List of Items That Cannot Be Shipped Overseas or Require Attention (Prohibited Items)
When shipping Japanese products overseas, not every product can be sent freely. We have compiled the key points to check for international shipping of medicines, cosmetics, health foods, and daily necessities, in a way that is easy to understand for DaiyoDrugStore customers.
- Typical examples of products that often cannot be shipped overseas
- Points to note for medicines, cosmetics, and health foods
- Labels to check on product pages and packaging
- How to think about cases where customs clearance fails
What to Check First
For international shipping, you mainly need to check the following three rules.
Whether it can be shipped from Japan
Some items cannot be shipped due to Japanese law or air transport rules.
Whether the carrier can handle it
Whether an item can be handled differs depending on the shipping method.
Whether it can be imported into the destination country
Depending on import regulations in each country or region, customs clearance may not be possible.
Even for products sold in our store, there are cases where international shipping is not possible, or where we may consult you about changing the shipping method or canceling after you place an order.
Items That Often Cannot Be Shipped Overseas (Prohibited Items)
We have compiled products that require particular attention by category.
Sprays and high-pressure gas products
- Hair spray
- Antiperspirant spray
- Insecticide spray
Products with high alcohol content
- Perfume
- Nail polish
- Nail polish remover
Hair color and products containing oxidizing agents
- Gray hair dye
- Bleach
- Hydrogen peroxide products
Products containing lithium batteries
- Mobile batteries
- Electronic cigarettes
- Rechargeable beauty devices
Foods and products derived from animals or plants
- Meat and dairy products
- Seeds, plants, and soil
- Animal-derived ingredients
Medicines, Health Foods, and Cosmetics That Require Attention
Import regulations for medicines differ greatly by country and region. Even OTC medicines sold in Japan may contain ingredients that cannot be imported into the destination country.
| Category | Examples requiring attention | Points to check |
|---|---|---|
| Medicines | Cold medicines, antipyretic analgesics, gastrointestinal medicines, laxatives, antidiarrheals, allergy medicines, eye drops, topical medicines, and Kampo medicines | Ingredients, quantity, import regulations of the destination country, and the scope of personal use |
| Health foods and supplements | Supplements, powdered foods, capsules, and products containing plant-derived or animal-derived ingredients | Food and ingredient regulations of each country, quantity, and checks at customs clearance |
| Cosmetics | Perfume, nail polish, nail polish remover, sprays, and products with high alcohol content | Alcohol concentration, flammability warning labels, spray containers, and whether they qualify as air hazardous materials |
How to Tell Whether an Item Is Hard to Ship
If the product page or packaging shows the following labels, the item may not be shippable overseas.
Check container labels
Labels such as "Keep away from fire," "High-pressure gas," "Aerosol," and "Flammable" need to be checked.
Check customs clearance risks
Depending on ingredients, quantity, and national regulations, items may be held, returned, or discarded.
Consult before ordering
For products you are unsure about, it helps to include the product name, quantity, and destination country when asking.
Do you have a product you are not sure can be shipped?
If you are unsure whether a product can be shipped overseas, please feel free to contact us with the product name, quantity, and destination country. We will check whether it can be shipped and any points to note.
What DaiyoDrugStore Checks Before International Shipping
- Whether the product qualifies as an air hazardous material
- Whether the carrier can handle it
- Whether there are import restrictions in the destination country
- Whether the quantity is too large for medicines or health foods
- Whether there are any problems with ingredients or product form
- Whether additional checks are likely to occur at customs clearance
If Customs Clearance Fails
Depending on the customs decision of the destination country, products may be returned, held, confiscated, or discarded. Because customs clearance is determined by the customs authorities and related agencies of each country, we cannot guarantee arrival.
In addition, if customs duties, import taxes, customs clearance fees, storage fees, and so on are incurred, they are in principle borne by the customer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can Japanese OTC medicines be shipped overseas?
It depends on the product, ingredients, quantity, destination country, and shipping method. If you are unsure, please contact us before ordering.
Q. Can cosmetics be shipped overseas?
Some cosmetics can be shipped, but perfume, nail polish, nail polish remover, sprays, and products with high alcohol content may not be shippable.
Q. If a product arrived before, will it always arrive this time?
It will not necessarily arrive. Carrier operations, air transport rules, import regulations of the destination country, and customs decisions may change.
Summary
For international shipping, even products commonly sold in Japan may not be shippable internationally. Items requiring particular attention are sprays, perfume, nail polish, products with high alcohol content, hair color, lithium batteries, medicines, health foods, products derived from plants or animals, and hazardous materials.
Japanese OTC Medicines and Health Foods, Delivered Overseas
DaiyoDrugStore ships OTC medicines, health foods, and daily necessities distributed through legitimate channels in Japan directly to addresses overseas. The products and quantities we can ship vary by country and region.
This page is general guidance on international shipping. Whether items can ultimately be imported depends on the decisions of the customs authorities, related agencies, and carriers of the destination country.