What you can't ship from Japan to Palau
27 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 14 item types that cannot be sent to Palau 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
- 14
- Conditional
- 13
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Palau. 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, or similar substances may not be used as parcel packaging or filling material for shipments to Palau. Buckwheat husks and charcoal are permitted as packaging material only if they are free of soil and have not previously been used with living plants.
Details and exceptions
- Buckwheat husks or charcoal, free of soil and not previously used with living plants → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 14
- Conditional
Animal parts (ruminant and swine, non-edible, from disease-affected regions)
Non-edible parts (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 are conditionally permitted, provided they are processed in a manner approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). No other animal parts or origins 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 feathers with skin from all bird species is prohibited, except for washed feathers without skin, items imported for scientific or educational purposes, fishing flies, and certain bird feathers or skins permitted by the Secretary of the Interior for use in making fishing flies or ladies' hats; feathers or skins with skin from birds originating in countries where Newcastle disease is prevalent are only permitted when consigned to a facility approved by the destination country'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 for manufacturing fishing flies or ladies' hats, with permission from the Secretary of the Interior of the destination country → permitted
- Bird feathers or skins with skin dispatched from a country where Newcastle disease is prevalent, consigned to a facility approved by the destination country's Department of Agriculture for additional processing → permitted
- Feathers with skin from any bird species not meeting the above exceptions → prohibited
Documents: Permission from the Secretary of the Interior of Palau (for certain feathers/skins intended for fishing fly or ladies' hat manufacturing); Consignment to a Palau Department of Agriculture-approved facility (for feathers/skins with skin from Newcastle disease-prevalent countries)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Honeybees (live)
Live adult honeybees are conditionally permitted when shipped for experimental/research purposes and consigned specifically 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 consigned to the Bee Disease Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, for experimental purposes → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Insects and similar creatures
Dead insects and reptiles may be shipped to Palau only if they are completely dried and have been treated with preservative and pest-prevention measures before packaging. No other conditions are stated.
Conditions and documents
- Dead insects and reptiles that are completely dried and treated with preservative and pest-prevention measures, and properly packaged → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 95
- Conditional
Plants
Plants shipped to Palau may require an export inspection by a plant quarantine station and an import permit from the destination country. Shippers are advised to contact their nearest plant quarantine station or Palau's plant protection authority in advance.
Conditions and documents
- export inspection by plant quarantine station and import permit from destination country may be required → conditional — shipper must confirm requirements with nearest plant quarantine station or Palau's plant protection authority in advance
Documents: Export inspection certificate from plant quarantine 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
Soil
Soil samples are conditionally permitted only when accompanied by a label issued by the Plant Quarantine Division of the destination country's Ministry of Agriculture. Shipments without this label are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Soil sample bears a label issued by the Plant Quarantine Division of the destination country's Ministry of Agriculture → permitted
Documents: Label issued by the Plant Quarantine Division of the destination country's Ministry 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 dispatched from regions affected by rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, vesicular exanthema, or African swine fever are prohibited, as are poultry meat and products (including eggs) dispatched from regions where Newcastle disease is prevalent. An exception applies to ruminant/swine products sent for pharmacological or biological purposes with prior authorization from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services.
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
Meat (raw, frozen, smoked, and dried)
Raw and frozen meat dispatched from regions affected by rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease is prohibited for shipment to Palau. Certain smoked or dried meats are also prohibited, including salted and fully dried meat from rinderpest- or foot-and-mouth-disease-affected regions, salted and dried pork from regions affected by swine fever, vesicular exanthema, or African swine fever, and all meat and meat products of cattle, pork, sheep, or poultry.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Prohibited
Perishable substances and related items
Perishable fish, fruits, and vegetables, malodorous substances, and any articles that violate Palau's Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of June 25, 1938 are prohibited from shipment to Palau. This restriction applies to both regular mail and parcel services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 03
- Conditional
Animal intestines
Animal intestines may only be shipped to Palau 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). No other conditions are stated.
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 are conditionally permitted into Palau, subject to specific requirements depending on the type of meat and its region of origin, including salting, drying, official processing certificates, USDA-approved facility consignment, or being fully heat-treated and sealed in airtight containers. Additional conditions apply to meat dispatched from regions affected by rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, vesicular exanthema, or African swine fever.
Conditions and documents
- Meat (salted and completely dried) dispatched from regions affected by rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease → permitted only if accompanied by an official processing certificate from the country of origin containing the particulars required by the destination country
- Pork (salted and dried) dispatched from regions affected by swine fever, vesicular exanthema, or African swine fever → permitted only if consigned to a facility approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the destination country for further processing
- Meat and meat products of cattle, pigs, sheep, or poultry that are fully heat-treated to be shelf-stable without freezing and placed in hermetically sealed containers → permitted for import
Documents: Official processing certificate from the country of origin containing the particulars required by the destination country (for salted and completely dried meat from rinderpest or foot-and-mouth disease affected regions)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
Weapons
1 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Ammunition and Matches
Primed metal percussion caps and cartridge cases for portable firearms, as well as matches, are prohibited for shipment to Palau. Non-explosive artillery fuze components are permitted.
Details and exceptions
- non-explosive artillery fuze components → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Conditional
Firearms
Firearms (including pistols and other concealable weapons, short-barrelled shotguns and rifles, and modified long guns) may only be shipped to Palau under conditional circumstances: they must be destined for military, judicial, criminal investigation, or government personnel, licensed firearms manufacturers or dealers, or national property guards and postal employees. Firearms manufactured before 1898 and shipped as antiques or works of art are exempt from these restrictions.
Conditions and documents
- Firearm is destined for military, judicial, criminal investigation personnel, national property guards, postal employees, licensed firearms manufacturers, or firearms dealers, AND outer packaging is labelled 'FIREARM' in capital letters with recipient's qualifying status (e.g. 'For Army Officer'), AND shipment includes proof of recipient's legitimate status and a certificate from the relevant Palauan authority regarding the intended use of the firearm → permitted
- Firearm was manufactured before 1898 and is being shipped as an antique or work of art → permitted
Documents: Proof that the recipient holds legitimate qualifying status (military, judicial, criminal investigation, national property guard, postal employee, licensed firearms manufacturer, or firearms dealer); Certificate issued by the relevant Palauan authority specifying the intended use of the firearm
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Switchblade Knife (Flick Knife / Automatic Opening Knife)
Switchblade knives (automatic-opening knives) may only be shipped to Palau when addressed to a person who has obtained permission from the relevant authorities of the destination country. Shipments to recipients without such authorization are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Addressed to a recipient who has obtained permission 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)
Imitation or counterfeit versions of postage stamps, currency, and other negotiable securities are prohibited from shipment to Palau. Items that are postage stamps or revenue stamps printed in black ink are excluded from this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- Postage stamps or revenue stamps printed in black ink → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Gold (coins, bullion, and gold products)
Gold coins, gold, and gold products may only be shipped to Palau if the value does not exceed USD 100 and the shipment has been authorized by the Bureau of the Mint, United States Treasury Department. Both conditions must be met simultaneously.
Conditions and documents
- 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
Medicine & supplements
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Narcotics
Narcotics are prohibited from shipment to Palau via regular and parcel shipping. This includes opium, morphine, cocaine, and other narcotic substances.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Serums and vaccines (veterinary / livestock)
Serums, vaccines, and similar articles for livestock, as well as articles that may transmit livestock diseases, are conditionally permitted for shipment to Palau. Importation is allowed only when 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
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Alcohol
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from shipment to Palau via regular and parcel shipping. No exceptions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Chemicals
1 conditional
- Conditional
Pathogens (live microorganisms)
Live microbial pathogens may be shipped to Palau under conditional acceptance, provided they are packaged in a specific triple-layer containment system. The packaging must consist of an inner container with absorbent wrapping, a thick glass outer container with additional absorbent packing, and a final sealed metal box.
Conditions and documents
- Placed in a suitable inner container surrounded by 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
Other items
6 prohibited
- Prohibited
Articles in violation of patent law or copyright law
Goods that infringe the patent law or copyright law of Palau are prohibited from shipment via regular and parcel post. This covers any articles whose importation would constitute a violation of Palau's intellectual property protections.
- Prohibited
Articles made by prisoners
Articles manufactured wholly or partly by prisoners are prohibited from being shipped to Palau via regular mail and parcel services. This prohibition applies regardless of the type of goods involved.
- Prohibited
Contraceptive devices and related items / items for illegal abortion
Contraceptive devices or articles intended for illegal abortion, as well as documents relating to contraception or illegal abortion, are prohibited from shipment to Palau via regular and parcel shipping. This prohibition covers both the physical articles and any associated written materials on these subjects.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- 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 shipment to Palau via regular and parcel post. This restriction applies regardless of the form or type of fur or leather item.
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 shipment to Palau via regular and parcel shipping.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Mail items bearing insulting or threatening inscriptions on the exterior
Mail items that display insulting or threatening content on their outer surface are prohibited from shipment to Palau. This restriction applies to any external markings, text, or inscriptions of an insulting or threatening nature.
Applies to every destination, including Palau
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 Palau?
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 Palau?
- Japan Post's import rules for Palau prohibit 14 item types, including Articles made by prisoners; Articles in violation of patent law or copyright law; Perishable substances and related items; Imitation Securities (Counterfeit Stamps, Currency, and Other Negotiable Instruments); Mail items bearing insulting or threatening inscriptions 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 Palau only under conditions?
- 13 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Honeybees (live); Gold (coins, bullion, and gold products); Serums and vaccines (veterinary / livestock); Insects and similar creatures; Firearms; Plants; Bird feathers and skins; Soil; 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 Palau?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Palau; 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.