Duties & Taxes
Quick version: we ship from Japan, and we don't collect duties or taxes at checkout. If your country charges import fees, the courier collects them from you when your package arrives. That money goes to your government, not to us, and we have no control over the amount.
Last updated: September 2026. Trade regulations change frequently, so please consult your local customs authority for the most current information before ordering.
Here's what customers in our main markets typically see:
Jump to: United States · United Kingdom · Australia · Canada · European Union
| Region | Duty-free under | Taxes that always apply |
|---|---|---|
| US | None (as of Aug 2025) | Duties apply to every order, rate depends on where each item is made |
| UK | £135 | VAT, on everything |
| EU | None (as of July 2026) | VAT, on everything |
| Australia | AUD 1,000 | GST, sometimes |
| Canada | CAD 20 | GST/HST, plus PST in some provinces |
Shipping to the US
Every US order is charged import duty, whatever its value. FedEx or DHL collects it when your package arrives, and the money goes to US Customs, not to us. What you pay depends mostly on where each item was made.
Please read this first. The figures below are ballpark examples, not a quote. We can't calculate the exact duty on your order. US rates change often, sometimes with little notice, and we can't track every change as it happens. These examples reflect US rules as of September 30, 2026. US Customs sets the final amount and your carrier collects it. For official current rates, see the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule and US Customs and Border Protection.
Made in Japan
Most of our Japan-made gear, such as belts, gis, gloves and head guards, lands between 12.5% and 15% in total US duty. Apparel carries higher standard rates, so a Japan-made T-shirt or rash guard costs more to import, but still less than the same piece made in China. Most of our catalog is made in Japan. Look for the golden Made in Japan badge on the product page.
Made elsewhere
Some products are made in China, Vietnam, Pakistan or Taiwan. Each country follows its own US rules. China is where the gap is widest. Apparel made in China often lands between about 30% and 45%, and sometimes higher. Check the country of origin in the Specs tab of any product page.
Examples, as of September 2026
| Product | Made in Japan | Made elsewhere |
|---|---|---|
| Martial arts belts | about 15% | China: 27% or more |
| Cotton martial arts gis | 12.5% | China or Vietnam: 20% or more. Pakistan: about 17.5% |
| Boxing and MMA gloves | 12.5% | Pakistan: about 10% to 15%. China: 13% or more |
| Head guards | 12.5% | Taiwan: about 10%. China: 12.5% or more |
| T-shirts | about 16.5% | China: 29% or more |
| Rash guards | 32% | China: about 45% or more |
Mixed-origin orders
US Customs assesses each item on its own origin. A Japan-made item keeps the Japan rate even when another item in the same box is charged more.
Carrier fees and questions about your bill
DHL and FedEx usually add their own processing fee for collecting duties. If your bill looks higher than expected, ask your carrier for an itemized breakdown. It shows the rate, the classification code and the country of origin declared for each item.
More detail: Why Made in Japan products are taxed at lower rates in the USA and our US tariff blog post.
Shipping to the UK
Orders under £135 skip customs duty entirely. VAT still applies no matter what you order, collected by the courier at delivery. This £135 break is on its way out — the UK government has it slated for removal by October 2028 at the latest — but for now, the threshold holds. Full details on the official UK government page.
Shipping to Australia
Good news here: most orders under AUD 1,000 arrive duty-free, and most ChokeSports customers in Australia don't see extra charges at all. GST can apply depending on the product. More from the Australian Border Force.
Shipping to Canada
Canada's threshold is low — just CAD 20 — so realistically, almost every order will pick up some duty and tax. Expect GST/HST, and PST too depending on your province. Collected by the courier on delivery. Details from the Canada Border Services Agency.
Shipping to the EU
As of July 1, 2026, the old EUR 150 duty-free exemption is gone. Every order under EUR 150 now picks up a small flat €3 duty per item (charged per product type, not per box) — that's a temporary rate running through July 2028. VAT still applies as always, and orders over EUR 150 follow standard duty rates based on the product. More from the EU Commission.
One more thing
Trade rules shift often and without warning, so we can't guarantee exact charges — the numbers above are our best current read, not a quote. If you're ordering something time-sensitive or high-value, it's worth a quick check with your local customs office or a broker beforehand.
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