Shipping your cards, figures and games home from Japan
By Corentin · updated on September 22, 2026
You can carry your purchases home in your luggage or ship them by international post from any Japan Post office. Posting them yourself means no tax-free since April 2025, and devices with lithium batteries (handheld consoles) follow strict conditions. Check the size and weight limits and your own country’s import rules before you buy big.
Key facts
| In your luggage | The simplest; tax-free stays possible |
|---|---|
| By international post | From any Japan Post office; EMS is the fastest |
| Posting it yourself | Not tax-free since April 1, 2025 |
| Lithium batteries | Loose ones and power banks: not accepted to most destinations |
| Import taxes | Set by your country, on the declared value |
As of September 22, 2026
Luggage or post?
In your luggage is the simplest: your purchases travel with you, and tax-free stays possible (see our tax-free guide). Bring an empty soft bag for the way back, and keep valuable cards in your hand luggage.
By international post is useful when you buy more than you can carry: go to any post office with your parcel, fill in the customs form and choose the service (EMS is the fastest).
Do I lose tax-free if I post my purchases?
Yes, if you send them yourself: since April 1, 2025, items the purchaser sends abroad by international post are not tax-free. If the shop ships the goods abroad for you, ask the shop how it handles tax.
What cannot be posted?
Japan Post publishes a list of nonmailable articles. For collectors, the main point is lithium batteries:
- Loose lithium batteries and power banks cannot be sent to most destinations.
- Devices with a built-in battery (modern handheld consoles, for example) can be sent only under Japan Post’s conditions, which limit the number of devices per parcel and depend on the destination.
Retro cartridges and most older consoles have no lithium battery, but check each item. When in doubt, ask at the post office counter before packing.
Size, weight and packing
- EMS and other services have size and weight limits: check them on the Japan Post page before packing a big box.
- Post offices sell boxes and packing material.
- Protect cards in top loaders or sleeves, keep figure boxes in a second outer box, and fill empty space so nothing moves.
Import taxes at home
Your own country may charge import duty or VAT when the parcel arrives, depending on the declared value. Keep your receipts and declare the real value on the customs form.
Frequently asked questions
Can I post a handheld console?
Devices with a built-in lithium battery can be sent only under Japan Post’s conditions, which limit the number per parcel and depend on the destination. Ask at the post office counter before packing.
Where do I get a box?
Post offices sell boxes and packing material. Fill empty space so nothing moves, and put figure boxes in a second outer box.
Do I lose tax-free if the shop ships for me?
Not necessarily: a shop shipping abroad follows a different procedure. Ask the shop how it handles tax. See our tax-free guide.
What value do I declare?
The real value, on the customs form. Keep your receipts: your country may charge duty or VAT on arrival.