"Request canceled due to prohibited items"
This message means that one or more items in your package cannot be shipped based on the shipping request you submitted.
This message indicates that an item in your package is either:
Completely prohibited from shipment, or
Prohibited for the specific courier you selected
Because courier restrictions vary, it’s important to double-check the list of available couriers and their limitations. Common examples and the next steps you can take are listed below.
Common prohibited items:
Common Prohibited Items | Restricted Shipping Courier | Useful Notes |
DVD / BluRay | FedEx | Prohibited for US only |
Shoes | FedEx | Prohibited for US only |
Clock / Watch | FedEx | Prohibited for US only |
Any Glasses/Lenses (Prescription and non-prescription) | DHL, FedEx | Prohibited for US only |
Snacks / Food | FedEx | |
Beauty Products / Cosmetics | FedEx | |
Liquid items | FedEx | |
Beauty products containing ethanol | FedEx | |
Ink | Japan Post, DHL, FedEx. See details here. | Prohibited for US only. Sometimes available to ship elsewhere depending on ink type. |
Precious Metal (Silver, Gold, Diamond, etc) | Japan Post, FedEx |
Our team takes extra care during repacking, as the items mentioned above are common reasons packages may be held by customs, delayed, or even returned to Japan.
Please note that these are not our only prohibited items. For more information, please refer to our prohibited items guide or feel free to email us with any questions.
Next Steps for Prohibited Items
Pick up the prohibited items from our warehouse in Yokohama
Ship the prohibited items domestically within Japan
Dispose of the prohibited items
If the prohibited items are included in a package with other non-prohibited items, you may choose one of the following:
Create a new shipping request and, in the Shipping Notes, request that the prohibited items be disposed of. We can then proceed with shipping the remaining items.
Submit a split request ($6 for first new package created, $3 for each subsequent package created) to separate the prohibited items into their own package. The separated package can then be shipped domestically or picked up at a later date.
Update: SDS No Longer Handled by Blackship
Effective October 10, 2026, we can no longer obtain or review a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) with the carrier on your behalf. Items that require an SDS are not outright prohibited, but to ship with one, you will need to clear it with the carrier yourself:
Obtain the SDS from the manufacturer.
Confirm directly with your preferred carrier that they accept the item for shipment to your destination.
Send us the SDS together with the carrier’s written confirmation (clearly naming the carrier, the exact item, and the destination).
Once we have both, we can proceed with shipping, provided the item meets our other shipping requirements.
Please email us at help@blackship.com if you need more information about prohibited-item procedures.