What you can't ship from Japan to Panama
13 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 11 item types that cannot be sent to Panama and 2 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 August 1, 2026.
- Prohibited
- 11
- Conditional
- 2
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Panama. 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.
Chemicals
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Liquids
Liquid substances, oily or fluid materials, and substances that liquefy easily are prohibited for shipment to Panama via Parcel and EMS. This prohibition covers all forms of liquid or oil-like matter and substances prone to liquefaction.
- Prohibited
Toxic substances
Toxic substances are prohibited from being shipped to Panama via Parcel and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
Medicine & supplements
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Narcotics
Narcotics are prohibited from being shipped to Panama via parcel or EMS. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Medicines (Pharmaceuticals)
Medicines for personal use are permitted up to a 6-month supply, provided the recipient can present a prescription from a licensed professional, a detailed invoice, and a copy of an identity document or passport. No quantity beyond a 6-month supply is indicated as permissible.
Conditions and documents
- Personal use; recipient can present a prescription from a licensed professional, a detailed invoice, and a copy of an identity document or passport → permitted up to a 6-month supply
Documents: Prescription from a licensed professional; Detailed invoice; Copy of identity document or passport
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Books & printed matter
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Publications infringing copyright law of the destination country
Publications that violate the copyright laws of Panama are prohibited from being shipped via Regular and EMS services. This applies to any printed or published material that infringes Panamanian copyright law.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Currency & valuables
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Registered ordinary mail containing valuables
Registered ordinary mail items containing coins, banknotes, currency, bearer securities, traveler's checks, platinum, gold or silver (worked or unworked), pearls, gemstones, or other valuables are prohibited for shipment to Panama. This restriction applies to regular shipping services.
Food
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Sugar confectionery / candy
Sugar confectionery and candy are prohibited from being shipped to Panama via Parcel and EMS services. This restriction applies to all such sweet confectionery items.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 17
Plants & animals
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Perishable Plants
Perishable plants are prohibited from being shipped to Panama via Parcel or EMS. This restriction applies to plant materials that are subject to decay or deterioration.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
Weapons
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Weapons
Weapons are prohibited from being shipped to Panama via parcel or EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Other items
3 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Items contrary to public order and morals
Items that violate public order and morals are prohibited from shipment to Panama via Regular mail and EMS. This is an absolute prohibition with no stated exceptions.
- Prohibited
Lottery tickets and lottery-related articles
Lottery tickets and articles related to lotteries are prohibited from shipment to Panama via Regular and EMS services. This prohibition covers lottery tickets themselves as well as any associated lottery-related materials.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Malodorous Articles
Articles that emit foul or offensive odors are prohibited from shipment to Panama via Parcel and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
- Conditional
Cosmetics
Personal-use cosmetics are conditionally permitted into Panama, limited to 6 items per person per month with a total volume not exceeding 500 mL.
Conditions and documents
- Personal use only, maximum 6 items per person per month, total volume ≤ 500 mL → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 33
Applies to every destination, including Panama
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 Panama?
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 Panama?
- Japan Post's import rules for Panama prohibit 11 item types, including Malodorous Articles; Liquids; Items contrary to public order and morals; Publications infringing copyright law of the destination country; Registered ordinary mail containing valuables; Perishable Plants; Sugar confectionery / candy; Lottery tickets and lottery-related articles; and 3 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 Panama only under conditions?
- 2 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Cosmetics; Medicines (Pharmaceuticals). 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 Panama?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Panama; 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.