Can I Fly With This?
🇯🇵
Flying to Japan
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido + 100M annual visitors
Japan is one of the strictest customs regimes in the developed world. The most common surprise for tourists is medication: several over-the-counter US/EU painkillers and ADHD stimulants are banned outright as narcotics, and possession at customs has led to multi-day detention. Pets need a 180-day pre-export wait period.
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⚠️The 3 things you need to know
- Cold medicine and ADHD prescriptions banned — apply for Yakkan Shomei before departure if essential.
- Cannabis / CBD containing ANY THC: criminal arrest. Even legal-at-home medical cannabis is illegal here.
- Drone use restricted: 100 g+ requires MLIT registration + Remote ID before flying.
🚫Do not bring (or get a permit first)
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Codeine-containing painkillers (Tylenol-3, codeine cough syrup, paracetamol-codeine)Class A narcotic — possession can mean arrest at Customs even with foreign prescription
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Pseudoephedrine cold medicines (Sudafed, Vicks Inhaler, NyQuil)Banned as a stimulant precursor. Single-pill possession has led to detention
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ADHD stimulants (Adderall, Vyvanse, Concerta)Amphetamines are illegal narcotics in Japan, no exception for prescription. Use Yakkan Shomei import certificate for permitted alternatives like methylphenidate
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Throwing stars (shuriken), brass knuckles, switchbladesBanned under the Swords and Firearms Possession Control Law — possession alone is a criminal offence
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Cannabis + CBD with any THCCannabis is a Class A narcotic with severe penalties (up to 7 years for possession). Even CBD with trace THC has led to arrests
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Pornography depicting minors or unblurred genitaliaBanned imports — Customs inspects laptops on entry for high-risk profiles
🛃Customs allowances (per adult)
Cigarettes
200 (1 carton) per adult duty-free
Cigars
50 per adult duty-free
Tobacco
250 g per adult duty-free
Alcohol
3 bottles × 760 ml duty-free per adult (≥ 20 years old)
Cash declaration threshold
¥1,000,000+ (~USD 7,000) must be declared
Total goods (other)
Up to ¥200,000 duty-free per adult
📋Visa, passport & pets
Visa
Visa-free for 90 days for US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, NZ and most developed-nation passport holders. Visa required from China, India, Russia, most African countries. · Japan MOFA – visa ↗
Passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay. No 6-month rule (unusual leniency).
Pets
Cats + dogs: 180-day pre-export wait + 2 rabies vaccinations + serology + ISO microchip + import permit (apply at least 40 days before arrival). Failure to comply means 180 days quarantine at owner's expense.
✈️Major airlines flying here
🛬Airport-specific guides
⚠️ Country rules change. This page is a summary of common guidance based on official authorities cited above — always confirm with the destination embassy and your airline before flying, especially for controlled substances, restricted electronics, and biosecurity items.
✨ Plan a full packing list for your trip
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