What you can't ship from Japan to Samoa
21 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 8 item types that cannot be sent to Samoa 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 August 1, 2026.
- Prohibited
- 8
- Conditional
- 13
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Samoa. 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
2 prohibited · 5 conditional
- Prohibited
Diseased animals (and their by-products)
Diseased animals are prohibited from being shipped to Samoa via parcel. This prohibition specifically extends to by-products of such animals, including their fur/hair, bones, leather, and horns.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Prohibited
Plants
Plants, seeds, timber, and wood products require authorization from the relevant authorities of the destination (Samoa) and are prohibited for parcel shipment without such authorization.
Details and exceptions
- Authorization obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Samoa)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Animal Products
Animal products — specifically saddles, harnesses, carpets, leather, blankets, and unprocessed wool — are conditionally permitted when shipped to Samoa by parcel, provided prior authorization has been obtained from the relevant authority (Directeur de l'agriculture), except for items originating from New Zealand, Australia, or Fiji, which are exempt from this requirement.
Conditions and documents
- Origin is New Zealand, Australia, or Fiji → permitted without authorization
- Origin is other than New Zealand, Australia, or Fiji AND authorization obtained from Directeur de l'agriculture → permitted
- Origin is other than New Zealand, Australia, or Fiji AND no authorization obtained → not permitted
Documents: Authorization from Directeur de l'agriculture (required for shipments not originating from New Zealand, Australia, or Fiji)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Animal semen
Animal semen may be shipped to Samoa only if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination. This restriction applies to both regular and parcel shipments.
Conditions and documents
- Permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination (Samoa) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables (excluding dried, canned, salted, or bottled forms) may be shipped to Samoa by parcel only if the quantity does not exceed the import limit set by the destination and a permit from the Director of Customs (Ministre des douanes) has been obtained.
Conditions and documents
- quantity does not exceed the import limit set by the destination country AND a permit from the Director of Customs (Ministre des douanes) has been obtained; dried, canned, salted, or bottled forms are excluded from this restriction → permitted
Documents: Permit from the Director of Customs (Ministre des douanes)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 08
- Conditional
Honeybees and Insects (including parasites)
Honeybees and other insects, including parasites, are permitted only if prior authorization has been obtained from the competent authority at the destination (Directeur de l'agriculture). Shipment by parcel is conditional on holding this permit.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the competent authority at destination (Directeur de l'agriculture) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Directeur de l'agriculture (competent authority at destination)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Insect specimens
Insect specimens may only be shipped to Samoa if they have received authorization from the relevant authority (Service de la sante de l'agriculture) and are packaged in a way that allows inspection of the contents.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the relevant authority (Service de la sante de l'agriculture) AND packaged so that contents can be inspected → permitted
Documents: Authorization from Service de la sante de l'agriculture
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 95
Chemicals
1 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Radioactive materials
Radioactive materials are prohibited in parcels to Samoa. However, items that emit only trace amounts of radioactivity — such as clocks, wristwatches, and similar articles — are unconditionally permitted.
Details and exceptions
- Item emits only trace amounts of radioactivity (e.g. clocks, wristwatches, or similar articles) → permitted unconditionally
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Conditional
BHC and DDT
BHC (benzene hexachloride / lindane) and DDT are conditionally permitted for shipment to Samoa only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination. No shipment is allowed without such prior approval.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination (Samoa) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the relevant authorities at the destination in Samoa
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Poisons including arsenic and related substances
Specific poisons — including arsenic compounds, formaldehyde, chloropicrin, cyanide compounds, dinitrophenol, methyl bromide, nicotine salts, and strychnine — are conditionally permitted to Samoa by parcel post, provided they are packaged in accordance with the destination country's 1968 legislation. No other conditions are stated.
Conditions and documents
- Packaged in accordance with the destination country's 1968 legislation → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Conditional
Poisons listed under the 1969 Poisons Regulations: cantharidine, diethylamide of lysergic acid (LSD), thalidomide, their salts, and mixtures
Cantharidine, diethylamide of lysergic acid, thalidomide, other substances listed under Samoa's 1969 Poisons Regulations, their salts, and mixtures of these substances may only be shipped to recipients who have been approved by the destination's Minister of Health (Ministre de la santé). Shipment is conditional on the consignee holding such approval.
Conditions and documents
- Consignee has been approved by the destination's Minister of Health (Ministre de la santé) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
Food
3 conditional
- Conditional
Eggs
Processed eggs (powdered, liquid, frozen, or otherwise processed) are conditionally permitted for import into Samoa by parcel, provided the consignee has obtained prior authorization from the relevant authority (Directeur de l'agriculture et des forets). Unprocessed or fresh eggs are not addressed by this condition.
Conditions and documents
- Eggs are in powdered, liquid, frozen, or otherwise processed form AND prior authorization from the Directeur de l'agriculture et des forets has been obtained → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Directeur de l'agriculture et des forets
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Conditional
Meat
Meat and meat products may only be shipped to Samoa if they have been heat-sterilized in accordance with the destination's Importation of Livestock Regulations (amended 1966) and packed in sealed containers. Shipments that do not meet these conditions are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Heat-sterilized in accordance with the Importation of Livestock Regulations (amended 1966) and packed in sealed containers → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Wheat or wheat flour
Wheat and wheat flour may only be shipped to Samoa if the relevant authorities at the destination have granted permission. This condition applies to both regular and parcel shipments.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 11
Books & printed matter
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Documents inciting riots, unlawful acts, and violence
Printed or written materials that incite riots, unlawful acts, or violence are prohibited from being shipped as parcels to Samoa. This prohibition applies to any such documents regardless of format.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Currency & valuables
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Valuables
Valuables are prohibited from being sent to Samoa via regular shipping. This includes items such as jewellery, precious metals, pearls, certificates, coins, and other negotiable securities.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Weapons
1 conditional
- Conditional
Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms and ammunition may only be shipped to Samoa if customs authority permission has been obtained. Entry is conditional on holding such authorization.
Conditions and documents
- customs authority permission has been obtained → permitted
Documents: Customs authority permission
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Other items
3 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Articles contrary to public order and morality
Books, newspapers, pictures, photographs, printed matter, and other articles contrary to public order and morality are prohibited from being sent to Samoa by parcel. This applies to any such material deemed offensive to public order or decency.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Mail containing defamatory content
Mail items containing defamatory content are prohibited from being sent to Samoa via regular shipping. Any postal item that includes defamatory statements or material is not permitted.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Used bags or similar containers made of hemp or similar plants
Used bags and similar containers made of hemp or hemp-like plant materials are prohibited from being shipped to Samoa by parcel. This restriction applies specifically to secondhand items of this type.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
- Conditional
Non-infectious substances
Non-infectious substances may only be shipped to Samoa if prior authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination. This applies to both regular and parcel shipments.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the relevant authorities at the destination (Samoa) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the relevant authorities at the destination in Samoa
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Applies to every destination, including Samoa
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 Samoa?
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 Samoa?
- Japan Post's import rules for Samoa prohibit 8 item types, including Valuables; Documents inciting riots, unlawful acts, and violence; Articles contrary to public order and morality; Plants; Used bags or similar containers made of hemp or similar plants; Diseased animals (and their by-products); Radioactive materials; Mail containing defamatory content. 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 Samoa only under conditions?
- 13 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example BHC and DDT; Honeybees and Insects (including parasites); Fruits and Vegetables; Insect specimens; Firearms and Ammunition; Non-infectious substances; Animal semen; Animal Products; 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 Samoa?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Samoa; 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.