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Japan Import Duty Rate for Fabrics & Technical Textiles

HS 5208 / 5512 · Woven fabrics of cotton or synthetic fibres

Japan MFN Import Duty Rate

6.6–9.1%

on CIF value

JEFTA/CPTPP: 0%

Woven cotton and synthetic fabrics 6.6–9.1% MFN.

Rate varies — verify exact HS subheading at the official tariff schedule.

How duty is calculated

CIF value

Product cost + international freight + insurance

Import duty (6.6–9.1%)

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

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: fabrics & technical textiles 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.

Charge	At 6.6%	At 9.1%
Import duty	$719	$992
Consumption Tax (10%)	$1,162	$1,189
Total paid at the border	$1,881	$2,181

Consumption Tax is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. The rate depends on the exact subheading, which is why the example shows both ends of the 6.6–9.1% range. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.

Classifying fabrics & technical textiles correctly

Woven fabrics are classified by fibre: 5208–5212 cotton, 5407–5408 synthetic filament, 5512–5516 synthetic staple fibre; knitted fabrics are 6001–6006.

The fibre that predominates by weight decides the chapter
Coated or laminated fabrics move to 5903 or 5907
Technical textiles (filter fabrics, conveyor belts) go to 5911

Compliance. Fabric rates are high in many markets and rules of origin are strict (yarn-forward under USMCA), so origin evidence is decisive.

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 Fabrics & Technical Textiles in Japan?

The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Fabrics & Technical Textiles (HS 5208 / 5512) in Japan is 6.6–9.1% on the CIF value. Woven cotton and synthetic fabrics 6.6–9.1% MFN.

Is Consumption Tax charged on Fabrics & Technical Textiles 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 Fabrics & Technical Textiles in Japan?

Yes. JEFTA/CPTPP: 0%. JEFTA (EU), CPTPP, US–Japan TTA, RCEP, Japan–ASEAN CEPA, Japan–UK CEPA are the key agreements — verify origin requirements with your customs broker.

How is import duty calculated for Fabrics & Technical Textiles 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 6.6–9.1% is applied to this value. Consumption Tax (10%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.