The de minimis exemption, which previously applied to imported goods valued at USD 800 or less, has been terminated. As a result, new customs duties will now apply. Additionally, following the presidential proclamation announced on September 4, 2025 regarding U.S.-Japan tariffs, the applicable duty rates have been revised.
For CDs, books, and similar items, we have conducted our own research, and at CDJapan we will operate assuming the duty rates listed below. However, please note that customs procedures are still not fully stable, and the actual duties charged upon receipt of your items may differ from the rates indicated.
U.S. Duties & Handling Overview
| Shipping Method | Payment Timing | Import Duty (by Product Category) | Clearance Fee | Delivery Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx FICP | Prepaid at checkout (*1) |
- CDs/DVDs/Blu-rays/Games/LPs/Books/Calendars: 0% - Other Items: 15% |
1300 JPY | Active |
| DHL | Upon delivery |
- CDs/DVDs/Blu-rays/Games/LPs/Books/Calendars: 0% - Apparel: 16%–30% - Figures/Character Goods/Household Goods/Stationery/Other: 15% |
8–12 USD | Active |
| FedEx Priority (Pak) | Upon delivery | Active | ||
| Japan Post | Upon delivery | Currently Suspended (*2) |
(*1) Starting September 11, 2025, the duties and clearance fees for FedEx FICP shipments will be included in the checkout charge. This will also apply to orders placed before this announcement once they enter the shipping process.
(*2) Although we currently cannot ship out shipments by Japan Post (EMS, Registered Airmail, or Airmail), we can continue to accept orders by these shipping methods. Once the suspension is lifted, we will ship out your order.
Estimated Duty Rates at CDJapan
| Product Category | Duty Rate |
|---|---|
| CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, games, LPs, books, calendars | 0% |
| Apparel | 16%–30% |
| Figures, character goods, household goods, stationery, other items | 15% |
-For items currently subject to a duty rate of 15% or higher, no additional reciprocal 15% tariff will be applied; the existing rate will remain.
-For items currently subject to a duty rate of less than 15%, a flat reciprocal tariff of 15% will be applied.
-CDs, DVDs, books, and similar items that fall under “Articles that are informational materials” are assumed to qualify for a special duty exemption, resulting in 0% duty.
-Customs handling fees vary depending on the shipping carrier, generally ranging from $8 to $12.
[DHL]
Duties and customs handling fees are payable by the customer upon delivery.[FedEx Priority (Pak)]
Duties and customs handling fees are payable by the customer upon delivery.[FedEx FICP]
For orders placed on or after September 11, 2025, the following duties and fees will be included at the time of purchase, allowing you to prepay them in advance.
[FedEx FICP Duties and Clearance Fees]
| Product Category | Duty Rate |
|---|---|
| CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, games, LPs, books, calendars | 0% |
| Other items | 15% |
-Customs handling fee: 1,300JPY.
-For proxy purchases directly from Mercari, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, or BASE,
we're unable to confirm the product's media type at checkout. As a result, when shipping with FedEx FICP, a flat 15% duty will be applied to all items.
If you’d like to order CDs, DVDs/Blu-rays, or books duty-free with FedEx FICP, please submit your order through our Request Form instead of placing it directly.
This allows CDJapan to set the correct media type for you so that your order can be processed duty-free.
FedEx FICP Orders Shipped After September 12, 2025
- Since the above-mentioned duties and fees will apply, your order will be temporarily put on hold before shipment, and you will be billed for the additional amount.
Please note that this hold may take some time to process, and we appreciate your understanding. - Orders will not be shipped until the payment for the additional customs fees has been completed. We kindly ask for your cooperation.
- No additional customs fees will be charged upon receipt of the items.
[Japan Post]
Import duties and clearance fees are to be paid upon delivery.
Japan Post shipments to the U.S. are currently temporarily suspended.
Important Notes
1. FedEx
[FedEx Priority]
- Customs duties are paid after delivery.
- The invoice from FedEx is expected to arrive by post 1 week to 1 month after delivery.
- If payment is refused, we will have to re-charge you for the refused amount.
[FedEx FICP]
- For FedEx FICP, if the package is refused and returned, CDJapan will charge you for return shipping, customs duties, and customs handling fees.
2. DHL
- If the package is refused, CDJapan will charge you for return shipping.
3. As the new customs procedures are rolled out, we may revise these policies in the future.
4. We plan to calculate duties for each item individually to provide more accurate customs fee calculations in the future..
