- International Mail Manual > Individual Country Listings > Israel - Lithuania > Japan
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Narcotics and psychotropic substances.
Firearms, including handguns, pistols, machine guns, and rifles; other types of weapons, including daggers, swords, spears, and switch blade knives; and the components of firearms and weapons may not be imported into Japan unless the intended recipient has received prior permission from the competent authority (i.e., the Public Safety Commission) in the prefecture in which that person resides.
Plants are limited to parcels and small packets only and are prohibited unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin, in accordance with Japan’s national legislation. For a U.S. mailer, the phytosanitary certificate must come from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Japan’s national legislation authorizes the destruction of items that do not have the proper documentation. Japan’s national legislation recommends that the outer package contains the words “Contains plants,” “Requires plant inspection,” “Plants,” “Plant seeds,” or similar wording. Confirmation of import conditions and additional guidance is available through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at www.pps.go.jp/english/index.html.
- Human ashes may be accepted if presented for mailing by a licensed crematory or licensed mortuary. The ashes must be packed in a sealed metal container enclosed in a substantial outer container. There must be enclosed within the outer container, but outside the metal container, a certified copy of the death certificate and a statement or certificate executed by the crematory or mortuary to the effect that the ashes are those of the person named in the death certificate.
- Many articles are subject to an import license. Senders should ascertain from the addressee before mailing whether the necessary documents are held. Import permits are not required for articles intended for personal use and in quantities such that they could not be used for commercial purposes; articles for the relief of disaster victims; ashes of the dead; and publications sent to libraries as part of an exchange between countries.
- A sales invoice is required for all articles valued at more than U.S. $1,600.00. The invoice must be affixed to the outside of the parcel or may be enclosed with the customs declaration in the plastic envelope of PS Form 2976-E. The sales invoice must not obscure the customs declaration, which must show through the plastic envelope.
- To improve the readability of postal labels in order to enhance customs clearance and the processing and delivery of mail destined to Japan, Japan Post requests that the mailer use labels made from non-thermal paper and recommends a font size of 10 points for the destination and sender’s addresses.
- Japan Post requests that each item addressed to Japan include the correct postal code on the address label and, when applicable, also on the customs form. Information regarding Japanese postcodes is available in Japanese at https://www.post.japanpost.jp/zipcode/dl/roman-zip.html. For customers who are able to access the website in English, Japanese postcode information is available under the heading “Download Data.”
Global Express Guaranteed (210) Price Group 3
Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price. |
General Conditions for Mailing
See Publication 141, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide, for information about areas served in the destination country, allowable contents, packaging and labeling requirements, tracking and tracing, service standards, and other conditions for mailing.
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches
See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for GXG document reconstruction insurance and non–document insurance.
Priority Mail Express
International (220) Price Group 17
Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price. |
Priority Mail Express International —Flat Rate Envelopes
Flat Rate Envelopes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds.
Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches
Available for Priority Mail Express International merchandise shipments only
See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail Express International merchandise insurance coverage.
- Commercial shipments must be accompanied by two (2) copies of the invoice.
- Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles are prohibited in Priority Mail Express International shipments to Japan.
- Priority Mail Express International With Money-Back Guarantee service — which offers a date-certain, postage-refund guarantee — is available to Japan.
Reciprocal Service Name: Business Mail
Country Code: JP
Areas Served: All, including Okinawa.
Priority Mail International (230) Price Group 17
Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price. |
Priority Mail International —Flat Rate
Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.
Flat Rate Boxes — Medium and Large: The maximum weight is 20 pounds, or the limit set by the individual country, whichever is less. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.
Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches
Available for Priority Mail International merchandise only (see for markings)
See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail International merchandise insurance coverage.
All Priority Mail International items:
PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)
First-Class Mail International (240) Price Group 3
Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail price. |
Weight Limit: 3.5 oz. for letters and postcards; |
Large Envelopes (Flats): See 241.232
None, unless otherwise required (see123.61 and Footnote 4 of Exhibit 123.61)
First-Class Package International Service (250) Price Group 17
Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price. |
Packages (Small Packets): See 251.22 and 251.23.
Direct Sack to One Addressee Price Group 3
Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail price. |
Free Matter for the Blind (270)
Free when sent as Priority Mail International items. Weight limit: 15 pounds.
First-Class Mail International items:
None, unless otherwise required (see123.61 and Footnote 4 of Exhibit 123.61)
First-Class Package International Service items:
PS Form 2976 as required (see 123.61)
PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)
Individual Pieces — Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:
Individual article (PS Form 3817).
Firm mailing books (PS Form 3665), per article listed (minimum 3).
Duplicate copy of PS Form 3817 or PS Form 3665 (per page).
Bulk Quantities — Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:
First 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof).
Each additional 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof).
Duplicate copy of PS Form 3606.
Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.
Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.
Available for Registered Mail and insured Priority Mail International parcels only.
NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013
International Postal Money Order (371)
NOT Available
International Reply Coupons (381)
NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013
International Business Reply Service (382)
Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:
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