What you can't ship from Japan to Ukraine
49 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 29 item types that cannot be sent to Ukraine and 20 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
- 29
- Conditional
- 20
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Ukraine. 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.
Food
8 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Animal Products
Animal products — including fats, milk, infant food, butter, cheese, and fish products — are prohibited from being shipped to Ukraine via Parcel and EMS services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Prohibited
Canned goods
Sending canned goods addressed to private individuals is prohibited. This restriction applies to parcel and EMS shipments to Ukraine.
Details and exceptions
- shipment addressed to a private individual → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 16
- Prohibited
Chewing Gum
Chewing gum is prohibited from being shipped to Ukraine via Parcel and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of type or brand.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 17
- Prohibited
Fresh products and processed animal products
Fresh products and processed animal food products are prohibited from shipment to Ukraine via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This applies to both raw/fresh items and processed foods derived from animals.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Prohibited
Honey and Related Bee Products
Honey, pollen, beeswax, and honeycomb are prohibited from being shipped to Ukraine via parcel and EMS services. These bee-derived products are not permitted for import through these shipping channels.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Prohibited
Noodles
Noodles are prohibited from being sent to Ukraine via Parcel and EMS services. This restriction applies to noodle products as a category.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 19
- Prohibited
Raw eggs
Raw eggs are prohibited from being sent to Ukraine via parcel or EMS. This restriction applies to unprocessed, fresh eggs in their natural state.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Prohibited
Raw meat and meat products
Sending raw meat and meat products to Ukraine is prohibited. Postal items containing them will not be returned to the sender and will be disposed of according to the instructions of the relevant authorities in the destination country.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Food products
Food products are conditionally permitted when the manufacturer's original packaging is unopened and the total weight does not exceed 10 kg.
Conditions and documents
- Manufacturer's original packaging is unopened AND total weight is 10 kg or less → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 21
- Conditional
Food products
Food products (including nutritional supplements and functional foods) are conditionally permitted via EMS to Ukraine. They must be in original, unopened manufacturer packaging and the total weight must not exceed 10 kg.
Conditions and documents
- Original manufacturer packaging is unopened → permitted
- Total weight is 10 kg or less → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 21
Currency & valuables
5 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Foreign currency
Foreign currency is prohibited from being sent to Ukraine via parcel or EMS. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Insured parcels containing banknotes or bearer securities (cheques)
Insured parcels that contain currently circulating banknotes or bearer securities such as cheques are prohibited for parcel shipments to Ukraine. This restriction applies to any insured parcel enclosing negotiable monetary instruments payable to the bearer.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Postage Stamps
Postage stamps (whether cancelled or uncancelled, except those addressed to the philatelic authority of the destination country), invalid cheques, and currency are prohibited from being sent to Ukraine via Regular, Parcel, and EMS mail. This prohibition covers both used and unused stamps not directed to the official philatelic body.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Registered letters containing valuables
Registered letters that contain coins, banknotes, currency, bearer securities, traveller's cheques, platinum, gold or silver (worked or unworked), pearls, gemstones, or other valuables are prohibited for regular shipments to Ukraine. No such items may be enclosed within a registered letter sent to this destination.
- Prohibited
Securities and Negotiable Instruments
Currency of the destination country, personal cheques, government bonds (domestic or foreign), lottery tickets, and other securities and negotiable instruments are prohibited from being sent to Ukraine via regular mail and parcel post.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Foreign currency and checks (currencies and checks of countries other than the destination country)
Foreign currency and checks (i.e., currencies and checks of countries other than Ukraine) may be shipped to Ukraine up to a value of USD 300 or the equivalent in other currencies (converted at the official hryvnia rate set by the National Bank of Ukraine on the date the customs declaration is completed), but only when sent with insurance.
Conditions and documents
- Shipment includes insurance AND value does not exceed USD 300 or equivalent in other currencies at the official UAH rate set by the National Bank of Ukraine on the date the customs declaration is completed → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Payment instruments (denominated in Ukrainian currency)
Checks, transfer documents, bills of exchange, letters of credit, and other payment instruments drawn in Ukrainian currency are conditionally permitted for shipment to Ukraine. Such instruments are only allowed if they meet one of three specified authorization conditions.
Conditions and documents
- Authorized by the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine (Ministere des finances) → permitted
- Bill of exchange issued by the foreign trade authority of Ukraine → permitted
- Registered cheques and payment orders issued by Ukrainian overseas institutions based on special accounts of Ukrainian banks and savings banks → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Plants & animals
1 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Live Animals
Live animals, birds, bees, fish, semen, hatching eggs, reptiles, and insects are prohibited from being sent to Ukraine via Parcel and EMS services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Agricultural crops / farm produce
Agricultural crops are conditionally permitted to Ukraine. Shipments exceeding 5 kilograms require official documentation.
Conditions and documents
- weight ≤ 5 kg → permitted
- weight > 5 kg and official documentation is provided → permitted
- weight > 5 kg and no official documentation → prohibited
Documents: Official documentation (公文書) required for shipments exceeding 5 kg
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 10
- Conditional
Plants
Plants being shipped to Ukraine may require an export inspection by a plant protection station and an import permit from the destination country. Shippers are advised to consult their nearest plant protection station or Ukraine's plant quarantine authority in advance.
Conditions and documents
- Export inspection by plant protection station and import permit from destination country may be required → conditional — consult nearest plant protection station or Ukraine's plant quarantine authority in advance
Documents: Export inspection certificate from plant protection station (植物防疫所による輸出検査); Import permit from the destination country (名宛国の輸入許可証)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Silkworms
Silkworms shipped to Ukraine are subject to quarantine inspection upon arrival. Depending on the outcome of the inspection, the shipment may be returned to the sender.
Conditions and documents
- passes quarantine inspection upon arrival in Ukraine → permitted
- fails quarantine inspection upon arrival in Ukraine → returned to sender
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
Books & printed matter
3 conditional
- Conditional
Newspapers and Magazines
Books, newspapers, magazines, manuscripts, and other printed materials are permitted but limited to a single copy each. Copies containing corrections, annotations, or other markings are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Single copy only, with no corrections, annotations, or other markings → permitted
- Contains corrections, annotations, or other markings → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Scientific and Technical Publications
Scientific or technical publications may only be sent to Ukraine if shipped under band wrapper (open band) from a library or trading company to a library, state institution, scientific organization, or trade union in the destination country. Shipments not meeting these sender and recipient conditions are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Sent under band wrapper (open band) from a library or trading company to a library, state institution, scientific organization, or trade union in Ukraine → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Small charts / diagrams (cards, sticky notes, etc.)
Small charts and diagrams such as cards and sticky notes are conditionally permitted. They are allowed only if no more than one copy of each type is included and the total does not exceed 10 copies overall.
Conditions and documents
- No more than one copy of each type, and no more than 10 copies in total → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Chemicals
3 prohibited
- Prohibited
Blue Vitriol Hydrochloric Acid (Copper Sulfate Hydrochloric Acid Solution)
Blue vitriol hydrochloric acid (a copper sulfate and hydrochloric acid compound or solution) is prohibited from shipment to Ukraine via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of quantity or intended use.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 28
- Prohibited
Hazardous scientific products (pathogen/plant-bacteria eradication agents harmful to humans and animals)
Scientific products used for the eradication of pathogens or bacteria affecting plants that are harmful to humans and animals are prohibited from being sent to Ukraine by regular mail, parcel, or EMS. This prohibition covers such products regardless of shipping method.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 38
- Prohibited
Infectious substances or non-infectious biological substances
Vaccines, serums, stimulants, bacterial cultures, toxins, animal and plant toxins, and other infectious or non-infectious biological substances are prohibited from shipment to Ukraine via Parcel and EMS. This applies to the full range of biological and related materials described in the source entry.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Medicine & supplements
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Medicines / Pharmaceutical Products
Medicines and pharmaceutical products are prohibited from shipment to Ukraine via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Prohibited
Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, and Instruments for Smoking Opium or Cannabis
Narcotics, psychotropic substances, and instruments used for smoking opium or cannabis are prohibited from shipment to Ukraine via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Shipment is only permitted when special authorization has been granted by the competent authority in the destination country (Comité permanent du contrôle des narcotiques).
Details and exceptions
- Special authorization granted by the competent authority in the destination country (Comité permanent du contrôle des narcotiques) → permitted
Documents: Special authorization from the Comité permanent du contrôle des narcotiques (destination country competent authority)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Medicines (Pharmaceuticals)
Medicines listed in the State Register of Medical Products of Ukraine are conditionally permitted. Medicines not listed in the State Register may also be sent, but only if they are for personal use, in quantities necessary for treatment, and the recipient holds a permit from Ukraine's Ministry of Health.
Conditions and documents
- Medicine is listed in the State Register of Medical Products of Ukraine → permitted
- Medicine is NOT listed in the State Register of Medical Products of Ukraine, is for personal use, in quantities necessary for treatment, and the recipient holds a permit from Ukraine's Ministry of Health → permitted
Documents: Permit from Ukraine's Ministry of Health (required when medicine is not listed in the State Register of Medical Products of Ukraine)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Weapons
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Weapons and Ammunition (excluding hunting rifles)
Weapons (excluding hunting rifles), weapon parts, and ammunition are prohibited from shipment to Ukraine via Parcel and EMS. Hunting rifles are explicitly excluded from this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- hunting rifle (猟銃) → not prohibited under this restriction
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Hunting Rifle
Hunting rifles are conditionally permitted for shipment to Ukraine via Parcel and EMS services. Permission is granted only when authorization has been obtained from the destination country's Ministry of Foreign Trade (Ministère du commerce extérieur).
Conditions and documents
- Authorization obtained from the destination country's Ministry of Foreign Trade (Ministère du commerce extérieur) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Trade (Ministère du commerce extérieur) of Ukraine
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Alcohol
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from shipment to Ukraine via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions are indicated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Tobacco
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Tobacco
Tobacco is prohibited from being shipped to Ukraine via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. No exceptions or conditions are stated.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24
Other items
7 prohibited · 8 conditional
- Prohibited
Cotton (raw cotton)
Raw cotton is prohibited from being shipped to Ukraine via Parcel and EMS services. No conditions or exceptions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 52
- Prohibited
Harmful materials (politically, economically, or morally damaging content)
Printed matter, printing plates, films, photographs, tapes, movies, video sets, video discs, manuscripts, recordings, drawings, and artworks that could cause political or economic harm to Ukraine or damage its public order or morality are prohibited. This applies across all shipping types including regular mail, parcels, and EMS.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Identity and Personal Certification Documents
Passports, identity cards, and other documents certifying an individual's name or affiliation are prohibited from being shipped to Ukraine via EMS. This restriction covers personal identification and credential documents of any kind.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Identity and travel documents
Identity and travel documents such as passports and identification cards are prohibited from shipment to Ukraine via regular mail, parcel, and EMS services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Items of Cultural Value
The importation of items of cultural value — including paintings and antiques — is prohibited. This restriction applies to both parcel and EMS shipments to Ukraine.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 97
- Prohibited
Microcomputers and Related Devices
Microcomputers, peripheral devices loaded with any kind of information or ideas, and data transmission devices are prohibited from shipment to Ukraine via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction covers the hardware itself as well as devices pre-loaded with information or thought content.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 84
- Prohibited
Unclean used clothing and second-hand shoes
Unclean used clothing and second-hand shoes are prohibited from shipment to Ukraine via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. The restriction applies specifically to used garments and footwear that are in an unclean condition.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
- Conditional
CD-ROM
CD-ROMs may be sent to Ukraine, but only to individual recipients and limited to a maximum of 20 discs per shipment.
Conditions and documents
- Addressed to an individual recipient only → permitted up to 20 discs
- Quantity exceeds 20 discs or addressed to a non-individual (business/organization) → not permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Conditional
Electronic devices (radio-electronic equipment and emitting devices)
Electronic devices listed in the Register of Radio-Electronic Equipment and Emitting Devices — including mobile phones, smartphones, and radios — are subject to conditional import rules. Other electronic devices not on the register may be imported if the sender or recipient holds the relevant permit.
Conditions and documents
- Device is listed in the Register of Radio-Electronic Equipment and Emitting Devices → conditional (subject to registration requirements)
- Device is not listed in the Register of Radio-Electronic Equipment and Emitting Devices, and the sender or recipient holds the relevant permit → permitted
Documents: Relevant permit held by the sender or recipient (for devices not listed in the Register of Radio-Electronic Equipment and Emitting Devices)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Conditional
Fashion design patterns / dress patterns
Fashion design patterns (templates used for garment making or sales) are conditionally permitted when only one copy is sent, addressed to a national institution or individual in Ukraine engaged in garment manufacturing or sales.
Conditions and documents
- Only one copy is sent, addressed to a national institution or individual in Ukraine engaged in garment manufacturing or sales → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Funeral urn (cinerary urn)
Funeral urns (cinerary urns) may be imported into Ukraine via parcel or EMS shipment, but supporting documentation such as a death certificate is required. Import is conditional on the provision of the necessary paperwork.
Conditions and documents
- Death certificate or equivalent documentation is provided → permitted
Documents: Death certificate or equivalent documentation
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 69
- Conditional
Insured Letter
Insured letters sent to Ukraine via regular mail may only contain documents with a brief handwritten description of the contents; no other handwritten text on enclosed documents is permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Enclosed documents contain only a brief handwritten description of the contents → permitted
- Enclosed documents contain handwritten text beyond a brief description of the contents → prohibited
- Conditional
Manufacturing materials for photographs and related items
Photographs, lead plates, films, manuscripts, paintings, molds, automatic recording discs, and their manufacturing materials are conditionally permitted for shipment to Ukraine only when authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Ukraine) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Ukraine)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 37
- Conditional
Prints, Maps
Prints, maps, and sheet music are permitted to Ukraine via Regular, Parcel, and EMS shipments, but only in limited quantities or scope. Full importation is not unconditionally allowed.
Conditions and documents
- limited quantity or partial allowance → conditional
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Technical equipment and software (designed for intercepting confidential information)
Technical equipment and software specially developed, manufactured, or adapted for intercepting confidential information is conditionally permitted to Ukraine only when addressed to a government authority of the destination country. Shipments to any other recipient are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Specially developed, manufactured, or adapted for intercepting confidential information AND addressed to a government authority of Ukraine → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
Applies to every destination, including Ukraine
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 Ukraine?
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 Ukraine?
- Japan Post's import rules for Ukraine prohibit 29 item types, including Insured parcels containing banknotes or bearer securities (cheques); Foreign currency; Tobacco; Alcoholic Beverages; Unclean used clothing and second-hand shoes; Canned goods; Chewing Gum; Honey and Related Bee Products; and 21 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 Ukraine only under conditions?
- 20 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Technical equipment and software (designed for intercepting confidential information); CD-ROM; Manufacturing materials for photographs and related items; Fashion design patterns / dress patterns; Electronic devices (radio-electronic equipment and emitting devices); Medicines (Pharmaceuticals); Scientific and Technical Publications; Funeral urn (cinerary urn); and 12 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 Ukraine?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Ukraine; 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.