Shipping to the United States
Thank you to all of our customers, both in the United States and worldwide for supporting and choosing Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide for your knives. We hear stories everyday from chefs around the world using our tools to improve their cuisine, especially from America.
This news article is being posted to announce and address shipping changes between Japan and the United States, and how that affects shipments from us to our American-based customers. This article only concerns shipments being sent to the United States from Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide, not any other situations.
As per announcements from various courier and postal companies we partner with, as well as the United States government, as of 29th August, 2025 (JST), commercial shipments from Japan to the United States will have tariffs applied, which vary depending on what the shipment is.
This adjustment has come from the American government level, is not a decision made by us, and is out of our control.
These adjustments change frequently, and we will update then and this article where we can. When we do so, we will note the appropriate updates.
As a disclaimer, these tariff amounts are not a decisive amount, as they change often. We create this post as advice, and recommend doing your own research for further information.
The information in this article was written 3rd December, 2025 (JST). Policies may have changed if the article is read after that date.
You can find out precise tariff information quickly using reports such as this one provided by DHL.
For those seeking a quick summary, please be aware that most orders coming from Japan to the United States that contain steel will result in a 50% tariff being applied. We do not take this payment, and all purchases from us exclude all tariffs in the final price.
Tariffs on Japanese Kitchen Knives
The United States government currently imposes a 50% tariff on non-automotive steel, alumnium, and copper products that do not originate from the United Kingdom or Russia. As we are based in Japan, the 50% rate applies.
This tariff is charged based on the amount of metal in a particular product. The reciprocal tariff betwen Japan and the United States of 15% applies to the value of the non-metal content in items, but Japanese kitchen knives have steel as the vast majority of the product in almost all instances.
Please expect that any kitchen knife order made from Japan will incur a 50% tariff on the price of the knife.
Please note this does not stack with the standard reciprocal 15% tariff for items from Japan. Tariffs on steel items are 50% instead of 15%, not 50% plus 15%.
Tariffs on Whetstones, Saya, and Other Items
Tarriffs are applied differently depending on what the item is.
Most of the extra products we sell are whetstones, sheathes (saya), and plating chopsticks. These will normally carry the standard reciprocal 15% tariff that items from Japan to the United States carry.
This may not always be the case, as rules change frequently.
How are Tariffs Paid?
Knife purchases from us do not include customs taxes, duties, and other levies. Our shipping charge covers just that, shipping specifically. When we offer free international shipping, it specifically just covers shipping. It does not cover customs taxes, duties, and other levies.
When a courier picks up an item from us to deliver to you, the United States Government bills them for the expected tarriff amount.
The courier then pays this tariff, and bills you for the amount they paid. They also charge an administrative fee to do this, which is on your bill.
Tarriffs are paid directly to them, and we are not involved in that transaction in anyway, nor do we see any money from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did tariffs on packages from Japan to the United States start?
This particular tariff started on August 29th, 2025
When will this tariff end?
This is a matter solely decided by the United States government, and only they could answer that question.
What if I don't want to pay the tariff?
The order would be returned to us, but as the tariff has already been paid by the courier company, we must then pay it in your place.
Any refund given would be minus the unsubsidised cost of the shipping of the item, and all tariff fees.
This can sometimes leave you with very little, or even no money remaining to refund.
Please keep in mind items that have been modified, such as with name engraving or extra sharpening services, are ineligible for refund.
I didn't see that the tariff is not included. What should I do?
Unfortunately, as the courier charges the tariff instead of us, this tariff must always be paid.
Under each product on our website, as well as on your cart page before checkout, we disclose "Prices do not include import taxes or customs fees."
We also mention this in our Shipping Policy, our FAQ as well as our final checkout screen under the Help (?) and Shipping subsections.
Why do your prices exclude these tariff fees?
While some webstores choose to collect import taxes at time of payment, these aren't always accurate and may require further billing later.
Just as many webstores take the same approach as us, not taking any tariff fees and having the courier handle this part of the process.
Handling these tariffs internally is a very labor-intensive, time-consuming experience. We would have to hire staff to handle this, which would result in higher prices on top of the tariffs, so we feel it best to leave it to our courier partners who are experts in this subject.
If you are ever unsure, we highly advise you to contact whatever webstore you are purchasing from to confirm if the price includes tariffs or not. They may also appear in your invoice under "Taxes" or another similar term.
Do I pay these tariffs if I bring the item with me on an airplane?
Please be aware that if you purchase products at our shop in Osaka and wish to bring them out of Japan with you, knives and plating chopsticks cannot be carried in your hand luggage. You will need to put them into your checked luggage. Please see further information in our Taking Kitchen Knives Out of Japan article.
US duty-free exemptions do exist, and depending on your situation, you may not need to pay any import fees at all.
Please consult the CBP attaché at the U.S. embassy located in Japan about your situation to confirm such information.
Will these tariffs apply if I ship the item myself?
U.S. tariffs will still apply even if you purchase our products ar our shop in Osaka and then ship them yourself.
Items shipped to the United States are ineligible for American duty free status, as per the United States Customs and Border Protection website.
In addition, due to changes in Japanese law effective April 2025, items shipped from Japan are no longer eligible for Japanese duty-free status. Therefore, if you purchased the item in Japan tax-free, you will also need to pay Japanese consumption tax.
I have further questions about these tariffs, who should I contact?
As per the website of the United States Customs and Border Protection office.
"Duty free exemption limits depend on the country or countries you visit and the length of stay. Learn which rates apply to the goods your purchase on your trip - call the CBP attaché at the country's U.S. embassy."
Please call the CBP attaché at the U.S. embassy located in Japan for further information about U.S. tariffs.
Do all couriers charge this tariff?
Yes, all couriers are meant to charge this tariff. Changing couriers will not change the tariff you pay.