What you can't ship from Japan to Vanuatu
40 Japan Post import rules · verified · source: Japan Post
Short answer: Japan Post lists 19 item types that cannot be sent to Vanuatu and 21 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
- 19
- Conditional
- 21
- Carrier-wide rules
- 278
These are the destination rules Japan Post publishes for Vanuatu. 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.
Books & printed matter
2 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Copyright-infringing publications
Publications that infringe copyright are prohibited from shipment to Vanuatu via regular and parcel shipping. This applies to any printed or published material that violates copyright.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Prohibited
Printed matter containing fraudulent advertisements or prohibited lottery information
Newspapers and other printed materials that carry advertisements for fraudulent merchandise sales, or that contain information relating to lotteries of a country other than Vanuatu or lotteries prohibited in Vanuatu, are prohibited from being shipped to Vanuatu via regular mail. This applies to any printed matter featuring such content regardless of the publication type.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Books (French-language)
French-language books are conditionally permitted for shipment to Vanuatu. Books published in Vanuatu but printed abroad must bear the Vanuatuan publisher's or distributor's name on the cover, back, and title page, and the printing country and printer's name and address on the final page; books both published and printed outside Vanuatu must bear the publisher's name and address on the cover, back, or title page.
Conditions and documents
- Book is published in Vanuatu but printed outside Vanuatu, AND the cover, back, and title page bear the name of the Vanuatuan publisher or distributor, AND the final page states the country of the printing establishment and the name and address of the printer → permitted
- Book is both published and printed outside Vanuatu, AND the cover, back, or title page bears the name and address of the publisher → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Printed matter and printing articles
Books, other printed matter, and articles engraved with text or images (such as printing blocks or plates) are subject to censorship by the competent authorities of Vanuatu and may be returned depending on the outcome. Delivery is conditional on passing that review.
Conditions and documents
- Subject to censorship by competent authorities of Vanuatu → Permitted if it passes censorship review; returned if it does not
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
- Conditional
Reproductions (books, newspapers, booklets, printed matter)
Reproductions of books, newspapers, booklets, and other printed matter produced by letterpress, lithography, or engraving are subject to censorship by Vanuatu's Ministry of the Interior (Ministère de l'intérieur). Depending on the outcome of that review, items may be returned to the sender.
Conditions and documents
- Reproductions of books, newspapers, booklets, or printed matter produced by letterpress, lithography, or engraving → Subject to censorship by Vanuatu's Ministry of the Interior; may be returned depending on the outcome
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 49
Plants & animals
2 prohibited · 3 conditional
- Prohibited
Agricultural products
Agricultural products are prohibited from being shipped to Vanuatu via regular mail and parcel services. This restriction applies to all agricultural goods.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 10
- Prohibited
Raw wool and animal hair
Raw wool and animal hair are prohibited from being shipped to Vanuatu via regular mail and parcel services. Both unprocessed sheep wool and other animal hair are covered by this restriction.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 51
- Conditional
Honeybees, honey, and beeswax
Live honeybees are permitted only when specially authorized by the destination country's competent authority (Direction de la qualité), and must be packed in containers that pose no danger to staff and do not hinder inspection. Honey and beeswax require quarantine and sanitary inspection certificates issued by the Japanese competent authority, except for honey not exceeding 1 kg intended for non-commercial purposes; non-natural beeswax additionally requires a certificate confirming exposure to 100°C for at least 30 minutes.
Conditions and documents
- Live honeybees: specially authorized as an exception by the destination country's competent authority (Direction de la qualité), and packed in containers that do not endanger staff or hinder inspection of contents → permitted
- Honey or beeswax: accompanied by a quarantine certificate and proof of satisfactory sanitary inspection issued by the Japanese competent authority → permitted
- Honey not exceeding 1 kg and not intended for sale → permitted without quarantine/sanitary certificate requirement
- Non-natural beeswax: accompanied by a certificate confirming exposure to a temperature of 100°C for at least 30 minutes → permitted
Documents: Quarantine certificate issued by the Japanese competent authority (for honey or beeswax); Certificate of satisfactory sanitary inspection issued by the Japanese competent authority (for honey or beeswax); Special authorization from Direction de la qualité in Vanuatu (for live honeybees); Certificate confirming exposure to 100°C for at least 30 minutes (for non-natural beeswax)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 04
- Conditional
Leeches
Leeches may be imported into Vanuatu and are not subject to quarantine procedures, but must be packed in cloth bags together with swamp soil or moss, and those cloth bags must be placed inside a wooden box or basket stuffed with hay or straw.
Conditions and documents
- Leeches are packed in a cloth bag together with swamp soil or moss, and that cloth bag is placed inside a wooden box or basket stuffed with hay or straw → permitted (not subject to quarantine procedures)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 05
- Conditional
Plants
Plants shipped to Vanuatu 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 Vanuatu'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 Vanuatu'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 destination country (名宛国の輸入許可証)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 06
Chemicals
2 prohibited · 2 conditional
- Prohibited
Butane Gas Lighters
Lighters that use butane gas are prohibited for shipment to Vanuatu via regular and parcel services. This restriction applies to butane-fueled lighters.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Prohibited
Explosives and Similar Dangerous Substances
Substances that are explosive, ignitable, or otherwise hazardous are prohibited from shipment to Vanuatu via regular and parcel services. This covers any material with explosive, incendiary, or dangerous properties.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 36
- Conditional
Industrial products, petroleum, and mineral oils
Industrial products, petroleum, and various mineral oils may only be shipped to Vanuatu if prior authorization has been obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- Prior authorization obtained from the relevant authorities of the destination country (Vanuatu) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 27
- Conditional
Saccharin
Powdered pure saccharin may only be shipped to Vanuatu when accompanied by a permit issued by the destination country's Ministry of Public Health. No other forms or conditions are specified.
Conditions and documents
- Powdered pure saccharin with a permit issued by the destination country's Ministry of Public Health → permitted
Documents: Permit issued by the Ministry of Public Health of Vanuatu
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
Food
4 prohibited
- Prohibited
Canned goods (vegetables, plums, or fish) without country-of-origin marking
Canned vegetables, plums, or fish are prohibited for shipment to Vanuatu if the country of manufacture is not clearly stamped in Roman letters at the center of the lid or base and at one additional location (neither of which may be a labeled area) of the can. Cans that do not meet this specific dual-location Roman-letter origin-marking requirement on the can itself are not permitted.
Details and exceptions
- Country of manufacture is clearly stamped in Roman letters at the center of the lid or base AND at one additional location (not a labeled area) of the can → permitted
- Country of manufacture is NOT clearly stamped in Roman letters at both required locations on the can → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 16
- Prohibited
Fruits for alcoholic beverage production (dried grapes, dates, and other fruits)
Dried grapes (raisins), dates, and other fruits intended for the production of alcoholic beverages are prohibited from being shipped to Vanuatu via regular mail and parcel services. This prohibition applies regardless of the specific fruit type when destined for alcohol manufacturing purposes.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 08
- Prohibited
Raw Meat, Raw Hides/Skins
Raw meat and raw hides/skins are prohibited from being shipped to Vanuatu via regular and parcel shipping. No exceptions are stated in the source.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 02
- Prohibited
Saccharin (tablets)
Saccharin in tablet form is prohibited from being shipped to Vanuatu via regular mail and parcel services. This restriction covers saccharin tablets as an artificial sweetener product.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
Alcohol
2 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Alcohol and certain alcoholic beverages
Alcohol is prohibited to Vanuatu via Regular and Parcel shipping. This includes anise-flavored spirits of 45% ABV or above, bitters, bittering agents, tar water, gentian bitters, and similar products containing no more than 200 grams of sugar per litre with an alcohol content of 30% ABV or above.
Details and exceptions
- anise-flavored alcoholic beverage with alcohol content of 45% ABV or above → prohibited
- bitters, bittering agents, tar water, gentian bitters, and similar products containing no more than 200g sugar per litre and alcohol content of 30% ABV or above → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
- Prohibited
Wine (not meeting Vanuatu's conditions)
Wine manufactured outside Vanuatu is prohibited unless it meets the conditions specified in Vanuatu's law of 1 February 1899. Wine produced in a country other than Vanuatu that does not satisfy those conditions cannot be shipped via regular or parcel services.
Details and exceptions
- Wine manufactured outside Vanuatu that does not meet the conditions stipulated in Vanuatu's law of 1 February 1899 → prohibited
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
- Conditional
Wine and grape-based beverages
Grape juice, grape liquid, and all alcoholic beverages made from grapes (including wine) are conditionally permitted for shipment to Vanuatu. They are allowed only when they meet the conditions established by the relevant authorities of the destination country.
Conditions and documents
- meets the conditions established by the relevant authorities of the destination country → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 22
Medicine & supplements
3 conditional
- Conditional
Contraceptive Articles
Contraceptive articles, medicines, devices, and other items considered contraceptive in nature are permitted only when approved by the destination country's Ministry of Health. This condition applies to shipments sent via regular and parcel post to Vanuatu.
Conditions and documents
- Approved by the Ministry of Health of the destination country (Vanuatu) → permitted
Documents: Approval from the Ministry of Health of Vanuatu
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
- Conditional
Narcotics (controlled drugs listed in Schedule B of Vanuatu Decree of 31 December 1962)
Narcotic drugs listed in Schedule B of Vanuatu's decree of 31 December 1962, and preparations compounded from them, are conditionally permitted for shipment to Vanuatu via regular and parcel post. Shipments must bear a specified orange-and-black poison label on the container, an orange band printed with 'Poison' in black ink, and an import permit from the Ministry of Social Affairs; the customs clearance certificate must be signed, certified by local municipal or police authorities, and returned to the customs office within one month.
Conditions and documents
- Container or outer packaging must bear a label on an orange background with black ink, clearly stating the names and addresses of sender and recipient, and the name and quantity of the contents, affixed so it cannot be easily removed → permitted
- An orange band with 'Poison' clearly printed in black ink must be wrapped around the outer packaging of the container → permitted
- An import permit from the Ministry of Social Affairs of Vanuatu must be attached → permitted
- The customs clearance certificate must be signed, certified by the municipal or police authorities of the destination, and returned to the customs office within one month → permitted
Documents: Import permit from the Ministry of Social Affairs of Vanuatu; Customs clearance certificate, signed and certified by municipal or police authorities of the destination, to be returned to the customs office within one month
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 29
- Conditional
Pharmaceuticals / Medicinal Products
Certain pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements are conditionally permitted, provided they are accompanied by a permit issued by the Central Pharmacy Service of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Security or the Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture. Shipments without the required permit are not allowed.
Conditions and documents
- Accompanied by a permit issued by the Central Pharmacy Service of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Security (Service central de la pharmacie au Ministere de la sante publique et de la securite sociale) → permitted
- Accompanied by a permit issued by the Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture (Service veterinaire au Ministere de l'agriculture) → permitted
Documents: Permit issued by the Central Pharmacy Service of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Security (Service central de la pharmacie au Ministere de la sante publique et de la securite sociale); Permit issued by the Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture (Service veterinaire au Ministere de l'agriculture)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 30
Currency & valuables
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Registered ordinary mail containing valuables
Registered ordinary mail items containing coins, banknotes, currency, bearer securities, traveller's cheques, platinum, gold or silver (worked or unworked), pearls, precious stones, or other valuables are prohibited for shipment to Vanuatu via regular mail. No such items may be enclosed in registered ordinary mail consignments.
- Conditional
Gold Bullion
Postal items containing gold bullion (including gold ingots, gold coins, industrial gold, and processed gold products) are conditionally permitted to Vanuatu, provided that an import declaration pre-approved by the Banque de France is sent to the destination country's customs authorities. Items containing only small amounts of gold (such as gold-plated products or gold/silver thread) and personal or non-personal jewelry not exceeding 500 grams total weight are exempt from this requirement.
Conditions and documents
- Import declaration pre-approved by the Banque de France is sent to the destination country's customs authorities → permitted
- Items containing only small amounts of gold (e.g. gold-plated products, gold/silver thread) or personal/non-personal jewelry with total weight not exceeding 500 grams → exempt from the Banque de France pre-approval requirement
Documents: Import declaration pre-approved by the Banque de France (Banque de France事前承認済み輸入申告書)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
Weapons
1 prohibited · 1 conditional
- Prohibited
Ammunition
Ammunition is prohibited from shipment to Vanuatu via regular and parcel services. This includes gunpowder, percussion caps, and primed cartridges.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
- Conditional
War Materials
War materials as designated by Vanuatu decrees of 18 April 1939 and 14 August 1939 (and their annexes) are conditionally permitted, provided a permit issued by the Customs Authority (Direction générale des douanes) — based on approval from the Ministries of National Defence, Foreign Affairs, and the Interior — is attached to the shipment.
Conditions and documents
- Permit issued by the Customs Authority (Direction générale des douanes) based on approval from the Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of the Interior, and the item is designated under the Vanuatu decrees of 18 April 1939 and 14 August 1939 and their annexes → permitted
Documents: Permit issued by the Customs Authority (Direction générale des douanes), based on approval from the Ministry of National Defence (Ministère d'État chargé de la défense nationale), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministère des affaires étrangères), and Ministry of the Interior (Ministère de l'intérieur)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 93
Tobacco
1 conditional
- Conditional
Tobacco
Tobacco may only be imported by the relevant authorities of Vanuatu, except for tobacco intended for a recipient's personal consumption not exceeding 10 kg per recipient per year (which may exceed 10 kg with destination customs permission).
Conditions and documents
- Tobacco intended for recipient's personal consumption, not exceeding 10 kg per recipient per year → permitted
- Tobacco intended for recipient's personal consumption, exceeding 10 kg per recipient per year, with destination customs permission → permitted
- Tobacco imported by the relevant authorities of the destination country → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 24
Other items
5 prohibited · 6 conditional
- Prohibited
Baby feeding bottle with tube / Pacifier without labeling or trademark
Baby feeding bottles fitted with a tube, and pacifiers that lack labeling indicating they are made of pure rubber and/or do not bear the manufacturer's or seller's trademark, are prohibited from being shipped to Vanuatu. This prohibition applies to both regular mail and parcel services.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 39
- Prohibited
Goods bearing false indications of origin (falsely marked as made in Vanuatu)
Goods that falsely indicate they were manufactured in Vanuatu, or that bear markings likely to mislead recipients into believing they were made in Vanuatu, are prohibited from being shipped there. This applies to both regular mail and parcel shipments.
- Prohibited
Imitation Pearls
Imitation pearls are prohibited from being shipped to Vanuatu via regular and parcel services. Both regular and parcel shipping types are affected by this restriction.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Prohibited
Mail items related to fraudulent merchandise sales
Mail or parcels associated with fraudulent merchandise sales are prohibited from shipment to Vanuatu. This applies to both regular mail and parcel services.
- Prohibited
Measuring instruments using units other than those prescribed by the destination country
Measuring instruments that use units of measurement other than those officially prescribed by Vanuatu are prohibited from being shipped via regular mail and parcel services. Only measuring instruments calibrated to Vanuatu's approved units of measurement are permitted.
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Conditional
All goods (origin marking requirement)
All goods shipped to Vanuatu must bear a clearly visible, indelible country-of-origin mark in Roman characters, unless the goods are clearly intended for the recipient's personal consumption.
Conditions and documents
- Goods are clearly intended for the recipient's personal consumption → origin marking not required
- Goods are not for personal consumption → must bear a country-of-origin mark in clearly visible Roman characters that is indelible
- Conditional
Cremated remains (urn with ashes)
Urns containing cremated remains may be shipped to Vanuatu under specific packaging conditions. The urn must be placed inside a tightly sealed metal box fastened with screws or bolts, which must then be enclosed in a wooden box with walls no less than 1 centimetre thick.
Conditions and documents
- The urn is placed inside a metal box tightly closed with screws or bolts, which is then enclosed in a wooden box with walls at least 1 centimetre thick → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 96
- Conditional
Gold Leaf and Similar Items (Precious Metal Articles)
Articles made of precious metals must be submitted to a quality assay office, though articles merely plated or leafed with precious metals are exempt from this requirement. Items bearing gold, silver, or platinum leaf are permitted only if they carry the hallmark of a merchant resident in the destination country who first sold them; gold bullion and gold products imported as consumer goods or temporary imports require an import licence issued by the Banque de France, with limited exceptions for low-gold-content items and personal jewellery not exceeding 500 grams total weight; gemstones and pearls must meet conditions set out in Decree No. 1089 of 29 November 1968.
Conditions and documents
- Articles made of precious metals → Must be submitted to a quality assay office
- Articles bearing gold, silver, or platinum leaf with hallmark of a merchant resident in the destination country who first sold them → Permitted
- Gold bullion and gold products imported as consumer goods or temporary imports, accompanied by an import licence issued by the Banque de France → Permitted
- Low-gold-content articles (plated products, gold/silver braid, etc.) or personal/non-personal jewellery with total weight not exceeding 500 grams → Exempt from import licence requirement
- Gemstones and pearls meeting conditions of Decree No. 1089 of 29 November 1968 → Permitted
Documents: Import licence issued by the Banque de France (for gold bullion and gold products imported as consumer goods or temporary imports); Hallmark of a merchant resident in the destination country who first sold the item (for articles bearing gold, silver, or platinum leaf)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 71
- Conditional
Measuring instruments
Measuring instruments may only be shipped to Vanuatu if permission has been obtained from the country's weights and measures authority, the Service des instruments de mesure. Import is conditional on holding that authorization.
Conditions and documents
- Permission has been obtained from the Service des instruments de mesure (Vanuatu weights and measures authority) → permitted
Documents: Authorization from the Service des instruments de mesure (Vanuatu weights and measures authority)
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Conditional
Thermometers and similar measuring instruments
Thermometers, alcoholometers, barometers, and thermometers sent to Vanuatu are subject to inspection upon arrival, and may be returned to sender depending on the results of that inspection.
Conditions and documents
- Subject to inspection upon arrival in Vanuatu → May be returned to sender depending on inspection results
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 90
- Conditional
Timber for match manufacturing
Timber intended for match manufacturing may only be shipped to Vanuatu if it is addressed to the relevant authorities of the destination country. Shipments not directed to those authorities are not permitted.
Conditions and documents
- Consigned to the relevant authorities of the destination country (Vanuatu) → permitted
Source: Japan Post · HS chapter 44
Applies to every destination, including Vanuatu
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 Vanuatu?
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 Vanuatu?
- Japan Post's import rules for Vanuatu prohibit 19 item types, including Alcohol and certain alcoholic beverages; Canned goods (vegetables, plums, or fish) without country-of-origin marking; Saccharin (tablets); Wine (not meeting Vanuatu's conditions); Baby feeding bottle with tube / Pacifier without labeling or trademark; Mail items related to fraudulent merchandise sales; Butane Gas Lighters; Printed matter containing fraudulent advertisements or prohibited lottery information; 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 Vanuatu only under conditions?
- 21 item types are allowed only when Japan Post's stated conditions are met — for example Saccharin; All goods (origin marking requirement); Tobacco; Leeches; Wine and grape-based beverages; Timber for match manufacturing; Honeybees, honey, and beeswax; Cremated remains (urn with ashes); and 13 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 Vanuatu?
- Not necessarily. This page lists the import rules Japan Post publishes for Vanuatu; 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.