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Home > Tokyo Customs > Why were duties and taxes assessed on my parcels?

Why were duties and taxes assessed on my parcels?

Ｑ Why were duties and taxes assessed on my parcels?


Ａ In principle, all imported postal items, whether for commercial or personal use (including gifts), are subject to duty and taxes(national consumption tax and local consumption tax).


If the customs value is 10,000 yen or less, tax exemption applies (with some exclusions such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and leather products), but for items subject to taxation, such as when the total customs value exceeds 10,000 yen or when duty-free excluded items are imported, Customs issues a “Notice of Assessment of Duties and Taxes Postal Matters” and “Payment slip”.
These documents are affixed to the exterior of the parcel and delivered by Japan Post Co., Ltd. Upon delivery, please check the contents of the Notice, pay the taxes and receive(import) the parcel.

※Duties and taxes must be paid before receiving your parcels and the recipient(importer) is a taxpayer.


Customs taxation procedures refer to the descriptions of the Customs Declaration Form and price documents such as invoices attached to the parcels, and if necessary, we inspect the parcel to verify the contents. However, if the descriptions of the declaration form and price documents are incorrect or inaccurate, the taxation procedure can be difficult.


In order to ensure appropriate and fair customs clearance, we would appreciate the importer’s cooperation in requesting the sender(exporter) to attach the price documents such as invoices to the mail package exterior and to list accurate prices in the declaration form for faster and more appropriate customs clearance.


【c.f.】 1006 Duty exemption for goods at a total customs value of 10,000 yen or less （Customs Answer）

【c.f.】 6101 Outline of Customs Procedures for International Postal Items （Customs Answer）


If the mail is unaccompanied goods, please inform the mail carrier that you would like to check with Customs regarding the tax content, put a hold on your mail pickup, and contact Tokyo Overseas Mail Sub-branch Customs indicated in the upper right corner of the “Notice of Assessment of Duties and Taxes Postal Matters”.


【c.f.】 6105 Customs Procedures for International Parcels that Has been Bought as Souvenirs (Unaccompanied Baggage) （Customs Answer）