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Home > Tokyo Customs > I bought an item from a Japanese mail-order website. Why was it sent from abroad?

I bought an item from a Japanese mail-order website. Why was it sent from abroad?

Ｑ I bought an item from a Japanese mail-order website. Why was it sent from abroad?


Ａ Even when purchasing from major mail-order stores in malls in Japan, products are not always shipped from Japan, but often from foreign countries.
Receiving items shipped from abroad is considered “Importation”, so the purchaser(recipient) becomes an “importer” and is obligated to pay the duties and taxes(national consumption tax and local consumption tax).

In addition, depending on the type of product, procedures under the Food Sanitation Act, Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and other laws and regulations may be required and must be completed before the item can be received(imported).


Additionally, if your item’s customs value exceeds 200,000 yen, you will need to make an Import Declaration Procedure to Customs.