste such as cotton waste) may only be shipped to New Zealand if the relevant authorities of the destination country have granted permission. Shipment is conditional on obtaining this prior authorisation.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country (New Zealand) → permitted
Documents: Permission/authorisation from the relevant authorities of New Zealand
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 51
Applies to every destination, including New Zealand
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 New Zealand?
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 New Zealand?
- Japan Post's import rules for New Zealand prohibit 17 item types, including Knuckle dusters and disguised/concealed weapons; Goods manufactured by prisoners; Tobacco (excluding cigars, hookah tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff); Articles prohibited from sale under destination country regulations; Brushes made from animal hair that contact the human body during use; Counterfeit or Altered Currency; Valuables; Beef; and 9 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 New Zealand only under conditions?
- 30 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example BHC (Benzene Hexachloride) and DDT; Cacao (cocoa beans, including ground); Processed whale products; Sausage Casings; Ultrasonic therapeutic device; Printed matter soliciting gambling on football and other sports; Honeybees; Noodles; and 22 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 New Zealand?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for New Zealand; 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.