You are preparing to go to Japan to travel, study or work but are not sure what items you are allowed to bring? Japan applies extremely strict regulations on food, agricultural products and personal items. To help you have a smooth journey, Joy has compiled the most complete and detailed list of goods banned from entering Japan that you must know!
List of goods banned from entering Japan updated in 2026
Drugs and narcotics
Prohibited substances include opium, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, MDMA, amphetamine and other forms of synthetic drugs.
Weapons, ammunition and explosives
Including guns, fireworks, explosives, flammable substances and lethal weapons such as military knives, swords, electric prods or pepper spray...
Fresh meat and meat products
Prohibited meats: Beef, pork, chicken, duck, goat, lamb... in all forms.
Prohibited forms of processing:
Fresh meat, frozen meat, dried meat (beef jerky, cotton floss/hoe, sausage, spring rolls).
Canned meat, processed meat, sausage, silk sausage.
Products containing meat extract (such as instant noodles with meat packets/meat extract soup, meat pie).
Quarantined Vegetables, Fruits and Plants
Fresh fruits and vegetables are completely BANNED:
Fresh tropical fruits such as mango, mangosteen, dragon fruit, longan, lychee, durian, guava, grapefruit, orange, tangerine...
Fresh vegetables, fresh peppers, onions, garlic, ginger that have not been heat processed.
Plants, seeds and soil:
Ornamental plants, fresh flowers, branches with roots, planting soil.
Unprocessed raw plant seeds and cereal grains.
Counterfeit goods and goods that violate intellectual property rights
Fake bags, clothes, shoes, watches, and accessories of famous brands.
Copyrighted CDs, DVDs, software, books, and publications.
List of goods banned from entering Japan updated in 2026
The items are not completely banned but need to be declared when brought to Japan
Besides absolutely prohibited items, Japanese Customs has very strict regulations for some groups of goods that are allowed to be carried but are required to declare or comply with certain limits.
Personal medications: Allowed for up to 1 month of prescription medications and up to 2 months of over-the-counter medications for personal use.
Dried foods, packaged foods of animal origin: Foods of animal origin (dried meat, sausages, sausages, powdered milk...) are strictly quarantined and are mostly prohibited from being brought in without a qualified quarantine certificate.
Refer to MAFF for more specific information on regulations for carrying meat/animal products Here.
Cash, gold, high-value goods: If you bring more than 1 million Japanese Yen (or equivalent value in other foreign currencies), you are required to declare it to customs upon entry. Some items such as diamonds, gold, and silver also need to be declared clearly before the trip.
Animals, plants and pets: Required to have a health certificate, vaccination records and undergo animal/plant quarantine. You need to proactively check information directly from the quarantine agency under the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture before departure.
See more: Is it taxable to bring branded bags to Japan? Things to know
Regulations on penalties for violating prohibited goods entering Japan
When preparing and packing hand luggage to Japan, passengers need to absolutely comply with the quarantine and customs regulations of the host country. Accidentally or intentionally bringing items on the list of prohibited goods entering Japan will face extremely strict penalties:
Confiscate and destroy all prohibited goods, food in violation of quarantine or unlicensed goods at the airport.
Fines up to 3,000,000 JPY (about 3 million Japanese Yen) for violations of animal/plant quarantine (such as bringing prohibited meats and fruits), fines or tax arrears if not declaring cash/goods over the limit.
Imprisonment of up to 3 years for serious food quarantine violations or several years to decades if carrying drugs, stimulants, or prohibited drugs.
Refused entry, deported immediately, banned from entering Japan for a limited or permanent period and kept on black record.
Important notes when preparing luggage to go to Japan
Double-check food origin & labeling: Never bring fresh, dry or processed foods containing meat (beef, pork, chicken...) or animal ingredients to Japan because they are strictly prohibited/quarantined.
Proactively declare customs & quarantine: Prepare documents/prescriptions for items that need to be declared and complete the online declaration on Visit Japan Web before your flight for quick immigration.
Do not carry or hold luggage for others: If your luggage contains prohibited goods, you will be responsible for all legal liability before the Japanese authorities.
Check baggage weight & size: Proactively weigh and measure suitcases in advance at home to ensure compliance with airline regulations.
See more: Instructions for filling out Visit Japan Web in detail from A-Z (Updated 2026)
Some notes when preparing luggage to go to Japan
Frequently asked questions about prohibited goods entering Japan
Can I bring beef jerky or chicken jerky from Vietnam to Japan?
No because this is a meat product subject to animal quarantine. The regulations also apply to meat that has been dried, cooked, vacuum-sealed or commercially packaged if it does not meet the import conditions.
Can cotton floss be brought into Japan?
No. Cotton floss made from meat (pork, chicken, beef...) should be on the list of animal products that are prohibited to be brought into Japan without a standard quarantine certificate.
Can fish sauce be brought to Japan?
You can bring it along, but must comply with packaging regulations. Fish sauce is not a prohibited item from entering Japan, but because it belongs to the group of liquids with a strong odor and is fragile, you must check it in (cannot carry it on hand). You should wrap it in a sealed foam or plastic box and tape it carefully.
Can instant noodles be brought to Japan?
Yes, but you must choose the right type. You are allowed to bring instant noodles if they are vegetarian noodles or regular seafood noodles. However, instant noodles with real meat packages, sausages or seasoning packages containing animal meat extracts will be prohibited.
Understanding the list of goods banned from entering Japan and the immigration regulations will help you have a smooth start as soon as you set foot at the airport. If you still have concerns about checking in or are looking for the optimal solution for your upcoming trip to Japan, Joy Travel is always ready to accompany you. We provide a full package of services from visa application support, booking good air tickets to luggage consulting, quality Japan tours.
Contact Joy Travel today for advice on your journey to Japan!
Hotline: 084 554 9369
Fanpage: Joy Travel - Happy Journey
Mail: outboundop@myjoytravel.vn
