Customs Information

At Okini Land, we strive to make your experience collecting Japanese treasures as smooth as possible. However, customs duties can sometimes cause confusion. This page explains what customs duties are, why they apply, when they’re charged, and how to estimate them. Our goal is to provide clarity and help you shop with confidence, knowing what to expect when your order crosses borders.

What Are Customs Duties?

Customs duties are taxes imposed by the government of your country on goods imported from abroad, such as your Okini Land order. These fees are collected by your local customs service and are separate from the product price, shipping fees, or insurances, charged by Okini Land at checkout. Duties help regulate international trade and generate revenue for your government.

Why Do Customs Duties Apply?

When you order from Okini Land, your items are shipped from our warehouse in Osaka, Japan, to your country. Because these goods cross international borders, they’re subject to your country’s import regulations. Customs duties are applied to:

• Protect local economies by regulating imported goods.
• Fund government services through tax revenue.
• Ensure compliance with trade agreements and safety standards.

Okini Land has no control over these duties, as they’re set and collected by your local customs authority. We understand this can be frustrating, and we’re here to help you understand the process.

When Are Customs Duties Charged?

Customs duties may be charged based on several factors:

• Order Value: Most countries have a threshold below which duties or taxes may not apply. Orders above this threshold are more likely to incur charges (see Understanding Thresholds below).
• Destination Country: Each country has unique rules.
• Shipping Method: Express services like EMS, DHL or FedEx often handle customs clearance and may charge a handling fee, while Japan Post may leave clearance to local postal services.

Duties are typically assessed when your package arrives in your country. You may be contacted by the customs service or courier to pay these fees before delivery. To check your country’s rules, visit your local customs service website (e.g., U.S. Customs Service, EU Taxation and Customs).

Understanding Customs Thresholds

Many countries set a value threshold, called de minimis, below which imported goods may be exempt from customs duties or VAT. There are two types of de minimis thresholds:

• Duty Threshold: The value below which no customs duties are charged.
• VAT Threshold: The value below which no VAT or sales tax is charged.

Key Terms:

• Freight on Board (FOB): The total value of the products in your order (excluding shipping or insurance).
• Cost, Insurance, Freight (CIF): The total value of the package, including product value, shipping fees, and insurance.

If the FOB exceeds the duty de minimis threshold, duties are calculated on the CIF amount. If the FOB exceeds the VAT de minimis threshold, VAT is calculated on the CIF amount plus any duties. Below is a table of de minimis thresholds for key countries. European countries are merged under “Europe”, Hong Kong is a free port with no standard thresholds, and unlisted countries typically have a threshold of 0 for both duty and VAT.

Example: In France (under Europe), VAT applies to all orders since the FOB exceeds the 0 EUR VAT threshold, and duties apply if the FOB exceeds 150 EUR. For a €100 order with €20 shipping and €5 insurance (FOB = €100, CIF = €125), with a 5% duty rate and 20% VAT:
- Duty (FOB ≤ 150 EUR) = €0 (no duty, as €100 < 150 EUR).
- VAT (FOB > 0 EUR) = (€125 + €0) × 0.20 = €25.
- Total Fees = €0 + €25 = €25.

If your country isn’t listed, assume duties and VAT apply from 0. Hong Kong is a free port, so no standard thresholds apply; check local regulations. To confirm thresholds and duty rate, visit your local customs service website. This helps you anticipate fees.

Estimating Customs Duties

While exact duties vary by country, you can estimate them using these formulas:

Estimated Duties = CIF × Duty Rate
Estimated VAT = (CIF + Duties) × VAT Rate

Steps to Estimate:

1. Find FOB: Add the total cost of items in your order (in your local currency).
2. Find CIF: Add FOB, shipping, and insurance costs from checkout.
3. Check Thresholds: Compare FOB to both the duty and VAT thresholds in the table above.
4. Find Rates: Look up your country’s duty rate (typically 0–10%, e.g., 2.5% in the US, 5–7% in the EU) and VAT rate (e.g., 20% in the UK, 10% in Australia) on your customs service website.
5. Calculate: If FOB exceeds the duty threshold, calculate duties on CIF. If FOB exceeds the VAT threshold, calculate VAT on CIF plus duties.

Disclaimer: This is an estimate. Actual duties depend on your country’s regulations, product classification, and exchange rates. Okini Land cannot predict or cover these fees. For precise details, contact your local customs service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why wasn’t I warned about duties at checkout?
Customs duties are set by your country’s government and vary widely, making it impossible for us to calculate them accurately at checkout. We provide this page to help you estimate and prepare for potential fees.

Can Okini Land pay my customs duties?
Unfortunately, we cannot pay or waive duties, as they’re charged by your customs service. You’re responsible for these fees upon delivery.

What if I refuse to pay duties?
If you refuse to pay, your package may be returned to Okini Land or held by customs. Return shipping costs and any duties incurred may be deducted from your refund.

Do all orders incur duties?
Not necessarily. Orders below your country’s threshold or shipped via certain methods (e.g., Japan Post Surface) may avoid duties, but this isn’t guaranteed.

Contact Us

Have questions about customs duties? Our support team is here to assist! Reach out via:

• Email: help@okini.land
• Support Ticket: Submit through your Okini Land account.

We respond within 1–2 business days. For direct inquiries about duties, contact your local customs service. Thank you for choosing Okini Land, and we’re here to make your collecting journey extraordinary!