Japan customs rules & duty-free allowances
Japan rewards preparation and punishes improvisation. The biggest customs risk is not the duty-free math but the paperwork: you must declare cash over 1,000,000 yen, and you must declare food, plants, and animal products even when they are allowed. Japan also treats some ordinary medicines as illegal drugs, so check your bag before you fly.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotics, cannabis, opium, cocaine, heroin, MDMA and any stimulant drugs (including some prescription medicines like Adderall).
- Pseudoephedrine and codeine — common in cold and cough medicines — are banned even in small amounts.
- Fresh meat, ham, sausage, bacon and other meat products from most countries (to prevent foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever).
- Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and live insects.
- Counterfeit money, counterfeit brand goods, and obscene materials.
- Firearms, ammunition, explosives and certain knives (unless permitted).
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Medications containing narcotics or psychotropics require a Yakkan Shoumei certificate from Japanese health authorities.
- Drones and radio-controlled devices may require a permit for import and use; check with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
- Satellite phones and certain radio transmitters require a license.
- Animals and pets require advance import permit and quarantine (up to 180 days for some).
- Plants and seeds require a phytosanitary certificate and inspection.
Arriving: red vs green channel
After immigration, you pick up your bags and go through customs. There are two channels: green for nothing to declare, red if you have goods exceeding the allowances or cash over 1,000,000 yen. You must fill out a customs declaration form — either the paper version handed out on the plane or the electronic version via Visit Japan Web. If you use the QR code, have it ready on your phone. Random bag checks are common, so keep receipts for high-value items.
Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds
Japan offers a consumption tax refund for tourists at tax-free shops. The minimum purchase is 5,000 yen (about 33 USD) before tax in a single store on the same day. The scheme is called 'Tax-Free Shopping'. You must show your passport at the store and either get the tax deducted immediately or receive a refund at the airport. At the airport, go to the customs counter before check-in to show the goods and your passport; the refund is processed there. Note: from 2026, Japan plans to switch to a refund-on-departure system, so check current rules.
Bringing medication
You can bring personal medication for up to 2 months' supply without a permit, but some common drugs are banned. Pseudoephedrine (in Sudafed) and codeine are strictly prohibited — even with a prescription. Stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin are illegal. For narcotics, psychotropics or injectables, you need a 'Yakkan Shoumei' (import certificate) from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare before you travel. Always carry a copy of your prescription and keep medication in original packaging.
Food, plants & animal products
All meat, fresh fruit, vegetables, plants, seeds and soil are prohibited from most countries. Processed foods like cheese, butter, and cooked meats may be allowed but must be declared. Animal products (including pet food) require an import permit and quarantine. If you bring any food or plant item, go to the red channel and declare it — failure to do so can result in fines or imprisonment. Japan is strict about biosecurity to protect its agriculture.
Rules worth knowing
Cash declaration is mandatory at 1 million yen
If you carry cash, cheques or securities worth more than 1,000,000 yen (about 6,700 USD), you must declare it. This includes Japanese yen and foreign currency combined. Undeclared cash can be confiscated and you may face fines or prosecution. Declare at the customs counter using form C-5020 or the Visit Japan Web QR code.
No pooling of duty-free allowances
Each category — alcohol, tobacco, perfume, other goods — has its own separate limit. You cannot combine unused allowance from one category to cover excess in another. For example, if you bring 4 litres of alcohol but no cigarettes, you still pay duty on the extra 1 litre of alcohol.
Perfume limit is separate and low
You can bring in up to 2 ounces (about 60ml) of perfume duty-free. This is separate from the 3-litre alcohol allowance and the 200,000 yen goods allowance. If you exceed 2 ounces, duty applies.
Visit Japan Web QR code for customs
Japan encourages travellers to use the Visit Japan Web website to register customs and immigration details in advance. You get a QR code that you show at the customs gate. This replaces the paper form. If you cannot use it, paper forms are available on the plane or at the airport.