Under the Stimulants Control Act and the Cannabis / Psychotropics Control Act regimes, many ingredients that are legal or prescription-available in other countries (amphetamines, certain methamphetamine derivatives, some CBD / opioid products) are strictly prohibited in Japan, and a prescription does not automatically constitute lawful grounds for import.
JP-CONTROLLED-01ProhibitedVerified against source · 2026-11-03Under the Stimulants Control Act and the Cannabis / Psychotropics Control Act regimes, many ingredients that are legal or prescription-available in other countries (amphetamines, certain methamphetamine derivatives, some CBD / opioid products) are strictly prohibited in Japan, and a prescription does not automatically constitute lawful grounds for import.
※ The MHLW NCD application-guidance page states outright that amphetamine (Adderall's active ingredient) is a stimulant (覚せい剤)-regulated substance and cannot be imported; Japan's line is that a prescription does not constitute lawful grounds for import (the same ingredient is permit_required in AU but prohibited in JP — a typical case of attribute-level per-country divergence).
JP-PLANT-01Declaration requiredVerified against source · 2026-11-03Plant products (fruit, vegetables, seeds, dried spices, legumes) entering Japan must undergo phytosanitary inspection, whether or not for personal use. Entering without inspection is unlawful, and some categories are not released even after inspection.
※ To verify: the PPS and the Japanese Embassy in Australia pages cross-verified that 'all plant products require inspection' and 'some categories are not released even after inspection', but the item-by-item text of a full prohibited list was not read, so this rule stays at declare_required rather than prohibited.
Under the Stimulants Control Act and the Cannabis / Psychotropics Control Act regimes, many ingredients that are legal or prescription-available in other countries (amphetamines, certain methamphetamine derivatives, some CBD / opioid products) are strictly prohibited in Japan, and a prescription does not automatically constitute lawful grounds for import.
JP-CONTROLLED-01ProhibitedVerified against source · 2026-11-03Under the Stimulants Control Act and the Cannabis / Psychotropics Control Act regimes, many ingredients that are legal or prescription-available in other countries (amphetamines, certain methamphetamine derivatives, some CBD / opioid products) are strictly prohibited in Japan, and a prescription does not automatically constitute lawful grounds for import.
※ The MHLW NCD application-guidance page states outright that amphetamine (Adderall's active ingredient) is a stimulant (覚せい剤)-regulated substance and cannot be imported; Japan's line is that a prescription does not constitute lawful grounds for import (the same ingredient is permit_required in AU but prohibited in JP — a typical case of attribute-level per-country divergence).
JP-PLANT-01Declaration requiredVerified against source · 2026-11-03Plant products (fruit, vegetables, seeds, dried spices, legumes) entering Japan must undergo phytosanitary inspection, whether or not for personal use. Entering without inspection is unlawful, and some categories are not released even after inspection.
※ To verify: the PPS and the Japanese Embassy in Australia pages cross-verified that 'all plant products require inspection' and 'some categories are not released even after inspection', but the item-by-item text of a full prohibited list was not read, so this rule stays at declare_required rather than prohibited.
Most permits take weeks to process and must be applied for in advance. The ones you remember the day before departure are usually too late.
Amounts follow the current publication of Japan regulators; we never show unverified numbers on a page. Decision-grade ranges appear in the “penalty exposure” section of the full dossier.
One call answers “do you take it” but never “does the country allow it”. Only after all four questions do you have the complete answer. Note the agent's ID and the time of each answer.
“I want to send Fat burner containing ephedra / ma huang (contains plant-derived material) from [origin country] to Japan via carry-on baggage. Does your network accept it?”
Why ask it this way: Ask acceptance first, never compliance — agents are responsible for what they carry, and a compliance question only earns a disclaimer.
“If you accept it: exactly how must the waybill describe the contents? What labels or enclosed documents do you require? Please give me the specific wording.”
Why ask it this way: A waybill description that mismatches the contents is the number-one trigger for inspection. You need exact wording, not “be more detailed”.
“If you don't: which prohibited-items clause applies? Would a change in [processing / packaging / quantity] make it acceptable? Do any of your other services carry it?”
Why ask it this way: Turn “no” into “yes, under condition X” — this question routinely surfaces routes the carrier would never volunteer.
“Is your refusal based on Japan import restrictions, or on your own policy? Can you give me the written link or clause number?”
Why ask it this way: This separates the two switches. Carrier policy can be switched; import law cannot — the answer decides your next move.
DECLARATION — 申告 / 申报
I am carrying/mailing the following item for personal use. / 私は個人使用のために以下の物品を持ち込みます（発送します）。
Item / 物品 : Fat burner containing ephedra / ma huang
Nature / 性質 : plant · supplement · concentrate
Quantity / 数量 : 2 months supply
Channel : carry-on baggage
Documents held / 保有書類:
— Phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country (by commodity)
Generated by this site on 2026-11-10. Informational aid only — not an official document, permit, or guarantee of admission. 本卡片为信息辅助文件，非官方文件、非许可、不保证放行。
⚠️ Print this page alone. The card is designed to be shown by itself — the officer does not need our verdicts or sources.
Links go to the regulator's or carrier's own pages. We do not host, mirror, or replace the source text. If you believe a verdict here conflicts with the official wording, tell us and include the link — confirmed errors are corrected publicly.
A carrier answers “do we take this on our network today”; biosecurity and customs authorities in Japan answers “does this country let it in”. Two independent questions — no single institution answers both, and seized parcels almost always trace back to asking only one. This site solves the two switches together and shows you what change makes it work.
Selling (Shopify / Etsy / your own store)? One-off verdicts don't scale — see the For sellers: bulk SKU checking and rule-change alerts ($29/month).