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Can you bring melatonin to Japan?

Short answer
Allowed, within limits

The official rule for Japan below names melatonin. The same rule also covers the other medicines it lists, so read the conditions carefully.

  • Melatonin

    allowed, within limits

    In Japan, melatonin is on the health ministry's list of ingredients used only in medicines, so a melatonin supplement counts as a medicine at the border. Japan Customs lets you bring medicines for your own use without an import certificate (Yakkan Shoumei) up to 2 months' supply, or 1 month for prescription drugs. The ministry describes melatonin as a prescription medicine in Japan, so 1 month is the cautious reading (ours). Bringing more needs a Yakkan Shoumei in advance.

    The ministry kept melatonin on its medicine-only list in 2023, citing its use as a prescription medicine in Japan and reported harm from supplements abroad.

    Also covers: melatonin

    Source Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Notice 医薬監麻発0805第1号 (5 August 2026), Attachment 1: list of ingredients used exclusively as medicines (melatonin)Checked against the source on 2026-10-17

Check your specific trip →All medication rules for Japan →

Melatonin in other countries

Melatonin in every country we cover →

Other medicines

Informational only — not legal advice. Customs rules change; confirm with the official source above before you travel. Not medical advice. Don't stop or change a medicine because of a travel rule without talking to your doctor. See update history