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    Import Taxes (USA)

    U.S. Import Duty & Fees Guide (Effective August 29, 2025)

    Quick summary: All shipments to the U.S. are now subject to customs duty & fees. The final cost depends on the item value and shipping method (DHL or Japan Post). The $800 duty-free exemption no longer applies.

    What changed?

    • Before Aug 29, 2025: Orders under $800 could enter the U.S. duty-free.
    • From Aug 29, 2025: All shipments must pay duty & fees, regardless of value.
    • Postal (Japan Post → USPS) — transition period: Aug 29, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 uses a flat duty per item.
    • Courier (DHL / FedEx / UPS): Duty & fees are percentage-based on declared value.

    Estimated U.S. Import Charges (Seiko watch examples)

    Watch price (USD) DHL Express
    (duty + fees)    		 Japan Post → USPS
    (duty + fees)*    		 Which is cheaper (now)
    ≤ $300 ~ $41 $80 DHL
    ≤ $500 ~ $53 $80 DHL
    ≤ $700 ~ $65 $80 DHL
    ≤ $1,000 ~ $83 $80 About the same
    ≤ $1,500 ~ $113 $80 Japan Post
    ≤ $2,000 ~ $143 $80 Japan Post
    $2,001 – $2,500 ~ $173 $80 Japan Post
    $2,500+ (formal entry) ~6% of item value + CBP fees (e.g., $3,000 watch ≈ $233) $80 Japan Post

    * Japan Post flat $80 applies only until Feb 28, 2026. After that, postal shipments will also switch to percentage-based duty.

    Transition period vs. after March 2026

    • Aug 29, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026 (transition): Postal = flat $80 per item (Japan); Courier = duty ~5–9% of value + ~$20 brokerage.
    • From Mar 1, 2026: Postal & Courier both use percentage-based duty on declared value (no more USPS $80 flat).

    Notes

    • These figures are estimates only — the final duty and tax amounts are determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the time of entry.
    • All import duties, taxes, and clearance charges are the responsibility of the buyer.
    • Shopping in Japan is not responsible for any U.S. import duty, tax, or fee assessed by CBP or the shipping carrier.
    • Formal entries (> $2,500) incur CBP Merchandise Processing Fee (minimum applies).
    • Carriers (DHL, USPS, etc.) may add small clearance/disbursement fees for advancing duties on your behalf.

    We update this page as regulations evolve so you know exactly what to expect when ordering from Japan.

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