Japan Customs (verbatim from the personal-clearance handbook): 「tobacco is subject to tobacco tax and the special tobacco tax regardless of whether the taxable value is high or low (for cigarettes, ¥3,000 per carton)」 [translator's unofficial English rendering] — tobacco tax and the special tobacco tax are levied no matter how high or low the taxable value is; and tobacco sits on the 'simplified rate not applicable' list, so customs duty is computed at the formal rate.
Japan Customs (verbatim from the personal-clearance handbook): 「tobacco is subject to tobacco tax and the special tobacco tax regardless of whether the taxable value is high or low (for cigarettes, ¥3,000 per carton)」 [translator's unofficial English rendering] — tobacco tax and the special tobacco tax are levied no matter how high or low the taxable value is; and tobacco sits on the 'simplified rate not applicable' list, so customs duty is computed at the formal rate.
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 Cigarettes — two cartons (500 cigarettes) (commercially sealed) from [origin country] to Japan via postal parcel. 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 : Cigarettes — two cartons (500 cigarettes)
Nature / 性質 : plant · tobacco · commercially_sealed
Quantity / 数量 : 500 cigarettes
Channel : postal parcel
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”; import and biosecurity 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).