How much import duty do I pay on goods from China?

It depends on the product's HS code. Many industrial goods are duty-free, while clothing, shoes and leather goods are dutiable; RCEP lowers the rate for eligible goods from China. Send us the product names and we will check the channel.

How do I calculate Japan's import consumption tax?

Add the customs duty to the CIF customs value and multiply by 10%, or 8% for food. The 10% includes 2.2% local consumption tax.

Is there a duty-free limit for imports into Japan?

Shipments with a total taxable value of ¥10,000 or less are generally exempt from duty and consumption tax. Some leather goods and knitwear are exceptions.

Who is the importer of record on a DDP shipment?

On our DDP lanes we handle the importer of record and pay the duty and consumption tax, which are included in the freight.

Does DDP cover PSE or a food import notification?

No. DDP covers customs clearance and tax. PSE, food import notification, the PMD Act, Radio Act certification and textile labels remain the Japanese importer's or seller's responsibility.

Japan Import Duty and Consumption Tax on Goods from China

When you import from China to Japan, two taxes usually apply: customs duty, set by the product's HS code, and import consumption tax of 10% (8% for food). Many industrial goods are duty-free, while clothing, shoes and leather goods are dutiable; for eligible goods from China, RCEP lowers the duty rate.

On Shenma Fastship's DDP lanes the duty and consumption tax are included in the freight and we handle the importer of record, so the consignee pays nothing on delivery. For general cargo, sea freight is from CN¥18/kg (min. 101 kg) and air freight from CN¥27/kg (min. 51 kg). These are reference prices; the quote for your goods is binding.

How Import Tax Is Calculated

1Customs value: the CIF value, i.e. the price of the goods plus freight and insurance to Japan
2Customs duty: customs value × the duty rate for the product's HS code, or the lower RCEP rate where the goods qualify
3Import consumption tax: (customs value + duty) × 10%, or 8% for food; the 10% includes 2.2% local consumption tax
4Tax payable: customs duty + import consumption tax

The ¥10,000 Rule and Personal Imports

Shipments with a total taxable value of ¥10,000 or less are generally exempt from both customs duty and consumption tax, with exceptions such as some leather goods and knitwear. For goods imported for personal use, the taxable value is about 60% of the overseas retail price; goods imported for sale are taxed on their CIF value.

Documents for Customs Clearance

Commercial invoice: product names, quantities, unit prices and total value
Packing list: carton count, weight and dimensions of each carton
The HS code of each product, if you have it
For sea DDP: each product's purchase link and selling price

What DDP Includes

Export customs in China
Japan import clearance, with the importer of record handled by us
Customs duty and import consumption tax, paid by us and included in the freight
Delivery to the door; the consignee pays nothing on delivery
Sea LCL by the cubic metre is the exception: duties are not included

Rules for Selling in Japan

DDP covers customs and tax, not product compliance. Goods sold in Japan must meet these rules, which are the importer's or seller's responsibility:

Electrical products: PSE under the Electrical Appliances and Materials Safety Act
Food: import notification under the Food Sanitation Act (食品等輸入届出)
Cosmetics: the PMD Act (薬機法)
Radio devices such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi products: Radio Act technical conformity (技適)
Clothing and textiles: fibre-content labels under the Household Goods Quality Labeling Act (家庭用品品質表示法)

Frequently Asked Questions

Warehouses

Dongguan
Building 3, No. 4 Chenwu East Road, Houjie Town, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
Shenzhen
Unit 101, No. 6 Ruikang Road, Hangcheng Subdistrict, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Yiwu
No. 755 Xuefeng West Road, Beiyuan Subdistrict, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China
Xiamen
Unit 7-106A, Phase II, Jiasheng Logistics Park, Pulin Road, Guankou Town, Jimei District, Xiamen, Fujian, China
Fuzhou
No. 41 Dutou, Menkou Village, Xiangqian Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
Ningbo
West No. 2, Terminal 2, Ningbo Lishe International Airport, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
Shanghai
Building B7, Lane 3199 Jiasong Middle Road, Huaxin Town, Qingpu District, Shanghai, China
Qingdao
Unit 101, Building 4, China Eastern Logistics Park, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, Jiaozhou, Qingdao, Shandong, China

We run our own pickup points across China, so we can collect from your door quickly wherever you are. Ningbo, Shanghai and Qingdao handle our highest volumes, so dropping off there is fast too.

Ready to Ship?

Tell us your destination and cargo details, and our team will match you with the best channel.