Why Import Duties Apply
The short answer: because your item is the real thing, shipped directly from Japan.
Direct from the Artisan
Every item marked “Direct from Japan” is handcrafted by artisans and shipped straight from their workshop to your door. There is no middleman, no mass-production warehouse, no shortcuts. You receive exactly what the artisan made.
What Are Import Duties?
When products cross an international border, the destination country charges a fee called an import duty. This is a standard government charge — not something we add for profit.
How it's calculated:
- An import duty on the item's value — the rate is set by U.S. law and depends on what the item is and where it was made
- A Merchandise Processing Fee charged by U.S. Customs on the shipment
- The exact amount is calculated for your order and shown at checkout, before you pay
No Surprises
We show you an estimated duty in your cart, and the exact amount at checkout. The total you see before clicking “Pay” is the total you pay. Nothing more at delivery.
Duties Are Proof of Authenticity
Mass-produced imitations sit in local warehouses and ship duty-free. Authentic Japanese craftsmanship crosses an ocean to reach you — and that journey comes with a small government fee. Think of it as the cost of getting the real thing.