Items we can't get for you
Items we can't ship to the U.S. under federal or state law and air shipping rules.
- Foods that contain meatFood, Japanese cup noodles with tonkotsu or chicken stockUSDA blocks these tightly, so they may be seized by U.S. customs.
- All processed beef productsFood, jerky, canned beef, ready mealsBanned under USDA inspection rules.
- Olive oilFoodBlocked by carriers under the food category.
- Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, plants, seeds, and soilFoodFall under the USDA's pest-control rules.
- Refrigerated or frozen foods, dry ice, and coolant packsFoodInternational air shipping isn't possible.
- Most dairy productsFoodProcessed dairy falls under the FDA, and raw milk and certain cheeses fall under USDA inspection.
- Alcoholic drinksFoodSearch and purchase are currently fully blocked on the SAZO site.Exception: Planned for staged rollout in certain states (e.g., California) with age verification. Utah and Delaware can't receive alcohol shipments in any form under state law.
- Kinder Surprise EggsFoodBanned by the CPSC because of the choking risk to children.Exception: Kinder Joy is a separate product and is allowed.
- Food-contact itemsFood, cups, dishes, lunch boxes, cake molds, strawsClassified under Japanese food safety and inspection rules, which limits international air shipping options.
- Packing straw, grass, and rice strawFoodBlocked even when used as filler.
- Pet foodFoodFalls under USDA and FDA animal-feed import procedures, so carriers apply a category block.
- Perishable foodsFoodBlocked under shipping terms.
- Tea, coffee, cocoa, beans, powders, fish meal, pepper, and spicesFoodRequire USDA inspection or FDA prior notice, so carriers block the food category itself.
- Salted or cured meatsFoodSpecial handling applies if shipped from a region with an active livestock disease outbreak.
- U.S. over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in generalHealthMedicines you can buy freely in Japan (such as Pabron and Loxonin) can't clear customs without FDA approval.
- Anabolic steroids and other drugs regulated in the U.S.Health, muscle builders and growth hormones includedRegulated as controlled substances in the U.S.
- Japanese quasi-drugsHealth, whitening creams, certain sunscreen ingredientsProducts with ingredients the FDA hasn't approved are blocked.
- Health supplements not approved to U.S. standardsHealthSupplements with ingredients not meeting FDA standards may be restricted at customs.
- Medical devicesHealth, prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, sterile syringes, tattoo machinesFall under FDA medical-device rules.Exception: Non-prescription glasses and cosmetic colored lenses follow separate standards.
- Products that contain mercuryHealth, liquid thermometers, liquid mercury batteriesBlocked as an air hazard and an environmentally harmful material.Exception: Digital thermometers are fine.
- All cosmeticsHealth, toner, lotion, sheet masks, essences, essential oils, gel nail polish, cleansing foam, face creams, mascara, shampoo, body soap, lipstick, powder, nail polish, perfume, sunscreenLiquids, creams, and powders are hard to ship to the U.S.Exception: Non-liquid, non-powder accessories like false eyelashes and makeup brushes are fine.
- Counterfeit and knockoff goodsFashionSeized immediately under U.S. customs (CBP) intellectual property rules. Repeated seizures can put the importer on a CBP blacklist.
- Items with "replica," "fake," "st," "homage," or "custom" in the name or descriptionFashionBlocked.
- Certain brands such as ConverseFashionMay be blocked during Japanese customs clearance.
- Leather goodsFashion, shoes, bags, clothing, glovesInternational air shipping options are limited.Exception: Solid shoe cream is the only exception.
- Textile goodsFashion, clothing, gloves, scarves, socks, aprons, tents, pet seat coversInternational air shipping options are limited.
- Fur and hides from the former Soviet Union or mainland ChinaFashionBanned by origin.
- Bird feathers and bird skinsFashionImport banned for most species.
- Watches and jewelryFashionA separate process applies when the declared value is over $500 or 10,000 euros.
- Artwork, antiques, rare items, and loose gemstonesFashionBlocked by carrier category or limited by value per shipment. Japanese ukiyo-e, antiques, classic art, and antique watches are effectively not shippable.
- CITES Appendix I, absolute banPlants & Animals, rhino horn, tiger bone and skin, leopard skin, elephant ivory, turtle shell and products made from it (all turtle species), natural muskBanned from trade across all carriers and all countries.Exception: Synthetic musk is fine.
- CITES Appendix II, certificate requiredPlants & Animals, crocodile and python skin, shark-derived ingredients, giant clam and pearl oyster, native orchids, cacti, certain palmsA CITES certificate is needed to trade.Exception: For aloe, all species are regulated except aloe vera (including Aloe arborescens).
- Coral and products made from endangered speciesPlants & AnimalsBlocked under USFWS rules.
- CBD and hemp productsPlants & Animals, Idaho effectively bans them, Hawaii bans Delta-8/10, Ohio enacts a full ban in Dec 2025State rules are strict. Federal law tightens starting Nov 12, 2026 (0.3% total THC + 0.4mg cap per finished product). Some carriers also block CBD by policy. SAZO currently doesn't recommend handling CBD or hemp.
- Live animals, plants, seeds, and insectsPlants & AnimalsCan't be imported.
- Otane ginseng (especially Russian-grown) and human-derived placentaPlants & AnimalsRegulated under CITES and FDA rules.
- Pine cones, potpourri, herbs, and dried flowersPlants & AnimalsWithout prior approval from the USDA plant quarantine office these are blocked, and carriers block the plant and seed category itself.
- Taxidermy, preserved "everlasting" dried flowers, and human-hair wigsPlants & AnimalsNo international air shipping option for these.
- Animal organs and partsPlants & AnimalsWhen shipped from a region with an active livestock disease outbreak, need a permit from the USDA plant quarantine office or Permit Office.
- Soil samplesPlants & AnimalsCan ship only with a label issued by the USDA plant quarantine office.
- Live honeybees and queen beesPlants & AnimalsCan ship only for research use (e.g., USDA Agricultural Research Service).
- Livestock serum and vaccinesPlants & AnimalsRequire USDA approval.
- Human serum, body fluids, tissue, clinical samples, bacteria, viruses, and antibodiesPlants & AnimalsBlocked across the board by carriers under FDA biological-material rules and the air hazard classification (Category B infectious substances).
- Narcotics, firearms, gunpowder, ammunition, explosivesHazardsBanned by U.S. federal law. Marijuana is banned in all forms, including medical use. Stimulants, cocaine, precursor chemicals, and drug paraphernalia are blocked the same way.
- Model guns, replica guns, BB guns, and airsoftHazardsThey look like real firearms, so U.S. customs is likely to seize them, and international carriers block the category itself.
- Switchblades (automatic-opening knives)HazardsU.S. customs bans imports. Possession itself is illegal in Delaware, Washington DC, Minnesota, and New Mexico.
- Regular kitchen knives, cooking knives, and collectible Japanese swordsHazardsInternational shipping options are limited, so these are hard to ship.
- Self-defense itemsHazards, crossbows, batons, stun batons, nunchaku, electroshock devices, pepper sprayBlocked across the board by carriers as weapons or hazardous materials.
- Obscene materialHazardsCan't be imported.
- Compressed gas and aerosolsHazardsCan't ship by air.
- Lighters, lighter fuel, matches, ignition stoves, and fireworksHazards, butane and propane gas includedCan't ship by air because of fire and explosion risk.Exception: Non-flammable safety matches are an exception.
- Signal flares, smoke flares, fuses, and detonating cordHazardsClassified as pyrotechnics.
- E-cigarettes and all tobacco productsHazardsCan't be imported.
- Human remains and cremated ashes, postage stamps, banknotes and currencyHazards, coins are excludedCan't ship under international air shipping rules.
- Checks, securities, real estate deeds, and cash cardsHazardsClassified the same as counterfeit currency. Cash-like and security documents are blocked across the board.
- Products with large amounts of strong magnetsHazards, salvage magnets, magnetic cubes, large speaker magnetsSubject to air shipping limits.
- Radioactive materials and hazardous wasteHazardsCan't ship under international air safety standards.
- Toxic, corrosive, oxidizing, pyrophoric, and anesthetic substancesHazards, pesticides, arsenic, cyanide, mercury compounds, strong acids and bases, hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxidesBlocked under shipping terms.
- Drones and unmanned aircraftHazardsInternational air shipping options are limited.Exception: Some may be possible depending on specs; our operations team checks after you order.
- Auto partsHazardsCarriers shipping to the U.S. block the category itself (large part size, leftover fuel risk, environmental harm).
- Baseball bats, darts, compound bows, and bows and arrowsHazardsClassified as threatening-looking products.
- Military and police suppliesHazards, body armor, combat boots, camouflage, helmets, handcuffs, batonsBlocked across the board by international carriers.
- Wiretapping gear, spy gear, hidden cameras, and electronic surveillance devicesHazardsBlocked under carrier policy.
- Gambling equipmentHazards, roulette, card machines, gambling chips, slot machine partsBanned from U.S. mail and blocked by carriers as sensitive items.
- Insect repellents and insecticidesHazardsClassified as chemical or flammable.
- National, party, and military flags and badgesHazardsBlocked across the board by carriers as political or sensitive items.
- Chemical raw materials, raw ore, and mineralsHazards, reagents, chemical element samples, mineral samplesCan't ship without a safety data sheet.
- Communication devicesHazards, phones, routers, modemsFor U.S. shipments, carriers require standard customs clearance, which can take longer than usual.
- Samsung Galaxy Note7HazardsBanned from U.S. flights after fire incidents, and international carriers block it by model.
- USB chargers, standalone lithium metal batteries, and power banksHazardsClassified the same as mobile power banks; can't ship on their own.Exception: Batteries built into a product and up to 2 spare batteries per box are allowed.
- Toys and early-learning products for children under 6HazardsShipping is restricted under international air shipping rules.Exception: Products marked for ages 6 and up can ship.
- Large furniture and appliancesHazardsDepending on size, international air shipping costs rise sharply, requiring a separate notice before you order.
- Cockfighting bladesHazards, knives and hooks attached to a rooster's legsBlocked by carriers.
- Credit cards, debit cards, transit cards, and all other card typesHazardsFinancial documents that are hard to compensate when lost.
- Passports, exam tickets, vehicle registrations, and driver's licensesHazardsIdentity documents that are hard to reissue.
- Manuscripts, original drawings, master tapes, film, and other irreplaceable originalsHazardsCan't be recovered if lost.
- Engines, generators, lawn mowers, and motors with fuel insideHazardsEnvironmentally harmful and an air hazard.
- Photographic flash bulbsHazardsClassified as an air hazard.
- Seatbelt pretensioners, pyrotechnic safety devices, and asbestosHazardsEnvironmentally harmful and an air hazard.
- Rental productsPolicyRental items can't be handled because they aren't permanently owned.