Regarding Customs Duties

Previously, the United States had a duty-free exemption called “de minimis” for eligible shipments worth $800 or less. This allowed qualifying orders to enter the U.S. without customs duties, helping us offer high-quality Japanese fishing tackle to U.S. customers at more affordable prices.

On August 29, 2025, the U.S. suspended this exemption for shipments from all countries. As a result, even orders worth $800 or less are subject to applicable import duties, taxes, and fees.

MINAMI ArrivalPlus Service is designed to make these import payments easier. When you choose the service and pay its charges with your order, MINAMI covers the basic customs duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees. Leave these payments to us and enjoy your shopping.

For a guide to U.S. duty rates, please visit our U.S. Customs Duty Rates page.

U.S. customs rules, duty rates, and import procedures can change. Please use this information as a general guide, not as a guaranteed quote for the charges on your order.

Estimating U.S. Import Costs

U.S. customs duty rates and import regulations change frequently. Shipping carriers may also introduce or adjust customs clearance and handling fees without notifying us in advance, sometimes resulting in unexpected charges to customers.

We've even experienced cases where different duty rates were applied to different colors of the exact same product shipped together in a single package. These unpredictable charges and inconsistencies make it extremely difficult to estimate the exact amount customers may have to pay upon delivery.

If you do not use MINAMI ArrivalPlus Service, you will be responsible for any applicable customs duties, taxes, and customs-related fees. Any customs information we provide is for general reference only, and we cannot guarantee the final amount charged. For the latest information, please contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection or your shipping carrier directly.

Shipments Worth €150 or Less

Until June 30, 2026, most purchases worth €150 or less could enter the EU without customs duty. That exemption ended on July 1, 2026. A temporary €3 duty now generally applies to each product category declared to customs in these shipments.

This is not simply €3 for every product you buy. For example, three products grouped together as one customs category are charged €3 in total; two separately declared categories are charged €6. Different product classifications or countries of manufacture can mean separate groups.

The €150 limit is based on the value of the goods in one shipment, normally excluding shipping and insurance when listed separately. This temporary duty is scheduled to apply until July 1, 2028 and is separate from VAT and any carrier fees.

Shipments Worth More Than €150

For shipments worth more than €150, the usual EU duty rates apply. These depend on the type of product and where it was made. For rods, reels, hooks, and similar fishing tackle, standard rates generally range from 1.7% to 3.7%, before any applicable trade-agreement reductions.

Japanese-Made Products

Some Japanese-made products may qualify for lower or zero customs duty under the EU–Japan trade agreement. This depends on meeting the agreement's requirements for where and how the goods were made and using the correct customs procedures. Shipping from Japan alone does not make a product eligible.

What Is Import VAT?

VAT is a tax on purchases, separate from customs duty. It generally applies to imports regardless of the order value, even when no customs duty is due. The rate depends on the country where your order is delivered.

VAT is usually calculated on the value of the goods plus shipping, insurance, and any customs duty, rather than on the product price alone.

Standard VAT Rates

Austria

20%

Belgium

21%

Bulgaria

20%

Croatia

25%

Cyprus

19%

Czech Republic

21%

Denmark

25%

Estonia

24%

Finland

25.5%

France

20%

Germany

19%

Greece

24%

Hungary

27%

Ireland

23%

Italy

22%

Latvia

21%

Lithuania

21%

Luxembourg

17%

Malta

18%

Netherlands

21%

Poland

23%

Portugal

23%

Romania

21%

Slovakia

23%

Slovenia

22%

Spain

21%

Sweden

25%

These are standard rates for reference. Different rates or rules may apply to particular goods or regions. Customs duties and carrier fees are separate from VAT.

For the latest information, see the European Commission's customs information and EU VAT rates, or contact your local customs or tax office.

Import duties and taxes vary by country, including whether small orders can be imported duty-free. For the latest rules and estimated costs, please check with your local customs office or shipping carrier before ordering.

Brazil

Import taxes and fees can be high, so please check the latest information with Brazil's tax authority (Receita Federal) before ordering.

If you refuse to pay duties, taxes, or other import charges that you are responsible for, your package may be returned, abandoned, or disposed of, depending on local rules and the carrier. We may be unable to provide a refund if the package is returned to us for this reason.

Where permitted by law, we may deduct costs we incur because of the refusal or return from any refund we can provide. These may include return shipping, duties, taxes, storage, disposal, and other carrier or customs fees.

Orders with ArrivalPlus

If you are incorrectly asked to pay a charge covered by ArrivalPlus, please contact MINAMI promptly so we can arrange payment or correct the bill.

Declining that incorrect payment request alone will not cancel your ArrivalPlus coverage or make you responsible for the charge. The refund restrictions and deductions above will not apply solely for that reason. Any other refusal-related costs are handled under the ArrivalPlus service terms and applicable law.

Customs duties and import taxes are determined by the customs authority in your country.

Import Charges You Are Responsible For

If you think the duties or taxes are incorrect or higher than expected, contact the carrier or your local customs office and ask how to request a review. If payment is required before the review is completed, you may need to pay first and then request an adjustment or refund.

The process varies by country and carrier. Any adjustment or refund must be approved by the relevant authority and is not guaranteed. We can help where possible by providing product information, invoices, and other order documents.

Orders with ArrivalPlus

If a carrier or customs broker asks you to pay an import charge, please contact MINAMI before paying whenever possible. Send your order number and the payment request to info@f-minami.com. We will check the charge and arrange payment or correction if it is covered.

If you have already paid, please also send the invoice and proof of payment. We will reimburse verified covered costs under the ArrivalPlus service terms, without waiting to recover the money from the carrier or customs broker.