Medications Banned in Japan: The Complete List

A short list of drugs has zero legal path into Japan, and a separate list of common medicines is restricted rather than banned.

Last reviewed: 24 July 2026Verify specifics with official sourcesWritten for international residents & visitors

You want the real list of medications banned in Japan before you pack, not a vague warning. Some drugs that are legal, or even commonly prescribed, where you live are treated the same as street narcotics here - no prescription changes that, and no small amount is safe. This is the complete rundown: what's banned outright, which everyday OTC ingredients get flagged instead of banned, and exactly where to verify a specific medicine before you fly.

The short answer

A short banned list, a wider restricted list

Japan bans a short list of substances outright, with no prescription exception and no quantity threshold: amphetamine and methamphetamine (including Adderall and Dexedrine), heroin, cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy, opium, psilocybin, and cannabis or marijuana in any form, including CBD with any THC. Beyond that, pseudoephedrine decongestants and codeine are restricted rather than banned. Anything else likely falls under the routine rules in our guide to bringing prescription medication into Japan - but confirm the specific drug against the official MHLW list before you travel.

Medications banned outright in Japan

The prohibited drugs list: no prescription exception, no threshold

These substances are treated as banned outright, regardless of how they're prescribed or classified where you live:

Amphetamine and methamphetamine - including Adderall (amphetamine salts) and Dexedrine - classified as Stimulants, with the Narcotics Control Department explicit that they cannot be imported even for legitimate treatment.
Heroin, cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy, and opium.
Psilocybin.
Cannabis and marijuana in any form, including CBD products containing any THC, however small - foreign or state-level legalization is not recognized here. THC-free CBD isn't currently banned but is closely scrutinized.
CBN (cannabinol), newly prohibited as of 1 June 2026 (reported by travel and airline guidance - verify against the official list).

Outcomes for violations are real.Japan Customs and the Narcotics Control Department don't distinguish recreational use from a legitimate foreign prescription. Reported consequences include detention, arrest, prosecution, and deportation. Don't pack a banned drug as a backup, even sealed and unused - see Can you bring Adderall to Japan? if that's your situation.

OTC medicines that are restricted, not banned

Pseudoephedrine and codeine follow their own rules

Ingredient	Status in Japan
Pseudoephedrine	Permitted only at low concentration - embassy sources cite 10 percent or less
Codeine	Controlled narcotic - NCD advance permission required regardless of quantity

Products reported as flagged (secondary sources - confirm before packing).Embassy and customs guidance flags Sudafed, Actifed, Vicks inhalers, Tylenol Cold, NyQuil, Advil Cold and Sinus, Lomotil, and the '-D' versions of Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec. Plain versions without '-D' - fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) - are generally fine. Don't assume your usual brand travels; check the label.

The narcotics track: legal drugs that still need permission

Not everything on a stricter track is banned

Morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, codeine, and tapentadol are classified as narcotics, and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) as a stimulant raw material - all legal in Japan for medical use, but all requiring Narcotics Control Department advance permission regardless of quantity, applied for at least 14 days before travel. You must carry these yourself; import by mail or through another person is prohibited. Tramadol is not classified as a narcotic here. If Vyvanse is your situation, see is Vyvanse legal in Japan for the full checklist.

Where to verify Japan's banned medicine list yourself

Don't rely on a blog post, including this one

This list isn't exhaustive, and rules change - CBN's prohibition only took effect in 2026, and third-party sites often quote wrong figures for controlled drugs (a commonly cited zolpidem threshold runs well above the official NCD figure). Check any medication against MHLW's own guidance, not a summary.

[MHLW's personal import page](https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/01.html) for the rules on prescription drugs, OTC medicine, and thresholds.
[MHLW's online application portal](https://impconf.mhlw.go.jp/) for an import certificate or NCD permission.
[Japan Customs](https://www.customs.go.jp/english/c-answer_e/sonota/9005_e.htm) for what to declare and carry at the border. The health guide covers the fuller mechanics.

What to do before you travel

Check every medication's active ingredient against the banned list above.
Amphetamine, cannabis or any THC, and psilocybin have no legal path in - don't pack them as a backup.
Check pseudoephedrine and codeine products specifically.
Confirm concentration on the label, and apply for NCD permission ahead of time for codeine.
If your drug isn't banned or flagged, confirm it fits the ordinary import allowances.
See bringing prescription medication to Japan for the 1-month and 2-month rules.
Line up care in Japan if you're relocating, not just visiting.
A foreign prescription can't be filled here. Use the pharmacy finder for a pharmacy with verified English support, and see the moving to Japan guide for setup.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions people actually search

What medications are illegal in Japan?

Japan's list is short but absolute: amphetamine and methamphetamine (including Adderall and Dexedrine), heroin, cocaine, MDMA, opium, psilocybin, and cannabis or marijuana in any form, including CBD with any THC. None have a prescription exception or quantity threshold - a foreign prescription changes nothing.

Is CBD or THC legal in Japan?

Cannabis and marijuana are banned in Japan in any form, including CBD products containing any THC at all, however small - foreign or state-level legalization doesn't change that. THC-free CBD isn't currently banned but is closely scrutinized at customs, so confirm the actual THC content before you pack it. CBN (cannabinol) was newly prohibited as of 1 June 2026, per travel and airline guidance - verify against the official list.

Can I bring Adderall or other ADHD stimulants into Japan?

No. Amphetamine, the active ingredient in Adderall and in Dexedrine, is classified as a Stimulant under Japan's Stimulants Control Act and cannot be imported even for legitimate treatment - there's no prescription exception. See Can you bring Adderall to Japan? for the full explanation, and is Vyvanse legal in Japan for a stimulant-related ADHD drug that is importable under a stricter process.

What over-the-counter medicines are restricted in Japan?

Pseudoephedrine decongestants are restricted, not banned - permitted only at low concentration, embassy sources cite 10 percent or less. Products reported as flagged include Sudafed, Actifed, Vicks inhalers, Tylenol Cold, NyQuil, Advil Cold and Sinus, Lomotil, and the '-D' versions of Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec; plain versions without '-D' are generally fine. Codeine is separate - a controlled narcotic requiring NCD advance permission regardless of quantity.

Where can I check Japan's official banned medicine list?

Start with MHLW's personal import page and, for certificates or narcotics permission, its online application portal - both official government sources. Japan Customs' guidance page covers what to declare at the border. Third-party lists sometimes quote outdated or wrong figures, so verify directly when a specific drug matters, rather than trusting a search result, including this one.

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