Tarriff Update -Tsuba From Japan

[cluckdaddy76]

I finally decided to make a purchase since tariffs have gone crazy in the US. I have some great news at least when shipping with DHL. They let me assign my own tariff code which they supply the link to when filling out the form. I selected "antique metalwork" as this seemed the most appropriate. You then are also asked for a brief description to go along with the code to which I wrote "antique metal fittings". This cleared customs without any issue and was delivered to my house today. This piece was also valued at more than $800 so it did not slip through that way even though I believe that has changed too and all items are tariffed no matter the cost. Just thought some members may be interested in this update. Has anyone else had this experience or have the opposite experience?

 

Jason

[Curran]

This is new to me.

It dares give me hope.

 

[cluckdaddy76]

Curran, I have also had my eye on a fuchi/kashira set that I am going to pull the trigger on too. I will write down what tariff code I used and post it once I make this happen. Not sure it would apply to swords, but I am thrilled it worked for this tsuba.

 

Jason

[John C]

So far, I've had no problems with non-sword items (books, kanna blades, netsuke, yatate) shipped from Japan since tariffs began. The dealers have a shipping choice that includes tariffs, which is what I usually choose - though it is more expensive, it hasn't gotten hung up anywhere.

 

John C.

[cluckdaddy76]

I found the tariff code I used; it is in the antique section Chapter 97. Code is 970610 and the website states this code if accepted it does not have a tariff applied. My description was antique metalwork. Not sure that swords fall under this as I have heard most have paid a tariff. I have a fuchi/kashira set coming soon, I will update again either way once received.

 

Jason

[Curran]

22 minutes ago, cluckdaddy76 said:

I found the tariff code I used; it is in the antique section Chapter 97. Code is 970610 and the website states this code if accepted it does not have a tariff applied. My description was antique metalwork. Not sure that swords fall under this as I have heard most have paid a tariff. I have a fuchi/kashira set coming soon, I will update again either way once received.

 

Jason

 

Here are code references:

https://www.unisco.com/hts/97061000

and

https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=9706.10.00.40

 

I thought that antiques were now subject to such tariffs, but the one site claims to be updated as of Nov 25th, 2025.

Is that accurate, or stale information.

 

@cluckdaddy76  do let us know if you get a tariff bill after the fact. Otherwise, I guess I am using Harmonized Tariff Codes again.

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Recently sent a box from Japan to the UK, full of things left behind by a visitor. I paid ￥17,000, but the post office people were not happy with the papers I had spent three hours printing out that morning.

 

'The system has changed', they said. 'You must identify every item inside, declare the weight and value of each item, and state the correct category code for each'. They lent me the post office notebook and I spent a further hour there struggling with it. Finally one of the kind ladies came over and walked me through it. And boy, was I glad to get out of there!

 

Later I heard that customs had charged tax at the other end too, even though the contents were listed as worth ￥6,000, for cups and plates and a teapot.

 

Who even dreams up this complicated stuff? 

[Charlie C]

It seems that agent companies like Tenso still auto-collect the tariff (as I last checked last month), but sending packages directly through FedEx and UPS often bypasses it. I just received an update that my package cleared customs without me being asked for anything. A merry Christmas!

[Curran]

On 12/21/2025 at 10:21 AM, Charlie C said:

It seems that agent companies like Tenso still auto-collect the tariff (as I last checked last month), but sending packages directly through FedEx and UPS often bypasses it. I just received an update that my package cleared customs without me being asked for anything. A merry Christmas!

 

Oh, to hope, to hope!

 

This Tariff schtuff chaos has been a severe butt cramp the last few months.

The US Customs site updated in late November 2025 and claims that antiques are tariff free.  https://hts.usitc.gov/reststop/file?release=currentRelease&filename=Chapter 97

I've been very cautious, as some people are still getting slammed.  The one tsuba I had sent to me from Japan was +23.5% or so with Tariff and Taxes.

 

[Michael 101]

I can add detail of my recent experience of posting a tsuba from the UK to a friend in the USA.  
 

In place of the old customs form sticker which I used to complete the UK post office now adds the details to the online postal system when you take for package for posting and the value of the item being sent is then used to calculate the tariff amount which is paid for by the sender on dispatch. 
 

Example tsuba declared  £250 value attracts  10% tariff = £25.00 plus payment for postage = £20.00 meaning total cost payable on sending = £45.00 This then should go straight to the person it’s addressed to without any further charges. 
 

this is how it works UK to USA 
 

 

[Lou V]

A word of continued caution.  A prominent Japanese dealer warned me that even with the proper tariff code, Japanese export documents, and antique attestation it is still up to the judgment of the customs officer reviewing the package.  I have had one tsuba arrive without tariffs applied and one that did.  Both arrived in the US in the past two months and shipped out well after the August change.  Fingers crossed for the next one that is on the way.

[cluckdaddy76]

Just to update, I have made two purchases in the last four months and still have not received a tariff bill. From the chatting I have done, it sems like a flip of the coin whether you get charged. It could vary from dealers charging upfront before they ship to you to customs themselves deciding they do not like the selected code and do decide to charge you. I am on the lookout for a new piece, may be a few months but I will update again once I do.

 

Jason

[eternal_newbie]

Sounds like the best course of action is to make sure you can afford the tariff bill before ordering from overseas, then cross your fingers and hope you get lucky.