What you can't ship from Japan to Tanzania
30 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 17 item types that cannot be sent to Tanzania 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
- 17
- Conditional
- 13
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Tanzania. 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
4 prohibited
- Prohibited
Flammable Liquids
Liquids with a flash point below 32.2 °C are prohibited. Liquids with a flash point of 32.2 °C or above but below 65.5 °C are also prohibited when the volume is 1 litre or more.
Details and exceptions
- Flash point below 32.2 °C → prohibited
- Flash point ≥ 32.2 °C and < 65.5 °C, and volume ≥ 1 litre → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 27
- Prohibited
Matches
Matches are prohibited from being shipped to Tanzania via Parcel and EMS services. This restriction applies to all match products.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Radioactive substances and articles containing radioactive substances
Radioactive substances and any articles incorporating radioactive substances are prohibited from shipment to Tanzania via parcel or EMS. No exceptions are indicated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Prohibited
Radioactive substances and products containing radioactive substances
Radioactive substances and any products made using radioactive substances are prohibited from shipment to Tanzania via Regular and EMS services. No exceptions are indicated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
Currency & valuables
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Coins and Banknotes
Coins, banknotes, and paper currency are prohibited from being shipped to Tanzania via regular shipping. This restriction covers all forms of physical monetary currency.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Coins, banknotes, and counterfeit/altered currency
Coins, banknotes, and paper currency — including counterfeit or altered money — are prohibited from being sent to Tanzania via parcel or EMS. This restriction covers all forms of coined and printed monetary instruments.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Currency, Bullion, and Valuables
Bullion, coins, banknotes, precious metals, gemstones, pearls, and other valuables not exceeding 100 shillings in value may only be sent to Tanzania by insured parcel. Shipments exceeding this value threshold or sent without insurance are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Value does not exceed 100 shillings AND shipped as an insured parcel → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Plants & animals
1 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Live Animals
Live animals are prohibited in parcels and EMS shipments to Tanzania. Honeybees, leeches, silkworms, and insects are excepted from this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- animal is a honeybee, leech, silkworm, or insect → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Parasites and Predatory Insects (for pest control)
Parasites and predatory insects used for pest control may only be shipped to Tanzania if they are exchanged between officially recognized institutions and prior authorization has been obtained from the relevant Tanzanian authorities.
Conditions and documents
- Exchanged between officially recognized institutions AND prior authorization obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the relevant authorities of Tanzania
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Plants
Plants, seeds, and fruits are permitted for import into Tanzania only with prior authorization from the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture. Shipment without this official approval is not allowed.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture of Tanzania → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture of Tanzania
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
Food
2 prohibited
- Prohibited
Beverages and foodstuffs harmful to health
Beverages and foodstuffs that are harmful to health are prohibited from being shipped to Tanzania via parcel and EMS services. Items falling under this category are not permitted for import.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
- Prohibited
Condensed Milk (fat content 9% or less, excluding added fat)
Condensed milk with a fat content of 9% or less (excluding added fat) is prohibited from being shipped to Tanzania via Parcel and EMS services. This restriction applies specifically to low-fat condensed milk where the fat content does not exceed 9%, not counting any fat that has been additionally incorporated.
Details and exceptions
- Fat content (excluding added fat) is 9% or less → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
Weapons
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Weapons and Ammunition
Firearms, ammunition, and other deadly weapons are prohibited from being shipped to Tanzania via Regular and EMS services. This restriction covers guns, bullets, and all related weaponry.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Weapons and Related Items
Weapons and their parts, air guns, decorative pistols, spray guns, and other articles deemed dangerous weapons are permitted only with prior authorization from the police authorities of the destination country. Shipment via Parcel or EMS is conditional on holding such permission.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the police authorities of the destination country → permitted
Documents: Permission from the police authorities of the destination country (Tanzania)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Alcohol
1 conditional
- Conditional
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are conditionally permitted for shipment to Tanzania. They are only allowed when accompanied by a certificate confirming that the beverage was fermented in wooden containers for a period of at least 3 years.
Conditions and documents
- Certificate attached confirming the beverage was fermented in wooden containers for a period of 3 years or more → permitted
Documents: Certificate confirming fermentation in wooden containers for 3 or more years
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Books & printed matter
1 conditional
- Conditional
Publications
Publications relating to sexual matters are permitted only with prior authorization from the Commissioner of Customs and Excise of Tanzania. All other publications are not subject to this restriction.
Conditions and documents
- Publications relating to sexual matters with authorization from the Commissioner of Customs and Excise → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Commissioner of Customs and Excise of Tanzania
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Medicine & supplements
1 conditional
- Conditional
Narcotics
Narcotics such as opium, morphine, and cocaine are only permitted when sent for medical or scientific purposes and with authorization from the competent authority of the destination country (The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health). All other shipments of narcotics are prohibited.
Conditions and documents
- Sent for medical or scientific purposes AND authorized by The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health of Tanzania → permitted
Documents: Authorization from The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health of Tanzania
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
Other items
7 prohibited · 6 conditional
- Prohibited
Articles bearing a coat of arms without authorization
Articles displaying Tanzania's coat of arms or a closely resembling imitation thereof are prohibited unless prior authorization has been obtained from the destination country. This restriction applies to both parcel and EMS shipments.
- Prohibited
Brush
Brushes are prohibited from being shipped to Tanzania via Parcel and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 96
- Prohibited
Counterfeit Postage Stamps and Counterfeit Postage Meter Impressions
Counterfeit postage stamps and counterfeit franking/postage meter impressions intended for Tanzania are prohibited from being sent via Regular Mail and EMS. Both types of fraudulent postage evidence are barred from shipment.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Counterfeit Postage Stamps and Meter Impressions
Counterfeit postage stamps and forged postage meter impressions intended for Tanzania are prohibited from being sent via parcel or EMS. This covers all falsified postal value instruments bearing fraudulent Tanzanian postal markings.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Counterfeit trademarks and false markings
Articles bearing false indications that violate trademark registration rules, as well as articles marked with false representations regarding manufacturing rights or quality, are prohibited from shipment to Tanzania by parcel and EMS. This covers any goods carrying counterfeit trademarks or deceptive labelling related to origin, production rights, or product quality.
- Prohibited
Lottery tickets and obscene materials
Documents related to lottery tickets, as well as obscene publications, drawings, paintings, and photographs are prohibited from being sent to Tanzania by parcel or EMS. These items may not be shipped under any circumstances.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Registered ordinary mail containing valuables
Registered ordinary mail items containing bearer securities, traveler's checks, platinum, gold, or silver (processed or unprocessed), pearls, gemstones, or other valuables are prohibited for shipment to Tanzania. This restriction applies to regular shipping.
- Conditional
Badges (Boy Scout / Girl Scout insignia)
Items bearing Boy Scout or Girl Scout badges or insignia may only be shipped to Tanzania if the sender has obtained prior permission from the director-general of the respective Scout association. Shipment is conditional on holding that authorization.
Conditions and documents
- Item displays Boy Scout insignia and permission has been obtained from the director-general of the Boy Scout Association → permitted
- Item displays Girl Scout insignia and permission has been obtained from the director-general of the Girl Scout Association → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the director-general of the Boy Scout Association (for items bearing Boy Scout insignia); Authorization from the director-general of the Girl Scout Association (for items bearing Girl Scout insignia)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Conditional
Postage meter machine
Postage meter machines may only be sent to Tanzania if authorized by the Postmaster General of the destination country. Shipment is conditional on obtaining this permission.
Conditions and documents
- Authorized by the Postmaster General of the destination country (Tanzania) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 84
- Conditional
Precious Metals
Precious metals and ingots may only be shipped to Tanzania if the consignee has obtained prior permission from the Commissioner of Customs. Shipments without this authorization are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Permission obtained from the Commissioner of Customs of the destination country → permitted
Documents: Permission from the Commissioner of Customs of Tanzania
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Conditional
Traps (for capturing livestock/animals)
Traps intended for capturing livestock are permitted in Tanzania only if the shipper has obtained prior authorization from the relevant authority (Chief Game Warden). No authorization means the item is prohibited.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the Chief Game Warden (relevant authority in Tanzania) → permitted
Documents: Permission from the Chief Game Warden (Tanzania)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 73
- Conditional
Uniforms
Uniforms that could be considered military or government agency uniforms are only permitted when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Tanzania).
Conditions and documents
- Uniform could be considered military or government agency uniform AND authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Tanzania)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 62
- Conditional
Used Clothing
Used clothing, bedding, and similar articles may only be shipped to Tanzania if accompanied by a disinfection certificate issued by the relevant Japanese authorities. Shipments without this certificate are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Disinfection certificate issued by the relevant Japanese authorities is attached → permitted
Documents: Disinfection certificate issued by the relevant Japanese authorities
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
Applies to every destination, including Tanzania
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 Tanzania?
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 Tanzania?
- Japan Post's import rules for Tanzania prohibit 17 item types, including Registered ordinary mail containing valuables; Counterfeit Postage Stamps and Counterfeit Postage Meter Impressions; Coins and Banknotes; Radioactive substances and products containing radioactive substances; Weapons and Ammunition; Brush; Beverages and foodstuffs harmful to health; Condensed Milk (fat content 9% or less, excluding added fat); and 9 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 Tanzania only under conditions?
- 13 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Parasites and Predatory Insects (for pest control); Uniforms; Alcoholic Beverages; Used Clothing; Narcotics; Plants; Weapons and Related Items; Precious Metals; 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 Tanzania?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Tanzania; 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.