Japan swamped with over 200m duty-free low-value shipments

Trade

Tokyo to abolish exemption for small personal imports in 2028 amid distortion concerns

A container ship docks at a port in Osaka, Japan. Small-value imports exempt from taxes rose roughly 20% in 2025. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu)

YURI FUKINO and RIHO NAGAO

TOKYO — Small-value Japanese imports exempt from taxes jumped sharply last year, Nikkei has learned, pushing authorities to try to stem the flood of low-cost goods into the domestic market.