What you can't ship from Japan to Switzerland
31 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 16 item types that cannot be sent to Switzerland and 15 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 September 1, 2026.
- Prohibited
- 16
- Conditional
- 15
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Switzerland. 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
Odd-toed and even-toed ungulates, their meat, meat products (excluding canned), and raw materials
Odd-toed ungulates (e.g. horses, donkeys, rhinos) and even-toed ungulates (e.g. cattle, pigs, sheep, deer), along with their meat, meat products (excluding canned goods), and raw materials such as hides, hair, horns, hooves, and bones, are prohibited from shipment to Switzerland via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Canned meat products are excluded from this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- canned meat products → excluded from prohibition (not prohibited)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Prohibited
Taxidermy specimens and feathers of protected birds
Taxidermy specimens and feathers of protected birds are prohibited from being shipped to Switzerland via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This restriction applies to all such items regardless of form.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Animal carcasses
Animal carcasses or parts thereof are conditionally permitted for shipment to Switzerland via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Specific conditions must be met for these items to be accepted.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Animal semen and fertilized eggs (embryos)
Animal semen and fertilized eggs (embryos) are subject to conditions when shipped to Switzerland via regular mail, parcel, or EMS. Shipment is permitted only under applicable conditions as specified.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Forest Trees
Live plants and forest trees, as well as their seeds and fruits, are conditionally permitted for shipment to Switzerland. Import is allowed only when the recipient has obtained prior authorization from the relevant Swiss authority (Office fédéral des forêts).
Conditions and documents
- Prior authorization obtained from the relevant Swiss authority (Office fédéral des forêts / Office federal des forets) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Office fédéral des forêts (Swiss Federal Office for Forests)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Live insects, mites, nematodes (and plant cultures)
Live insects, mites, nematodes, and plant culture organisms may only be shipped to Switzerland if the sender or recipient has obtained prior authorisation from the competent Swiss authority (Office fédéral de l'agriculture du Département fédéral de l'économie publique). Shipment without such a permit is not allowed.
Conditions and documents
- Prior authorisation obtained from the Office fédéral de l'agriculture du Département fédéral de l'économie publique → permitted
Documents: Authorisation from the Office fédéral de l'agriculture du Département fédéral de l'économie publique
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Plants
Shipping plants to Switzerland may require an export inspection by a plant protection station and an import permit from the destination country. Senders are advised to contact their nearest plant protection station or the Swiss plant protection authority in advance.
Conditions and documents
- Export inspection by plant protection station and import permit from destination country may be required → conditional — sender must confirm requirements with nearest plant protection station or Swiss plant protection authority in advance
Documents: Export inspection certificate issued by plant protection 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) — if required
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
Food
4 conditional
- Conditional
Butter
Butter may be imported into Switzerland as a personal gift up to 500 grams. Importation on a commercial basis is not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- imported as a personal gift and quantity does not exceed 500 grams → permitted
- imported on a commercial basis → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Conditional
Contaminated Food (Cholera-Affected Origin)
Processed or unprocessed frog meat, fish, crustaceans, shellfish, and raw or frozen vegetables and fruit dispatched from countries in cholera-affected zones are conditionally permitted entry into Switzerland. Shipment is allowed only when accompanied by an official certificate confirming that the goods were produced, processed, and stored in a region free from cholera contamination.
Conditions and documents
- Food (processed or unprocessed frog meat, fish, crustaceans, shellfish, raw or frozen vegetables and fruit) dispatched from a country in a cholera-affected zone, accompanied by an official certificate confirming the goods were produced, processed, and stored in a region free from cholera contamination → permitted
Documents: Official certificate confirming that the goods were produced, processed, and stored in a region free from cholera contamination
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 03
- Conditional
Meat and meat products
Meat, meat products, and livestock feed require a permit from the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office (Office vétérinaire fédéral) to be imported into Switzerland. An exception applies for non-commercial person-to-person shipments sent as gifts or samples weighing 10 kg or less.
Conditions and documents
- Permit obtained from the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office (Office vétérinaire fédéral) → permitted
- Non-commercial shipment from person to person, sent as a gift or sample, weighing 10 kg or less → permitted without permit
Documents: Permit from the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office (Office vétérinaire fédéral)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Salt
Table salt and livestock salt may only be shipped to Switzerland if the consignee has obtained prior authorization from the relevant Swiss authority (Salines du Rhin or the Department of Finance of the Canton of Vaud). No other types of salt are addressed by this restriction.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from Salines du Rhin or Departement des finances du canton de Vaud → permitted
Documents: Authorization from Salines du Rhin or Departement des finances du canton de Vaud
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 25
Medicine & supplements
2 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances
Narcotics and psychotropic substances are prohibited from shipment to Switzerland via Regular and EMS mail. This prohibition covers both narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Prohibited
Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances
Narcotics and psychotropic substances are prohibited from shipment to Switzerland via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This includes opium for smoking and its dross, diacetylmorphine (heroin) and its salts, and psychotropic substances.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances
Narcotics and psychotropic substances (including opium, morphine, cocaine, and others) are only permitted when sent for medical or scientific purposes and when authorization has been obtained from Switzerland's Federal Office of Public Health (Office fédéral de la santé publique). Shipments not meeting both conditions are not allowed.
Conditions and documents
- Sent for medical or scientific purposes AND authorization obtained from Switzerland's Federal Office of Public Health (Office fédéral de la santé publique) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from Switzerland's Federal Office of Public Health (Office fédéral de la santé publique)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Sera and Vaccines
Sera and vaccines (non-veterinary) may be shipped to Switzerland only if accompanied by a permit issued by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health or if addressed to a physician or pharmacist. Veterinary sera and vaccines are permitted only with authorization from the Swiss veterinary authority (Institut vaccinal, 4000 Bale 25).
Conditions and documents
- Non-veterinary sera and vaccines accompanied by a permit issued by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health → permitted
- Non-veterinary sera and vaccines addressed to a physician or pharmacist → permitted
- Veterinary sera and vaccines with authorization from the Swiss veterinary authority (Institut vaccinal, 4000 Bale 25) → permitted
Documents: Permit issued by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (for non-veterinary sera and vaccines, where applicable); Authorization from the Swiss veterinary authority – Institut vaccinal, 4000 Bale 25 (for veterinary sera and vaccines)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Weapons
3 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Camouflaged or disguised firearms
Firearms fitted with camouflage or disguise are prohibited from shipment to Switzerland via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This restriction applies to shooting weapons that have been concealed or disguised in appearance.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Prohibited
Firearms and Guns
Firearms and guns are prohibited from shipment to Switzerland via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers all purposes including sporting, hunting, combat, and collecting.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Prohibited
Folding Firearm
Folding firearms are prohibited from shipment to Switzerland via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition applies regardless of the folding mechanism or firearm type.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
War materials / military materiel
War materials may only be shipped to Switzerland if accompanied by a permit from the Swiss Federal Military Administration (Direction de l'administration militaire federale), or if consigned to an authorised federal armaments manufacturer (Ateliers de constructions federaux a Thoune or Fabrique federale d'armes a Berne).
Conditions and documents
- Accompanied by a permit from the Swiss Federal Military Administration (Direction de l'administration militaire federale) → permitted
- Consigned to Ateliers de constructions federaux a Thoune or Fabrique federale d'armes a Berne → permitted
Documents: Permit from the Direction de l'administration militaire federale (Swiss Federal Military Administration)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Alcohol
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Absinthe
Absinthe and similar products are prohibited from being shipped to Switzerland via regular mail, parcel, and EMS services. This restriction covers absinthe itself as well as items similar in nature.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Other items
8 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Articles contrary to public order and morality
Items bearing content that is contrary to public order and morality are prohibited from shipment to Switzerland via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This applies to any articles whose inscriptions, markings, or depictions violate public order or moral standards.
- Prohibited
Items bearing the Swiss federal coat of arms sold as merchandise
Goods and their packaging that display the Swiss federal coat of arms are prohibited from being shipped to Switzerland when the items are sent for sale as merchandise. This restriction applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipping types.
- Prohibited
Items bearing the words "Croix-Rouge" ("Red Cross")
Items bearing the words "Croix-Rouge" or "Croix de Genève" are prohibited unless authorization has been obtained from Swiss authorities. Shipment of such items is not permitted without that approval.
Details and exceptions
- Authorization obtained from Swiss authorities → permitted
- Prohibited
Lottery tickets and lottery-related articles
Lottery tickets and articles related to lotteries that are prohibited in Switzerland may not be shipped via Regular, Parcel, or EMS services. Such items are prohibited from being sent to this destination.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Propaganda Materials
Propaganda materials that could threaten the safety, independence, neutrality, foreign relations, or political system of Switzerland are prohibited. This applies across regular mail, parcel, and EMS shipping types.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Radio wave detectors / radar detectors
Radio wave detectors (radar detectors) are prohibited from shipment to Switzerland via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This applies to devices designed to detect radio wave signals.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Prohibited
Traps (animal traps)
Animal traps are prohibited from being shipped to Switzerland via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 95
- Prohibited
Wireless Transmitter (Small)
Small wireless transmitters are prohibited for shipment to Switzerland via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This restriction applies to small-form wireless transmission devices.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Conditional
Contaminated articles
Used clothing, bedding, and rags dispatched from countries where smallpox, cholera, plague, or typhus is present are conditionally permitted, but only if they have been disinfected and disinfection can be proven. No other contaminated articles are addressed by this entry.
Conditions and documents
- Used clothing, bedding, and rags dispatched from a country where smallpox, cholera, plague, or typhus is present; items have been disinfected and disinfection can be proven → permitted
Documents: Proof of disinfection
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
- Conditional
Liquid measuring instruments
Liquid measuring instruments (including graduated cups, bowls, and other marked containers) may be subject to inspection upon arrival in Switzerland and, depending on the results, may be returned to sender or destroyed.
Conditions and documents
- Upon inspection at destination → May be returned to sender or destroyed depending on inspection results
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Conditional
Precious metal articles
Precious metal articles are conditionally permitted for shipment to Switzerland, provided they meet the requirements of the Swiss Federal Act of 20 June 1933. Shipments that do not satisfy these conditions are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Meets the requirements of the Swiss Federal Act of 20 June 1933 → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Applies to every destination, including Switzerland
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 Switzerland?
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 Switzerland?
- Japan Post's import rules for Switzerland prohibit 16 item types, including Items bearing the words "Croix-Rouge" ("Red Cross"); Absinthe; Traps (animal traps); Articles contrary to public order and morality; Folding Firearm; Propaganda Materials; Radio wave detectors / radar detectors; Odd-toed and even-toed ungulates, their meat, meat products (excluding canned), and raw materials; and 8 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 Switzerland only under conditions?
- 15 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Butter; Liquid measuring instruments; Salt; Contaminated Food (Cholera-Affected Origin); Contaminated articles; Precious metal articles; Sera and Vaccines; Live insects, mites, nematodes (and plant cultures); and 7 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 Switzerland?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Switzerland; 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.