i could not believe it either. Not sure if its just hand made art. but the letter states "as your item contained goods that are prohibited or restricted by Japan, I'm afraid i cannot compensate you for your loss"

off the web


"JAPAN

PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED GOODS

Firearms, swords, narcotics, pornographic magazines/photographs/films, pictures or sculpture, special animals and vegetable (animal and vegetable quarantine to be required)."

The way I read that is the restriction relates to pornographic pictures and sculptures....Think Royal Mail are drawing a very long bow on their interpretation.

I'd say not unfortunately otherwise it wouldn't have been a comma, but a forward slash to indicate it was part of the same grouping...can you get the artwork repaired?

Would say you're right, good point.
Have to say, really surprised by this. Is this some policy Royal Mail has (and potentially with other countries too), or is this an restriction that Japan are enforcing?
Maybe the restrictions are to protect their own hentai market

I'd agree with it relating to the pornography items, ie you cannot send 'pornographic magazines/photographs/films, pictures or sculpture'

It's the 'or' that gives the game away as it signifies the end of a list contained within various comma'd items, in this case the list relating to pornography.

it's a list that begins with the word 'pornographic', includes the three commonly available visual forms of pornography as one sub-defined item 'magazines/photographs/films' and then goes on to list two other (banned) pornographic forms as 'pictures or sculpture'.

Just an opinion, like all others, but that's what immediately struck me before reading further down the thread.

Otherwise, are Royal Mail seriously trying to say that Japan prohibits the import of all 'pictures or sculpture' in any shape of form?

Hope you get it sorted.