TL;DR
What changed in 2025–2026
- August 2025: the U.S. suspended the $800 de minimis exemption for all countries. Since then, every import — even a $20 card — can be assessed duty.
- February 2026:the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA-based “reciprocal” tariffs (which had put Japanese goods at 15%). They stopped being collected on February 24, 2026.
- February 24, 2026: a replacement measure under Section 122 took effect — a flat 10% surcharge on imports from all countries, including Japan. It is a 150-day temporary authority that expires July 24, 2026 unless extended or replaced.
- February 28, 2026: the old $80-per-parcel flat postal option ended. Postal imports are now assessed like everything else.
The full import cost, line by line
| Charge | How much (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | 10% of the item value | Assessed on the card's transaction value only — international shipping and insurance are excluded from the duty base when declared separately. |
| Carrier clearance fee | ~$9–17 per parcel | Charged by the carrier for clearing customs, on top of the duty itself. See the carrier table below. |
| Base tariff (HTS) | 0% | Playing cards (HTS 9504.40) carry a Free MFN rate — the 10% is a temporary surcharge stacked on top of a 0% base. |
| State sales tax | Usually not collected | Import duty is federal. Some states expect residents to self-report use tax; that depends on your state. |
Carrier clearance fees compared
| Channel | Clearance fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Post / EMS → USPS | ~$9.35 per parcel | Flat fee, only when the parcel is dutiable. Usually the cheapest clearance path for cards. |
| FedEx | $15 or 2% of duty+tax, whichever is higher | 2026 published terms. |
| UPS | from $14 or 3.5%, plus entry prep fees | |
| DHL | ~$17 or ~2% (verify current terms) | Published figures vary; check before shipping. |
These fees are billed by the carrier — typically at delivery or via a payment link — not by the Japanese seller or the proxy service, unless the proxy explicitly offers prepaid (DDP) shipping.
Worked example: a ¥10,000 card
- Card price: ¥10,000 (≈ $67 at ~¥150/USD)
- Import duty: 10% × $67 ≈ $6.70
- Clearance fee (Japan Post → USPS route): ~$9.35
- Total import charges: ≈ $16 — on top of the card, Japan-side fees and international shipping.
Two practical takeaways. First, the clearance fee is per parcel, so consolidating several cards into one shipmentspreads a fixed ~$9–17 across all of them. Second, because duty is a percentage of item value only, cheap shipping methods don't reduce your duty — consolidation does more for your total than carrier-shopping.
Quick answers
Is international shipping taxed too?
No. The U.S. assesses duty on the item's transaction value (FOB). International shipping and insurance are excluded from the duty base when declared separately.
What happens after July 24, 2026?
Unknown. The Section 122 measure is a 150-day authority that expires on July 24, 2026. It may be extended, replaced, or lapse. Check current CBP guidance before large purchases.
Do graded (PSA/BGS) cards pay a different rate?
The 10% surcharge currently applies across the board regardless of grading. Classification of collectible single cards has some gray area, so high-value imports are worth a broker consultation.
Can the seller just mark it as a gift or lower the value?
No — under-declaring is illegal, and it caps any insurance claim at the declared amount. Reputable proxies declare honestly.
Honest disclaimer
This guide reflects the rules as researched in June 2026 and is not legal or tax advice. Tariff policy has changed multiple times since 2025 and the current 10% measure is scheduled to expire on July 24, 2026 with no announced successor. The final amount is always what CBP and your carrier assess. For how we handle declarations, see our FAQ and fees page, or compare proxy services in our proxy comparison guide.