Can I send alcohol or tobacco to Japan?
No.
Couriers generally refuse them. If accepted, liquor and tobacco taxes apply whatever the value, ¥3,000 (about $19) per carton of cigarettes. Traveler allowances cover only baggage declared on arrival.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo and most express couriers don't carry alcohol, tobacco or vaping products in personal boxes, whatever the destination allows.
More rules for Japan
Quantity limits
- Low-value shipments
- Total taxable value of ¥10,000 (about $64) or less: no duty or consumption tax. Liquor and tobacco taxes still apply, and knitwear, leather bags, and footwear are excluded unless they're gifts.
- Unaccompanied baggage (travelers only)
- Counted together with what you carry: 3 bottles of alcohol (about 760 ml each), 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 2 ounces of perfume, and other goods worth under ¥200,000 (about $1,290) in total overseas value. Items worth under ¥10,000 each don't count. Doesn't apply to ordinary shipments.
Before you ship to Japan
- Tax-free limit
- Shipments with a total taxable value of ¥10,000 (about $64) or less are free of duty and consumption tax. For goods for your own personal use, the taxable value is 60% of the overseas retail price, so goods worth up to ¥16,666 (about $107) at retail can qualify. Liquor and tobacco taxes still apply. Knitted clothing (including T-shirts and sweaters), leather bags, gloves, footwear, pantyhose, and ski boots don't qualify unless they are a personal gift to someone living in Japan. Boxes split from one invoice are added together.
- Receiver ID
- No tax or ID number is needed for a personal box. Give the receiver's full name, full address with postal code, and a phone number so the courier can arrange payment and delivery. For unaccompanied baggage, the receiver must be you, the traveler.
- Transit
- 2-5 business days from North America or Europe; 1-3 from elsewhere in Asia
Questions
Can I send alcohol or tobacco to Japan?
No. Couriers generally refuse them. If accepted, liquor and tobacco taxes apply whatever the value, ¥3,000 (about $19) per carton of cigarettes. Traveler allowances cover only baggage declared on arrival.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Japan Customs (税関)
1006 課税価格の合計額が１万円以下の物品の免税適用について（カスタムスアンサー） (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Japan Customs (税関)
個人通関 2026：海外通販などに関する手続やその流れ (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省)
医薬品等の個人輸入について (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Bringing animal products into Japan from overseas (by baggage, international parcels) (opens in a new tab) - 5.
Plant Protection Station, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (植物防疫所)
郵便物：国際郵便物での植物類の輸入について (opens in a new tab) - 6.
National Tax Agency (国税庁)
飲食料品に係る２年間の消費税率引下げについて（令和８年９月） (opens in a new tab) - 7.
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Japan makes the final decision on every box.