Japan Travel · Medication Import Support
Banned and Restricted Medications in Japan
Travelling to Japan with prescription medicine? Find out whether your medication may require an Import Confirmation (Yunyu Kakunin-sho), advance permit or translated supporting documents before you travel.
- Japan-based medication import support (Kobe, 株式会社MedicTranslate)
- English and Japanese assistance, human review of every enquiry
- Secure handling of your prescription and travel details
Source basis: MHLW and Narcotics Control Department guidance. Final determinations are made only by Japanese authorities.
Request a Free Human Review
Send us the medicine name, quantity and arrival date. Our Japan-based team will personally review the likely requirements and normally reply within one business day.
How the free human review works
A database result is only a first screening. Whether your medicine can enter Japan depends on its active ingredient, strength, form, quantity and your length of stay. Here is what happens after you submit.
Tell us about your medication
Send the medicine name, dosage, quantity and travel date using the form above. No payment or medical documents are needed at this stage.
We review the likely requirements
Our team checks the active ingredient against current MHLW and NCD classifications and identifies whether a Yunyu Kakunin-sho, permit or translation may be needed.
Receive your next steps
Normally within one business day you receive a plain-English explanation of the likely requirements. If paperwork or translation is needed, we quote the fee before any work begins.
Want a detailed answer right now? Our free 5-minute self-assessment checks your specific medicines, in 13 languages, no account required.
Check yourself with the free self-assessment tool →Instant Medication Guide
Check instantly whether your medication category is generally allowed, restricted, or prohibited. Use it as a screening guide, then request a free human review for your specific case.
| Category | Examples | Status in Japan | Notes & Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADHD – Amphetamines | Adderall, Dexedrine, methamphetamine | Prohibited | Do not bring these medicines to Japan.Banned as Stimulants under the Stimulants Control Act. No import is permitted under any circumstances, even with a prescription. |
| ADHD – Lisdexamfetamine | Vyvanse, Elvanse | Permit only | Advance NCD permission is required before travel.A Stimulants' Raw Material. Importable only with advance permission from the Narcotics Control Department (NCD). Apply at least 2 weeks before travel. |
| ADHD – Methylphenidate | Ritalin, Concerta | Restricted | Check the total active ingredient and length of supply.Classified as a psychotropic, not banned. Non-injectable methylphenidate up to a total of 2.16g active ingredient can generally be carried without an NCD permit or doctor's certificate under the psychotropic rules. Above 2.16g, or for injectable forms, a doctor's certificate is required. For more than one month's supply, confirm the separate Import Confirmation (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) requirements with the MHLW pharmaceutical-import authority. Must be hand-carried, cannot be mailed. |
| Cannabis, Marijuana & High-THC Products | Marijuana, THC edibles, THC vapes, THC oils | Prohibited | Do not travel with cannabis, marijuana or high-THC products.Cannabis plant material and products containing Δ9-THC above Japan's applicable residual limits are prohibited under the revised Cannabis Control Act (in force since Dec 2024) and can lead to arrest, regardless of legality in your home country. Trace residual Δ9-THC at or below the relevant product-specific limit may fall outside narcotics controls, but CBD and other cannabinoid products require product-specific verification before travel (see the CBD row). |
| CBD Products | CBD oil, CBD gummies, CBD isolate | Specialist check | Product-specific verification is required.CBD products are assessed under Japan's current component-based rules: the product form, cannabinoid composition, laboratory documentation and applicable residual THC limits must be checked against current official guidance before travel. Do not rely on a "THC-free" marketing label alone. |
| Anxiety & Sleep (Benzodiazepines & Hypnotics) | Xanax, Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, Ambien | Restricted | Requirements depend on the active ingredient and total quantity.Classified as psychotropics. Non-injectable psychotropics at or below the substance-specific quantity in the official NCD table generally do not require an NCD permit or doctor's certificate. Above the applicable threshold, or for injectable forms, a doctor's certificate is required. For more than one month's supply, confirm whether an Import Confirmation (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) is also required. |
| Strong Painkillers (Opioids/Narcotics) | Oxycodone, Morphine, Hydrocodone, Fentanyl, Codeine, Tapentadol | Permit required | Advance NCD permission is required before travel.Prescribed narcotics must receive advance permission from the relevant Narcotics Control Department before entering Japan. Apply at least 14 days before travel. Confirm separately whether any additional pharmaceutical-import procedure applies to your exact medicine, form and quantity. Note: Tramadol is not classed as a narcotic. |
| Herbal Medicines (Chinese/Kampo) | Ephedra (ma huang), some herbal blends | Check ingredients | Check the active ingredients before travel.Most Kampo is fine. The issue is controlled actives: ephedra contains ephedrine, a Stimulants' Raw Material. Blends with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine over 10% are controlled. |
| Cold & Allergy Decongestants | Sudafed, Claritin-D, Zyrtec-D, Allegra-D, Vicks inhaler | Restricted | The decongestant ingredient is the risk.Products with more than 10% pseudoephedrine (or ephedrine) are barred as Stimulants' Raw Materials without advance NCD permission. Plain antihistamines (Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra/fexofenadine, loratadine) are fine. The "-D" decongestant versions are the problem. Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE) is not restricted. |
| OTC Antihistamines & Sleep Aids | Benadryl, ZzzQuil, Unisom, Dramamine | Allowed | Generally allowed for personal use within limits.Plain diphenhydramine (Benadryl), doxylamine and dimenhydrinate are not controlled substances in Japan and are generally allowed up to a 2-month supply for OTC medicines. The risk sits with combination "-D" products containing pseudoephedrine, not the plain antihistamine. Check the label of multi-symptom versions. |
| Cough Syrups (with Codeine) | Codeine-based syrups | Permit required | Check the concentration and formulation.Preparations containing more than 1% codeine or its salt are controlled as narcotics and require advance NCD permission. Preparations containing 1% or less are excluded from that narcotic classification but remain subject to the ordinary medicine-import rules. |
| Antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs/TCAs) | Prozac, Zoloft (sertraline), Lexapro, Cymbalta, Amitriptyline | Allowed | Generally allowed for personal use within limits.Sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram, duloxetine and amitriptyline are generally permitted in a 1-month supply. Larger quantities need a Yunyu Kakunin-sho. Carry a doctor's letter. |
| Common Painkillers (Non-narcotics) | Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Naproxen | Allowed | Generally allowed for personal use within limits.Ordinary OTC painkillers are generally permitted for personal use up to the applicable 2-month limit. Prescription-only products are generally subject to the 1-month prescription-medicine limit. Check combination products for controlled ingredients. |
| Antibiotics | Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin | Allowed | Generally allowed for personal use within limits.Up to 1-month supply. Prescription + doctor's note recommended. |
| Asthma Inhalers | Ventolin, Symbicort | Allowed | Generally allowed with supporting documentation.Carry prescription/doctor's letter. Larger supply needs a Yunyu Kakunin-sho. |
| Diabetes Treatments | Insulin pens, Metformin, Glucose monitoring kits | Allowed | Allowed for personal use with prescription support.Must be for personal use, prescription required. Prefilled syringes and self-injection kits up to 1 month need no certificate; more requires one. |
| GLP-1 Injectables | Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro | Allowed | Allowed for personal use, but injectables may trigger extra paperwork.Personal use, prescription required. As injectables they may trigger an Import Confirmation; apply early if over a 1-month supply. |
| Heart & Blood Pressure Medicines | Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, Statins | Allowed | Generally allowed for personal use within limits.Generally no issue for 1-month supply. Over 1 month needs a Yunyu Kakunin-sho. |
| Hormonal Treatments | Birth control pills, HRT (estrogen/testosterone) | Allowed | Generally allowed for personal use within limits.Up to 1 month without a certificate. More requires a Yunyu Kakunin-sho. |
| Medical Devices & Supplements | CPAP machines, multivitamins, fish oil | Allowed | Generally allowed for personal use in reasonable quantities.Allowed for personal use in reasonable quantities, original packaging. Avoid "designated ingredient" supplements such as DHEA. Supporting documents recommended for devices. |
Please read first: Use this table as a screening guide, not as a border decision. The entries above are general indications based on official guidance available at the time, not a determination for your specific case. Whether a medicine may be brought into Japan depends on its active ingredient, strength, form, quantity and current official classification, so the status and quantities shown may apply rather than being fixed legal thresholds. Always verify against the official sources before travel.
Important Notes
- The certificate referred to here is the Yunyu Kakunin-sho (輸入確認書), the import confirmation previously known as the Yakkan Shoumei.
- Always check the active ingredient, not just the brand name. Many OTC cold and allergy products that are legal elsewhere contain controlled stimulant ingredients.
- If you're unsure whether your medication is restricted, check with Japan's Ministry of Health or let MedicTranslate prepare the required translations and guide you through the application process.
- Always carry medicines in original packaging with your doctor's letter translated into Japanese. See our airport customs and documents guide for what to prepare and present at the border.
- For a more detailed check than this category table, use our free 5-minute medication self-assessment tool, available in 13 languages, no account required.
- Dated source statement: This guide reflects the official information available as of the Last Updated date shown above (11 July 2026). Requirements may change after that date, so please recheck the official sources before you travel.
Three ways we can help
The preliminary check is free. Translation and application-support fees are confirmed before any work begins.
Instant Medication Guide
Automated, instant, general information
Free
- Search the medication list above
- See the general status of your category
- Detailed 5-minute self-assessment tool, in 13 languages
Free Human Review
For travellers unsure about their medicine, dosage or quantity
Free · we normally reply within one business day
- Active-ingredient check against current MHLW / NCD classifications
- Written explanation of your likely requirements
- Clear next steps, and a quote if paperwork is needed
Document and Application Support
For travellers needing documents, translation or application help
Fee confirmed before any work begins
- Yunyu Kakunin-sho preparation
- Doctor's letter and prescription translation (EN ⇄ JA)
- NCD permit application guidance
Why travellers use MedicTranslate
Registered Japanese company
株式会社MedicTranslate is based in Kobe, Japan, and works with Japanese regulations in Japanese, not through second-hand summaries.
English and Japanese support
We communicate with you in English and prepare your paperwork and translations in Japanese for the authorities.
Human review, not just a database
Every enquiry is reviewed by our coordination team. Automated lists cannot account for your dosage, form and length of stay.
Secure document handling
Prescription and travel details are used only for your enquiry and handled under our privacy and retention policies.
Frequently asked questions
Is the human review really free?
Yes. The human review of your medicine's likely status and requirements is free and carries no obligation. If your situation needs translation, a Yunyu Kakunin-sho or permit-application support, we quote the fee before any work begins.
Can I check my medication myself right now?
Yes, two ways. The Instant Medication Guide above shows the general status of your medication category, and our free 5-minute self-assessment tool gives a more detailed check of your specific medicines, in 13 languages with no account required. The free human review is there when you want our team to personally confirm your situation and quote any paperwork.
Do I need a Yunyu Kakunin-sho?
It depends on the medicine's classification, quantity and dosage form. Prescription medicines exceeding one month's supply generally require an Import Confirmation. Prefilled syringes or self-injection kits of up to one month's supply may be exempt. Psychotropics also have substance-specific NCD quantity thresholds, so the active ingredient and total amount must be checked. Our check tells you whether your specific medicine and quantity are likely to need it.
How early should I apply?
We recommend applying for an Import Confirmation (Yunyu Kakunin-sho) 2 to 4 weeks before departure. Applications for advance NCD permission for narcotics and stimulants' raw materials should be submitted at least 14 days before travel and started as early as possible.
What information do you need from me?
Initially only the medicine name, dosage, quantity, your travel date and a way to contact you. If paperwork is needed, we will then request your prescription or doctor's letter.
Can you translate my prescription or doctor's letter?
Yes. Medical document translation between English and Japanese is MedicTranslate's core service, including prescriptions, doctor's letters and supporting documents for import confirmation applications.
What happens if my medication is restricted or prohibited?
If it is restricted, we explain the certificate or permit path and can prepare the paperwork. If it is prohibited, we explain why, and can help you discuss alternatives with a doctor in Japan through our healthcare coordination service.
Can you guarantee approval?
No. Final determinations are made only by Japanese authorities. What we do is help ensure the available documents are complete, consistently translated and submitted through the appropriate channel.
How is my medical information handled?
Your information is used to assess your enquiry and provide the requested service. It may be processed by authorised service providers supporting our systems, communications or application work, subject to our Privacy Policy, contractual safeguards and applicable data-protection requirements.
Don't wait until your departure date to confirm your medication requirements
Permits and certificates take weeks, not days. Send us your medicine details now and our team will personally review them and normally reply with your likely requirements within one business day, free of charge.
Prefer email? Write to info@medictranslate.com
Important Medical & Legal Disclaimer
No Medical Advice: The information provided on this page regarding prohibited medications (such as Stimulants, Psychotropics, and Opioids) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your primary care physician regarding your specific medical needs before travel.
No Legal Advice: While MedicTranslate strives to keep this information up-to-date with current Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) regulations, laws concerning drug imports can change without notice. This guide is not a substitute for official legal consultation.
Authority Decisions and Liability: MedicTranslate is providing administrative support. Final import and border decisions are made by the relevant Japanese authorities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, MedicTranslate is not responsible for authority decisions or consequences arising from inaccurate, incomplete or subsequently changed information outside our reasonable control. Nothing in this disclaimer excludes any consumer right or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded. We strongly recommend verifying all medications with the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate before departure.
Source Reference: Information based on guidelines from the Narcotics Control Department (NCD) and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) of Japan.
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