Country Conditions for Mailing — Japan

 

Prohibitions (130)

 

Ammunition.

Firearms, the components and accessories of firearms, and weapons. Firearms (including handguns, pistols, machine guns, and rifles), the components and accessories of firearms, and other types of weapons (including daggers, swords, spears, and switch blade knives) may not be imported into Japan unless addressed to an appropriate organization and unless the intended recipient has received prior permission from the competent authority (such as the Public Safety Commission) in the prefecture in which that recipient resides.

Hoverboards or gyroboards.

Items that infringe on patent rights, utility model rights, design rights, trademark rights, copyrights, neighboring rights, or layout design rights.

Narcotics, psychotropic substances, and other similar substances

Restrictions  

Banknotes; securities payable to bearer; coins, gold bullion; bills of exchange; letters of credit; and other payment orders are subject to the conditions laid down in the law concerning foreign exchange and trade control.

Coins; banknotes; currency notes (paper money); securities payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, or silver, manufactured or not; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles may only be sent in First-Class Package International Service with Registered Mail service shipments or insured Priority Mail International parcels.

Meat products are prohibited unless accompanied by an inspection certificate issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Plants are limited to parcels and small packets only and are prohibited unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin, in accordance with Japan’s national legislation. For a U.S. mailer, the phytosanitary certificate must come from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Japan’s national legislation authorizes the destruction of items that do not have the proper documentation. Japan’s national legislation recommends that the outer package contains the words “Contains plants,” “Requires plant inspection,” “Plants,” “Plant seeds,” or similar wording. Confirmation of import conditions and additional guidance is available through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at www.pps.go.jp/english/index.html.

Observations  

1. Human ashes may be accepted if presented for mailing by a licensed crematory or licensed mortuary. The ashes must be packed in a sealed metal container enclosed in a substantial outer container. There must be enclosed within the outer container, but outside the metal container, a certified copy of the death certificate and a statement or certificate executed by the crematory or mortuary to the effect that the ashes are those of the person named in the death certificate.
2. Many articles are subject to an import license. Senders should ascertain from the addressee before mailing whether the necessary documents are held. Import permits are not required for articles intended for personal use and in quantities such that they could not be used for commercial purposes; articles for the relief of disaster victims; ashes of the dead; and publications sent to libraries as part of an exchange between countries.
3. A sales invoice is required for all articles valued at more than U.S. $1,600.00. The invoice must be affixed to the outside of the parcel or may be enclosed with the customs declaration in the plastic envelope of PS Form 2976-E. The sales invoice must not obscure the customs declaration, which must show through the plastic envelope.
4. To improve the readability of postal labels in order to enhance customs clearance and the processing and delivery of mail destined to Japan, Japan Post requests that the mailer use labels made from non-thermal paper and recommends a font size of 10 points for the destination and sender’s addresses.
5. Japan Post requests that each item addressed to Japan include the correct postal code on the address label and, when applicable, also on the customs form. Information regarding Japanese postcodes is available in Japanese at https://www.post.japanpost.jp/zipcode/dl/roman-zip.html. For customers who are able to access the website in English, Japanese postcode information is available under the heading “Download Data.”

 

Global Express Guaranteed (210) Price Group 3

Note: Global Express Guaranteed service is suspended as of September 29, 2024.

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 70 lbs.

 

Size Limits (211.22)

The surface area of the address side of the item to be mailed must be large enough to completely contain the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label), postage, endorsement, and any applicable markings. The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches long.

Maximum length: 46 inches

Maximum width: 35 inches

Maximum height: 46 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

Value Limit (212.1)

The maximum value of a GXG shipment to this country is $2,499 or a lesser amount if limited by content or value.

 

Insurance (212.5)

See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for GXG document reconstruction insurance and non–document insurance.

 

 

Priority Mail Express
International (220) Price Group 17

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 66 lbs.

 

Priority Mail Express International — Flat Rate Envelopes

Flat Rate Envelopes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

 

Size Limits (221.42)

Maximum length: 60 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

Insurance (222.7)

Available for Priority Mail Express International merchandise shipments only

 

See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail Express International merchandise insurance coverage.

 

Customs Forms Required (123)

Articles Admitted	Required Customs Form/Endorsement
Correspondence, business papers, computer cards, punched paper tapes, shipping documents, and check clearances between financial institutions.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope). Endorse item clearly next to mailing label as BUSINESS PAPERS.
Merchandise samples not exceeding 10,000 yen in value, magnetic tapes and disks, and microfilm.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope).
Merchandise or any articles subject to customs duty.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope).

Note: For mailers completing PS Form 2976-B or an online combined shipping label and customs form that electronically transmits customs-related data, no additional customs form is required because customs information is incorporated into the form that the mailer must complete.

Notes:  

1. Commercial shipments must be accompanied by two (2) copies of the invoice.
2. Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles are prohibited in Priority Mail Express International shipments to Japan.
3. Priority Mail Express International With Money-Back Guarantee service — which offers a date-certain, postage-refund guarantee — is available to Japan.

Reciprocal Service Name: Business Mail

Country Code: JP

Areas Served: All, including Okinawa.

 

Priority Mail International (230) Price Group 17

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 66 lbs.

 

Priority Mail International — Flat Rate

Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Flat Rate Boxes — Medium and Large: The maximum weight is 20 pounds, or the limit set by the individual country, whichever is less. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

 

Size Limits (231.22)

Maximum length: 60 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

 

Insurance (232.91)

Available for Priority Mail International merchandise only (see for markings)

 

See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail International merchandise insurance coverage.

 

Customs Forms Required (123)

All Priority Mail International items:

PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)

 

 

First-Class Mail International (240) Price Group 3

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail price.

Weight Limit: 3.5 oz. for letters and postcards; 15.994 oz. for large envelopes (flats).

Size Limits  

Letters: See 241.212

Postcards: See 241.221

Large Envelopes (Flats): See 241.232

Customs Form Required (123)

None, unless otherwise required (see123.61 and Footnote 4 of Exhibit 123.61)

 

 

First-Class Package International Service (250) Price Group 17

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 4 lbs.

Size Limits  

Packages (Small Packets): See 251.22 and 251.23.

Customs Form Required (123)

PS Form 2976

 

 

Airmail M-bags (260) —

Direct Sack to One Addressee Price Group 3

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail price.

Weight Limit: 66 lbs.

Customs Form Required (123)

PS Form 2976

 

 

Free Matter for the Blind (270)

Free when sent as First-Class Mail International (documents only), First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes, or Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.
Weight limit: 4 pounds.

Free when sent as Priority Mail International items. Weight limit: 15 pounds.

Customs Form Required (123)

First-Class Mail International items:
None, unless otherwise required (see123.61 and Footnote 4 of Exhibit 123.61)

First-Class Package International Service items:
PS Form 2976 as required (see 123.61)

Priority Mail International items (including Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes):

PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)

 

Extra Services  

Certificate of Mailing (310)

 

Individual Pieces — Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

Individual article (PS Form 3817).

Firm mailing books (PS Form 3665), per article listed (minimum 3).

Duplicate copy of PS Form 3817 or PS Form 3665 (per page).

Bulk Quantities — Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

First 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof).

Each additional 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof).

Duplicate copy of PS Form 3606.

 

Registered Mail (330)

 

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.

Maximum Indemnity: $39.86

Available only for First-Class Mail International (including postcards), First-Class Package International Service, and Free Matter for the Blind sent as First-Class Mail International or as First-Class Package International Service.

 

Return Receipt (340)

 

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.

Available for Registered Mail and insured Priority Mail International parcels only.

 

Restricted Delivery (350)

 

NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013

 

International Postal Money Order (371)

NOT Available

 

International Reply Coupons (381)

 

NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013

 

International Business Reply Service (382)

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

Envelopes up to 2 ounces.

Cards.