Embargoed Items

Which commonly purchased items are prohibited from being bought or shipped overseas?
Answer: Various items are restricted by international shipping regulations and the import laws of destination countries/regions, making them unavailable for purchase or shipment overseas. Commonly prohibited items include:

• Animals, plants, and their products protected under the Washington Convention: This includes live animals and plants as well as products made from them, such as certain leather goods, bones, specimens, etc. For a specific list, please refer to the relevant international conventions.

• Class I, II, and III pharmaceuticals: These drugs typically require a prescription or are subject to strict controls, and personal mailing may violate pharmaceutical regulations.

• Regulated medical devices: Certain medical equipment requires professional permits for import/export.

• Electronic cigarettes and cigarettes: Many countries impose strict restrictions or outright bans on the import of tobacco and related products.

• Currency: Current circulating banknotes and coins are generally prohibited from being mailed.

• Beverages with alcohol content exceeding 70.0%: High-concentration alcohol is considered a hazardous material and is subject to strict transportation regulations.

• Products containing ivory: To protect wildlife, ivory and its products are subject to international trade bans.

• Adult products: Some countries or regions have legal or cultural restrictions on the import of adult goods.

• Swords and knives regulated under Japan’s Firearms and Swords Control Law that require registration: These items are controlled within Japan and cannot be shipped overseas.

Additionally, proxy purchasing and bidding services typically do not apply to the above items prohibited from overseas shipping, and these items generally cannot be sent to domestic addresses in Japan (unless otherwise specified).

Which items cannot be purchased or shipped due to the Washington Convention?
Answer: The Washington Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES) aims to protect endangered species from the threats of international trade. Therefore, any animals, plants, or their products listed in the appendices of this convention cannot be offered for proxy purchasing, bidding, or shipping services within or outside Japan. Common examples include:

• Amber: Although a fossil, amber from certain sources may be regulated.

• Coral: Including various types of coral and decorative items made from them.

• Crocodile leather: And leather goods made from it.

• Chinchilla fur (long-tailed chinchilla): And fur products made from it.

• Lizard leather: And leather goods made from it.

• Tortoise shell: Note that under Japan’s domestic Endangered Species Law, tortoise shell products may be permitted for domestic shipping within Japan. However, shipping overseas is restricted by the Washington Convention.

Purchasing or attempting to ship such items may result in order cancellation and incur handling fees.

Can swords and knives be shipped overseas?
Answer: Whether “swords and knives” can be shipped overseas depends on the specific type and the laws of the destination country/region.

• Swords and knives prohibited from overseas shipping: This includes Japanese swords, military sabers, knives, short swords, daggers, etc. Regardless of blade length, these are typically considered controlled items and cannot be shipped overseas. Similarly, swords and knives requiring registration under Japan’s Firearms and Swords Control Law cannot be shipped to either domestic or overseas addresses.

• Knives that may be shipped overseas:

  • Kitchen knives and chef’s knives: These are generally considered household tools and may be shippable.

  • Knives with blades shorter than 6 cm, survival knives: Some countries allow the import of short-bladed tools.

  • Art utility knives: Tools used for artistic creation may be shippable.

  • Saws: As tools, saws are typically shippable.

Please note that even if certain knives can be shipped from Japan, you must confirm the import restrictions of the destination country/region to avoid seizure or confiscation during customs clearance.

Can model guns, toy guns, etc., be shipped overseas?
Answer: Most model guns, toy guns, and similar replica weapons cannot be shipped overseas.

• Replica weapons prohibited from overseas shipping: Airsoft guns, gas guns, electric guns, model guns, etc., are restricted in international shipping due to the potential for being mistaken as real firearms or posing risks. These can only be shipped to domestic addresses in Japan.

• Parts that may be shippable: Parts for the above items that do not contain “ignition or pressure devices,” such as stocks or casings, may be eligible for overseas shipping. However, any parts containing gunpowder or pressure devices (e.g., gas gun magazines) cannot be shipped.

Additionally, note that toy guns resembling real firearms in appearance, even if they meet size and material regulations, may not be shippable via services like DHL.

What restrictions apply to shipping alcoholic beverages overseas?
Answer: Alcoholic beverages can be shipped from Japan overseas, but there are numerous restrictions:

• Prohibited from shipping within Japan: Alcoholic beverages purchased through this service can only be shipped to overseas addresses and cannot be sent to domestic addresses in Japan.

• Import regulations of the destination country/region: Different countries have varying laws and regulations on importing alcoholic beverages, including but not limited to import permits, tariffs, and quantity limits. Before purchasing, thoroughly check the regulations of the destination to ensure smooth customs clearance.

• Alcohol content restrictions:

  • Alcohol content up to 23.9%: Can be shipped via Japan Post, FedEx, etc.

  • Alcohol content 24% to 69.9%: Can only be shipped via FedEx.

  • Alcohol content 70.0% or higher: Cannot be offered for proxy purchasing, bidding, or shipping services.

• Shipping method restrictions: Any liquid items, including alcoholic beverages, cannot be shipped via DHL.

Can items marked “No Open Flames (Flammable)” be shipped overseas?
Answer: If an item’s description explicitly states “No Open Flames (Flammable)” or is determined to contain flammable substances (e.g., aerosols, certain paints, perfumes, etc.), it absolutely cannot be shipped to overseas addresses. These items pose safety risks during air transport. Even if the item itself is not labeled but contains flammable components, it may be returned after shipment and fail to reach the overseas destination. To avoid unnecessary losses, do not purchase such items if shipping to an overseas address is required.

Can products containing amber, coral, or ivory be shipped overseas?
Answer: Shipping regulations for products containing specific natural materials are very strict:

• Products containing amber, coral, or similar fossil materials: These items are typically limited to shipping within Japan and cannot be sent overseas, primarily due to natural resource protection and international trade restrictions.

• Products containing ivory: To protect endangered wildlife, shipping services for items containing ivory are unavailable for both domestic and overseas addresses. Please do not purchase such items.

If such items are mistakenly purchased and the order needs to be canceled, cancellation fees will apply, and not all orders may be cancelable.

Which car parts cannot be shipped overseas?
Answer: Certain car parts cannot be shipped overseas due to their specific nature:

• Items that may contain residual oil: Regardless of whether they are new or used, items that may retain motor oil, fuel, or other liquids cannot be shipped overseas. Common examples include fuel tanks, engines, fuel tank caps, adjustable sway bar links, etc. This is due to environmental and transportation safety concerns.

• Items containing gas or gunpowder devices: These parts pose risks of explosion or leakage during transport. Common examples include steering wheels with airbags, pretensioner seat belts, shock absorbers, dampers, etc.

• Wheels with tires: According to most shipping companies’ regulations (except FedEx), wheels with tires cannot be shipped overseas directly. If only the wheels are needed, a tire disposal service can be requested for a fee, after which only the wheels will be shipped.

Which special items have shipping restrictions?
Answer: In addition to the categories above, some special items have shipping restrictions:

• Currency: Current circulating or usable banknotes and coins cannot be offered for proxy purchasing, bidding, or shipping services. For ancient coins (no longer in circulation), due to the presence of counterfeits in the market and the inability to guarantee authenticity, purchasing and shipping are not recommended. Non-currency coin-shaped commemorative items or medals (e.g., those sold at Disneyland) can be offered for proxy purchasing and shipping domestically or internationally. Pure gold items may face customs difficulties in some countries, so caution is advised when purchasing.

• Food: Foods containing meat (including dried meat, meat extracts, etc.), perishable fresh foods with limited shelf life, and foods requiring refrigeration or freezing cannot typically be shipped overseas. Examples include cup noodles with meat, miso soup, soft canned goods, etc.

• Lighters: As flammable and explosive items, complete lighters cannot be shipped overseas. However, for detachable lighters like ZIPPO, if flammable components such as the wick, cotton, and flint can be removed, they may be shipped as regular metal items.

• Batteries and battery-containing products: Standalone lithium batteries, various batteries, power banks, Bluetooth wireless chargers, Bluetooth earphones with charging cases, lithium batteries not installed in the product, and packages containing more than three lithium batteries cannot be shipped overseas, only within Japan. Products with lithium batteries installed and packages with two or fewer lithium batteries (installed in the product) or items using dry batteries (including button batteries) may be shippable overseas. Products may be opened to install batteries.

• Pet food: Pet food and pet nutritional supplements cannot be shipped overseas.

• Bluetooth earphones and wireless chargers: In some cases, these may be considered to contain lithium batteries or other sensitive components, making them internationally embargoed items unable to be shipped overseas.

• Plants and gardening-related items: Live plants, seedlings, seeds, etc., cannot be shipped overseas. Items containing soil or dirt are prohibited from shipping overseas or within Japan. However, gardening tools like flowerpots can typically be shipped overseas.

What happens if embargoed or unshippable items are purchased?
Answer: If you accidentally purchase any of the items prohibited from shipping overseas or within Japan as mentioned above, canceling the order will typically incur a cancellation fee. The specific amount and method of charging will vary depending on the situation and platform policies. More importantly, not all orders can be successfully canceled, as this depends on the seller’s specific rules—some sellers may not allow cancellations, or cancellations may only be possible under certain conditions. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you carefully read the product description and related shipping regulations before purchasing to confirm that the item can be shipped to your destination, avoiding unnecessary financial loss and hassle. If you are unsure whether an item can be shipped, it’s best to consult customer service before making a purchase.