Japan customs: what you must declare and what is banned
Every passenger must declare their baggage. Cash over 1 million yen must be declared, and some items such as narcotics and counterfeit goods are banned. Here are the duty-free limits too.
Everyone must declare
All passengers entering Japan must declare their belongings. Japan Customs recommends the electronic declaration through Visit Japan Web.
Cash and valuables
You must declare cash (including foreign currency), checks, traveler's checks, promissory notes and securities when the total is worth more than 1 million yen. Gold bullion over 1 kg with 90% purity or more must also be declared.
Banned items
Customs lists these as prohibited:
- Narcotics such as heroin, cocaine, MDMA, opium and cannabis
- Firearms and ammunition, and explosives
- Chemical weapon precursors
- Counterfeit money, securities and cards
- Obscene materials and child pornography
- Items that infringe intellectual property rights
Duty-free allowance for adults
- Alcohol: 3 bottles (about 760 cc each)
- Cigarettes: 200, or 50 cigars, or 250 g of other tobacco in total
- Perfume: 2 ounces
- Other goods: up to 200,000 yen total overseas market value
Goods above the allowance are generally taxed. Medicine and cosmetics also have quantity limits: medicine for 2 months of use, and 24 units of cosmetics.
Animals, plants and meat
Plants and animals must be shown to the quarantine officer before customs inspection. Meat products are a special case, so read our page on bringing meat into Japan.
FAQ
Do I need to declare if I have nothing special?
Yes. All passengers must submit a declaration for their baggage. Visit Japan Web lets you do it online.
Is the 1 million yen limit for cash only?
No. It covers cash, checks, traveler's checks, promissory notes and securities in total value.
Can I bring my regular medicine?
Customs lists a limit of 2 months of use for medicine. Rules can be stricter for some drugs, so check the Customs page before you travel.
Sources
Related tips
- Can I bring meat or snacks into Japan? The animal quarantine ruleAlmost all meat products, even small souvenirs, cannot be brought into Japan. Illegal import can lead to up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 3 million yen.
- Tax-free shopping in Japan: what changes from November 1, 2026From November 1, 2026, tax-free shopping in Japan switches to a refund system: you pay tax at the shop and claim it back at customs when you leave. Here is what that means for your trip.
- Withdrawing yen with a foreign card: Seven Bank ATMsSeven Bank ATMs, found in 7-Eleven stores, accept many foreign cards such as Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, American Express and JCB. The limit is 100,000 yen per withdrawal.
Last checked: 2026-10-27. Rules and prices can change, so please confirm with the official sources above.