How is import duty and tax calculated in Japan?
For personal use, customs values your parcel at 60 percent of the price. If that taxable value is 10,000 yen or less, duty and consumption tax are usually zero. Above that, duty applies by category and 10 percent consumption tax applies on the value plus duty. Use the cost calculator to estimate your parcel.
What is the 16,666 yen rule?
Because the taxable value is 60 percent of the price, goods worth up to about 16,666 yen (60 percent of which is 10,000 yen) are usually duty and tax free. See the dedicated page for the details and exceptions.
Why did I still get charged on a cheap parcel?
Some categories do not get the 10,000 yen exemption and are taxed from the first yen, including leather goods, knitwear, rice, dairy and tobacco. Alcohol and tobacco are always taxed. The carrier also adds a clearance or handling fee when tax is due.
Does iHerb collect Japanese tax at checkout?
No. iHerb does not collect Japanese consumption tax at checkout, so if any tax is due the carrier collects it on delivery. iHerb also caps order value to stay under the duty-free line and blocks items it cannot ship to Japan.
How much medicine or supplements can I import?
As a rough guide, about 1 month of prescription medicine, 2 months of other medicine or quasi-drugs, and 24 units of cosmetics, without extra paperwork. Supplements are treated as food unless they contain drug ingredients. Use the rule checker and confirm with MHLW.
Which supplement ingredients are blocked?
Ingredients such as DHEA, pregnenolone, racetams, adrafinil and vinpocetine need MHLW confirmation and iHerb will not ship them. Melatonin, 5-HTP and yohimbe have a 2-month limit. Hemp and CBD are refused under tightened THC rules. Check the blocked-ingredients page.
How much are carrier fees?
Japan Post charges a small clearance fee (通関料), around 200 yen, when tax is due. Couriers like DHL, FedEx and UPS add a handling or disbursement fee, often around 1,000 to 1,100 yen. These are estimates; the carrier sets the actual amount.
Is this tax advice?
No. This is general information for personal importers, quoted from official sources with the date checked. Rules change. For anything important, confirm with Japan Customs and MHLW.