Can I send medicine to Japan?
Yes, with conditions.
Up to 1 month of prescription and 2 months of over-the-counter medicine; more needs an import confirmation certificate. Stimulants are banned, and narcotic or psychotropic medicines can't be shipped.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo can't carry prescription drugs. Over-the-counter medicine and vitamins follow the destination's own rules.
More rules for Japan
Not allowed
- Stimulants, including medicines that contain amphetamine or methamphetamine, such as some ADHD medicines
- Narcotic and psychotropic prescription medicines, and medicines containing stimulant raw materials, sent by post or courier. Patients may only carry them in person, with a permit where required
- Narcotics, opium, MDMA, psychotropic drugs, and designated substances
Allowed with conditions
- Medicines
- Without extra paperwork: up to 1 month's supply of prescription medicine, up to 2 months' supply of over-the-counter medicine, and up to 24 standard-size units per item of non-prescription creams, eye drops, and other external medicines. Above that, get an import confirmation certificate (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) from the Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare first. It replaced the old Yakkan Shoumei in September 2020. Some high-risk medicines need a doctor's prescription whatever the amount. The medicine must be for the receiver's own use, never for others.
- Endangered species products
- Ivory, goods made from sea turtle, crocodile, or some snakeskins, tiger or leopard fur, and traditional medicines with musk, tiger, or bear ingredients need CITES documents.
Quantity limits
- Medicines
- Up to 1 month's supply of prescription medicine and 2 months' supply of over-the-counter medicine, for the receiver's own use. More needs an import confirmation certificate.
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 medicine to Japan?
Yes, with conditions. Up to 1 month of prescription and 2 months of over-the-counter medicine; more needs an import confirmation certificate. Stimulants are banned, and narcotic or psychotropic medicines can't be shipped.
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.