How much does it cost to import second‑hand luxury from Japan to the EU?
A guide for importing bags, watches, and jewellery from Japan to the EU — with real case examples so you can participate in your first auctions with confidence.
The landed cost of second-hand luxury goods imported from Japan into the EU, bought at auction, is the sum of five factors: the purchase total at auction, the platform commission (7–10% at Aucnet), freight and insurance to Europe, customs duty, and import VAT. The only registration you need is an EORI number, issued by your national customs authority. Below you'll find three example shipments from Aucnet auctions to the EU and a synthesis of official EU guides combined with on-the-ground experience.
Disclaimer: This is a general overview of importing luxury goods from Japan into the EU. The article does not constitute legal, customs, or tax advice, and it does not replace guidance from your national customs authority or an appointed customs representative.
A shipment of seven handbags, Tokyo to Denmark
A recent and typical selection purchased by a Denmark-based reseller through Aucnet's weekly brand auction:
- Louis Vuitton Alma PM — monogram canvas
- Louis Vuitton Alma — monogram canvas
- Louis Vuitton Cabas Mezzo — monogram canvas (× 2)
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Trotter — monogram canvas shoulder bag
- Prada Vitello Daino — leather handbag
- Miu Miu — leather handbag
Illustrative purchase from a completed auction. Prices are shown at combined order level, as individual hammer prices vary from auction to auction.
From purchase price to landed cost
| Cost line | Basis | JPY | EUR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase total (7 items) | Auction hammer prices | ¥462,820 | €2,720 |
| Aucnet commission | 7–10% depending on item price | ¥46,300 | €270 |
| Freight & insurance | ¥3,740 × 7 items | ¥26,180 | €150 |
| Customs value | Basis for duty & VAT | ¥535,300 | €3,160 |
| Customs duty | 3.7% · 42022290 (canvas) | ¥19,902 | €120 |
| Import VAT — Denmark | 25% × (customs value + duty) | ¥139,451 | €820 |
| Landed cost | Delivered, cleared, ready to sell | ¥694,653 | €4,080 |
EUR shown at an illustrative rate of ¥170 = €1.
Total cost above the hammer price: about 51% at the border. The largest single line is Danish VAT at 25%, and for a VAT-registered business, that amount is typically reclaimable as input tax. Net of reclaimed VAT, the actual cost uplift is roughly 20% over the purchase price, delivered to Denmark in about five days.
Why the duty rate depends on the material
Handbags fall under HS Chapter 42, and the sub-code follows the outer surface: 42022100 for leather (3% duty) and 42022290 for textile materials. This shipment is mostly canvas, so the table above applies the 3.7% rate to the customs value; the two leather pieces (Prada, Miu Miu) are classified at 3%, nudging the actual duty slightly lower.
A shipment of three watches, Tokyo to France
- Tudor Submariner ref. 79090
- Audemars Piguet Cobra ref. 4126/392
- Hublot Big Bang Unico ref. 441.NE.2010.RW
Illustrative purchase from a completed auction; prices shown at shipment level.
From purchase price to landed cost
| Cost line | Basis | JPY | EUR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase total (3 items) | Auction hammer prices | ¥3,277,500 | €19,280 |
| Aucnet commission | 8% | ¥262,200 | €1,540 |
| Freight & insurance | ¥3,740 × 3 items | ¥11,220 | €70 |
| Customs value | Basis for duty & VAT | ¥3,550,920 | €20,890 |
| Customs duty | 4.5% · HS Chapter 91 | ¥159,791 | €940 |
| Import VAT — France | 20% × (customs value + duty) | ¥742,142 | €4,370 |
| Landed cost | Delivered, cleared, ready to sell | ¥4,452,853 | €26,190 |
EUR shown at an illustrative rate of ¥170 = €1.
Total cost above the hammer price: about 36% at the border, of which VAT is the largest share. Net of reclaimed VAT, the import cost was roughly 13%. Wristwatches are classified under HS Chapter 91, with sub-codes following the case material and movement.
A shipment of eight jewellery pieces, Tokyo to Germany
A mixed selection of branded jewellery — sterling silver alongside gold-tone pieces:
- Tiffany & Co. Open Heart necklace, large — sterling silver (SV925), chain approx. 46 cm
- Tiffany & Co. necklace set — 4 pieces
- Tiffany & Co. Flower necklace
- Chanel earrings 97A
- Chanel Coco earrings 94A
- Chanel logo earrings
- Burberry necklace — 42 cm
- Burberry earrings — check pattern with rhinestones
Illustrative purchase from a completed auction; prices shown at shipment level.
From purchase price to landed cost
| Cost line | Basis | JPY | EUR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase total (8 items) | Auction hammer prices | ¥134,000 | €790 |
| Aucnet commission | 7–10% | ¥13,400 | €80 |
| Freight & insurance | ¥3,740 × 8 items | ¥29,920 | €180 |
| Customs value | Basis for duty & VAT | ¥177,320 | €1,040 |
| Customs duty | 4% · 7117 (imitation jewellery) | ¥7,093 | €40 |
| Import VAT — Germany | 19% × (customs value + duty) | ¥35,038 | €210 |
| Landed cost | Delivered, cleared, ready to sell | ¥219,451 | €1,290 |
EUR shown at an illustrative rate of ¥170 = €1.
Total cost above the hammer price: about 64% at the border — the highest of the three examples. The reason is freight: at a flat rate per item, it weighs more on lower-value pieces. Net of reclaimed VAT, the uplift is roughly 38%.
Jewellery falls under HS Chapter 71, and the split follows the material: 7113 for articles of precious metal or clad with it (2.5% duty) and 7117 for imitation jewellery, including gold-tone and rhinestone pieces (4%). This shipment is mostly gold-tone, so the table applies the 4% rate to the customs value; the sterling-silver Tiffany pieces are classified at 2.5%, nudging the actual duty slightly lower.
How customs duty is calculated
Two inputs decide your rate: HS code and country of origin. Every product has an HS code (what it is) and a country of origin (where it was manufactured). Those two inputs alone set the duty rate at the EU border.
Sub-code follows the outer material — 42022100 leather (3%), 42022290 textile/canvas (3.7%), typical for luxury handbags.
Sub-codes follow case material and movement; include serial numbers on the commercial invoice as standard practice.
Precious-metal (7113) and imitation (7117) pieces classify differently.
Does the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) lower the duty?
The EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement grants preferential rates to goods of Japanese origin if shipped from Japan. Most luxury products are made in Europe, so the EPA does not apply, even when you buy through a Japanese platform.
How import VAT works
Import VAT is charged at the border, separately from duty, when goods enter free circulation. Importantly, VAT applies to the full stack illustrated above, not only the price of the goods. The three case examples show Denmark's 25%, France's 20%, and Germany's 19% applied to customs value plus duty.
“For first-time importers, VAT is almost always a surprise. They see the purchase price and the duty, but they haven't factored in that VAT is calculated on top of both — including the shipping and insurance to get the goods to the EU.”Aucnet Europe sales team
Time it with your cash flow
VAT is due at the border before goods are sold and is reclaimed through your VAT return. On high-value shipments, plan the gap, especially if your reclaim cycle is quarterly.
The import process in four steps
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Choose a supplier with EU export experience
Consistent paperwork is what makes duty control move smoothly. Platforms that produce commercial invoices, origin statements, and compliance documentation in a standard and compliant format are the reason experienced importers rarely see delays. On the product side, Japan is generally strict on both grading and authentication, but choosing an experienced sourcing partner also limits the chances of encountering quality or counterfeit issues.
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Apply for EORI before goods ship and research the HS codes
Apply for your EORI number early. It's free and issued by your national customs authority. Confirm the HS code for each product type with your supplier so the approximate duty rate is known before you bid, and check material rules where relevant (exotic skins are CITES-regulated; experienced platforms screen them out before export).
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Agree Incoterms and book transport
Incoterms set who arranges freight, insurance, and clearance, and where risk passes from seller to buyer. Agree them in writing before you finalise the purchase. With a responsive export partner, any additional paperwork customs requests can be handled swiftly, so you can focus on your core business.
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Clear customs and start selling
Clearance needs your EORI, the customs declaration, the commercial invoice, transport documents, and the exporter's origin statement. You can file yourself or appoint a customs representative. Once duty and VAT are paid, the goods are free to be sold anywhere in the EU.
How experienced importers keep shipments moving
Keep addresses consistent across every document
Your business-registration address and invoice address should match exactly. In our experience, mismatches have delayed shipments in the past.
Research the HS codes before purchase
Agree with your supplier how the first six digits will appear on export documents. Even though the HS system is harmonised, different countries are known to interpret the rules differently, so verify the full code with a customs specialist to be sure.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an import licence?
No general import licence is required for second-hand bags, watches, or jewellery. The one registration you need is an EORI number, issued by your national customs authority.
Who handles customs clearance and VAT?
As the importer of record, the responsibility is yours — and most importers use their carrier's brokerage service to manage the filing. With consistent paperwork, it's a routine process.
Can I import exotic-skin items such as crocodile leather?
Exotic skins (crocodile, alligator, python, certain lizards) are regulated under CITES and require specific permits. Experienced platforms screen these items out before export — Aucnet does not allow overseas members to purchase products containing exotic animal skins or derivatives thereof.
What is the delivery time, and does it include customs clearance?
Typical delivery to most European countries is around 3–5 business days including standard clearance. Shipments with complete, consistent documentation clear fastest.
The vocabulary of importing
- EORI
- Economic Operators Registration and Identification number — the single registration every EU importer needs, issued by the national customs authority.
- Customs value
- Price of the goods plus international transport and insurance to the EU — the base on which duty is calculated.
- Importer of record
- The EU business legally responsible for the customs declaration and VAT reporting on a shipment.
- Incoterms
- Standard trade terms that define who arranges freight, insurance, and clearance, and where risk passes from seller to buyer.
- Free circulation
- The status goods gain once duty and import VAT are paid — after which they can be sold or moved anywhere in the EU.
Check current rates, and start sourcing from Japan
Duty rates and rules change, so confirm the figures for your exact product and country of entry through the official EU tools:
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Sign up nowAbout the figures. The shipment examples are based on completed Aucnet auctions and are illustrative. Hammer prices vary by auction, exchange rates fluctuate (EUR figures use an illustrative rate of ¥170 = €1), and duty and VAT rates should be verified for your specific product and country of entry. Shipment compositions are shown for reference and are not offers for sale; Aucnet Europe is not affiliated with the brands named. This guide is a general overview and does not constitute legal, customs, or tax advice.