Tax on goods coming into Japan?

[Kagetsu]

I have a little querry, and was hoping someone could answer it for me.

In Australia, if you receive a parcel, and the total costs exceeds $1000Au, you'll be charged tax (GST 10%, and levies if they apply).

I was wondering if Japan does that too, or if Parcels are 'excempt'?

[GomiGirl]

Depends on what it is and what is on the customs declaration.

If you sending a gift then I think it is exempt - same for spare parts and used goods or samples. But if it deemed to be a commercial item for sale then duty will be levied.

I would have thought gifts were exempt on GST in Aus. But GST is a really confusing thing so anything is possible.

Remember as well that you should mark the goods for the cost of the item. If it is a high cost item you should keep close to the real value for insurance purposes.

[omae mona]

Japan does it too. I'm not sure what the exemtpions are, or what the duties are. But once, I had to pay a small amount of duty on a package containing a gift from a relative.

You may find the information on this official Japan Customs page helpful. It may be a little too much information though! Hope you can find the information you're looking for.

[Kagetsu]

Australia even charges for gifts too if value is over 1K. ~_~

They're a pair of skates, so the value is quite high... Might have to ask a friend in Japan to receive them. ^_~

[Samurai_Jerk]

Yeah, I once had to pay 2000 yen on a jacket my dad sent me for Christmas. I guess because he had it shipped directly from the company (LL Bean) and not gift rapped from him.

[wuchan]

I work with this shop back home that puts what ever amount that you want on the packing slip and then sends all the real paperwork separate (package goes UPS and the bill and all other paperwork goes USPS). That way the international customers can have an amount put on the package that will never be taxed. The only problem is that they can only insure it up to the amount that you have them put on it.

[FG Lurker]

Australia is one of the best countries as far as customs goes. The exemption is Aus$1000 which is incredibly high. Most countries have an exemption of about US$50, anything over that gets tax and duty charged.

For most countries the "gift exemption" is meaningless. If the gift is over about $50 (the same as the non-gift exemption) then tax and duty are charged.

I'm not actually sure of Japan's exact policies. I have imported some reasonably expensive items here (all used though) and never been charged tax or duty. Don't know if it is just random and I have been lucky or if they don't charge for used items. I suspect it is more random than anything else though.

[FG Lurker]

The only problem is that they can only insure it up to the amount that you have them put on it.

This isn't the only problem... If customs opens the package (which Japanese customs is doing more of these days) they can revalue the package and charge tax and duty on their declared value. They can also charge penalties or even seize the item. I don't know how often they do this but it can happen.