Japan Post US Shipping Suspension: Gifts, $100 Items, Tariff 15%, and Delivery Delays

Starting August 29, 2025, the duty-free allowance for items under $800 will be eliminated, meaning all items shipped to the United States will be subject to customs duties.

For the past few days, Japan Post has suspended shipping some cargo to the United States.

How long will this shipping suspension last?

Will gifts under $100 still arrive?

I looked into how customs duties are calculated, the maximum delivery delay, and other details.

https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2025/0825_01.html

Why did Japan Post suspend some shipments to the US?

On July 30, 2025, the U.S. government issued an executive order titled “Termination of De Minimis Duty Exemption for All Countries” regarding mail addressed to the United States.

Consequently, effective August 29, duty exemptions for items valued under $800 were terminated, and tariffs will now be imposed.

On August 15, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released “New Guidelines Regarding the Elimination of the De Minimis Exemption.”
However, the procedures to be implemented by each shipping company remain unclear.
Shipments cannot be made while customs procedures are uncertain.
※FedEx, DHL, and UPS are also providing ambiguous responses regarding their future handling.

First, tariffs exist to protect U.S. industries and generate revenue for the U.S. government.
When large quantities of low-priced goods are imported from overseas, domestic competitors may be disadvantaged in price competition, potentially leading to industrial decline and increased unemployment.
Therefore, imposing tariffs on imports adjusts prices to be on par with domestic products, enhancing the competitiveness of domestic industries.
Payment of tariffs is the obligation of the importer, as stipulated in customs conventions.

Currently, a debate over DDP and DDU is circulating on social media.
DDP is a method where the buyer pays the customs duty at the time of purchase.
If DDP is adopted, the duty would be added to the product price, meaning the duty would be piled on top of that already inflated price.
Additionally, sellers would need to factor in the duty billed a month later, forcing them to sell at significantly higher prices.
Consequently, the final selling price would become extremely high.

On the other hand, DDU is a method where the buyer pays the customs duties upon receipt.
With this method, sellers can sell at the original price without charging buyers double customs duties.
DHL and FedEx also widely use this method in other countries. It was thought that if the tariff remained at 15% after August 29th, many buyers would likely pay it.
However, since the U.S. government seems to be enforcing DDP, I imagine many sellers are struggling.

Either way, product prices will become very high, making it difficult for Americans to easily obtain goods from outside their country.
Referencing Canada's policy, I expect impacts to begin appearing in food items and the like by year-end.
It seems some overseas companies have already started withdrawing due to this tariff policy.

No one knows what will happen until after August 29th.
Therefore, we can only wait for answers.

Which types of mail are affected by the suspension?

Not Accepted for Shipment

・Gifts between individuals with contents valued at over 100 USD
・Items intended for consumption (Small Packets, Parcels, and EMS (Goods))

Shippable

・Letters, postcards, printed matter, EMS (Documents)
・Mail containing gifts between individuals with contents valued at 100 USD or less (Small Packets, Parcels, and EMS (Goods))

What is the new US tariff rule for packages from Japan?

The US removed its previous de minimis exemption, meaning all packages can now be taxed.

Some goods face a 15% tariff rate

Others may fall under the $80 threshold rule

In practice, even $50 or $100 items may be charged depending on customs inspection

Will gifts still be delivered duty-free?

※We will update the latest information after August 29.

Not always. Even if marked as a gift, customs may still apply tariffs.

Gifts under $100 are not automatically exempt anymore

Accurate labeling (“Gift” on the customs form) helps but does not guarantee free entry

What is the best way to declare a gift package?

Mark the shipment as “Gift” on the customs declaration

Provide a realistic item value

Use clear descriptions (e.g., “Plush Toy Gift” instead of just “Toy”)
This reduces the chance of rejection or excessive taxation.

How long will delivery delays last?

Previously, it took an average of 2 to 3 weeks.

However, if detained for customs collection after August 29, 2025, it may take over a month.

If you need to obtain Christmas presents from overseas, it's best to have the sender ship them immediately.

Are there faster alternatives to Japan Post?

Yes. Consider using:

FedEx or UPS → Faster clearance but higher cost
DHL → Reliable for international shipments
Third-party forwarding services → Useful for consolidated orders

Reports have surfaced of high fees and customs duties being charged just one month later.
Please be cautious when purchasing items over $100 from overseas.

If you have concerns, consider using your country's shipping company to send items via USPS.

If you are charged high customs duties upon delivery and refuse to accept the package, return shipping is free.

What should US buyers expect when ordering from Japan?

・Longer shipping times 

・Possible tariffs or fees upon delivery
When shipping via FedEx, DHL, or UPS, be aware that customs duties may be billed at a later date.

・Tracking updates may show longer customs processing

What’s the outlook for Japan-to-US shipping in 2025?

I think some information will start coming out after August 29th.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, logistics seemed to recover about a month later, so I think it's better to wait a little while.