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#Q&A Can I bring Japanese cosmetics, skincare… Answer ↓

Can I bring Japanese cosmetics, skincare and sunscreen into the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong or Taiwan? Liquid and customs rules

Updated 17 sources

As of October 2026, personal-use quantities of cosmetics can be brought into all of these places. Three things to watch: first, flights from Japan limit carry-on liquids to 100mL per container in one 1L clear bag, so large bottles go in checked baggage; second, cosmetics count toward each destination's personal allowance together with everything else you bought (for example US residents US$800, Australia A$900, UK £390, Singapore S$500, Taiwan NT$35,000), and you must declare anything over; third, some categories have their own rules: Taiwan limits 'specific-purpose cosmetics' such as sunscreen and hair dye to 12 per item and 36 in total, and glass ampoules can't simply be carried in, while the US and Canada regulate sunscreen as a drug-type product.

At a glance

Destination Personal-use cosmetics Watch out for
United States Allowed; counts toward the US$800 resident allowance Sunscreen is regulated as a drug; bring only personal amounts
Canada Allowed; counts toward the C$800 resident allowance Sunscreen is a non-prescription drug or natural health product; personal limit is a 90-day supply
United Kingdom Allowed; counts toward the £390 allowance Go over and the full value is taxed
Australia Allowed; counts toward the A$900 general goods allowance Perfume and the like are general goods; go over and the full value is taxed
Singapore Allowed; counts toward the S$500 GST relief Cosmetics must not contain prohibited substances
Hong Kong Allowed; no duty on general goods Only alcohol, tobacco and a few others have limits
Taiwan Allowed; counts toward the NT$35,000 allowance Sunscreen, hair dye etc. max 12 per item and 36 in total; no glass ampoules without a permit

Allowance conditions and how excess is taxed are in Duty-free allowances by country. For mainland China see Cosmetics and China customs.

Step 1: liquid rules leaving Japan

  • Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: on international flights, carry-on liquids (including lotion, milk, cream, sunscreen and gel) must be in containers of 100mL or less, packed in one resealable clear plastic bag of up to 1L per person. A container over 100mL must be checked even if it's partly empty.
  • Cosmetic sprays such as ANESSA Perfect UV Spray are limited to 0.5L per container and 2L per person in total, including checked baggage.
  • Large bottles such as SK-II Facial Treatment Essence 230mL or Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion 170mL must be checked; powders and lipsticks (such as CANMAKE Marshmallow Finish Powder) aren't liquids.
  • For purchases under the refund system from November 1, 2026, complete customs confirmation at the airport before checking your bags; see Japan's new tax-free rules.

Full details: Can Japanese lotion and sunscreen go on the plane?

When connecting

Connections follow the security rules of the transfer airport. The US TSA also limits liquids to 3.4oz (100mL) per container in one quart-size bag. Duty-free liquids over 100mL bought abroad can be carried when flying into the US with a connection only if sealed by the retailer in a tamper-evident bag with the original receipt and bought within 48 hours, and they can still be refused at screening. TSA recommends putting liquids over 100mL in checked baggage.

Step 2: arriving at your destination

United States and Canada

  • US: cosmetics count toward the US$800 allowance for returning residents (19 CFR 148.33). The FDA says sunscreens are regulated as drugs in the US. We didn't find a CBP or FDA page specifically about travellers carrying foreign sunscreen, so the cautious approach is to bring only personal amounts in original packaging and declare honestly.
  • Canada: Health Canada says sunscreens are non-prescription drugs (with a DIN) or natural health products (with an NPN) depending on their ingredients; personal imports of these are limited to a 90-day supply or a single course of treatment, whichever is less (GUI-0116). Ordinary cosmetics are outside that guidance. Your purchases count toward the C$800 allowance.

United Kingdom and Australia

  • UK: arriving from outside the EU, other goods up to £390 are free of tax and duty; go over and the full value is taxed. GOV.UK's personal-goods guidance sets no separate quantity limit for cosmetics.
  • Australia: the ABF lists perfume, gifts and souvenirs as general goods, duty free up to A$900 for travellers 18 and over; go over and duty applies to all general goods.

Singapore and Hong Kong

  • Singapore: after 48 hours abroad, new goods up to S$500 in total are relieved from GST. Singapore's Health Sciences Authority says cosmetics don't need approval before being sold, but must not contain prohibited substances.
  • Hong Kong: a free port with no duty on general goods; customs sets duty-free quantities only for alcohol, tobacco and other dutiable commodities.

Taiwan

  • Specific-purpose cosmetics (sunscreen, hair dye, perm, antiperspirant/deodorant, tooth whitening and similar): up to 12 per item (bottles, boxes, jars, packs or bags, in original packaging) and 36 in total for personal use. Anything over the limit is handled under customs and Taiwan FDA rules, so don't bring more. That means no more than 12 of the same sunscreen, such as ANESSA Perfect UV Milk or Bioré UV Aqua Rich.
  • Glass ampoules: not allowed as cosmetic containers; for personal use you need a special import approval first and must declare at the red channel.
  • Allowance: personal and household items up to NT$35,000 in total are duty free. The Taiwan FDA also reminds travellers that cosmetics brought in are for personal use only and may not be resold.

Before you buy

  • How to choose: Japanese cosmetics guide. Each product's flight and customs notes are on the cosmetics category page.
  • Goods brought in for resale aren't personal use, and no allowance applies anywhere.
  • Product claims are as stated on the packaging and by the manufacturer; we don't assess effectiveness.

Frequently asked questions

Does sunscreen need special attention?

Yes. The US FDA says sunscreens are regulated as drugs in the US. Health Canada says sunscreens are non-prescription drugs or natural health products depending on their ingredients, and personal imports of these products are limited to a 90-day supply or a single course of treatment, whichever is less. Taiwan lists sunscreen as a 'specific-purpose cosmetic', capped at 12 per item. Japanese sunscreens aren't registered under any of these local systems, so bring only what you'll use, keep the original packaging and answer honestly if customs asks.

Which cosmetics does Taiwan's '12 per item' rule cover?

Taiwan Customs says 'specific-purpose cosmetics' (formerly called medicated cosmetics) with sun protection, hair dye, perm, antiperspirant/deodorant or tooth whitening functions are limited to 12 per item (bottles, boxes, jars, packs or bags, in original packaging) and 36 in total for personal use. Ordinary lotions and creams aren't in this limit but still count toward the NT$35,000 allowance.

Can I bring ampoule serums into Taiwan?

Not directly. Taiwan doesn't allow glass ampoules (one-piece, snap-off sealed glass containers) as cosmetic containers; for personal use you must first apply to the Taiwan FDA for special import and declare at the red channel on arrival.

If I use a tax-free cosmetic in Japan, can I still get the refund?

No. The Japan Tourism Agency says that from November 1, 2026, consumables used up in Japan aren't eligible, and if even one item on a receipt is missing, nothing on that receipt is refunded. Pay separately for things you'll use during the trip.

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Updated 2026-10-24Prices are for reference only; check in store.Markdown