Import duty, VAT, and landed cost

Landed-cost components

Landed cost is the amount paid to put a box on your shelf: item price, freight, insurance, import duty, VAT or GST, and payment fees. Use that total when setting the resale price.

Charges at the border

Import charges are the buyer’s side of the deal — our prices are JPY with shipping separate, and your customs authority decides the rest. Rates and thresholds differ widely by country, so check yours before the first order, not after.

• Know your de minimis threshold — many countries charge nothing under a certain parcel value — and everything above it.
• VAT / GST on imports — usually charged on item value plus shipping, not item value alone.
• Carrier brokerage fees — express carriers may add a clearance fee on top of the government charges.
• Keep every invoice — clean paperwork speeds clearance and protects you if a parcel is queried.

Cost per item

Add border charges to landed cost per box before ordering. If those charges are omitted, the resale price and expected margin are both understated.