TL;DR: The U.S. has officially ended its $800 duty-free threshold, meaning all imports from Japan are now taxed according to their product type and country of origin. Japan Post has suspended shipments to the U.S., but don't worry — we've partnered with FedEx and DHL to keep your ChokeSports orders moving quickly. Order as usual — we'll make sure your gear gets to you.
Updated on May 18, 2026
⚠ May 2026 Update — Important Changes Since October 2025
The tariff landscape for U.S. imports from Japan has changed significantly since our last update. Most importantly: the 15% rate we previously cited is no longer in effect. That rate was based on IEEPA authority, which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court on February 20, 2026. A new temporary 10% surcharge (Section 122) replaced it on February 24, 2026 — and was itself ruled unlawful by a federal trade court on May 7, 2026, though CBP continues to collect it while the ruling is under appeal. We've updated this post in full below.
What Changed and When
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 27, 2025 | Japan Post suspends all EMS, parcel, and small packet services to the U.S. ChokeSports moves exclusively to FedEx and DHL. |
| Aug 29, 2025 | U.S. eliminates the $800 duty-free (de minimis) exemption for all countries. Every shipment is now dutiable, regardless of order value. |
| Sep 4, 2025 | White House implements U.S.–Japan trade agreement. A 15% minimum tariff on Japanese imports is established under IEEPA authority. |
| Feb 20, 2026 | U.S. Supreme Court strikes down IEEPA tariffs (Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump). The 15% Japan rate is invalidated. |
| Feb 24, 2026 | IEEPA tariff collection ends. Replaced by a temporary 10% Section 122 global surcharge stacked on top of each product's standard MFN base duty rate. |
| May 7, 2026 | U.S. Court of International Trade rules the Section 122 surcharge unlawful. No universal injunction — CBP continues collecting it during the appeal. |
| May 12, 2026 | Federal Circuit issues administrative stay. Section 122 collection continues pending final appeal outcome. |
What Tariff Rate Will U.S. Customers Pay Right Now?
As of May 2026, the effective tariff on Japanese-origin goods entering the U.S. is:
MFN base duty rate + 10% Section 122 temporary surcharge
The MFN (Most Favored Nation) base rate is the standard import duty for each product category, set by the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The 10% Section 122 surcharge is stacked on top. The combined rate varies by product type.
Why is this uncertain? The situation remains in active legal flux:
- The Section 122 surcharge was ruled unlawful on May 7, 2026 — the administration has appealed, and CBP continues collecting it for now.
- Section 122 tariffs are set to expire on July 24, 2026 unless Congress acts to extend them.
- A Section 301 trade investigation targeting Japan was initiated on March 11, 2026. If Section 122 is struck down or expires, new Section 301 tariffs may follow — potentially changing rates further after mid-2026.
Estimated Tariffs on Popular ChokeSports Products
All ChokeSports products shipped to the U.S. are subject to duties based on their HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code — a standardized system that determines the applicable tariff rate for each product type. Below are our current estimates for three of our best-selling Japan-made product categories.
Martial Arts Belts — HTS 6307.90.9891
| HTS Code | 6307.90.9891 |
| MFN Base Duty | 7% |
| Section 122 Surcharge | +10% (currently under legal appeal) |
| Estimated Combined Rate | ~17% |
| Example: $50 belt | Approx. $8.50 in duty |
| Example: $100 belt | Approx. $17.00 in duty |
BJJ & Karate Gis (Cotton) — HTS 6203.22.1000
| HTS Code | 6203.22.1000 |
| Description | Men's/Boys' judo, karate, and other oriental martial arts uniforms, of cotton |
| MFN Base Duty | 7.5% |
| Section 122 Surcharge | +10% (currently under legal appeal) |
| Estimated Combined Rate | ~17.5% |
| Example: $150 gi | Approx. $26.25 in duty |
| Example: $250 gi | Approx. $43.75 in duty |
MMA & Boxing Gloves (Leather) — HTS 4203.21.8060
| HTS Code | 4203.21.8060 |
| Description | Gloves, mittens, and mitts specially designed for use in sports, of leather — other |
| MFN Base Duty | 4.9% |
| Section 122 Surcharge | +10% (currently under legal appeal) |
| Estimated Combined Rate | ~14.9% |
| Example: $80 gloves | Approx. $11.92 in duty |
| Example: $200 gloves | Approx. $29.80 in duty |
* Estimates are based on HTS Column 1 General (MFN) rates plus the active 10% Section 122 surcharge, sourced from the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (2026 Revision 7, last synced May 2026). These figures do not include the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) of 0.3464% (minimum $31.67), collected separately by the carrier. Actual charges may vary.
How ChokeSports Keeps Your Orders Moving
We're not leaving our U.S. customers hanging. We ship all U.S. orders exclusively via FedEx and DHL Express — two of the most reliable international carriers — to ensure your premium gear continues to arrive safely and on time.
- Duties & Taxes: All U.S. imports are now subject to customs duties and tariffs. You'll pay these directly to the carrier at delivery — not at checkout.
- Carrier Fees: FedEx and DHL apply a small customs clearance or disbursement fee based on your order value. These are standard for all U.S. imports.
- Notifications: You'll receive a notification or invoice directly from the carrier with the amount due. Prompt payment ensures your shipment is released without delay.
Japan Post Suspension
Japan Post suspended all EMS, parcel, and small packet services to the United States on August 27, 2025. This suspension affects all commercial shipments and gifts valued over $100. As of May 2026, Japan Post has not confirmed a restart date for U.S. services. All ChokeSports U.S. orders continue to ship via FedEx and DHL Express only.
What You Can Do
When shopping at ChokeSports.com, check the Specs tab on each product page to confirm its country of origin. Most of our gear is proudly Made in Japan, while selected items are produced in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, or Pakistan. Customs duties vary by origin — goods made in China, for example, carry significantly higher combined rates — so reviewing this information before ordering helps you estimate your total landed cost.
A Note on Past Orders (Aug 2025 – Feb 2026)
If you placed an order with ChokeSports between August 7, 2025 and February 23, 2026, your package cleared U.S. customs under the IEEPA-based tariff regime. The Supreme Court struck those tariffs down in February 2026, and CBP has since launched a refund process (CAPE) for duties paid during that window. Eligibility and processing are handled through the customs entry system — contact your carrier or a licensed customs broker if you believe you may be eligible for a refund.
What to Watch For
U.S. trade policy is changing faster than at any point in decades. Key upcoming dates:
- July 24, 2026 — Current Section 122 tariffs are set to expire unless Congress extends them.
- Ongoing — Federal Circuit appeal of the May 7, 2026 court ruling on Section 122 legality.
- Ongoing — USTR Section 301 trade investigation targeting Japan, initiated March 2026. Results could bring new country-specific tariffs later in 2026.
We will update this page whenever material changes occur. For official and current tariff information, visit U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
Final Word
This has been a major policy shift for global trade, but the good news is that you can continue ordering from ChokeSports with confidence. We're closely monitoring the evolving customs and shipping situation and will always choose the fastest, most reliable delivery method available — currently FedEx or DHL Express.
Thank you for your continued patience and trust. We remain committed to delivering the world's best martial arts gear, straight from Japan to your doorstep.
