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Can You Send Perfume, Nail Polish or Spray Cans Abroad by Mail from Japan? Japan Post's "Air Dangerous Goods" Rule and Why Even Surface Mail Is Not an Option
Based on Japan Post's list of items that cannot be sent by international mail, this guide explains why flammable liquids such as perfume, nail polish and hair tonic, compressed gases such as spray cans, and products such as sunscreen with more than 24% alcohol cannot be sent regardless of the mail type or whether it goes by sea, what happens after acceptance (X-ray checks and returns), and what to check on the label before sending.
Written by Koetsu Co., Ltd.
Sending Japanese cosmetics to family or friends abroad, or being asked by an overseas buyer for perfume or nail products, is a common situation. Japan Post, however, lists perfume, nail polish and spray cans among the items that cannot be sent by international mail.
Based on Japan Post's page on items that cannot be sent by international mail (checked on October 26, 2026), this guide explains which items cannot be sent and why, whether surface mail changes anything, and what to check before sending.
Why not? The idea of "air dangerous goods"
Japan Post refers to items covered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations as "air dangerous goods" and explains that they cannot be sent by international mail, whatever the mail type or means of transport. Perfume and nail polish are listed among them as flammable liquids.
Note that "it's fine if it doesn't go by air" does not apply. The same page states clearly that these items will not be accepted even as surface (sea) mail. Whether you choose EMS, airmail or surface mail, assume they cannot be sent.
Main items and their categories
| Category | Examples Japan Post gives |
|---|---|
| Flammable liquids | Lighter fuel, paints, perfume, hair tonic, nail polish, alcoholic beverages |
| Compressed gases | Dust-removal sprays, portable concentrated oxygen and similar items (spray cans are also named as a typical example) |
| Flammable solids | Matches, lighters, charcoal |
| Items with more than 24% alcohol | Sunscreen, hair tonic, alcoholic beverages and similar |
The page lists perfume, nail polish, spray cans and mobile batteries among its typical examples, but these are only examples. A product not named there can fall into the same category because of its ingredients or container. Spray products such as hair spray or antiperspirant spray also need to be checked in the same way if they use compressed gas.
X-ray checks and returns after acceptance
Japan Post explains that it checks accepted mail with X-ray inspections and similar methods, and that if a prohibited item is found, the item may be returned before it is sent abroad. Being accepted at the counter does not guarantee that the parcel will go through afterwards.
If a parcel is returned, delivery is delayed and the postage and effort may be wasted. Customs declarations also require a specific description of the contents, so do not, for example, write only "cosmetics" and pack perfume inside. For how to fill in the form, see our guide to customs declarations (CN22/CN23).
What to check on the label before sending
- Whether the container or box carries warnings such as "keep away from fire" (火気厳禁) or "compressed gas" (高圧ガス)
- Whether ethanol (alcohol) is listed in the ingredients, and if so, whether the concentration is above 24%
- Whether it comes in a spray or aerosol container
- If you are unsure, ask at a post office counter before sending
The alcohol concentration is often not printed on the packaging. Avoid packing something because it is "probably fine" when you cannot tell. International delivery services run by courier companies also have their own rules, so if you use one, check that company's guidance.
When an overseas buyer asks
Some overseas buyers purchase cosmetics from Japanese online shops or flea-market apps and try to receive them through a forwarding service. Here too, what matters in the end is whether the item can travel by international mail or international delivery. It is safer to check the prohibited-items list of the delivery service before buying. For products with batteries, see our separate guide to battery-powered toys.
Please note that our personal Mercari shop and Loop KOBE (Mercari Shops) ship within Japan only and do not ship directly overseas. International mail rules can change, so check the latest information on Japan Post's official page just before sending.
