Japanese Pokémon cards, One Piece booster boxes and BE@RBRICK figures are often listed for less in Japan, the US or the UK. For a buyer in the European Union, the price on the screen is rarely the price you end up paying. In this guide we explain which extra costs and risks come with ordering from outside the EU, and how to avoid them.
1. Import VAT from the very first euro
Since July 2021 every parcel that enters the EU from outside is subject to import VAT, whatever its value. The rate is that of your own country, for example 21% in the Netherlands or 19% in Germany. VAT is charged on the item price plus shipping, and in many cases on the customs duty as well.
Some sellers outside the EU collect this VAT at checkout through the EU import scheme (IOSS), but only for parcels up to €150. If the seller does not do this, or the information gets lost along the way, the carrier collects the VAT from you on delivery, and you may end up paying it twice.
2. Customs duties
On parcels with a value above €150, regular EU customs duties apply on top of VAT. Since 1 July 2026 the EU also charges a fixed duty of €3 on low-value parcels up to €150 from sellers in the IOSS scheme, per type of product in the parcel. Sealed booster boxes and special boxes quickly go above €150, so for collectors the regular duties are the ones to keep in mind.
3. Handling fees from the carrier
If VAT or duties have to be paid on delivery, the carrier (for example the postal service or a courier) usually adds its own fee for handling customs clearance. The parcel is only delivered once you have paid everything. If you refuse it, it goes back to the sender and you often lose the shipping costs.
4. Long delivery times
A parcel from Japan or the US often takes two to four weeks or longer, and can be held at customs for days. For a new release that you want to open or add to your collection right away, that is a long wait.
5. Returns and problems are hard to solve
Returning a parcel to a seller outside the EU is expensive and slow, and the import VAT and duties you paid are not always refunded. EU consumer rules, such as the 14-day right of withdrawal, are difficult to rely on with a seller outside the EU. If a box arrives damaged, or if there are doubts about authenticity, you are often on your own.
An example
Say you order a sealed box for €140 plus €25 shipping from outside the EU, without VAT collected at checkout. On delivery you then pay import VAT on the full amount (in Germany 19% of €165 is about €31), any customs duty and a handling fee from the carrier. A box that looked like €165 can easily cost €200 or more, after several weeks of waiting.
How we do it at M-District
M-District is based in the Netherlands. Our products are already imported, cleared and in stock in the EU. That means for buyers in the EU:
- No import duties and no surprises on delivery: the price you see includes VAT, nothing is added at the door.
- Free shipping with tracking to every EU country.
- Fast: items in stock ship within one business day from the Netherlands.
- EU consumer rights, including the 14-day right of withdrawal, and an EU contact you can simply email.
- Familiar payment methods such as iDEAL | Wero, Klarna and credit card.
- Factory sealed products, carefully packed with extra protection.
Browse our Japanese Pokémon exclusives, Pokémon Center Special Boxes, One Piece booster boxes or BE@RBRICK. Not sure whether Japanese or English cards suit you better? Read Japanese vs English Pokémon cards.
The rules above describe the general situation for consumers in the EU in 2026. The exact amounts depend on your country, the product and the carrier.