How much External-use medicine (personal use) can I bring into Japan?
Restricted
You can bring External-use medicine (personal use) into Japan only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- 24 piece
- Channels: Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan｜厚生労働省 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)
Questions about External-use medicine (personal use) in Japan
- How many external-use medicine (personal use) can I bring into Japan?
- Japan allows 24 external-use medicine (personal use) per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
- Do I have to declare external-use medicine (personal use) at Japan customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 24 external-use medicine (personal use) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
- What happens if I do not declare external-use medicine (personal use) in Japan?
- If you declare the excess yourself, a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. The normal duty becomes payable on the excess. If it is treated as smuggling, it is prosecuted as a criminal offence; an administrative fine is imposed.
- Can I post or ship external-use medicine (personal use) to Japan instead of carrying it?
- Yes, and the allowance applies to the consignment as well as to accompanied baggage. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
- Can I take external-use medicine (personal use) out of Japan?
- Japan publishes no separate rule for taking external-use medicine (personal use) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the Japan limit for external-use medicine (personal use) apply per person or per family?
- Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
- Where does this rule come from?
- Japan Customs (Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance) states it in Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan｜厚生労働省. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-17. The sentence it rests on reads: “◆ Drug for external use (excluding Poison, Deadly poison, Prescription drug) : Up to 24 per one item”
- How does Japan compare with other countries on external-use medicine (personal use)?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit external-use medicine (personal use), 6 limit it and 14 let it through. Japan is among the more permissive.
Source: Japan Customs (Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance) — Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan｜厚生労働省 · verified 2026-09-17
Source: Japan Customs (Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance) — Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan｜厚生労働省 · verified 2026-09-17
Source: Japan Customs (Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance) — ข้อควรทราบสำหรับการนำของติดตัวเข้าทางอากาศยานสำหรับผู้โดยสาร · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Japan Customs (Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance) — Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan｜厚生労働省 · verified 2026-09-17
Source: Japan Customs (Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance) — Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan｜厚生労働省 · verified 2026-09-17
Source: Japan Customs (Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance) — Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan｜厚生労働省 · verified 2026-09-17