Information provided for planning purposes only. No diagnosis, treatment recommendations, or direct booking services.
ESSENTIALS
Bringing your medicines into Japan
How much you can bring, which medicines are banned, and how to get permission for more.
In short
- Check the active ingredient before using a quantity allowance, because a foreign prescription does not establish permission to enter Japan. Narcotics Control Department
- An Import Confirmation and a controlled-medicine permit are different procedures, so ask the responsible authority which applies to your exact product. MHLW import guidance
- Prepare the paperwork before travel and keep the authority's reply with your travel documents.
Before you packStart with the ingredient
Find the active ingredient, strength, form and total quantity on the packaging or prescription. A brand name alone may not identify the product: Japan's controlled-substance list uses substance names. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist to identify the ingredients if necessary, then check with the authority if classification is unclear.
This page helps you find the paperwork route. It cannot confirm that your individual medicine is permitted, and it does not suggest changes to medication or treatment.
Ordinary medicinesPersonal-use quantities
MHLW publishes the following exemptions from Import Confirmation for eligible personal-use medicines. These quantity limits do not override prohibited-substance or controlled-medicine rules. MHLW: personal-use import limits
Prescription medicines
Up to one month's supply is exempt from Import Confirmation under the ordinary rules. The same limit applies to medicines classified as poisons or deadly poisons. MHLW limits
Other medicines and quasi-drugs
The published limit is up to two months' supply. A product sold without a prescription overseas is not automatically in this category in Japan. Confirm its classification if unsure. MHLW limits
Medicines applied externally
The published limit is up to 24 of each item, excluding prescription medicines and products classified as poisons or deadly poisons. MHLW limits
Injectable medicines and syringes
MHLW lists up to one month's supply for pre-filled syringes or self-injection kits. Loose syringes brought without medicine need a separate check, including Import Confirmation requirements. MHLW limits · Official Q&A, question 3
When you need Import Confirmation
For an eligible ordinary prescription medicine above the exemption, apply for Import Confirmation, also called Yunyu Kakunin-sho, before entry. The official Q&A asks for a prescription or doctor's note identifying the patient, medicine and prescriber, plus travel evidence showing the passenger, arrival date, arrival place and flight or cruise number. MHLW Q&A, questions 2 and 5
Use the official application system. Its English manual explains the personal-use form, attachments, application status and certificate download. Save the application number and check for correction requests. Application manual
Receive the required confirmation before departure and keep it available for customs. Submitting an application is not approval. MHLW import guidance
Controlled medicines follow separate rules
Use the category-specific instructions on the Narcotics Control Department page, not the ordinary quantity allowance alone.
Narcotics and stimulants' raw materials
Advance permission is required for eligible prescribed medicines in these categories. NCD asks applicants to apply at least 14 days before travel; this is not a processing guarantee. Use the office responsible for your arrival area. Check import and export requirements if you will leave with unused medicine. NCD application guidance
Psychotropic medicines
For listed non-injectable psychotropics within the substance-specific threshold, NCD says its doctor's-certificate and permission requirements do not apply under that law. Above the threshold, or for injections, a prescriber's certificate is required. Separate Import Confirmation rules still apply. NCD's Japanese guidance also flags psychotropic injections for Import Confirmation; ask MHLW before relying on any injection exemption or carrying around a month's supply or more. NCD psychotropics guidance · NCD Japanese guidance · Official quantity table
Prohibited substances
Some substances cannot be carried by individual travellers even when prescribed abroad. Check the current prohibited-substances section and ask NCD about an unclear ingredient before planning to carry it. NCD prohibited-substance guidance
Questions to resolve before departure
What should I put in an enquiry?
Give your arrival airport, travel dates, product name, active ingredients, strength, form and total quantity. Ask which certificate or permission applies. MHLW lists its regional contact offices; NCD provides a separate office directory. MHLW Q&A, question 11 · NCD office directory
What if I am only changing planes in Japan?
This guide does not establish a blanket transit exemption. Describe the exact connection, baggage collection and any airport change to the responsible authority. Ask your airline whether your connection requires passing through immigration and customs, then ask MHLW or NCD which medicine rules apply to that route. MHLW contact offices · NCD contacts
Can someone else carry or post controlled medicine for me?
NCD's rules for carrying narcotics and stimulants' raw materials require the patient to carry the medicine personally. MHLW says narcotics, psychotropics and stimulants' raw materials cannot be sent from overseas to Japan. Do not use another traveller or a parcel as a workaround. NCD carrying rules · MHLW Q&A, question 9
What if I do not have enough time for permission?
Ask the relevant office immediately, but do not assume an urgent request will be accepted or approved. NCD specifically warns that Tokyo does not accept last-minute applications. Take any question about medication continuity to your prescriber. NCD timing guidance
Your next step
Make a list of the products you plan to carry and resolve any unclear ingredient, quantity or paperwork with the relevant office before departure. If you also need to arrange care in Japan, read finding a hospital.
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Next source check: 18 January 2027, or earlier if official guidance changes. Written with AI-assisted research and drafting. This is a source check, not an individual medicine clearance or a clinical review. No sponsorship.
PRACTICAL SUPPORT
Help with the arrangements.
Contact the healthcare provider or responsible public office first. If you need language support, ask which interpreting arrangements it accepts. Confirm availability and any fees directly.
Care Compass Japan does not book care, make a referral or send your medical records through these links.