Received a blade from Japan in the USA, no tariffs

[Katsujinken]

Just wanted to share my experience.
 

I received a blade from a dealer in Japan the other day. It was shipped using the antiques tariff code and passed through US customs on May 2nd. 
 

No tariffs / duties! I honestly had no idea what to expect. 

[Hokke]

1 hour ago, Katsujinken said:

Just wanted to share my experience.
 

I received a blade from a dealer in Japan the other day. It was shipped using the antiques tariff code and passed through US customs on May 2nd. 
 

No tariffs / duties! I honestly had no idea what to expect. 

 

Good to hear, I hope that is the standard and not just a mistake on someone in customs. We'll see what happens when mine comes in.

[Rawa]

Werent all tariffs suspended for 3 months? Except china? Or EU? 

[atm]

There is still a base 10% tariff on imports (except for China and Hong Kong at higher rates). The 90-day pause was only for the proposed tariff amounts over the 10% base. For Japan, that was an added 14%, for a total of a 24% tariff.

[Rawa]

Guys just pick what you can from Japan right now. Trump economy is sth new.

Usd/Yen omg.

[Truck1]

I recently received 4 antique swords from a Japanese dealer. Flat rate shipping fee but no additional fees. arrived in 10 days, no issues whatsoever. 

[tlzkaasen]

You shouldn't pay any tariffs HTS Code 9706.00.00.00 is confirmed as the correct U.S. tariff classification for importing antiques over 100 years old, including Japanese swords over 100 years old. 

 

That is the code on the books.

[Rawa]

Code is one thing... pappers are the other. How you want convince that piece of iron in package have more then 100 years? Simple hts code is not enough. Even imitations can have mei with old date.

[atm]

Duties and tariffs are different things. The referenced HTS Code has been in place for some time, and it has exempted antiques over 100 years old from the imposition of duties. I have not seen the signed US-Japan trade agreement to see if it uses this HTS Code to exempt antiques over 100 years old from the imposition of the 15% tariff. The first executive order in April did not have this carve out. In other words, if the signed US-Japan trade agreement does not have an exception for this HTS Code, US buyers/importers may be in a position where, technically, antique blades are exempt from duties but not exempt from tariffs. Of course, actual enforcement of the tariffs and on-the-ground confusion over whether the HTS Code applies is another matter.

[Rawa]

Oh you are right. Lost in translation!

[Rivkin]

Challenge accepted.

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15953967?fbclid=IwY2xjawMBQs5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtRWMyUnI4aUtydkx3bThTAR6_1HOeBSs_1GYItQgwobxwYDyJHcLvs_zP9zpNKQ592IUXpMo9DkbyCLTIvQ_aem_3NhTCRC0hdK_5BvUwFo71Q

 

No exception for blades.

In year we'll have American utsuri, full of ji nie.

[Rawa]

USA collectors now you pay 15% extra. Almost like in EU.

[tlzkaasen]

Let you know after my shipment of Katana and wakizashi arrive.   Good size shipment, but I'm going by my argument. They're each papered so proof is with each. 

[Rawa]

Certificates are proof of origin. Tariffs I think applied for country of making. So even worse. 

[MEENag]

My first nihonto arrived at US customs on 7/23. I got a letter from US CBP on 8/5 saying that they had my package and that it required Formal Entry since it was valued over $2500. It has been a struggle ever since. I had trouble finding a customs broker that would work with me. I finally found one on Friday and he informed me I was not going to owe any duties, as expected, because it is an antique but the 10% Trump tariff would apply. I wasn’t convinced so I reached out to US Customs via the email address in my arrival letter and they confirmed that the 10% tariff does apply to antiques. After 8/7, it will be 15%.
After the 10% tariff and customs brokers fees, I will be out around $1k over what I paid for my katana. Not ideal. 
That’s not the end of it though. I am still struggling to gather info required to get my package released from customs. I hope to get it resolved tomorrow so my package can finally make progress. 
 

I’ve seen other posters here saying they purchased a sword from the same seller as me within a few days of me for a higher price and their package sailed through US Customs without requiring formal entry and associated tariffs. I think it might just be the luck of the draw and I lost this time. 

[Rawa]

I would say tariffs applied to everything. Dunno how they didn't payed. I heard that there was exception for items below 800$ but its going to end. Dunno how long your sword can wait in customs. Maybe as Japan commited to 550 billions investment they would renegotiate %. But it shouldn't be retroactive.

[Bugyotsuji]

Sounds like luck of the draw as you say Jeff.

Once something flags up, it gets passed around for authorization but no-one knows what to do, and no one is willing to take responsibility for a decision. You have to keep asking, telling them clearly you have the money and you are willing to pay, (otherwise it could end up on a back shelf).

[Gerry]

On 5/5/2025 at 7:32 PM, Katsujinken said:

Just wanted to share my experience.
 

I received a blade from a dealer in Japan the other day. It was shipped using the antiques tariff code and passed through US customs on May 2nd. 
 

No tariffs / duties! I honestly had no idea what to expect. 

Just checking, did you receive the sword via EMS/USPS, or a courier service like FedEx/UPS? I haven't received a tariff request using EMS/USPS.

[Gerry]

10 hours ago, MEENag said:

My first nihonto arrived at US customs on 7/23. I got a letter from US CBP on 8/5 saying that they had my package and that it required Formal Entry since it was valued over $2500. It has been a struggle ever since. I had trouble finding a customs broker that would work with me. I finally found one on Friday and he informed me I was not going to owe any duties, as expected, because it is an antique but the 10% Trump tariff would apply. I wasn’t convinced so I reached out to US Customs via the email address in my arrival letter and they confirmed that the 10% tariff does apply to antiques. After 8/7, it will be 15%.
After the 10% tariff and customs brokers fees, I will be out around $1k over what I paid for my katana. Not ideal. 
That’s not the end of it though. I am still struggling to gather info required to get my package released from customs. I hope to get it resolved tomorrow so my package can finally make progress. 
 

I’ve seen other posters here saying they purchased a sword from the same seller as me within a few days of me for a higher price and their package sailed through US Customs without requiring formal entry and associated tariffs. I think it might just be the luck of the draw and I lost this time. 

Just checking, did you receive the sword via EMS/USPS, or a courier service like FedEx/UPS? I haven't received a tariff request using EMS/USPS.

[MEENag]

It came through EMS/USPS. Maybe I’m just an unlucky one. 

[Rawa]

Is this really possible not to pay tariff when shipment value is declared? Other think is when purchase can be flagged for inspection to some specific terms like gift or weapon. But tariffs are based on country of origin and its easy money. Maybe there was some period when tariffs were suspended.

[MEENag]

Hard to know, but my assumption is that customs staff was just passing through packages regardless of declared value. The tariffs have been 10% since April and went to 15% on 8/7.  

[Mushin]

It might be that certain USPS ISCs have their act together with CBP better than others, so some are applying tariffs on EMS packages regularly and others not. I have heard of at least one collector being told by the USPS that he needed to get a customs broker to deal with a hefty tariff on a sword sent via EMS and the story gets crazy from that point. On the other hand, it seems packages sent from Japan via UPS have been paying tariffs regularly for months now. Rates are set based on declared value. UPS seems to have customs clearing operation set up at Narita, so by the time it gets to the UPS hub in Anchorage, the recipient is notified of Customs charges and the brokerage fee that UPS gets. Since my last sword came in before the new 15% rate went into effect last week, I paid 10% of the declared value plus a $15 brokerage service fee. Given that UPS has avoided (to my knowledge) the massive theft issues that have plagued the USPS, I view the certain extra cost as a small price to pay for not stressing about whether my new sword will make it to my front door. But with rates now at 15%, my purchases going forward will be very select to avoid paying large sums of money to Washington - something I think we are all loathe to do.

[MEENag]

18 minutes ago, Mushin said:

Given that UPS has avoided (to my knowledge) the massive theft issues that have plagued the USPS…

Don’t scare me like that!

[Gerry]

1 hour ago, MEENag said:

It came through EMS/USPS. Maybe I’m just an unlucky one. 

I have always had my EMS sword shipments go through the Chicago USPS customs location without any issues. Fingers crossed that your sword arrives soon after all the duties are paid.

[Mushin]

2 hours ago, MEENag said:

Don’t scare me like that!

Unfortunately, the thefts are true. I have had it happen to me twice. Managed to find and buy back a sword once after the package went missing, minutes after the tracking program showed it cleared customs at JFK. Seems packages that go through LA and NY are at the greatest risk but they are not alone. Postal inspectors don’t investigate, usually because the packages are insured. Wish it weren’t the case but it is. 🙁

[Katsujinken]

8 hours ago, Gerry said:

Just checking, did you receive the sword via EMS/USPS, or a courier service like FedEx/UPS? I haven't received a tariff request using EMS/USPS.

EMS. 
 

I have paid duty on a UPS package in the past, but everyone should note the difference between a customs duty and a tariff. 

[MEENag]

No progress on gathering the info my customs broker needs to get my sword cleared. He needs the Master Air waybill MAWB for the shipment that included my package. A normal tracking number is also known as a House Air Waybill. The MAWB covers all of the packages/HAWBs that a freight forwarder includes in a particular cargo flight. In this case Japan Post/EMS contracted with Japan Airlines to carry freight and was issued a MAWB. I have contacted Japan Post and Japan Airlines to get the MAWB but received no response. I contacted Aoi Art and asked if they would inquire with Japan Post directly to try to get it and they did but whoever they talked to at Japan Post said that the tracking number is the only number. The struggle continues. I am, however, pleased with the post sale service from Aoi. 
As I’m typing this, I’m wondering why I haven’t tried to contact EMS directly…heading to EMS site. 

[Rawa]

I was waiting 3 months for pappered tsuba clearance. It gave me ptsd.

[MEENag]

28 minutes ago, Rawa said:

I was waiting 3 months for pappered tsuba clearance. It gave me ptsd.

I do not want to experience that!