What you can't ship from Japan to Philippines
37 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 26 item types that cannot be sent to Philippines and 11 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
- 26
- Conditional
- 11
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Philippines. 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
8 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Compressed Gas
All toxic compressed gases, whether liquefied or dissolved, are prohibited for shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services, regardless of whether they are flammable or non-flammable. This includes gases such as acetylene, carbon dioxide, chlorine, and fluorine.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Prohibited
Corrosive liquids
Corrosive liquids — including acids, caustic liquids, alkalis, and other substances that cause serious damage to organic matter upon contact or that, if spilled from their container, damage other mail items through chemical reaction — are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Examples cited include potassium bromide solution, caustic potash, calcium chloride, and sulfuric acid.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Prohibited
Explosive substances
Explosive substances are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This covers all compounds, mixtures, and devices capable of causing an explosion, as well as fireworks and substances specially manufactured for the purpose of explosion.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Flammable liquids with a flash point of 22.3°C or below (closed cup) or 26.7°C or below (open cup)
Flammable liquids with a closed-cup flash point of 22.3°C or below, or an open-cup flash point of 26.7°C or below, are prohibited for shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Examples given in the source include alcohol, ether, and essential oils meeting these flash-point thresholds.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 33
- Prohibited
Flammable solids
Flammable solid substances that are not classified as explosives but that ignite through friction, absorption of moisture, or spontaneous chemical change are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Examples cited include calcium chloride, matches, and metallic potassium.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Oxidizing substances
Oxidizing substances that readily release free oxygen to cause other materials to combust — including dichromates, chlorates, and nitrates — are prohibited for shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Prohibited
Radioactive substances
All radioactive substances that emit ionizing radiation, and mixtures thereof — including radium, uranium, and isotopes — are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via regular, parcel, and EMS services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Prohibited
Toxic Substances
Toxic substances in liquid or solid form that emit poisonous gases or vapors, or substances that are dangerous when they come into contact with the human body or are inhaled, are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines. This applies across all applicable shipping types including regular mail, parcel, and EMS.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Conditional
Celluloid / Film
Film made from cellulose acetate (photographic, motion picture, or other safety film) is permitted only if labelled 'safety quality' or 'safety film'; film made from cellulose nitrate is prohibited from import.
Conditions and documents
- Film made from cellulose acetate and labelled 'safety quality' or 'safety film' → permitted
- Film made from cellulose nitrate → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 37
- Conditional
Non-flammable liquids and gels
Non-flammable liquids and gels may be shipped to the Philippines under specific conditions, including original manufacturer packaging (or repackaging by an accredited laboratory or manufacturer), adherence to postal quantity limits, and detailed declaration on customs forms. All applicable shipping types (Regular, Parcel, EMS) are subject to these conditions.
Conditions and documents
- Sent in original manufacturer packaging as much as possible; repackaging must be done by an accredited laboratory or manufacturer → permitted
- Quantity must comply with postal transport limits → permitted
- Customs declaration CN22 or CN23 must clearly state the product name, quantity, and type of packaging → permitted
Documents: Customs declaration CN22 or CN23 stating product name, quantity, and type of packaging
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 38
Medicine & supplements
3 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Contraceptives and related items for immoral use
Articles, instruments, medicines, and substances intended for contraception, abortion, or immoral purposes are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines. This prohibition applies across all applicable shipping types including regular mail, parcel, and EMS.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Prohibited
Narcotics
Narcotics are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This covers opium, opium poppy, cocaine, other habit-forming narcotic drugs, and any preparations or compounds thereof.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Prohibited
Narcotics and Related Items
Opium, cocaine, and their derivatives, preparations containing them, and instruments used for their consumption are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions are indicated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Contraceptive and abortifacient articles, immoral-use items, and narcotic drugs with related paraphernalia
Articles, instruments, drugs, and substances intended for contraception, abortion, or immoral purposes, as well as opium, cocaine, and other derivatives and their compounds, along with instruments for their use, are conditionally permitted to the Philippines. Import is allowed only when carried out by the Philippine government or a duly authorized institution.
Conditions and documents
- Importer is the Philippine government or a duly authorized institution → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Conditional
Narcotics
Narcotics including opium, morphine, and cocaine are only permitted when imported by the government of the Philippines. Shipments from non-governmental parties are not allowed.
Conditions and documents
- Imported by the government of the destination country (Philippines) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
Plants & animals
3 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Khat (Catha edulis) leaves
Leaves of the khat plant (Catha edulis, also known as Arabian tea tree) are prohibited from being shipped to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of quantity or form.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 12
- Prohibited
Live Animals
Live mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Bees, leeches, and silkworms are excluded from this prohibition.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Prohibited
Live Animals
Live animals, birds, reptiles, and fish are prohibited from being shipped to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers all living creatures in these categories.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Plants (including bulbs, seeds, cut flowers, cut branches, fruits, vegetables, timber, and bark)
Plants and plant materials — including cultivation plants, bulbs, seeds for sowing, cut flowers, cut branches, fruits (excluding pineapple, coconut, durian, banana, and date palm), vegetables, timber, and bark — require a phytosanitary certificate to be attached; importation is not permitted without one. An export inspection by a plant protection station and an import permit from the destination country may also be required under the Plant Protection Act.
Conditions and documents
- Phytosanitary certificate is attached → importation permitted
- No phytosanitary certificate → importation not permitted
- Export inspection by plant protection station and import permit from destination country required (as applicable under the Plant Protection Act) → conditional on obtaining required export inspection and import permit
Documents: Phytosanitary certificate (植物検疫証明書); Export inspection by plant protection station (植物防疫所による輸出検査) — where required under the Plant Protection Act; Import permit from the destination country (名宛国の輸入許可証) — where required
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Silkworms
Silkworms and silkworm eggs may only be shipped to the Philippines if addressed to the Institute of Science and Technology of the destination country. Shipments to any other addressee are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Addressed to the Institute of Science and Technology of the Philippines → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
Books & printed matter
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Anti-state documents
Manuscripts and printed materials containing seditious ideas, promoting distrust of, rebellion against, or uprising against the Philippine government, inciting violations of Philippine law, or containing threats against Philippine nationals are prohibited. This applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipping types.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Copyright-infringing publications
Publications that infringe copyrights guaranteed by the Philippine government are prohibited from being shipped to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Books and Publications
Books and publications relating to economics, technology, vocational subjects, science, philosophy, history, or culture are conditionally permitted, but only with prior approval from the Philippines Ministry of Education and Culture.
Conditions and documents
- Books and publications on economics, technology, vocational subjects, science, philosophy, history, or culture with approval from the Philippines Ministry of Education and Culture → permitted
Documents: Approval from the Philippines Ministry of Education and Culture
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Weapons
1 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Firearms and Weapons
All types of firearms and weapons, as well as their parts, are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers the complete range of firearms, weapons, and any components thereof.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Bladed and Sharp-Edged Items
Bladed and sharp-edged items are permitted only when packaged so as not to damage other items. Sharp-edged items must additionally have their sharp parts enclosed in a sheath.
Conditions and documents
- Packaged so as not to damage other items → permitted
- Sharp-edged items have their sharp parts enclosed in a sheath → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 82
- Conditional
Weapons
Dynamite, gunpowder, other explosives, firearms, weapons, and their parts and components are conditionally permitted for import into the Philippines. They are allowed only when imported by the Philippine government or a duly authorized organization.
Conditions and documents
- Imported by the Philippine government or a duly authorized organization → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Currency & valuables
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Counterfeit or Damaged Coins, Counterfeit Banknotes, Bonds, Securities, and Negotiable Instruments
Counterfeit or altered coins, counterfeit government bonds, banknotes, and other bonds, securities, negotiable instruments, and non-bearer securities are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- 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 regular shipments to the Philippines. This restriction applies to the enclosure of such high-value contents within registered ordinary mail.
Food
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Food and medicine bearing fake or inferior trademarks
Food products and medicines bearing fraudulent, counterfeit, or inferior trademarks are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This applies to any food or pharmaceutical item carrying a false or substandard brand marking.
- Prohibited
Meat products (beef and related)
Beef, beef offcuts, animal feed made from cattle, sheep, or goat, and bovine embryos are prohibited from being shipped to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. These items are not permitted regardless of form or quantity.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
Alcohol
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Alcoholic Beverages
All types of alcoholic beverages — including distilled spirits, wine, beer, and all other varieties — are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Other items
4 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Articles contrary to public order and morals
Printed matter, photographs, engravings, lithographs, and other articles that are contrary to public order and morals are prohibited from being shipped to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This covers any such material deemed offensive to public decency or social order.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Gambling Equipment and Devices
Gambling equipment and devices are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This includes roulette wheels and their accessories, general gambling paraphernalia, loaded or marked dice, marked playing cards, and machines or devices used in gambling or for distributing money, tobacco, or other goods in gambling contexts.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 95
- Prohibited
Lottery tickets and similar schemes (fraudulent / deceptive)
Documents and printed materials containing information related to lotteries or other schemes designed to obtain money or valuables through false or fraudulent means are prohibited from shipment to the Philippines. This applies across Regular, Parcel, and EMS shipping types.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Precious metal articles with false or non-compliant purity hallmarks
Articles made wholly or partly of gold, silver, or other precious metals (or their alloys) are prohibited when the purity hallmark stamped on them does not correctly indicate the quality of the precious metal content. This prohibition applies to both regular and parcel shipments to the Philippines.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Conditional
Pastes, ointments, and similar semi-solid articles
Pastes, ointments, and other articles that do not liquefy easily are conditionally permitted when placed in a waterproof container, which is then packed with sufficient cushioning material inside a sturdy cardboard or wooden box that is safely sealed. Shipment is only allowed when these packaging requirements are fully met.
Conditions and documents
- Placed in a waterproof container, which is then packed with sufficient cushioning material inside a sturdy cardboard or wooden box that is safely sealed → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 34
- Conditional
Powder (non-explosive, non-toxic dry powder substances)
Non-explosive, non-toxic dry powder substances — including ink powder, pepper, snuff tobacco, and similar items — are conditionally permitted to the Philippines provided they are packed in metal, plastic, or wooden containers that prevent leakage of contents.
Conditions and documents
- Non-explosive and non-toxic dry powder substance packed in metal, plastic, or wooden container that prevents leakage of contents → permitted
Applies to every destination, including Philippines
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 Philippines?
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 Philippines?
- Japan Post's import rules for Philippines prohibit 26 item types, including Gambling Equipment and Devices; Compressed Gas; Firearms and Weapons; Counterfeit or Damaged Coins, Counterfeit Banknotes, Bonds, Securities, and Negotiable Instruments; Precious metal articles with false or non-compliant purity hallmarks; Articles contrary to public order and morals; Oxidizing substances; Alcoholic Beverages; and 18 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 Philippines only under conditions?
- 11 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Celluloid / Film; Pastes, ointments, and similar semi-solid articles; Silkworms; Books and Publications; Plants (including bulbs, seeds, cut flowers, cut branches, fruits, vegetables, timber, and bark); Bladed and Sharp-Edged Items; Contraceptive and abortifacient articles, immoral-use items, and narcotic drugs with related paraphernalia; Weapons; and 3 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 Philippines?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Philippines; 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.