By MOOK Scenic Spots Chen Wenlin, compiled and reported
The peak summer travel season is approaching, and many people, after carefully calculating exchange rate differences, choose to shop abroad to stock up. But now you need to be cautious when shopping overseas too！ The Ministry of Finance’s Customs Administration has updated the 2018 customs regulations on prohibited items for entry, not only restricting tobacco and alcohol, but also placing monetary and quantity limits on contact lenses, electrical products, and toy gashapon—exceeding these limits requires declaration according to procedure.
Be cautious when shopping abroad—the Ministry of Finance’s Customs Administration has updated the 2018 customs regulations on prohibited items for entry (Photo/Unsplash)
1. Tobacco and Alcohol
Due to the significant tax differences on tobacco and alcohol, many people choose to buy duty-free tobacco and alcohol at the airport, or even purchase on behalf of relatives and friends. According to regulations, travelers carrying tobacco and alcohol products must be at least 20 years old, with a limit of 1 liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 1 pound of tobacco.
2. Medications
Many people choose to stock up on medications in Japan, but according to current regulations, carried medications must be for personal use. For Western medicine, non-prescription drugs, tablet or capsule supplements are limited to a maximum of 12 bottles per type, with a combined total not exceeding 36 bottles. For traditional Chinese medicine, each type is limited to 1 kilogram, with a combined total not exceeding 12 types. Additionally, insecticides are prohibited from being brought onto flights in Japan, and mosquito repellent and insecticide products are classified as environmental agents.
Medications are essential purchases for many travelers visiting Japan (Photography/Zhang Yingying)
3. Cosmetics
Cosmetic products seem to be a must-buy for every woman traveling abroad. According to the Department of Health’s regulations, glass ampoule (AMPOULE) containers cannot be used for cosmetic packaging, so cosmetics imported in glass bottles are not allowed. In addition, popular items among women such as contact lenses for pupil dilation also have limits—up to 60 pieces per prescription strength, with each person restricted to a single brand and two different prescription strengths.
The limit for contact lenses is 60 pieces (Photo/photoAC)
4. Fruits and Vegetables
Foreign delicacies are always tempting to bring back home, but according to regulations, fresh foods such as fruits and fresh milk are prohibited. However, dried or processed items that meet quarantine standards are permitted. Additionally, popular souvenirs from Hong Kong and Macau such as meat floss, dried meat, meat floss egg rolls, and duck tongues are also prohibited—even if vacuum-packed.
5. Electrical Appliances, Toys, Gashapon
Most travelers purchase electrical appliances in Japan, but the total value must be under NT$20,000 to be eligible for duty-free return. In addition, popular items like gashapon and toys now also have restrictions—the value of identical items must be under USD$1,000, and the quantity must not exceed five pieces.
Many people love to shop for electrical appliances and toys in Japan (Photo/pixabay)
6. Cash and Gold
In line with amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act, travelers are not allowed to bring in more than NT$100,000 in cash. Foreign currency is limited to USD$10,000 or CNY¥20,000, and gold must not exceed a value of USD$20,000—any amount exceeding the limit will be confiscated.
Before returning from your trip, you should inventory your belongings and purchased goods. If any exceed the allowable limits, they must be truthfully declared according to the rules to avoid facing hefty fines upon re-entry.
Three groups exempt from tax—Japan’s departure tax fee information
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