What you can't ship from Japan to South Korea
32 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 19 item types that cannot be sent to South Korea 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 July 25, 2026.
- Prohibited
- 19
- Conditional
- 13
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for South Korea. 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
4 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Fruits and similar plant products (prohibited varieties)
Certain fruits and plant products — including plum, grapefruit, longan, mango, fresh pepper, jujube, and seeds — are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. For other plant items not listed here, refer to the conditional category 'Plants.'
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 08
- Prohibited
Grains / Cereals
Grains and cereals are prohibited for shipment to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. See the conditionally permitted category 'Plants' for any applicable exceptions.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 10
- Prohibited
Insects harmful to livestock or plants
Insects that are harmful to livestock or plants are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This applies to any insect species deemed damaging to livestock or vegetation.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Prohibited
Vegetables
Vegetables are prohibited for shipment to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Refer to the conditionally permitted category 'Plants' for any applicable exceptions.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 07
- Conditional
Honeybees, leeches, and silkworm eggs
Honeybees, leeches, and silkworm eggs may only be shipped when exchanged between officially approved facilities. Shipments outside of this condition are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Exchanged between officially approved facilities → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Plants
Plants shipped to the Republic of Korea may require a phytosanitary export inspection and an import permit from the destination country's plant protection authority. Rice additionally requires prior notification to the regional agricultural policy bureau, except when sent non-commercially for personal use.
Conditions and documents
- Phytosanitary export inspection by plant protection station and import permit from destination country's plant protection authority obtained → conditional — may be permitted
- Rice sent non-commercially for personal use → permitted without prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau
- Rice sent for purposes other than non-commercial personal use → prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau required
Documents: Phytosanitary export inspection certificate (issued by plant protection station, where required); Import permit from destination country's plant protection authority (where required); Prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau (for rice, except non-commercial personal use)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Tobacco and Korean ginseng (including seeds)
Tobacco, Korean ginseng, and their seeds may only be imported into the Republic of Korea when imported by or under the order of the destination country's government. These items are classified as conditional articles under the 'Plants' category.
Conditions and documents
- Imported by the government of the destination country or under its order → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24
Food
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Meat, meat products, and dairy products
Meat, meat products (including dried beef or pork products, poultry products, and sausages), and dairy products are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers a broad range of animal-derived food items including beef, pork, chicken, and dairy.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Prohibited
Salt
Salt is prohibited from being shipped to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No further details or conditions are specified in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 25
- Conditional
Livestock and livestock products
Dead livestock and livestock products — including meat, bones, hides, and hair/fur — are conditionally permitted when accompanied by a certificate from the country of origin. Shipment via Regular, Parcel, and EMS is allowed under this condition.
Conditions and documents
- Certificate from the country of origin is attached → permitted
Documents: Certificate from the country of origin (差出国の証明書)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
Medicine & supplements
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Narcotics
Narcotics, including opium, morphine, cocaine, and other narcotic drugs, are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of Korea via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. No exceptions are indicated in the source text.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Prohibited
Stimulants
Stimulants are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of Korea via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. No exceptions or conditions are indicated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Health functional foods and pharmaceuticals / medicines
Shipments containing health functional foods or pharmaceuticals/medicines imported into Korea require the recipient to complete import customs clearance declaration procedures under Article 261 of the Enforcement Decree of the Customs Act. These items are conditionally accepted via Regular mail, Parcel, and EMS.
Conditions and documents
- Shipment contains health functional foods or pharmaceuticals/medicines → Recipient must complete import customs clearance declaration procedures under Article 261 of the Enforcement Decree of the Customs Act
Documents: Import customs clearance declaration (by the recipient, pursuant to Article 261 of the Enforcement Decree of the Customs Act)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 21
Currency & valuables
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Counterfeit Currency and Related Manufacturing Items
Counterfeit, altered, or imitation coins, banknotes, and bank notes are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Also prohibited are machinery, tools, and raw materials used in the manufacture of coins, banknotes, or bank notes.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Currency
Banknotes, bank notes, and coins are prohibited from being shipped to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Currency intended for display or collection purposes is handled separately under the conditional category for valuables.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Tobacco
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Tobacco Manufacturing Equipment and Materials
Machinery, instruments, and paper used for the manufacture of tobacco products are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers all such equipment and materials intended for tobacco production.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 84
- Conditional
Nicotine solution
All nicotine solutions — including those extracted from leaves, stems, roots, or synthetic nicotine — may only be imported into the Republic of Korea if five specific documents are provided. Import is conditional on submission of a contract, manufacturing process certificate, manufacturer's license or factory establishment certificate, export declaration certificate, and a Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Conditions and documents
- Contract (契約書) is provided → required for import
- Manufacturing process certificate from the exporting country (輸出国の各製造工程証明) is provided → required for import
- Manufacturer's license or factory establishment certificate issued by the country of manufacture (製造国が発行した製造業者のライセンス又は工場の設立証明書) is provided → required for import
- Export declaration certificate issued by the customs authority of the exporting country (輸出国の税関当局によって発行された輸出申告証明書) is provided → required for import
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS / 安全データシート) is provided → required for import
- All five required documents are provided → import permitted
Documents: Contract (契約書); Manufacturing process certificate from the exporting country (輸出国の各製造工程証明); Manufacturer's license or factory establishment certificate issued by the country of manufacture (製造国が発行した製造業者のライセンス又は工場の設立証明書); Export declaration certificate issued by the customs authority of the exporting country (輸出国の税関当局によって発行された輸出申告証明書); Safety Data Sheet (SDS / 安全データシート)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 38
Weapons
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Ammunition and Matches
Ammunition components (including primed metallic cartridges and percussion caps for portable firearms, and non-explosive artillery fuze materials) and matches are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. These items are not permitted regardless of quantity or purpose.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Weapons (military sabres, swords, and firearms)
Military sabres, swords, and firearms are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. These items are not permitted regardless of shipping method.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Alcohol
1 conditional
- Conditional
Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages are permitted only for personal use or as a gift, limited to one bottle of up to 1 litre. Liquor tax and education tax apply to all types of alcoholic beverages.
Conditions and documents
- For personal use or as a gift, quantity limited to 1 bottle (up to 1 litre) → permitted, subject to liquor tax and education tax
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Books & printed matter
1 conditional
- Conditional
Magazines
Monthly or weekly magazines may be imported into Korea up to 3 copies per person per issue without restriction. Importing more than 3 copies of any single issue requires government authorization from the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Up to 3 copies per person per issue of a monthly or weekly magazine → permitted
- More than 3 copies per issue of a monthly or weekly magazine → requires government authorization from the destination country
Documents: Government authorization from the Korean authorities (required when importing more than 3 copies per issue)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Chemicals
1 conditional
- Conditional
Poisons, Venoms, and Pathogenic Organisms
Poisons, toxic liquids, and pathogenic organisms are only permitted when exchanged between government-authorized health and sanitation facilities for medical or academic purposes. All other shipments of these items are prohibited.
Conditions and documents
- Exchanged between government-authorized health and sanitation facilities for medical or academic purposes → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
Other items
6 prohibited · 4 conditional
- Prohibited
Articles for opium smoking
Articles intended for smoking opium are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This applies to all such paraphernalia regardless of form.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 96
- Prohibited
Articles infringing patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property rights
Items that infringe patents, design rights, trademarks, or copyrights are prohibited from shipment to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This covers any goods that violate intellectual property rights across these four categories.
- Prohibited
Audio or video recording media containing prohibited content
Audio and video recording media whose content is contrary to constitutional principles of democracy, national prestige or interests, social morals and customs, social safety, or social order are prohibited from being shipped to the Republic of Korea. This prohibition applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Prohibited
Counterfeit Postage Stamps
Counterfeit postage stamps are prohibited from being sent to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS shipping. Forged or falsified postage stamps of any kind are not accepted.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Items contrary to public safety
Items that are liable to expose state secrets or provide information to enemies, as well as documents, books, printed materials, recordings, engravings, and other items contrary to public safety, are prohibited from being shipped to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services.
- Prohibited
Weights and measures instruments
Weights and measures instruments are prohibited from being shipped to the Republic of Korea via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Conditional
Telecommunications equipment
Telecommunications equipment requires approval from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Republic of Korea). Mobile phones sent between private individuals are exempt from this requirement.
Conditions and documents
- Mobile phones sent between private individuals → permitted without approval
- All other telecommunications equipment → requires approval from the relevant authorities of the destination country
Documents: Approval from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Republic of Korea)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Conditional
Textile products
Textile products such as fabric, clothing, shirts, ties, and handkerchiefs are permitted only when they are samples or intended for the personal use of the recipient. Shipments not meeting these conditions are not allowed.
Conditions and documents
- Item is a sample → permitted
- Item is for the personal use of the recipient → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 62
- Conditional
Valuables (precious metals, gemstones, and bearer securities)
Various bearer securities, platinum, gold, or silver (worked or unworked), gemstones, pearls, and other valuables are conditionally permitted, provided the conditions set out in customs regulations are met.
Conditions and documents
- Conditions stipulated in customs regulations are met → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Conditional
Wireless devices
Wireless devices imported into the Republic of Korea must undergo inspection by the relevant authorities, unless they are imported for research and development purposes or are products already approved in the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Imported for research and development purposes → permitted
- Product is approved/certified in the destination country (Republic of Korea) → permitted
- All other wireless devices not meeting the above conditions → must undergo inspection as determined by the relevant authorities
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
Applies to every destination, including South Korea
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 South Korea?
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 South Korea?
- Japan Post's import rules for South Korea prohibit 19 item types, including Articles for opium smoking; Tobacco Manufacturing Equipment and Materials; Counterfeit Postage Stamps; Salt; Counterfeit Currency and Related Manufacturing Items; Items contrary to public safety; Grains / Cereals; Insects harmful to livestock or plants; and 11 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 South Korea only under conditions?
- 13 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Tobacco and Korean ginseng (including seeds); Honeybees, leeches, and silkworm eggs; Livestock and livestock products; Valuables (precious metals, gemstones, and bearer securities); Magazines; Textile products; Poisons, Venoms, and Pathogenic Organisms; Alcoholic beverages; 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 South Korea?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for South Korea; 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.