What you can't ship from Japan to United Kingdom
38 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 26 item types that cannot be sent to United Kingdom and 12 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
- 26
- Conditional
- 12
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for United Kingdom. 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
3 prohibited · 5 conditional
- Prohibited
Animal products potentially contaminated with pathogens
Animal products that may carry or be contaminated with pathogens are prohibited from being sent to the United Kingdom via regular mail, parcel, or EMS. This applies to animal-derived goods where there is a risk of pathogen attachment or contamination.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Prohibited
Seal Skin (Harp Seal / Seal Hide)
Seal skin is prohibited from being shipped to the United Kingdom via regular mail, parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to hides and skins derived from seals.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 43
- Prohibited
Vegetables (Potatoes)
Potatoes are prohibited from being shipped to the United Kingdom via regular mail, parcel, or EMS. Other vegetables should be referred to the conditional entry for 'plants'.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 07
- Conditional
Fruit
Certain fruits — including citrus, orange, apple, apricot, blackcurrant, blueberry, cherry, cranberry, custard apple, persimmon, gooseberry, guava, jambolan, mango, passion fruit, peach, pear, plum, quince, redcurrant, and rose apple — are permitted only when the shipment weighs less than 2 kg. An export inspection by a plant protection station and an import permit from the destination country may also be required.
Conditions and documents
- shipment weight is less than 2 kg (applies to: citrus, orange, apple, apricot, blackcurrant, blueberry, cherry, cranberry, custard apple, persimmon, gooseberry, guava, jambolan, mango, passion fruit, peach, pear, plum, quince, redcurrant, rose apple) → permitted
Documents: Export inspection certificate issued by a plant protection station; Import permit from the destination country (where required)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 08
- Conditional
Honeybees and Other Beneficial Insects
Honeybees, leeches, and parasitic or predatory insects used for pest control may be shipped conditionally, provided they are exchanged between approved/accredited facilities. This restriction applies to both regular and EMS shipments to the United Kingdom.
Conditions and documents
- Used for pest control purposes AND exchanged between approved/accredited facilities → conditional
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Live honeybees
Live honeybees may only be shipped to the United Kingdom if the mailpiece is accompanied by an import permit issued by the UK Agricultural Department and a certificate from the relevant Japanese authority confirming that the apiary where the bees were raised is free from disease contamination.
Conditions and documents
- Import permit issued by the UK Agricultural Department is attached to the mailpiece → permitted (if all conditions met)
- Certificate from the relevant Japanese authority confirming the apiary of origin is free from disease contamination is attached to the mailpiece → permitted (if all conditions met)
Documents: Import permit issued by the UK Agricultural Department (UK農務省発行の輸入許可書); Certificate from the relevant Japanese authority confirming the apiary is free from disease contamination (蜜蜂が生育した養蜂場が病気で汚染されていないことを証明する本邦の関係当局の証明書)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 01
- Conditional
Plants
Plants being shipped to the United Kingdom may require an export inspection by a plant protection station and an import permit from the destination country. Rice, except when sent non-commercially for personal use, requires prior notification to a regional agricultural policy bureau.
Conditions and documents
- Export inspection by plant protection station completed and import permit from destination country obtained → permitted
- Rice sent non-commercially for personal use → permitted without prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau
- Rice sent commercially or not for personal use → prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau required
Documents: Export inspection certificate from plant protection station (植物防疫所による輸出検査証明); Import permit from destination country's plant protection authority (名宛国の輸入許可証); Prior notification to regional agricultural policy bureau (地方農政局等への届出) — for rice sent other than non-commercially for personal use
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
- Conditional
Vegetables
Certain vegetables — eggplant, bitter melon (goya), celeriac, celery, and sweet basil — are conditionally permitted when the quantity is less than 2 kg. See conditional permitted items under 'Plants' for further details.
Conditions and documents
- Item is eggplant, bitter melon (goya), celeriac, celery, or sweet basil AND quantity is less than 2 kg → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 07
Food
4 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Dairy Products
Dairy products are prohibited from being shipped to the United Kingdom via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies to all dairy products.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Prohibited
Eggs and egg products (all types of bird eggs)
All types of bird eggs and egg products are prohibited from shipment to the United Kingdom via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers eggs of any bird species as well as products derived from eggs.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Prohibited
Honey and products containing honey
Honey and any products containing honey are prohibited from being shipped to the United Kingdom via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This restriction applies to both pure honey and honey-containing goods.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Prohibited
Meat and meat products, poultry and poultry products
Meat, meat products, poultry, and poultry products are prohibited from being shipped to the United Kingdom via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition applies to all such items regardless of form or processing.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Conditional
Crustaceans and Shellfish
Crustaceans and shellfish are conditionally permitted provided the shipment weighs less than 1 kg. Quantities of 1 kg or more are not allowed.
Conditions and documents
- weight less than 1 kg → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 03
- Conditional
Fish
Fish and fish products are conditionally permitted when smoked or vacuum-packed, wrapped in appropriate polyethylene packaging marked 'perishable', and weighing less than 1 kg. All three conditions must be met simultaneously.
Conditions and documents
- Smoked or vacuum-packed, wrapped in appropriate polyethylene marked 'perishable', and weighing less than 1 kg → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 03
- Conditional
Perishable food and similar items
Perishable or easily spoiled foods are conditionally permitted provided they are packaged to withstand transit and maintained at an appropriate temperature throughout shipment. No other conditions are stated.
Conditions and documents
- packaged to withstand transport and maintained at an appropriate temperature during transit → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
Weapons
4 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Bladed items
All items with a blade are prohibited from shipment to the United Kingdom, regardless of their intended use. This includes bladed items used for cooking, hobbies, trade, gardening, agriculture, and any other purpose, as well as replicas.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 82
- Prohibited
Flick Knife (Switchblade)
Flick knives (switchblades) are prohibited from being shipped to the United Kingdom via regular mail, parcel, and EMS services. This applies regardless of quantity or intended use.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 82
- Prohibited
Weapons
Weapons and weapon parts are prohibited from being shipped to the United Kingdom via Regular mail and EMS. This prohibition covers the items themselves as well as their components.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Prohibited
Weapons
Weapons and their parts are prohibited from shipment to the United Kingdom via regular, parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers the weapons themselves as well as any component parts.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
Sports firearms
Sports firearms may only be shipped to the United Kingdom if the recipient holds an import permit. Shipment is conditional on possession of that permit.
Conditions and documents
- Recipient holds an import permit → permitted
Documents: Import permit held by the recipient
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Alcohol
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Alcoholic beverages with alcohol content exceeding 24% ABV
Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content exceeding 24% ABV are prohibited from shipment to the United Kingdom via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Beverages at or below 24% ABV are not covered by this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- alcohol by volume > 24% → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
- Conditional
Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 24% ABV or less are conditionally permitted, provided they are wrapped in polyethylene with sufficient absorbent material and limited to 1 litre per postal item.
Conditions and documents
- alcohol by volume ≤ 24% AND wrapped in polyethylene with sufficient absorbent material AND quantity ≤ 1 litre per postal item → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Medicine & supplements
2 conditional
- Conditional
Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances
Narcotics and psychotropic substances may only be shipped if they are sent for medical or scientific purposes and have received authorization from the destination country's Home Office. Shipments that do not meet both conditions are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Sent for medical or scientific purposes AND authorized by the destination country's Home Office → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Home Office of the destination country (United Kingdom)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Conditional
Vaccines, sera, and related biological preparations
Vaccines, sera, toxins, antitoxins, antigens, insulin, pituitary gland preparations, heparin, and hyaluronidase are conditionally permitted for import into the United Kingdom, provided the recipient has obtained an import licence from a competent authority.
Conditions and documents
- Recipient has obtained an import licence from a competent authority → permitted
Documents: Import licence issued by a competent authority (held by the recipient)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Books & printed matter
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Horror-related publications
Publications related to horror — including manga, photographs, and other printed materials of a horror nature — are prohibited from shipment to the United Kingdom via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. No exceptions or conditions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Currency & valuables
1 prohibited
- Prohibited
Counterfeit postage stamps and related forgery materials
Counterfeit postage stamps, counterfeit coins, and counterfeit banknotes, as well as the molds, tools, or materials used to manufacture them, are prohibited from being shipped to the United Kingdom via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers both the forged items themselves and any equipment or materials intended for their production.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Other items
12 prohibited
- Prohibited
Counterfeit Postage Stamps and Related Manufacturing Equipment
Counterfeit postage stamps intended for payment of postal fees, as well as the plates, templates, and other devices used to manufacture such counterfeits, are prohibited from being shipped to the United Kingdom. This applies to both regular mail and EMS services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Goods made in foreign prisons
Goods manufactured in foreign prisons are prohibited from shipment to the United Kingdom via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. Non-commercial items are excluded from this prohibition.
Details and exceptions
- item is non-commercial → permitted
- Prohibited
Goods with false, counterfeit, or deceptive labelling or trademarks
Goods are prohibited if they bear markings falsely implying government quality endorsement, carry counterfeit or altered trademarks, or are foreign-made goods bearing a UK manufacturer's or trader's name and trademark without stating the country of manufacture.
- Prohibited
Human and Animal Remains (Ashes and Bodies)
Human and animal remains, including both ashes (cremated remains) and bodies, are prohibited from shipment to the United Kingdom via regular mail, parcel, and EMS services.
- Prohibited
Liquids exceeding 1 litre
Liquids in quantities exceeding 1 litre are prohibited for shipment to the United Kingdom via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies regardless of the type of liquid.
- Prohibited
Lottery tickets and gambling/fortune-telling advertisements
Lottery tickets (tomi-kuji) and printed advertisements relating to lotteries, fortune-telling, or gambling are prohibited from being sent to the United Kingdom via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This prohibition covers both the lottery tickets themselves and any advertising materials associated with lotteries, divination, or betting.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Mail items bearing improper or misleading inscriptions
Mail items are prohibited if their exterior bears markings that could be mistaken for official government mail of the destination country, or if their exterior or address side contains words, stamps, or impressions that may embarrass or confuse handling staff.
- Prohibited
Mail items difficult to process (non-compliant colors/dyes)
Mail items that are difficult to process are prohibited, including items such as maps, albums, sticky notes, and envelopes that do not meet color requirements: these items must preferably be white, but other colors (excluding red) may be used only if they are not dazzling, blinding, or extremely dark, and the dyes used do not contain phosphorescent substances.
Details and exceptions
- Maps, albums, sticky notes, and envelopes are white or a non-red color that is not dazzling, blinding, or extremely dark, and the dyes used do not contain phosphorescent substances → permitted
- Prohibited
Non-standard postcards (with prohibited coatings or non-rectangular form)
Postcards coated with mica flakes, powdered glass, or similar substances (unless enclosed in an envelope) are prohibited, as are items presented as postcards that do not conform to the required rectangular shape (corners must be square or rounded with a radius not exceeding 10 mm).
Details and exceptions
- Postcard coated with mica flakes, powdered glass, or similar substances AND enclosed in an envelope → permitted
- Item in postcard form that is rectangular with square corners or rounded corners with radius not exceeding 10 mm, and no prohibited coating → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Obscene materials and related items
Obscene printed matter, paintings, photographs, books, cards, lithographs, other prints, films, videotapes, and other such materials are prohibited from shipment to the United Kingdom via regular mail, parcel, and EMS. This prohibition covers a broad range of physical and recorded media containing obscene content.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Radio Transmitter (operating at 26.1–29.7 MHz or 88–108 MHz)
Radio transmitters capable of operating in the 26.1–29.7 MHz or 88–108 MHz frequency ranges — including CB radios and transceivers — are prohibited from shipment to the United Kingdom, except for models approved for use in the destination country. This restriction applies to Regular, Parcel, and EMS shipments.
Details and exceptions
- Model is approved for use in the destination country (United Kingdom) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 85
- Prohibited
Unclean clothing and rags
Unclean (dirty/soiled) clothing and rags are prohibited from being shipped to the United Kingdom via Regular, Parcel, and EMS services. This restriction applies specifically to clothing and rags that are in an unclean condition.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 63
Applies to every destination, including United Kingdom
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 United Kingdom?
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 United Kingdom?
- Japan Post's import rules for United Kingdom prohibit 26 item types, including Eggs and egg products (all types of bird eggs); Honey and products containing honey; Goods with false, counterfeit, or deceptive labelling or trademarks; Obscene materials and related items; Unclean clothing and rags; Horror-related publications; Mail items difficult to process (non-compliant colors/dyes); Animal products potentially contaminated with pathogens; and 18 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 United Kingdom only under conditions?
- 12 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Sports firearms; Honeybees and Other Beneficial Insects; Vaccines, sera, and related biological preparations; Fruit; Fish; Crustaceans and Shellfish; Plants; Live honeybees; and 4 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 United Kingdom?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for United Kingdom; 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.