Buying from Japan to France: Duties Explained

You have finally won that auction for a rare manga box set or a vintage kimono, and the parcel will travel all the way from Japan to France. Then comes the nagging question every French buyer asks: what will the douane charge when it arrives? This guide explains which taxes Japan does not charge, which duties and VAT France does, and how the new rules on small parcels change your budget.

Understanding the Path From a Japanese Shop to Your Letterbox in France

Before we get into duties, it helps to understand how goods actually travel. The route your parcel takes decides who fills in the paperwork, who pays the import charges up front and who sends you the bill.

Why Most French Buyers Use a Proxy

Japanese marketplaces are wonderful, but they are designed for people living in Japan. Auction sites and flea-market apps expect a Japanese address, a Japanese phone number and often a Japanese payment method. Many brand shops simply refuse international delivery. That is why most people in France who buy regularly from Japan rely on an intermediary.

A proxy service buys the item for you. Buyee and ZenMarket are the two names French collectors mention most often, because both connect directly to the large Japanese auction and second-hand platforms. You browse or paste a link, the service pays the seller, receives the item at its Japanese warehouse and then ships it to France.

A forwarding service is the lighter option. It gives you a Japanese address, you place the order yourself, and the forwarder repacks and ships the parcel. For a full comparison, read Proxy Service vs Forwarding Service: What’s the Difference?.

Step by Step: What Happens After You Click Buy

1. You buy the item through your proxy account and pay the item price and any service charges.
2. The Japanese seller sends the item to the proxy’s warehouse inside Japan.
3. The warehouse registers the item, and you can keep it there while other purchases arrive.
4. You ask for international shipping, choose a carrier and pay the shipping invoice.
5. The proxy packs everything and completes the customs declaration.
6. The parcel is exported from Japan and flown or shipped to the EU.
7. French customs processes it and assesses import VAT and, where it applies, customs duty.
8. The carrier delivers the parcel and collects whatever is owed, unless VAT was already paid at checkout.

Waiting at step 3 to combine purchases usually cuts shipping costs per item, which is explained in How Package Consolidation Saves You Money. As we will see, though, consolidation now has a subtle downside under the new duty on small parcels.

Postal Shipping or Express Courier

Your proxy will offer Japan Post services, such as EMS, airmail or surface mail, alongside private express couriers. With postal options, the French postal network handles the last leg and collects any charges from you. With couriers, the courier clears customs itself and invoices you, usually with an administrative fee for the work.

You will find more detail on carriers in Japan Shipping Methods Explained: EMS, DHL, FedEx, and Surface.

Japanese Tax, French VAT and Customs Duty Explained

French buyers often lump every charge together under “taxes de douane”. In reality, three quite different things are involved, and only two of them are paid in France.

Japan Does Not Tax What It Exports

Japan has a consumption tax of 10% on most domestic sales. When a Japanese seller exports goods abroad, it does not charge this consumption tax, because the goods are leaving Japan. For goods mailed abroad worth 200,000 yen or less, Japan Post’s acceptance record is the proof that the export took place.

In practice, the price you see on a Japanese marketplace is usually shown tax-included, because the site is aimed at Japanese customers, and a private seller is selling to your proxy inside Japan. Whether a tax-free export price applies depends on the shop and the service. Do You Pay Japanese Consumption Tax When Buying via Proxy? untangles the different situations.

What you will never pay is Japanese import duty. Japanese customs handles goods entering Japan, not goods heading to France. If a guide lists Japanese customs as part of your cost of buying from Japan, it has the direction of travel backwards.

France Charges the Import Duties and Taxes

Duties and taxes are charged by the buyer’s own country, and for you that is France, applying EU customs rules. The seller, the proxy and Japan Post only provide information, mainly through the customs declaration. French customs decides what you owe.

This is why the declaration deserves your attention. It should describe each item specifically, give the quantity and show the real price paid. “Gift” or “merchandise” on a purchase is the fastest way to get a parcel held. Customs Declarations for Japan Proxy Orders Explained shows what good descriptions look like.

VAT on Every Import

Since 1 July 2021, VAT applies to every good imported into the EU. The old rule that let parcels worth up to 22 euros enter without VAT is gone, so even a single postcard set or keychain from Japan is subject to import VAT.

France’s standard VAT rate is 20%, and it applies to most goods you will buy from Japan. Import VAT is calculated on the taxable value of the import, which generally includes the price of the goods, the transport cost to the EU and any customs duty. Some categories of goods are taxed differently, so check the French customs guidance if you regularly import a particular type of product.

Import VAT is paid in one of two ways:

1. At checkout. Some sellers and services selling into the EU collect VAT when you pay, under the EU’s import one-stop-shop scheme. The parcel should then clear without a VAT bill at delivery.
2. On arrival. If VAT was not collected up front, the carrier pays it at import and collects it from you, typically adding its own processing fee.

Ask your proxy which method applies before you pay for shipping.

Customs Duty and the New Flat Charge on Small Parcels

For years, French buyers were told that goods under 150 euros were exempt from customs duty. That was true for a long time, but it is no longer the rule, and many older articles still say otherwise.

From 1 July 2026, a temporary customs duty of 3 euros per item applies to consignments worth up to 150 euros. It replaces the former duty exemption below 150 euros and is scheduled to apply until 1 July 2028. In other words, a small parcel from Japan now pays VAT and a flat customs duty, not just VAT.

Because the flat duty is charged per item, a consignment under 150 euros that contains several items can owe it several times.

For consignments above 150 euros, normal customs duty applies according to the classification of the goods. I am deliberately not giving rates here, because they differ from one product to another and a wrong figure is worse than none. The EU tariff database and French customs can tell you the rate for a specific product, and your carrier’s notice will show the exact amount assessed.

The 45-Euro Gift Allowance and Why Your Purchases Do Not Qualify

There is one allowance that genuinely helps in some cases: the gift allowance between private individuals. When a friend or relative in Japan sends you a present, paid for by them and sent without any payment from you, a 45-euro allowance applies to gifts between private individuals.

What this allowance does not cover is anything you bought. A purchase through Buyee, ZenMarket or any other service is a commercial transaction, even if the box is posted by a person. Labelling it as a gift is a false declaration, which can bring a fine on top of the charges you were trying to avoid. Reputable proxies will refuse to do it, and you should not ask.

Budgeting a Japan Order Under the New Rules

Since almost every parcel now carries VAT and, if small, a flat duty, the trick is to plan for those charges rather than hoping to dodge them.

Every Cost Layer in One Table

To understand the proxy’s own fees, see Understanding Japan Proxy Shopping Fees and How to Calculate the Total Cost of a Japan Proxy Order.

Worked Example One: A Small Box of Collectibles

Imagine you have bought two different items through a proxy: a second-hand artbook and a small figure. With shipping, the consignment is worth less than 150 euros.

1. Proxy side. You add up the item prices, the domestic shipping in Japan and the proxy’s service charges.
2. Shipping. You wait until both items reach the warehouse and request one consolidated parcel.
3. Customs duty. Because the consignment is worth up to 150 euros, the temporary flat duty of 3 euros per item applies. With two items on the declaration, you plan for that duty twice.
4. Import VAT. You expect 20% VAT on the value of the goods, including transport and the duty, unless it was collected at checkout.
5. Carrier fee. If the carrier advances the charges, expect its processing fee on top.
6. Delivery. You pay online or at the door, and the parcel is released.

Under the rules that applied before 1 July 2026, this same parcel would have paid VAT but no customs duty. That difference is exactly what the older articles miss.

Worked Example Two: One Higher-Value Item

Now imagine a single vintage camera worth more than 150 euros.

1. The flat 3-euro duty does not apply, because the consignment is above 150 euros.
2. Normal customs duty for that type of product applies, based on its classification.
3. Import VAT at 20% is calculated on the value including transport and that duty.
4. The carrier collects both, plus any processing fee, before handing over the parcel.

For expensive items like this, I look up the classification on the customs tariff before I bid, so the total landed cost does not catch me out.

Worked Example Three: A Present From a Friend in Japan

Your friend in Osaka sends you a modest furoshiki as a birthday present. They paid for everything and you paid nothing. This is a gift between private individuals, so the 45-euro gift allowance applies. If your friend had instead bought the items with your money, it would be a purchase on your behalf, and the normal VAT and duty rules would apply.

Questions to Put to Your Proxy Before Shipping

Every proxy handles EU parcels a little differently, and the answers change what you pay at the door. Before requesting shipment to France, I look for these answers in the service’s help centre or ask its support team directly:

1. For a consignment up to 150 euros, is VAT collected at checkout, or will the carrier collect it on delivery?
2. How will each item be described on the customs declaration, and can I review the wording before the parcel leaves Japan?
3. Which carriers currently deliver to French addresses, and which of them add a processing fee for advancing VAT and duty?
4. What happens if I refuse a parcel or customs sends it back, and who pays the return postage?

These four answers tell you most of what you need to know about a service’s approach to EU customs, and they are worth getting before your first order rather than after your first surprise.

Common Questions From French Buyers

Does the new flat duty replace VAT on small parcels? No. VAT has applied to every import since 1 July 2021, and the 3-euro duty per item on consignments up to 150 euros is charged in addition to it.

Is the flat duty permanent? It is described as temporary and applies from 1 July 2026 until 1 July 2028. Keep an eye on official customs announcements for whatever follows.

Will Japan charge me anything when the parcel leaves? No. Japan does not charge its consumption tax on exported goods, and there is no Japanese customs charge on a parcel heading to France.

Can a proxy legally reduce my VAT? Not by changing the declaration. A proxy can make the process smoother, for example by collecting VAT at checkout, but the amount is set by French rules and the real value of the goods.

What if I live in an overseas department or territory? Special VAT and customs arrangements can apply outside mainland France, so check the rules for your territory with local customs before ordering rather than relying on a guide written for the mainland.

Should I keep my invoices? Yes. Keep your proxy order history, the seller’s listing and the shipping invoice until the parcel has cleared and you are happy with it. If customs asks for proof of value, those documents settle the question quickly.

Smart and Legal Ways to Limit Charges

• Rethink consolidation for cheap items. One box still saves on shipping, but under the small-consignment duty each item adds a flat charge. Combine where the shipping saving clearly outweighs it.
• Prefer VAT collected at checkout. If your proxy offers it, clearance tends to be smoother and you may avoid a processing fee at the door.
• Declare honestly and precisely. The real value and a clear description are your best protection against delays.
• Check restricted categories. Food, cosmetics, batteries, blades and plant or animal products may need checks. Prohibited and Restricted Items When Importing from Japan lists the usual suspects.
• Watch the exchange rate. A fair conversion rate matters on every payment.

You will find more advice in How to Avoid High Customs Fees on Japan Orders.

When the Douane Holds Your Parcel

Most parcels arrive without trouble, but customs holds do happen, and they are more frequent when buyers do not expect charges.

Common Reasons for a Hold

1. Charges not yet paid. The carrier waits for your payment before delivery. Notices can end up in spam.
2. Unclear description or value. Customs may ask for the invoice or proof of payment.
3. Regulated items. Some goods need checks or certificates, and some cannot be imported at all.
4. Suspected misdeclaration. A purchase marked as a gift, or an obviously undervalued item, attracts attention.

What to Do, in Order

1. Read the notice and note what it asks for: a payment, a document or a collection in person.
2. Gather your proxy order history, the item invoice and the shipping invoice.
3. Verify any payment request by logging in to the carrier’s official website rather than following a link from a text message.
4. Pay the VAT and duty assessed, or send the documents requested.
5. If you disagree with the assessment, ask the carrier or customs how to contest it.
6. If the parcel was sent back to Japan, contact your proxy promptly about reshipping.

What to Do If Your Japan Package Is Stuck in Customs goes through these scenarios in more depth.

Fake Customs Messages

As more parcels carry charges, fake texts demanding “frais de douane” have become common. A genuine notice refers to your actual tracking number and can be checked on the carrier’s own website. Never pay through a link in an unexpected message.

Is It Still Worth It?

For many items, yes. Rare collectibles, second-hand fashion, retro games, art books and craft supplies are still easier to find in Japan than anywhere in Europe. What has changed is that you must count VAT on every parcel and a flat duty on small ones. If you also order for addresses elsewhere in the EU, Buying from Japan to Europe: Customs and VAT gives the wider picture, and How to Buy Anything from Japan: The Complete Proxy Shopping Guide is a good starting point if you are new to all of this.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.

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