How to ship to Japan with USPS as a reseller

A small package of goods to Japan, up to 4 lb and $400, goes by First-Class Package International Service: $22.99 for up to 8 oz with a label from a USPS-approved PC Postage provider, or $24.15 at the Post Office or through Click-N-Ship. From 33 oz, a Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope costs less if the item fits: $48.12 online, against $53.78 by First-Class Package International, though USPS offers no tracking on Flat Rate Envelopes. Heavier or pricier packages go by Priority Mail International, up to 66 lb, from $63.91 for 1 lb online, and every package of goods needs an electronic customs form with a 6-digit HS code for each item. The country's own rules to watch: non-thermal labels requested; IP-infringing goods banned.

Rules quoted from Japan's Individual Country Listing in USPS's International Mail Manual, read Oct 19, 2026. Prices from Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026; package prices are unchanged since the Jan 18, 2026 edition.

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026

First-Class Package International, up to 8 oz, online: $22.99
Priority Mail International, 1 lb, online: $63.91
Heaviest package (Priority Mail International): 66 lb
Prepaid duties (USPS DDP): Not available

What you can and can't send to Japan

Goods on a country's prohibited list can't be mailed there, and a country can return or seize mail that breaks its rules even if USPS never published them (IMM 131.32-131.33). Here is what Japan's listing says about the goods resellers ship most, quoted from it, next to USPS's rule for every country where there is one. Other items on Japan's lists include ammunition, infectious substances, narcotics and radioactive material; meat and plants need certificates.

Books, magazines and other printed matter

Nothing on Japan's lists.

Every country: USPS treats books as goods, not documents: they need a customs form with a value (IMM 123.623). There is no Media Mail abroad: USPS's five international mail categories don't include it (IMM 141.1), so books pay the same package prices as other goods. Airmail M-bags (sacks of printed matter) are not offered to Japan (IMM Exhibit 261.3).

CDs, DVDs, records and film

Nothing on Japan's lists.

Every country: CDs, DVDs and other recorded or blank media always need a customs form and a value; USPS never counts them as documents (IMM 123.622-123.623).

Cosmetics, perfume and aerosols

Nothing on Japan's lists.

Every country: USPS lists aerosols, nail polish, perfumes containing alcohol and hemp-based (CBD) products among items that can't be sent to any country (USPS international restrictions). Dangerous goods, such as flammable materials and compressed gases, are banned in all international mail (IMM 136.1).

Electronics and batteries

“Hoverboards or gyroboards.” (IMM Japan listing, Prohibitions)

Every country: Only new lithium batteries installed in the device they run, at most four cells or two batteries per package and 100 Wh per lithium-ion battery; no spare batteries, and no used, damaged or defective devices with lithium batteries unless manufacturer-certified refurbished. The outside of the package must not carry lithium battery marks or labels (IMM 135.62-135.64).

Jewelry, watches, coins and precious metals

“precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles may only be sent in First-Class Package International Service with Registered Mail service shipments or insured Priority Mail International parcels.” The same applies to coins, banknotes and gold, silver or platinum. IMM 332 says Registered Mail is not available for First-Class Package International Service items, so that route doesn't exist as written. That leaves the insured Priority Mail International parcel the listing also names. (IMM Japan listing, Restrictions)

Every country: Valuables can't go by Priority Mail Express International; inexpensive costume jewelry with little precious metal ships like any other merchandise, and USPS says it “is accepted to countries that prohibit jewelry, but only at the sender’s risk” (IMM 134.2).

Knives, replica weapons and toy guns

“other types of weapons (including daggers, swords, spears, and switch blade knives) may not be imported into Japan unless addressed to an appropriate organization” whose recipient has prior permission from the prefecture's authority (such as the Public Safety Commission). The same goes for firearms and their parts. (IMM Japan listing, Prohibitions)

Every country: USPS says some knives and sharp instruments may be mailed to certain countries, under the conditions in each country's listing (IMM 137). Inert or replica grenades and military ordnance are banned to every country (IMM 136.2).

Brand-name, copyrighted and origin-marked goods

“Items that infringe on patent rights, utility model rights, design rights, trademark rights, copyrights, neighboring rights, or layout design rights.” (IMM Japan listing, Prohibitions)

Every country: Counterfeit or pirated goods are prohibited to every country (IMM 136.3).

There is nothing on Japan's lists about clothing or shoes, about toys or playing cards or about antiques and collectibles.

USPS says the burden is on the mailer to follow every country's rules, whatever a USPS employee says (IMM 131.4). The full lists: Japan in the IMM.

USPS services to Japan and their limits

From Japan's IMM listing (weight, size, insurance, M-bags, DDP) and Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026 (price groups). Global Express Guaranteed has been suspended since Sep 29, 2024.
Service	Price group	Weight limit	Size limit	Good to know
First-Class Package International Service	17	4 lb	24 in. long; length + height + thickness 36 in.	Value up to $400. Free electronic delivery confirmation to this country (IMM 252.22). No insurance. Customs form: PS Form 2976.
Priority Mail International	17	66 lb; Flat Rate Envelope and Small Box 4 lb, Medium and Large Box 20 lb	60 in. long; length + girth 108 in.	6-10 business days to many major markets (USPS). Tracking included, except on Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Boxes (USPS). Insurance: $200 included for merchandise; more can be bought up to $5,000. Customs form: PS Form 2976-A.
Priority Mail Express International	17	66 lb	60 in. long; length + girth 108 in.	Serves all of Japan, including Okinawa. Date-certain money-back guarantee offered (IMM listing). No coins, jewelry, watches or other valuables. Customs form: PS Form 2976-B.
First-Class Mail International	3	3.5 oz letters; 15.994 oz large envelopes	Letter and flat sizes	Documents and correspondence only: no merchandise of any kind (IMM 242.2).
Airmail M-bag	n/a	Not available	-	Not offered to Japan (IMM Exhibit 261.3).

Online prices need PC Postage. Commercial Base prices are for labels from a USPS-approved PC Postage product, “with the exception of Click-N-Ship service”, so Click-N-Ship labels pay the retail price for Priority Mail International and First-Class Package International alike (IMM 233.231, 252.25, 253.231).
Valuables: coins, precious metals, jewelry and watches can't go by Priority Mail Express International, and Registered Mail isn't offered for First-Class Package International Service or Priority Mail International (IMM 134, 332). Japan's own rule is under jewelry above.
Service alerts: USPS's international service alerts (updated Oct 2, 2026, checked Oct 19, 2026) don't list Japan among the 13 destinations where mail acceptance is suspended. Check it before a big shipment.

USPS prices to Japan

"Online" is USPS's Commercial Base price, for labels from a USPS-approved PC Postage provider. "Post Office" is the retail price, which Click-N-Ship also charges: USPS lists retail Flat Rate prices “at Post Office & Online” (USPS, IMM 233.231). Commercial Plus prices are the same as Commercial Base in this edition. First-Class Package International weights round up to the next ounce (IMM 253.12), so an 8.2 oz package pays the 9-16 oz price.

First-Class Package International Service, price group 17. Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026. Online saves $1.16 to $7.63.
Weight	Post Office	Online
1-8 oz	$24.15	$22.99
9-16 oz	$33.95	$32.24
17-32 oz (up to 2 lb)	$37.90	$36.11
33-48 oz (up to 3 lb)	$56.45	$53.78
49-64 oz (up to 4 lb)	$71.90	$64.27

Priority Mail International by weight, price group 17, weight not over. Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026.
Weight	Post Office	Online
1 lb	$66.05	$63.91
2 lb	$69.45	$67.22
3 lb	$73.95	$71.57
4 lb	$78.50	$75.95
5 lb	$83.60	$80.91
10 lb	$111.55	$107.95
20 lb	$167.10	$161.70
30 lb	$196.75	$190.36
44 lb	$245.00	$235.88
66 lb	$338.95	$326.33

Priority Mail International Flat Rate, Flat Rate price group 3. USPS's own Flat Rate packaging only; every envelope or box named in a row costs the same, and USPS suggests the padded envelope for clothing, books and boxed jewelry (USPS). Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026.
Packaging	Up to	Post Office	Online
Flat Rate Envelope: regular, padded, legal, window or small	4 lb	$49.75	$48.12
Small Flat Rate Box (also the DVD and Large Video boxes)	4 lb	$51.40	$49.72
Medium Flat Rate Box (top- or side-loading)	20 lb	$96.40	$92.81
Large Flat Rate Box (also the Board Game box)	20 lb	$121.30	$116.77

Three packages, priced

A paperback in a padded mailer, 14 oz: First-Class Package International Service $32.24; Priority Mail International by weight (1 lb) $63.91; Priority Mail International Padded Flat Rate Envelope $48.12. Cheapest: First-Class Package International Service, $32.24 online.
Jeans and a sweater, 2 lb 8 oz: First-Class Package International Service $53.78; Priority Mail International by weight (3 lb) $71.57; Priority Mail International Medium Flat Rate Box $92.81. Cheapest: First-Class Package International Service, $53.78, as long as the value is $400 or less.
Six hardcovers, 9 lb: too heavy for First-Class Package International. Priority Mail International by weight (9 lb) $102.46; Priority Mail International Medium Flat Rate Box (if they fit) $92.81. Cheapest: Priority Mail International Medium Flat Rate Box, $92.81.

Online prices, except the M-bag. Selling platforms and label services can charge their own rates. Domestic rates: postage calculator.

Customs form, HS codes and value

Which form: PS Form 2976 for First-Class Package International Service (up to $400), PS Form 2976-A in a 2976-E envelope for Priority Mail International, PS Form 2976-B for Priority Mail Express International. All must be printed electronically, by your label software, Click-N-Ship, Customs Form Online or the Post Office counter; hand-filled forms with a barcode are obsolete (IMM 123.11, 123.61).
What goes on it: full names and addresses, the category (gift, merchandise and so on), a detailed description with quantity, net weight and value for each item, and “the 6-digit WCO HS code for each item in the package unless otherwise specified in the individual country listing” (IMM 123.711). USPS's example: “Men's cotton shirts”, not “Clothes” (USPS).
Books and media count as goods: books, periodicals, CDs and DVDs need a form and a value even though they're printed or recorded (IMM 123.623).
Export filing: enter “NOEEI 30.37(a)” when each class of goods is worth $2,500 or less (IMM 526.2).
Japan's listing: “Many articles are subject to an import license. Senders should ascertain from the addressee before mailing whether the necessary documents are held.”
Japan's listing: “A sales invoice is required for all articles valued at more than U.S. $1,600.00.”

Addressing for Japan

“Japan Post requests that the mailer use labels made from non-thermal paper and recommends a font size of 10 points for the destination and sender’s addresses.” (IMM Japan listing, Observations)
“Japan Post requests that each item addressed to Japan include the correct postal code on the address label and, when applicable, also on the customs form.” (IMM Japan listing, Observations)

Duties, taxes and fees: who pays

Normally the buyer, on delivery. USPS Delivered Duty Paid isn't available to Japan, according to its listing, so you can't prepay through USPS; if the charges go unpaid, USPS can bill you (see below).

USPS's manual says: “The duties, taxes, import fees, and other charges, if applicable, are not included in the postage paid by the mailer,” and most countries charge the recipient a customs clearance and delivery fee on top (IMM 131.34, as revised Oct 19, 2026). USPS's Delivered Duty Paid page puts it plainly: if you don't prepay, “the recipient will have to pay the required amounts before they can get their package” (USPS). Apart from Delivered Duty Paid and the invoices below, USPS doesn't give out information on what other countries charge (IMM 131.34).

If the charges go unpaid: since Oct 19, 2026, when duties, taxes or import fees on your package haven't been paid in full and the customs authority, postal operator or broker in Japan seeks them from you or USPS, “the Postal Service (or its representative) will send an invoice to the mailer for such amounts” (IMM 424.1). You have to pay the whole invoice by its due date “even if the mailer disputes the assessment,” whether the package was delivered, lost, damaged or returned, and anything not paid by the invoice's due date draws interest at 6% a year (IMM 424.2, 424.4). A challenge to the amount goes to the party that set it, not to USPS (IMM 424.5). USPS made these changes in an interim final rule effective Oct 19, 2026 (Federal Register, 91 FR 66000); its online manual, dated Sep 7, 2026, didn't show them yet when we checked on Oct 19, 2026. More: when USPS bills the sender for unpaid duties.

General information from USPS's manual, not tax or customs advice.

Questions

What's the cheapest way to ship a package to Japan with USPS?

For a light package, First-Class Package International Service (up to 4 lb and $400 in value): $22.99 for up to 8 oz with a label from a USPS-approved PC Postage provider, or $24.15 at the Post Office or through Click-N-Ship, which charges the retail price (IMM 252.25). From 33 oz, a Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope costs less if the item fits: $48.12 online, against $53.78 by First-Class Package International, though USPS offers no tracking on Flat Rate Envelopes. Heavier or more valuable packages go by Priority Mail International, from $63.91 for 1 lb online (Notice 123).

Can I ship books to Japan?

Yes. Japan's IMM listing has no rule on books or printed matter. Books need a customs form with a value (IMM 123.623). Airmail M-bags aren't available to Japan (IMM Exhibit 261.3).

Can I ship used clothing to Japan?

Yes. Japan's IMM listing has no rule on clothing, shoes or used goods. Describe each piece on the customs form (USPS's example: “Men's cotton shirts”, not “Clothes”) (USPS customs forms).

Can I ship electronics with lithium batteries to Japan?

Only within USPS's limits: new batteries installed in the device, at most four cells or two batteries per package, 100 Wh per battery for lithium-ion, and no used, damaged or defective devices with lithium batteries unless manufacturer-certified refurbished (IMM 135.62-135.64). Japan's listing adds: Prohibited: “Hoverboards or gyroboards.”

Who pays duties and taxes on a package to Japan?

Normally the buyer. USPS can't prepay duties to Japan: its listing says Delivered Duty Paid is not available. Duties, taxes and any clearance fee aren't included in postage, and most countries collect them from the recipient (IMM 131.34). USPS's own summary: “the recipient will have to pay the required amounts before they can get their package” (USPS). If the charges go unpaid and the destination seeks them from you or USPS, USPS will invoice you, and you have to pay it by its due date even if you dispute the amount (IMM 424, effective Oct 19, 2026).

Do I need an HS code to ship to Japan?

Yes. Every customs form needs at least the 6-digit HS code for each item unless the country listing says otherwise (IMM 123.711). With USPS's own tools (Click-N-Ship, Customs Forms Online or Global Shipping Software) you can skip the lookup: give a specific description, such as “Men's cotton shirts” instead of “Clothes”, and USPS assigns the code (USPS customs forms). Whatever tool picks the code, “the mailer remains solely responsible” for it being right (IMM 537.4).

Can I mail a trading card or other small item I sold to Japan in a letter?

No. First-Class Mail International takes only correspondence and documents: “No merchandise, whether dutiable or nondutiable, may be mailed using First-Class Mail International service” (IMM 242.2). The lowest-priced USPS service for goods is First-Class Package International Service, $22.99 online for up to 8 oz, with a customs form; the package has to be at least 6 inches long and 4 inches high (IMM 251.22).

Sources

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026 from each official page below.

Free 1-page Reseller Cheat Sheet: fees on 8 platforms, Media Mail and stamp prices

What each platform takes from a $10, $25 and $50 sale, Media Mail 1-10 lb, Ground Advantage to Zones 1, 5 and 8, and the Forever stamp, on one printable page. The link appears as soon as you sign up.