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Japan Import Duty Rate for Steel Flat Products

HS 7208–7211 · Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel

Japan MFN Import Duty Rate

0%

on CIF value

Most steel flat products enter Japan at 0% MFN.

How duty is calculated

1

CIF value

Product cost + international freight + insurance

2

Import duty (0%)

Applied to CIF value. EU, UK, and most countries use CIF.

3

Consumption Tax (10%)

Applied to CIF value + duty. Collected at customs.

Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.

Worked example: steel flat products worth US$10,000

A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. Japan charges duty on the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance), so the duty base is US$10,900. Customs converts the amount to JPY at the official exchange rate on the day of import.

ChargeAt 0%
Import duty$0
Consumption Tax (10%)$1,090
Total paid at the border$1,090

Consumption Tax is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.

Classifying steel flat products correctly

Headings 7208–7212 cover flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel — hot-rolled (7208), cold-rolled (7209), coated (7210) and narrow strip (7211–7212).

  • Width (600 mm and over vs under) splits 7208–7210 from 7211–7212
  • Alloy steel goes to 7219–7226
  • The coating (zinc, tin, aluminium-zinc) decides the 7210 subheading

Compliance. Steel is one of the most trade-remedied products: Section 232 in the US, EU and UK safeguard quotas, anti-dumping duties in most markets, and CBAM in the EU.

Importing into Japan: what you need

Japan Customs, under the Ministry of Finance, clears goods through NACCS; rates are in the Customs Tariff Schedules of Japan.

Registration. Commercial importers act through a licensed customs broker (tsūkan-gyōsha); overseas sellers need an importer of record in Japan.

Low-value shipments. Consignments with a taxable value of ¥10,000 or less are exempt from duty and consumption tax; the exemption is under review as part of Japan's response to low-value e-commerce.

Documents customs will ask for

  • Import declaration
  • Commercial invoice and packing list
  • Bill of lading or air waybill
  • Certificate of origin or origin declaration for EPAs (CPTPP, RCEP, EU–Japan EPA)
  • Food Sanitation Act notification for food and kitchenware; PSE marks for electrical appliances

Charges on top of duty

  • Consumption tax 10% (8% on food) on CIF value + duty
  • Excise on alcohol, tobacco and petroleum

Watch out. Most industrial goods enter Japan at 0%, but leather goods, footwear and some foods carry tariff-rate quotas with very high out-of-quota rates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the import duty rate for Steel Flat Products in Japan?

The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Steel Flat Products (HS 7208–7211) in Japan is 0% on the CIF value. Most steel flat products enter Japan at 0% MFN.

Is Consumption Tax charged on Steel Flat Products imports to Japan?

Yes. Japan charges Consumption Tax at 10% on the CIF value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.

Are there FTA rates available for Steel Flat Products in Japan?

Japan has free trade agreements with JEFTA (EU), CPTPP, US–Japan TTA, RCEP, Japan–ASEAN CEPA, Japan–UK CEPA. Check whether your origin country qualifies for a preferential rate on HS 7208–7211.

How is import duty calculated for Steel Flat Products entering Japan?

Duty is calculated on the CIF value of the goods. CIF value includes the product cost, international freight, and insurance. The MFN duty of 0% is applied to this value. Consumption Tax (10%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.

Verify this rate

Duty rates change. Always verify the current rate at the official tariff schedule before importing.

Japan Customs Tariff Schedule (9-digit) official database ↗
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