Import Duties & Taxes — Clear Costs, No Surprises
Buying collectibles from Japan should be exciting — not stressful. Many customers worry about unexpected charges at delivery or not knowing the real total cost until it is too late.
At LapinNoir.JP, our goal is simple: clear pricing and fewer surprises. For supported countries and shipping methods, we show import-related charges before checkout whenever possible.
Some charges may be collected in advance through systems such as DDP, IOSS, or other applicable customs and tax processes.
Common Questions
- “Will I be charged again at delivery?” — For supported destinations and shipping methods, applicable prepaid charges are shown at checkout whenever possible. However, depending on the destination country, order value, carrier, and customs process, local charges may still apply upon delivery.
- “Why do I see Estimated EU Import Duty?” — Starting July 1, 2026, the European Union will introduce a new customs duty rule for certain low-value imports. This is not a handling fee charged by LapinNoir.JP.
- “Is Estimated EU Import Duty the same as VAT?” — No. VAT and import duty are different charges. VAT may be collected through IOSS, while Estimated EU Import Duty is related to customs duty under EU import rules.
- “How much will I pay in total?” — For supported destinations, we calculate and show available duties, VAT, taxes, or related fees before checkout whenever possible.
- “Does the store profit from these taxes?” — Absolutely not. Duties, VAT, and import-related charges are government taxes or customs-related fees handled through customs, carriers, or tax partners.
- “What if I get billed twice?” — Rare but possible. Please send us proof such as an invoice or receipt. We will verify the case with our partners and assist you as quickly as possible.
Country-Specific Information
European Union (Important Update from July 1, 2026)
For EU customers, VAT and import duty are different charges. VAT may be collected at checkout through IOSS, while a separate EU import duty may also apply to certain low-value imports starting July 1, 2026.
New EU Import Duty for Low-Value Imports
Starting July 1, 2026, the European Union will introduce a new customs duty rule for certain low-value shipments imported from outside the EU.
Under this new EU rule, shipments with a value of EUR 150 or less may be subject to a temporary import duty based on the applicable item or customs declaration details.
When applicable, LapinNoir.JP may display this amount at checkout as Estimated EU Import Duty.
This is not a handling fee charged by LapinNoir.JP.
It is an estimated customs duty related to the new EU import rules.
We display it in advance to help customers understand the total cost more clearly and reduce unexpected customs charges upon delivery.
This amount is separate from VAT. If VAT is also shown at checkout, VAT and Estimated EU Import Duty are different charges.
Because our store system uses Japanese yen as the base currency, the displayed amount may not match exactly EUR 3.00. The amount may vary slightly due to exchange rate conversion and rounding.
- VAT: For eligible orders of EUR 150 or less, VAT is collected at checkout through IOSS where applicable.
- Estimated EU Import Duty: Starting July 1, 2026, a separate estimated import duty may be shown at checkout for eligible low-value EU imports.
- Orders over EUR 150: Import VAT, customs duties, and other charges may be handled by customs or the carrier upon arrival, depending on the destination country and shipping conditions.
- Not a store fee: VAT, import duties, and customs-related charges are not LapinNoir.JP’s profit.
United States
Since Aug 29, 2025, the U.S. de minimis exemption (the USD 800 duty-free threshold) has ended, so import duties and taxes may apply to all shipments.
DDP Support for U.S. Orders
LapinNoir.JP supports DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) for the shipping methods currently offered for U.S. orders, including Japan Post, DHL, and FedEx where available.
Import duties, taxes, and related import fees are calculated in advance and shown at checkout as TAX. For supported DDP shipments, no additional payment is required upon delivery.
Important note for Japan Post:
Although Japan Post shipping to the U.S. has resumed, delivery delays may still occur.
If you prioritize faster or more stable delivery, we recommend selecting DHL or FedEx whenever possible.
- FedEx / DHL / Japan Post: DDP is supported for currently available U.S. shipping methods where applicable.
- Import duties, taxes, and related import fees are calculated at checkout and shown as TAX.
- For supported DDP shipments, no additional payment is required upon delivery.
- If your order was placed before DDP support was introduced for your selected shipping method, our customer support team will continue to provide individual guidance if customs payment assistance is needed.
United Kingdom
- Orders of £135 or less: VAT is generally collected at checkout where applicable.
- Orders over £135: Import VAT, duties, or other charges may become payable upon arrival depending on customs processing.
Canada
- GST/HST applies depending on the destination province.
- For some orders, taxes may be pre-collected at checkout.
- Higher-value orders or certain shipping conditions may still result in charges upon arrival.
Australia
- 10% GST is collected at checkout for applicable orders.
- For eligible shipments, no additional GST is charged at delivery.
Other Countries (CH / NO / MX / ZA / SG / TW / KR / Middle East, etc.)
For many destinations, duties or VAT are not pre-collected. In such cases, customers pay the required charges upon delivery or customs clearance.
- Rates and thresholds vary by country and may change over time.
- We provide accurate invoices and HS code information to support smoother customs clearance whenever possible.
At LapinNoir.JP, we do not just explain the rules. We provide tools to help customers manage import costs more efficiently and plan payments with greater flexibility.
- Unlimited Storage — Buy now and ship later. Combine stored items into one parcel, choose the items yourself, and select your preferred carrier when ready.
- Flexible shipment planning — Because you choose which items to ship together, you can better manage parcel value and timing within legal limits.
- No storage deadline — Pay shipping only when you request dispatch, making it easier to separate product, shipping, and tax timing.
- Pay Later (Installments) — For pre-orders with long lead times, our system lets you decide when and how much to pay before release.
FAQ
Why do I see “Estimated EU Import Duty” at checkout?
Starting July 1, 2026, the European Union will introduce a new customs duty rule for certain low-value imports from outside the EU. When applicable, LapinNoir.JP may show this amount at checkout as Estimated EU Import Duty. This is not a handling fee charged by LapinNoir.JP.
Is Estimated EU Import Duty the same as VAT?
No. VAT and import duty are different charges. VAT may be collected at checkout through IOSS for eligible EU orders, while Estimated EU Import Duty is related to customs duty under EU import rules. If both are shown at checkout, they are separate charges.
Why do I see “TAX” at checkout for U.S. orders?
For U.S. orders, import duties, taxes, and related import fees are calculated in advance and displayed at checkout as “TAX” for supported shipping methods. This allows you to see the total cost more clearly before payment.
Will I need to pay anything at delivery for U.S. orders?
For U.S. orders shipped with currently supported DDP methods, no additional payment is normally required upon delivery because duties and taxes are prepaid at checkout. In rare cases, customs or carrier processing issues may still require verification.
Why were U.S. imports duty-free before?
The U.S. de minimis rule previously allowed many imports under USD 800 to enter without duties. This exemption ended on Aug 29, 2025.
Do you profit from these taxes?
No. Duties, VAT, and similar import charges are not LapinNoir.JP’s profit. These are government taxes or customs-related fees handled through customs and logistics partners.
What if I am charged twice?
Although uncommon, it can happen. Please contact us with proof such as an invoice or customs receipt. We will review the case with our partners and assist you with the next steps.
Can I reduce duties or taxes?
Rules vary by country, order value, and shipping method, so there is no single answer for every case. Please contact customer support, and we will guide you on the most appropriate lawful options available.