To import medicines from overseas is subject to control by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and the Customs Law to prevent health hazard caused by defective products.

Therefore, when you enter Japan, procedures should be done depending on your bringing medicines even if you have medicines for personal use.

You can bring medicines for personal use into Japan once certain procedures are completed. This is because there are patients who need continuous medication and travelers who need medicines as belongings, however, when you bring narcotics and Stimulants' Raw Materials described in 4, please note that importing them from overseas is subject to control by other laws and rules.

To be more specific, when you bring medicines for personal use into Japan, you have to apply for Import Confirmation, and receive it before you leave home, and show it to the officer at customs.

When you bring medicines for personal use into Japan up to the amount described below, you do not have to apply for Import Confirmation.

◆　Poison, Deadly poison, Prescription drug : Up to 1 month supply
◆　Drug for external use (excluding Poison, Deadly poison, Prescription drug) : Up to 24 per one item
◆　Injectable drug and Syringe for the drug: Up to 1 month supply
　　* Only "Pre-filled Syringe" or "Self-injection Kit"
◆　Other Drugs, Quasi drugs : Up to 2 month supply

In addition, no product containing the designated pharmaceutical ingredients (see linked table)(57KB), which is sold in foreign countries/regions with advertisement on enhancing cerebral function and other mental effects, shall be imported, unless use of such a product is complying with doctor’s prescription or instruction. However, it would be permissible for you to bring such a medicinal product into Japan by yourself, in the purpose of self-medication during your stay.

Regardless of the description above, you cannot bring prohibited drugs and controlled drugs into Japan.

Regarding details about application for Import Confirmation, please check "Q&A for those who are importing medicines into Japan".
WORD(66KB) PDF(878KB)

It is now possible to apply online for some personal import procedures.
Please click the following URL for the page dedicated to "Application for Import Confirmation."

Basically, the procedures are the same as in the case of drugs and quasi drugs.

When you bring cosmetics for personal use into Japan up to the amount described below, you do not have to apply for Import Confirmation.

◆　Up to 24 per one item
　　(e.g. If you want to bring your lip sticks into Japan , you can have up to 24 regardless of brand or color)

Basically, the procedures are the same as in the case of drugs and quasi drugs.

When you bring medical devices for personal use into Japan up to the amount described below, you do not have to apply for Import Confirmation.

◆　Medical device for household use (e.g. electric massaging tools): 1 set
◆　Disposable contact lens: Up to 2 month supply

It is strictly prohibited to import narcotics and Stimulants' Raw Materials into Japan except in the case of prescribed narcotics and Stimulants' Raw Materials for a specific patient bringing them with permission before you enter Japan.

When you bring prescribed narcotics and Stimulants' Raw Materials for personal use into Japan, you have to apply for permission by the Japanese Government (the directors of the Regional Bureaus of Health and Welfare) and receive it before you leave home.

Regardless of the description above, you cannot bring prohibited or controlled narcotics, Stimulants' Raw Materials into Japan.

Regarding details about application for import of narcotics, psychotropics and Stimulants' Raw Materials, please check
　　http://www.ncd.mhlw.go.jp/en/index.html

Contact for 1.Drugs, Quasi drugs, 2.Cosmetics and 3.Medical devices

• Kanto-Shin’etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare
  (Place of arrival: Narita international Airport, Tokyo International Airport, etc.)
  e-mail: yakkan[at]mhlw.go.jp
  (NOTICE: Please replace [at] with ‘@’ when sending an email.)
• Kinki Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare
  (Place of arrival: Kansai International Airport, Chubu Centrair, Fukuoka, Naha Airport, etc.)
  e-mail: kiyakuji[at]mhlw.go.jp
  (NOTICE: Please replace [at] with ‘@’ when sending an email.)

Contact for 4. Narcotics and Stimulants' Raw Materials

• Compliance and Narcotics Division, Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau, Ministry of Health,
  Labour and Welfare
  FAX　+81-3-3501-0034
  (Place of arrival: All)