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

TradeTokyo to abolish exemption for small personal imports in 2028 amid distortion concernsA 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 NAGAOJune 23, 2026 02:15 JSTTOKYO -- 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.

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

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