Duty-Free Allowances for Adults
Japan enforces thorough customs inspections at international airports. Adult visitors (aged 20 and over) are permitted standard duty-free exemptions covering up to 3 bottles of alcohol (approx. 760ml each), 200 cigarettes, 2 ounces of perfume, and other personal items or gifts with a combined overseas market value of up to 200,000 yen. Any individual item with a standalone market value exceeding 200,000 yen is subject to duty and local consumption tax on its full value.
Medicines, Decongestants & Inhalers
Japan enforces strict regulations regarding over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals. Many standard over-the-counter cold medicines and nasal decongestants sold freely overseas (including Sudafed, NyQuil, and foreign Vicks inhalers) contain stimulants like pseudoephedrine, which are strictly illegal to bring into the country. Common prescription medications for ADHD (such as Adderall and Dexedrine) are classified as prohibited stimulants. If you need to bring more than a one-month supply of personal prescription medicine, you must obtain advance government import approval (a Yunyu Kakunin-sho certificate) from Japan’s Ministry of Health prior to flying.
CBD, Hemp Products & Narcotics Zero-Tolerance
While CBD products are popular worldwide for sleep and jet lag, **leave all CBD oils, gummies, and vape cartridges at home**. Japan maintains an effective zero-tolerance standard for any detectable trace of THC. Over-the-counter CBD from Western countries almost always contains trace cannabinoids that trigger customs drug-screening kits, leading to immediate confiscation, intense questioning, or formal arrest under narcotics laws.
Meat, Dairy & Fresh Agricultural Bans
Japan strictly bans the import of almost all animal products to prevent agricultural disease. It is illegal to bring any fresh, frozen, dried, vacuum-packed, or cooked meat products—including beef jerky, salami, canned meats, and sausages—without official animal quarantine inspection paperwork. Fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and plants are similarly restricted and subject to compulsory quarantine checks before reaching customs.
Currency & Gold Declaration Limits
There is no cap on how much money you may bring into Japan, but you are legally required to file a formal declaration if you enter with cash, traveler’s checks, or negotiable securities exceeding ¥1,000,000. Similarly, carrying gold bullion or precious metals with a purity over 90% weighing more than 1 kg requires an official Customs Declaration of Means of Payment to prevent smuggling penalties.
