日本将取消个人进口的税收优惠

Core Viewpoint - Japan is considering the cancellation of tax benefits for personal imports, which currently allow a 40% reduction in taxable value, leading to price discrepancies between imported goods sold by Chinese e-commerce platforms and local Japanese retailers [2][5]. Group 1: Tax Policy Changes - The Japanese Ministry of Finance is coordinating to eliminate the tax benefits for personal imports, which have been exploited by Chinese e-commerce sites to sell goods at lower prices [2][5]. - The current tax benefit allows imported goods valued at 30,000 yen (approximately 1,386 RMB) to be taxed at a reduced value of 18,000 yen, resulting in a consumption tax burden of 1,800 yen [4]. - This tax benefit applies to individuals purchasing from overseas through e-commerce platforms, contributing to competitive disadvantages for local retailers [5]. Group 2: Market Impact and Regulatory Concerns - The number of import declarations is expected to reach approximately 200 million in the 2024 fiscal year, quadrupling over five years, which raises concerns about customs oversight and the risk of counterfeit goods entering Japan [7]. - There have been instances of violations where products intended for resale in Japan are disguised as personal imports to evade taxes, such as large quantities of smartphones [7]. - The Ministry of Finance plans to include the cancellation of personal import tax benefits in the 2026 tax reform outline, reflecting a shift in policy since the introduction of these benefits in 1980 [7]. Group 3: International Trends and Comparisons - Other major countries are also revising their tax exemption policies for small imports, with the EU and the UK abolishing VAT exemptions in 2021, and the US planning to eliminate tariff exemptions by August 2025 [8]. - Japan's response to the influx of low-priced goods from countries like China is part of a broader trend among nations to reform tax systems related to e-commerce and imports [8].