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Asia-Pacific

Shipping from Europe to Japan

Ship parcels and freight from Europe to Japan — EU-Japan EPA preferential duty rates, Japanese customs and the best carriers for EU–Japan shipping.

99% duty-free

EU-Japan EPA coverage

10%

Consumption tax

¥10,000 (~€60)

De minimis

2–4 days

Express transit

Japan is one of Europe's most valuable export markets — particularly for luxury goods, wine, cheese, fashion, cosmetics and cultural goods. The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA, in force since 2019) eliminates or reduces duties on 99% of EU goods exported to Japan, making EU products more competitive against other exporters. Japanese customs (Japan Customs) are known for efficiency and meticulous compliance — documentation must be accurate and complete. Japan applies 10% consumption tax on imports. The de minimis threshold is ¥10,000 (approximately €60) below which goods are cleared duty-free and without consumption tax. Japanese consumers have high purchasing power and strong demand for authentic European products.

Customs Process for Japan

Electronic pre-arrival declaration

Japan Customs uses NACCSnet (Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System) for all customs declarations. Express couriers file electronic advance declarations before aircraft arrival. Japan Customs is highly efficient — most compliant shipments clear within hours.

EU-Japan EPA origin check

To benefit from 0% EPA preferential duty rates, goods must be of EU origin and accompanied by: EUR.1 movement certificate, origin declaration (for REX-registered exporters) or knowledge of origin declaration. Without origin proof, standard MFN rates apply (average 3–5% for most goods).

De minimis assessment (¥10,000)

Shipments with CIF value under ¥10,000 (approximately €60) are cleared duty-free and exempt from consumption tax under Japan's de minimis rule. Most B2C gift parcels and personal imports qualify. Commercial shipments typically exceed this threshold.

Consumption tax (10%)

Japan applies 10% consumption tax on all imports above the de minimis threshold. Applied to (CIF value + duty). No separate VAT registration is required for overseas sellers in Japan (unlike EU IOSS) — consumption tax is collected at customs at the time of import by Japan Customs.

PSE/PSC certification check (electronics)

Electrical appliances, power cables and electronics for Japanese market must carry PSE mark (Product Safety and Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law compliance). Japan Customs checks for PSE certification on electronics shipments.

Required Shipping Documents

Document	Required	Notes
Commercial Invoice	Mandatory	Value in JPY or EUR, HS code (Japan tariff code), country of origin, full description in English.
Airway Bill	Mandatory	Electronic link to Japan Customs NACCSnet pre-arrival declaration.
EUR.1 Certificate of Origin / REX Declaration	Conditional	Required to claim EU-Japan EPA 0% duty rates. REX-registered exporters use origin declaration.
Packing List	Conditional	Recommended for multi-item commercial shipments.
Phytosanitary Certificate (plants/food)	Conditional	Required for fresh plant products, cut flowers, and certain food items. Issued by exporting country's plant authority.
PSE Certificate (electronics)	Conditional	Required for electrical products for Japanese market sale. Certified by Japan-registered testing body.
FCEL/Import Permit (pharmaceuticals)	Conditional	Pharmaceuticals require advance import notification and MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) approval.

Import Duty & Tax Rates

Category	Rate	Notes
EU goods under EPA (most categories)	0%	EU-Japan EPA eliminates duties on 99% of EU goods. EUR.1 or REX origin declaration required.
Consumption tax (all imports)	10%	Applied to CIF value + any remaining duty. Collected by Japan Customs on import.
Wine (2204) — EPA	0% (eliminating 15% MFN)	EU wine now 0% under EPA — major benefit for French, Italian, Spanish wine exports to Japan.
Cheese — EPA (staged)	Reducing to 0%	EU cheese duties being reduced to 0% over 15-year period under EPA. Currently partial preference.
Clothing — EPA	0% (was 9.1%)	EU clothing 0% under EPA vs 9.1% MFN. Significant advantage for EU fashion brands.
Under ¥10,000 de minimis	0%	Duty and consumption tax exempt. Applies to most personal gift parcels under ~€60.

Best Carriers to Japan

Carrier	Service	Transit	Tracking	Notes
DHL Express	Worldwide Express	2–3 days	✓	Fastest EU–Japan. DHL Japan has an excellent domestic network. Strong customs clearance team.
FedEx	International Priority	2–4 days	✓	FedEx very strong in Japan — one of Japan's top express carriers domestically.
UPS	Worldwide Express	3–5 days	✓	Good B2B Japan delivery. UPS Japan covers all prefectures.
Japan Post EMS	Express Mail Service	4–7 days	✓	Japan Post EMS: affordable tracked service connecting EU national posts to Japan Post for final delivery.
Yamato Transport (via partner)	Economy	5–10 days	✓	Yamato (Kuroneko) handles many economy e-commerce deliveries in Japan. Connected to DHL for international.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

✗Narcotics and controlled substances (extremely strictly enforced in Japan)

✗Firearms and weapons without licence

✗Counterfeit goods and infringing items

✗Pornographic or obscene material

✗Articles infringing Japanese intellectual property law

✗Endangered species (CITES) products

✗Fresh fruit, vegetables and plants without phytosanitary certificate

✗Meat without Japanese import permit and health certificate

✗Certain medicines without advance import notification to MHLW

✗Electronics without PSE certification (for commercial sale)

Expert Tips for Shipping to Japan

▸Always provide an EUR.1 certificate or REX origin declaration for EU-manufactured goods shipped to Japan — the EU-Japan EPA provides 0% duty on virtually all EU goods, but you must claim it with valid origin proof. Without it, standard MFN rates apply (wine was 15%, clothing 9.1% — now both 0% under EPA with proof).
▸Japan has an extremely strict prohibition on narcotics and controlled substances — including certain prescription medicines that are legal in Europe (some stimulants, codeine-containing products, certain antibiotics). Always check whether any medicine or supplement you ship to Japan is classified as a controlled substance under Japan's Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law (麻薬及び向精神薬取締法).
▸Japanese customs documentation must be precise and complete. Japan Customs is efficient but uncompromising — vague descriptions ('clothing', 'accessories', 'parts') lead to customs holds and requests for additional documentation. Use specific HS codes and detailed English descriptions on all commercial invoices.
▸For EU food exports to Japan, the EU-Japan EPA provides significant duty relief on wine (0%), cheese (reducing), processed food and agricultural goods. This makes Japanese consumers more competitive to serve from the EU vs non-EPA origins. Japan's premium food market is receptive to high-quality EU produce, olive oil, wine, chocolate and cheese.
▸Japan Post EMS provides an affordable and reliable tracked service for lower-value B2C parcels — connecting La Poste, Deutsche Post, CTT Portugal and other EU postal services to Japan Post's excellent domestic delivery network. For parcels under 2 kg, EMS is often the most cost-effective tracked option with good delivery performance.
▸Electronics for Japanese market sale must carry the PSE mark — Japan's equivalent of EU CE marking. Unlike CE (self-certification for many products), PSE requires testing by a METI-registered testing body. Obtain PSE certification before your first commercial electronics shipment to Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EU-Japan EPA and what duty savings does it provide?

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) entered into force on 1 February 2019. It eliminates duties on 99% of EU goods exported to Japan. Key benefits: wine 0% (was 15%), clothing 0% (was 9.1%), cheese reducing to 0% over 15 years, cosmetics 0%, machinery 0%. To claim EPA rates, you must provide proof of EU origin: EUR.1 movement certificate (from your country's customs authority) or a REX (Registered Exporter) origin declaration on the commercial invoice. Japan Customs is efficient at processing EPA claims.

What is Japan's import duty de minimis threshold?

Japan's de minimis threshold is ¥10,000 CIF value (approximately €60 / $65). Shipments below this value are cleared duty-free and exempt from the 10% consumption tax. Most personal gift parcels from Europe to Japan qualify. Commercial shipments typically exceed this threshold. Note: Japan does not have a Wayfair-style rule requiring overseas sellers to register for consumption tax — tax is collected at Japanese customs on import, not at checkout.

How long does shipping from Europe to Japan take?

Express (DHL, FedEx, UPS): 2–4 business days door-to-door including Japan Customs clearance. Japan Customs is highly efficient — most compliant shipments clear within hours or the same day. Economy (Japan Post EMS via national postal partners): 4–7 business days. Standard postal services: 10–21 business days depending on origin.

Can I ship wine and cheese from the EU to Japan?

Yes — and the EU-Japan EPA has made EU wine and cheese more competitive in Japan. EU wine: 0% duty under EPA (was 15%). EU cheese: duty reducing under EPA (phased schedule to 0%). For wine, include EUR.1 or REX declaration. For cheese with animal origin: health/sanitary certificate from the EU member state's competent authority is required by Japan's Animal Quarantine Service. Japan is a growing premium wine market — France, Italy, Spain and Portugal all export significant wine volumes to Japan.

What is PSE certification and do I need it for electronics shipped to Japan?

PSE (Product Safety and Electrical Appliance & Material Safety Law) marking is Japan's mandatory product safety certification for electrical appliances and electronics. Similar to EU CE marking, but Japan-specific. Required categories: household electrical appliances, power cables, batteries. Certification must be obtained through a METI-registered testing organisation before commercial sale in Japan. Personal imports (single items) may not trigger PSE enforcement, but commercial quantities of uncertified electronics will be stopped at Japanese customs.

Which carrier is best for shipping from Europe to Japan?

DHL Express is the fastest and most reliable for EU–Japan with 2–3 day transit and excellent Japan Customs clearance. FedEx International Priority is a strong alternative — FedEx has one of Japan's largest express networks domestically and is widely used for Japan B2B delivery. UPS is good for heavier B2B shipments. For economy B2C (under 2 kg): Japan Post EMS via your national postal service is cost-effective with reliable Japan Post final-mile delivery.

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