Examples of Air Freight, Boat Prohibited Items
| Items | Permissibly | Conditions and Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Liquids/Powders in Unmarked Containers | Check Required | Testing samples, cosmetic samples, toner, ink, adhesives, or unidentified liquids or powders (e.g., miscellaneous powders) require a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). |
| Food/Seeds/Swords | Check Required | ① Unmarked Packaged Food: A product manufacturing report is required ② Seeds: Require a quarantine certificate. ③ Swords: Require a sword export permit. |
| Lithium-ion/Lithium-metal Batteries and Devices Containing Such Batteries | Prohibited | ① Rechargeable batteries, excluding nickel-based types, are prohibited for shipment regardless of their type or capacity. ② If the battery is removable, only the device (without the battery) is permitted. Fully integrated (non removable) batteries, such as those in iPads, are strictly prohibited in all cases. * Examples of items containing batteries include: Laptops, smartphones, wireless chargers, tablets, e-readers, iPhones, trimmers, e-cigarettes, e-dictionaries, thermometers, hoverboards, blood pressure monitors, cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, toys, and more. |
| Batteries (AA/AAA) | Permitted | Limited to nonrechargeable, single-use products only. |
| Button Cell Batteries (BC) | Check Required | ① Restricted to disposable (nonrechargeable) products only. ② Up to two units are permitted if installed in the device. ③ Prohibited separately as standalone items. |
| Nickel-based Batteries | Check Required | Nickel-metal hydride, Nickel–cadmium (NiCd), etc. ① For devices with integrated nickel-based batteries, the battery type must be clearly indicated on the device, or proof of nonhazardous materials must be provided in an accompanying document.* ② (For standalone nickel-based batteries) Terminals must be securely insulated, individually cushioned, and properly packaged. Additionally, the battery type must be clearly identified, or proof of nonhazardous materials must be provided in an accompanying document.* * Accompanying documents: User manual (SPEC) or MSDS indicating the battery type. * If no SPEC is provided on the product or manual, an MSDS must be included (no quantity restrictions apply). |
| Transformers | Permitted | |
| TV/Monitor | Check Required | Rechargeable portable monitors/TVs are prohibited. |
| Adapters | Permitted | |
| OTP cards Car Keys | Permitted | Up to two keys are permitted rechargeable car keys are prohibited. (Limited to button cell-powered keys only.) |
| Small Refrigerators | Prohibited | Prohibited owing to refrigerant gas and compressed containers. |
| Induction Cooktops | Permitted | |
| Hard Drives | Permitted | |
| Bulbs/Fluorescent Lights | Permitted | |
| Electric Mats/Hot Water Mats | Permitted | |
| USIM Chips | Permitted | |
| Door Locks | Permitted | |
| Wireless Chargers | Check Required | Rechargeable (built-in) models containing lithium batteries are prohibited. |
| Cordless Phones | Prohibited | |
| Bluetooth Headsets | Prohibited | Products containing lithium batteries are prohibited. |
| Wi-Fi Amplifiers Portable Wi-Fi | Prohibited | Products containing lithium batteries are prohibited. |
| Electric Bicycles | Prohibited | Products containing lithium batteries are prohibited. Other components, such as motor parts, are permitted. |
| Power Drills | Check Required | Products containing lithium batteries are prohibited. |
| Power Supply Units (PC) | Permitted | |
| Tumblers | Check Required | Products containing lithium batteries are prohibited. |
| Hearing Aids | Check Required | Products containing lithium batteries are prohibited. |
| Computer Motherboards | Permitted | Up to two units are permitted with CMOS (button cell) batteries installed |
| Hand Warmers | Check Required | Products containing lithium batteries are prohibited (e.g., models that function as power banks). |
| Disposable Lighters | Prohibited | |
| Oxygen Tanks, Oxygen Cylinders | Prohibited | |
| Camping Gas Butane/Propane Gas | Prohibited | |
| Compressed Containers (Sprays, etc.) | Prohibited | Metal compressed containers (e.g., with concave bases) are prohibited. Plastic and glass containers are permitted. * Examples: Insecticides, fabric deodorizers, pain relief sprays, sunscreen sprays, pepper sprays. |
| Shock Absorbers (Vehicle) | Prohibited | Gas-filled models are prohibited, but hydraulic models are permitted. |
| Gas Cylinders/Compressors | Prohibited | Products containing gas cylinders, compressors, or compressed containers (e.g., life vests with gas cylinders) are prohibited, regardless of type. |
| Fire Extinguishers | Prohibited | |
| Airbags | Prohibited | |
| Portable Gas Stoves Camping Stoves Zippo Lighters | Check Required | Permitted if no fuel is included. |
| Tires | Prohibited | |
| Fireworks | Prohibited | |
| Toy Cap Guns | Prohibited | Toys containing gunpowder |
| Ammunition/Explosives | Prohibited | |
| Flares (Illumination/Signal/Warning) | Prohibited | |
| Fabric Softener Air Freshener/Deodorizer Asthma Sprays | Check Required | Metal spray or aerosol containers are prohibited. |
| Balls | Check Required | ① All inflatable balls must be deflated to less than one-third of their original volume. Fully inflated balls that maintain their shape are prohibited ② Baseballs, golf balls, ping pong balls, and tennis balls are permitted. |
| Combat Rations | Check Required | Prohibited if heat packs or similar items are included. |
| Torches, Kitchen Spark Lighters | Permitted | ① Gas-filled lighters are prohibited. ② Lighters that can cause explosions are prohibited. |
| Kerosene Lighters | Prohibited | |
| Lighter Fuel | Prohibited | |
| Oil-based Paints/Pigments | Prohibited | Products labeled as Dangerous Goods (DG). |
| Water-based Paints | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before applying.) |
| Adhesive Bonds/Instant Glues | Prohibited | |
| Adhesives/Coating Agents | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required prior to application.) |
| Dental Adhesives | Permitted | |
| Perfume | Prohibited | |
| Gasoline | Prohibited | |
| Cooking Oil | Permitted | Limited to unopened/finished products only |
| Engine Oil/Lubricants/Mechanical Oils | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Shoe Polish | Prohibited | |
| Nail Polish | Check Required | The DG label indicating flammability must be attached. |
| Nail Polish Remover | Check Required | The DG label indicating flammability must be attached. |
| Acetone | Prohibited | |
| Benzene | Prohibited | |
| Matches | Prohibited | |
| Medicated Liquid | Permitted | |
| Coal/Charcoal | Permitted | Restricted to finished products only. |
| Silicone | Check Required | ① Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Air Fresheners (Diffusers) | Check Required | ① Only finished products are permitted products with the DG flammability label are prohibited. |
| Heat Packs | Permitted | |
| Printer Ink (including Finished Products/Raw Materials) | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Solid Fuels | Prohibited | |
| Alcoholic Beverages | Check Required | ① Products with an alcohol content of over 60% are prohibited. ② Other products must be unopened, finished, and commercially available. |
| Toner | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Mothballs (Naphthalene) | Prohibited | |
| Skin Care Products (e.g., Lotions, Creams, Mists) | Check Required | ① Spray formats (compressed containers) are prohibited. ② Products with the DG flammability label are prohibited. |
| Mosquito Repellent (Liquid, Mat-type), Cockroach Repellent | Permitted | Aerosol/spray formats (compressed containers) are prohibited. |
| Alcohol Swabs | Prohibited | |
| Disinfectants | Check Required | Alcohol-free disinfectants are permitted. Disinfectants containing alcohol are prohibited. |
| Cleansing Oil | Permitted | Permitted if not labeled with a DG label. |
| Hot Compress Packs | Permitted | |
| Hair Dye | Check Required | ① Spray formats (compressed containers) are prohibited. ② MSDS review is required for samples. |
| Hair Building Fibers (e.g., Hair Concealers) | Permitted | |
| Insecticides | Check Required | ① Permitted if marketed as finished products and not labeled with a DG label. ② MSDS review is required for samples. |
| Agricultural Chemicals | Prohibited | |
| Mercury Compounds | Prohibited | |
| Mercury Thermometers | Prohibited | |
| Hydrochloric Acid | Prohibited | |
| Wastewater/Contaminated Water | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| E-cigarette Liquid | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Disposable Shampoo | Permitted | Permitted if it is a finished product. |
| Seeds | Check Required | A health certificate is required. |
| Rat Poison | Prohibited | |
| Hair Wax | Permitted | Permitted if it is a finished product. |
| Glue | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Fogging Insecticides | Prohibited | |
| Printer Toner (including Finished Products/Raw Materials) | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Automotive Chemicals | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Cosmetics | Check Required | ① Permitted if not labeled with a DG label. ② An MSDS is required for samples. ③ Metal compressed containers are prohibited. |
| Calcium Chloride | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Dehumidifiers | Permitted | Permitted |
| Car Batteries | Prohibited | |
| Acetic Acid | Prohibited | |
| Toilet Bowl Cleaners | Check Required | Permitted if they are finished products and are not labeled with a DG label. |
| Citric Acid, Baking Soda | Permitted | MSDS review is required for samples or items in any containers. |
| Bleach/Drain Cleaners | Prohibited | |
| Detergents (Kitchen/Laundry) | Permitted | |
| Dry Ice | Prohibited | |
| Fertilizers | Check Required | ① MSDS review is required for compound/chemical fertilizers. ② Organic fertilizers must include an organic materials certificate. |
| Deodorizers | Permitted | Spray formats (compressed containers) are prohibited. |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Prohibited | |
| Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) | Prohibited | |
| Oxidizing Bleaches | Prohibited | |
| Abrasives | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Limestone | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Dehumidifiers (Silica Gel) | Check Required | ① Permitted if included as a preservative in seaweed packaging. ② For other products, an MSDS review is required. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| General Medications | Permitted | ① Over-the-counter drugs without DG labels or warnings are permitted. ② A doctor’s prescription note is required for prescription drugs. |
| Medications (IV Fluids) | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Medications (Diagnostic Reagents) | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Mouthwash | Permitted | Permitted if it is a finished product. |
| Herbal Medicine | Permitted | ① Must be manufactured and packaged by an herbal medicine shop or health food store. The packaging or certificate must clearly identify it as herbal medicine and be fully sealed. ② Homemade herbal medicine is not permitted. |
| Red Ginseng Extract | Check Required | ① Marketed finished products are permitted. ② Samples or items in any containers require a review of a food product manufacturing report/MSDS. |
| Saline Solution | Check Required | ① Marketed finished products are permitted. ② MSDS review is required for samples or items in unmarked containers. |
| Contact Lens Solution | Check Required | ① Marketed finished products are permitted. ② MSDS review is required for samples or items in any containers. |
| Dishwashing Liquid | Check Required | ① Marketed finished products are permitted. ② MSDS review is required for samples or items in any containers. |
| Hair Loss Treatments | Check Required | ① Marketed finished products are permitted. ② MSDS review is required for samples or items in any containers. |
| Canned Beverages | Permitted | ① Marketed finished products are permitted. ② A food product manufacturing report/MSDS is required for samples or items in unmarked containers. |
| Food Products | Permitted | ① Marketed finished products are permitted. (Finished products with printed labels and trademarks) ② The review of a food product manufacturing report is required for samples, homemade items, or items in any containers. ③ Kimchi is restricted to destinations that allow its import. |
| Pear and Apple Juices | Permitted | ① Marketed finished products are permitted. (Finished products with printed labels and trademarks) ② The review of a food product manufacturing report is required for samples, homemade items, or items in any type of container. |
| Animal Feed | Check Required | ① Marketed finished products are permitted. ② MSDS review is required for samples or items in any containers. |
| Saws, Sickles, Hoes, Cutting Tools | Permitted | |
| Kitchen Knives, Paring Knives, Cutters | Permitted | |
| Long Swords (Long Knife) | Check Required | An export permit is required for real swords. |
| Scissors | Permitted | |
| Electric Shock Devices | Prohibited | Prohibited, whether or not batteries are included |
| Airsoft Guns | Check Required | Prohibited if equipped with gas-powered magazines. |
| Archery, Traditional Bows | Permitted | |
| Crossbows | Check Required | Require a permit |
| Pushpins | Permitted | |
| Acupuncture Tools, Needles, Moxibustion | Permitted | |
| Bacteria | Prohibited | |
| Blood Samples, Biological Materials | Prohibited | |
| Human Remains (e.g., Ashes) | Prohibited | |
| Yeast | Check Required | Determination will be made after reviewing the MSDS. (A request to the International Post Office is required before submission.) |
| Viruses | Prohibited | |
| Candles | Permitted | |
| Magnetic Materials (e.g., Speakers) | Check Required | Items exceeding the magnetic strength limits will be returned upon verification. |
| Rifle Scopes | Permitted | |
| Mood Lamps | Check Required | Rechargeable mood lamps are prohibited. |