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B2 noun #4,000 most common 7 min read

関税

kanzei Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 関税 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 関税 in your Level:

関税 (kanzei) is a word you use when you buy things from another country. When a shop in Japan buys a car from Germany, they have to pay a special tax to the government. This tax is called 'kanzei'. It makes foreign things more expensive. You might see this word at the airport. If you bring too many presents from your home country to Japan, the airport staff might ask you to pay 'kanzei'. It is a very formal word, so you don't need to use it with your friends, but it is good to know when you go shopping online from overseas websites.

関税 (kanzei) means 'tariff' or 'customs duty'. It is a tax on goods that cross national borders. For example, if you buy a bag from an American website, you might have to pay 'kanzei' when it arrives in Japan. In Japan, the word for the airport office is 'zeikan', but the money you pay is 'kanzei'. Usually, A2 learners only need to know that 'kanzei' is a tax for international trade. You will see it on receipts for international shipping or on signs at the airport. It is a noun, and you can say 'kanzei o harau' (pay the tariff).

関税 (kanzei) is an economic term referring to the duties imposed by a government on imported goods. At the B1 level, you should understand how it affects the price of goods. For instance, Japan has high 'kanzei' on products like beef and rice to protect Japanese farmers. When countries have a good relationship, they might sign a 'Free Trade Agreement' (FTA) to make the 'kanzei' zero. You will hear this word often on the news when people talk about 'boueki' (trade). It's important to distinguish it from 'zeikin' (general tax) and 'shōhizei' (consumption tax).

関税 (kanzei) is a key vocabulary item for discussing international relations and economics. At this level, you should be able to use collocations like 'kanzei o kasu' (to impose tariffs) or 'kanzei o teppai suru' (to abolish tariffs). It is a tool for protectionism, used to shield domestic industries from international competition. You should also be aware of 'kanzei-shōheki' (tariff barriers). In the context of the JLPT N2, you will encounter this word in reading passages about globalization, the environment, or the economy. It is vital to understand that 'kanzei' can be used as a political weapon in 'retaliatory tariffs' (hōfuku-kanzei).

関税 (kanzei) encompasses the sophisticated mechanisms of trade policy and fiscal regulation. At the C1 level, you should be familiar with nuanced terms like 'ad valorem tariffs' (jūka-zei) and 'specific tariffs' (jūryō-zei), both of which fall under the 'kanzei' umbrella. The word is central to discussions on global supply chains, WTO compliance, and the legalities of 'dumping.' You should be able to discuss the socio-economic implications of 'kanzei' on developing nations versus developed economies. Furthermore, the distinction between 'kanzei' and 'hi-kanzei shōheki' (non-tariff barriers) is essential for high-level business Japanese.

At the C2 level, 関税 (kanzei) is understood within the complex tapestry of international law, geopolitical strategy, and macroeconomic theory. One must be able to navigate the intricacies of 'Customs Unions' (kanzei-dōmei) and the historical evolution of tariff structures from the GATT era to the modern WTO framework. Mastery involves using the term to analyze the 'deadweight loss' associated with high tariffs or the strategic implementation of 'safeguards' (kinkyū-yunyū-seigen). The word is no longer just a 'tax' but a variable in a multi-faceted equation of global power dynamics, trade equilibrium, and domestic political survival.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

関税 in 30 Seconds

Kanzei is a tax on goods crossing international borders, primarily imports.
It acts as a trade barrier to protect domestic industries from cheaper foreign goods.
Commonly paired with verbs like 'kasu' (impose) and 'teppai' (abolish).
Essential for understanding Japanese trade policy, news, and international business.

The Japanese term 関税 (kanzei) is an essential noun in the realms of international trade, economics, and law. At its core, it refers to a tax or duty imposed by a government on imported or exported goods. While the word can technically apply to exports, in modern contexts, it almost exclusively refers to import duties designed to protect domestic industries from foreign competition or to generate government revenue. Understanding this word is crucial for anyone engaging in business with Japan or following global news, as it frequently appears in discussions regarding trade wars, economic treaties (like the TPP), and the prices of imported luxury goods.

Economic Protectionism: Governments use kanzei to make foreign products more expensive, thereby encouraging consumers to buy locally produced alternatives. This is often seen in Japan's agricultural sector, particularly regarding rice.
Trade Negotiations: In diplomatic contexts, the reduction or elimination of kanzei is a primary bargaining chip in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
Consumer Impact: For the average person, kanzei is felt when buying imported cars, wine, or cheese, as the tax is often passed down to the retail price.

政府は輸入品に対して高い関税を課すことを決定した。(The government decided to impose high tariffs on imported goods.)

Historically, the kanji 関 (kan) refers to a barrier or gateway, historically signifying the checkpoints where travelers and goods were inspected. The second kanji 税 (zei) simply means tax. Therefore, kanzei is literally the 'gateway tax.' In the modern globalized economy, this 'gateway' is no longer just a physical gate at a mountain pass but the digital and physical borders of a nation-state. When you hear this word on NHK news, it is often paired with verbs like 課す (kasu - to impose) or 撤廃する (teppai suru - to abolish).

自由貿易協定により、多くの品目の関税が即時撤廃された。(Due to the Free Trade Agreement, tariffs on many items were immediately abolished.)

The nuance of kanzei is strictly professional and objective. You won't use it in casual conversation unless you are discussing politics or the reason why your overseas package from Amazon was so expensive. It is a 'hard' vocabulary word, typical of the JLPT N2 level, and is foundational for anyone reading the Nikkei newspaper or watching business reports. It differs from 税金 (zeikin) which is the general word for any tax (like income or consumption tax).

農家を守るためには、一定の関税障壁が必要です。(In order to protect farmers, a certain level of tariff barriers is necessary.)

Using 関税 correctly requires pairing it with specific verbs that describe the movement or imposition of taxes. In Japanese, the most common verb used with kanzei is 課す (kasu), which means 'to impose' or 'to levy.' If you want to say a tariff was reduced, you use 引き下げる (hikisageru), and for an increase, you use 引き上げる (hikiageru). These are formal collocations that you will encounter in academic writing and news media.

Action: Imposing: 輸入品に10%の関税を課す。 (Impose a 10% tariff on imported goods.)
Action: Removing: 関税を撤廃する。 (Abolish tariffs.)
Action: Paying: 空港で関税を支払う。 (Pay customs duty at the airport.)

対抗措置として、相手国からの輸入品に報復関税をかけた。(As a countermeasure, retaliatory tariffs were applied to imports from the opposing country.)

In a grammatical sense, 関税 is a simple noun. However, it often forms compound words. For example, 関税率 (kanzei-ritsu) means 'tariff rate,' and 関税障壁 (kanzei-shōheki) means 'tariff barriers.' When discussing international relations, you will often see it in the context of 'negotiations'—関税交渉 (kanzei-kōshō). Note that while in English we might say 'customs' to mean both the tax and the office, in Japanese, the office at the airport is 税関 (zeikan)—the same characters, but reversed!

この商品は関税の対象外です。(This product is exempt from tariffs / outside the scope of tariffs.)

When writing about kanzei, ensure you are using the correct register. Because it is a technical term, it is rarely used with slang or very informal grammar. It pairs best with desu/masu or the literary da/de aru style found in newspapers. If you are a traveler, you might hear a customs officer ask, 'Do you have anything to declare for kanzei purposes?' though they usually just ask if you have 'taxable items' (課税対象品).

You are most likely to encounter 関税 in the following three environments: the news, international airports, and business meetings involving logistics or procurement. In Japan, trade news is a daily staple because the country relies heavily on imports for food and energy, and exports for its automotive and tech sectors. Therefore, any change in kanzei policy is headline news.

At the Airport (Customs): When entering Japan, you fill out a declaration form. If you bring in more than the allowed amount of alcohol or tobacco, you must pay kanzei at the 税関 (zeikan) counter.
Business and Supply Chain: Logistics managers discuss kanzei costs when calculating the 'landed cost' of products. They might say, 'We need to check the kanzei rate for this HS code.'
Political Campaigns: Politicians often debate whether to protect 'sacred' items (like rice and beef) by maintaining high kanzei.

テレビのニュースで「米の関税維持」という言葉をよく耳にします。(I often hear the phrase 'maintaining rice tariffs' on TV news.)

In popular media, you might hear this word in political dramas or documentaries about the post-war Japanese economic miracle. It is a word that signifies 'seriousness' and 'global scale.' If a character in a movie is talking about kanzei, they are likely a government official, a high-level businessman, or a journalist. It is not a 'fun' word, but it is a powerful one that dictates the flow of billions of yen across borders.

越境ECを利用する際は、別途関税がかかる場合があります。(When using cross-border e-commerce, additional tariffs may apply.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with 関税 (kanzei) is confusing it with its anagrammatic cousin 税関 (zeikan). While they share the same kanji, their meanings and usage are distinct. Kanzei is the **money** (the tax), while zeikan is the **place** (the customs office) or the **authority**. You pay kanzei at the zeikan.

Confusion with 税金 (Zeikin): Learners often use zeikin for everything. While technically kanzei is a type of zeikin, using the general term in a trade context sounds imprecise. Use kanzei for international trade specifically.
Incorrect Verb Pairing: Don't say kanzei o tsukuru (make a tariff). Use kanzei o settei suru (set/establish) or kasu (impose).
Misunderstanding 'Free': Mutaizeiki (duty-free) is a different concept. Kanzei-muryō is not common; use mu-kanzei (no tariff) or menzei (tax exemption).

❌ 誤: 空港の関税を通る。
✅ 正: 空港の税関を通る。(Pass through the customs office at the airport.)

Another mistake is the pronunciation. Both syllables 'kan' and 'zei' are long in terms of importance but the pitch accent is usually Atamadaka (Type 1): **KA**-n-ze-i. Getting the pitch wrong might make it sound like 'perfection' (kansei) to an untrained ear if the 'z' sound is not clear. Always emphasize the 'z' to ensure the listener knows you are talking about money, not completing a project.

❌ 誤: 消費税を関税と呼ぶ。
✅ 正: 輸入品の税を関税と呼ぶ。(Call the tax on imports 'kanzei'.)

While 関税 is specific to international trade, several other words occupy the same semantic space. Understanding the differences between them will help you sound more like a native speaker and avoid confusion in technical discussions.

税金 (Zeikin) vs. 関税 (Kanzei): 税金 is the umbrella term for all taxes (income, consumption, property). 関税 is a sub-type specifically for imports/exports. You wouldn't call your income tax 'kanzei'.
賦課金 (Fukakin) vs. 関税 (Kanzei): 賦課金 usually refers to a levy or surcharge, often for specific services or environmental purposes (like the renewable energy levy in Japan). 関税 is strictly for trade.
免税 (Menzei) vs. 関税撤廃 (Kanzei Teppai): 免税 is 'duty-free' or 'tax exemption' (like shopping at an airport). 関税撤廃 is the policy-level removal of tariffs between nations.

このワインには高い関税がかかっているが、あちらは免税品だ。(High tariffs are applied to this wine, but that one is a duty-free item.)

In a broader economic sense, you might hear the term 非関税障壁 (Hi-kanzei shōheki). These are 'non-tariff barriers,' such as strict regulations, quotas, or standards that make it hard for foreign companies to sell products in Japan without actually charging a tax. This is a common topic in trade disputes where one country accuses another of being 'closed' despite having low kanzei.

WTOは不当な関税の引き上げを監視している。(The WTO monitors the unfair raising of tariffs.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the Edo period, various checkpoints (sekisho) existed within Japan, but 'kanzei' as a modern international trade term was standardized during the Meiji Restoration when Japan opened to the world.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kæn.zeɪ/

US /kɑːn.zeɪ/

Atamadaka (Type 1). The pitch starts high on 'KA' and drops for the rest of the word.

Rhymes With

Kansei (completion) Ansei (rest) Sansei (approval) Hansei (reflection) Banzei (ten thousand years - variation) Tanzei (tax payment) Gansei (eye strength) Manzei (comic duo - variation)

Common Errors

Confusing 'kanzei' with 'kansei' (perfection/completion) by not voicing the 'z'.
Swapping it with 'zeikan' (customs office).
Pronouncing 'zei' as two distinct vowels 'ze-i' instead of a smooth diphthong.
Misplacing the pitch accent, making it sound like 'kaze' (wind/cold).
Confusing 'kan' with 'gan' (rock/cancer).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

The kanji are common in news but requires N2 level literacy.

Writing 4/5

Writing '関' correctly is a common challenge for learners.

Speaking 3/5

The word is clear, but pitch accent is important.

Listening 3/5

Easily confused with 'zeikan' if not paying attention.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

税金 (tax) 貿易 (trade) 輸入 (import) 輸出 (export) 政府 (government)

Learn Next

為替 (exchange rate) 均衡 (equilibrium) 協定 (agreement) 撤廃 (abolition) 障壁 (barrier)

Advanced

ダンピング (dumping) セーフガード (safeguard) 譲許 (concession) 原産地証明 (certificate of origin) 通関 (customs clearance)

Grammar to Know

Passive voice with 'kasu' (to impose)

関税が課される (Tariffs are imposed).

Noun compounding with 'zei'

消費税、所得税、関税。

Conditionals (ba/tara) with economic outcomes

関税を下げれば、物価が下がる。

Particles 'ni' for target of tax

輸入品に関税をかける。

Formal 'ni yori' for causation

関税の引き上げにより、売上が減少した。

Examples by Level

このバッグに関税はかかりますか？

Does this bag have a tariff?

Noun + はかかりますか (Does it cost/apply?)

関税は高いです。

The tariff is expensive.

Simple A is B structure.

空港で関税を払いました。

I paid the tariff at the airport.

Object + を + verb (past tense).

関税はいくらですか？

How much is the tariff?

Asking for a price/amount.

これは関税がいりません。

This doesn't need a tariff.

Negative form of 'to need'.

日本の関税を知りたいです。

I want to know Japan's tariffs.

V-tai (want to) form.

関税の紙を書いてください。

Please write the tariff paper (declaration).

Requesting an action.

関税は安くないです。

The tariff is not cheap.

Negative adjective.

輸入品には関税がかかります。

Tariffs are applied to imported goods.

Focus on the subject of the tax.

関税を払わないといけません。

You must pay the tariff.

Must (nai to ikemasen).

関税のルールを調べます。

I will look up the tariff rules.

Future/present intent.

お酒には高い関税があります。

There is a high tariff on alcohol.

Describing existence of tax.

関税がいくらかかるか分かりません。

I don't know how much the tariff will be.

Embedded question (ka wakaranai).

関税のおかげで、国内の製品が売れます。

Thanks to tariffs, domestic products sell.

Using 'okage de' (thanks to).

関税の計算は難しいです。

Calculating tariffs is difficult.

Nominalizing a verb with 'no'.

関税を安くしてほしいです。

I want them to make the tariffs cheaper.

V-te hoshii (want someone to do).

政府は輸入車への関税を引き下げた。

The government lowered the tariffs on imported cars.

Hikisageru (to lower).

関税が撤廃されれば、貿易が活発になるだろう。

If tariffs are abolished, trade will likely become active.

Conditional 'ba' form.

この商品は関税の対象外です。

This product is exempt from tariffs.

Taishō-gai (outside the scope).

関税障壁をなくすことが重要だ。

It is important to eliminate tariff barriers.

Kanzei-shōheki (tariff barrier).

農産物の関税については議論が続いている。

Discussions regarding tariffs on agricultural products are continuing.

Ni tsuite (regarding).

関税を課すことで国内産業を守る。

Protect domestic industries by imposing tariffs.

De (by means of) + kasu (impose).

相手国の関税引き上げに抗議する。

Protest against the other country's tariff hike.

Kōgi suru (to protest).

関税率は品目によって異なります。

Tariff rates vary depending on the item.

Ni yotte (depending on).

自由貿易協定の締結により、多くの関税が即時撤廃された。

With the conclusion of the FTA, many tariffs were immediately abolished.

Ni yori (due to/by).

アメリカは中国からの輸入品に対し、報復関税を課した。

The US imposed retaliatory tariffs on imports from China.

Hōfuku-kanzei (retaliatory tariff).

関税の引き上げは、消費者物価の上昇を招く恐れがある。

Raising tariffs risks causing an increase in consumer prices.

Osore ga aru (there is a fear/risk that).

今回の交渉では、米の関税維持が最大の焦点となった。

In this negotiation, maintaining rice tariffs became the main focus.

Shōten (focus/point of interest).

企業は関税コストを削減するために、生産拠点を移転した。

The company moved its production base to reduce tariff costs.

Tame ni (in order to).

関税割当制度を利用して、安く輸入する。

Import cheaply by using the tariff quota system.

Kanzei-wariate-seido (Tariff Quota System).

関税の仕組みを理解することは、海外ビジネスに不可欠だ。

Understanding the mechanism of tariffs is essential for overseas business.

Fukaketsu (essential/indispensable).

不当な関税に対して、WTOに提訴する準備を進めている。

We are preparing to file a complaint with the WTO against unfair tariffs.

Teiso suru (to file a lawsuit/complaint).

関税の賦課は、国内市場における価格競争力を左右する重要な要因である。

The imposition of tariffs is a crucial factor that influences price competitiveness in the domestic market.

Sayū suru (to influence/govern).

保護貿易主義の台頭により、世界各地で関税障壁が強化されている。

With the rise of protectionism, tariff barriers are being strengthened worldwide.

Taitō (rise/emergence).

暫定関税の適用期間を延長する方針が示された。

A policy was indicated to extend the application period of provisional tariffs.

Zantei-kanzei (provisional tariff).

関税評価額の算定基準をめぐって、当局と見解が対立している。

Views are conflicting with the authorities regarding the calculation standards for the customs value.

O megutte (concerning/over).

原産地規則を満たさない場合、特恵関税の適用は受けられない。

If the rules of origin are not met, preferential tariffs cannot be applied.

Tokkei-kanzei (preferential tariff).

関税同盟内では、域内関税は完全に撤廃されている。

Within a customs union, intra-regional tariffs are completely abolished.

Ikinai (within the region).

多国間交渉による関税の一律引き下げは、困難を極めている。

Uniform tariff reductions through multilateral negotiations are extremely difficult.

Konnan o kiwamete iru (to be extremely difficult).

関税還付制度を利用することで、輸出企業の負担を軽減する。

Reduce the burden on exporting companies by utilizing the tariff drawback system.

Kanzei-kanpu (tariff drawback/refund).

関税の弾力的な運用は、急激な輸入増加による国内産業への打撃を緩和するセーフガードとして機能する。

The flexible application of tariffs functions as a safeguard to mitigate the blow to domestic industries caused by sudden surges in imports.

Kanwa suru (to mitigate/alleviate).

ウルグアイ・ラウンド以降、農産物の関税化は国際貿易の主要な課題であり続けてきた。

Since the Uruguay Round, the tariffication of agricultural products has remained a major issue in international trade.

Kanzei-ka (tariffication).

関税自主権の喪失は、近代日本が直面した最も深刻な外交課題の一つであった。

The loss of tariff autonomy was one of the most serious diplomatic challenges faced by modern Japan (Meiji era).

Kanzei-jishuken (tariff autonomy).

実効関税率の推移を分析することで、その国の貿易自由化の進展度を測ることができる。

By analyzing the trends in effective tariff rates, one can measure the progress of a country's trade liberalization.

Shikkō-kanzei-ritsu (effective tariff rate).

関税の徴収は単なる財源確保に留まらず、産業構造の調整という戦略的意図を内包している。

The collection of tariffs is not merely about securing financial resources; it encompasses the strategic intent of adjusting industrial structures.

Naihō suru (to involve/contain).

最適関税論によれば、大国は関税を課すことで交易条件を改善し、自国の厚生を高めることが可能とされる。

According to the optimal tariff theory, a large country can improve its terms of trade and increase its own welfare by imposing tariffs.

Saiteki-kanzei-ron (optimal tariff theory).

関税の譲許表に基づき、加盟国は約束した税率以上の関税を課すことが禁じられている。

Based on the schedule of concessions, member countries are prohibited from imposing tariffs above the committed rates.

Jōkyo-hyō (schedule of concessions).

デジタル経済の進展に伴い、電子的送信に対する関税不課税のモラトリアムの是非が問われている。

With the progress of the digital economy, the pros and cons of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions are being questioned.

Moratoriamu (moratorium).

Synonyms

税金輸入税賦課金

Antonyms

無関税

Common Collocations

関税を課す

関税を撤廃する

関税を引き下げる

関税障壁

関税率

報復関税

特恵関税

関税交渉

関税の対象

関税自主権

Common Phrases

関税抜きで

— Excluding tariffs. Used when discussing base prices.

関税抜きの価格を教えてください。

関税がかかる

— To incur a tariff. Used when a product is subject to tax.

海外から買うと関税がかかります。

関税を免れる

— To evade or be exempt from tariffs.

不当に関税を免れる行為は違法です。

関税の引き上げ

— A tariff hike. Common in news headlines.

関税の引き上げが発表された。

関税の払い戻し

— Tariff refund/drawback.

関税の払い戻しを申請する。

関税同盟

— A customs union between countries.

EUは巨大な関税同盟である。

関税割当

— A quota system for tariffs.

関税割当の枠を拡大する。

関税評価

— Customs valuation.

関税評価の基準を見直す。

関税番号

— Tariff code (HS code).

関税番号が間違っています。

暫定関税

— Provisional or temporary tariff.

暫定関税を導入する。

Often Confused With

関税 vs 税関 (zeikan)

The customs office/authority. Anagram of kanzei.

関税 vs 消費税 (shōhizei)

Consumption tax (sales tax). Applies to everyone, not just imports.

関税 vs 完成 (kansei)

Completion. Sounds similar but has no 'z' sound.

Idioms & Expressions

"関税の壁"

— Metaphorical wall representing high tariffs making trade difficult.

高い関税の壁に阻まれる。

Journalistic

"関税戦争"

— A trade war characterized by escalating tariffs.

米中関税戦争の行方。

News

"関税を盾にする"

— To use tariffs as a shield for domestic protection.

関税を盾に国内農家を守る。

Critical

"関税の網をくぐる"

— To find loopholes to avoid paying tariffs.

関税の網をくぐって密輸する。

Literary

"関税の洗礼"

— The 'baptism' of tariffs (facing high costs for the first time).

海外進出で関税の洗礼を受ける。

Business Slang

"関税の一矢を報いる"

— To retaliate with a tariff (firing a return arrow).

報復関税で一矢を報いる。

Dramatic

"関税の綱引き"

— A tug-of-war over tariff rates in negotiations.

関税をめぐる激しい綱引き。

News

"関税を武器にする"

— To weaponize tariffs in diplomacy.

関税を武器に有利な条件を引き出す。

Political

"関税の重圧"

— The heavy pressure of high tariffs on business.

関税の重圧で利益が減る。

Business

"関税の聖域"

— A 'sacred area' where tariffs are never removed (e.g., rice in Japan).

農業は関税の聖域とされる。

Political

Easily Confused

関税 vs 税金 (zeikin)

Both are taxes.

Zeikin is general; Kanzei is only for international trade.

税金を払う vs 関税を払う

関税 vs 手数料 (tesūryō)

Both are extra costs.

Tesūryō is a service fee; Kanzei is a government tax.

銀行の手数料 vs 輸入品の関税

関税 vs 運賃 (unchin)

Both are costs of getting goods.

Unchin is shipping cost; Kanzei is tax.

送料と運賃 vs 関税

関税 vs 罰金 (bakkin)

Both are mandatory payments to gov.

Bakkin is a fine for a crime; Kanzei is a standard trade tax.

スピード違反の罰金 vs 関税

関税 vs 免税 (menzei)

Related to tax status.

Menzei is the state of not paying; Kanzei is the tax itself.

免税店で関税なしで買う

Sentence Patterns

[Item] には関税がかかります。

ワインには関税がかかります。

政府は [Item] の関税を引き上げた。

政府は牛肉の関税を引き上げた。

[Agreement] によって関税が撤廃された。

EPAによって関税が撤廃された。

関税の [Action] に反対する。

関税の引き上げに反対する。

関税障壁を [Verb] ことが課題だ。

関税障壁を低減することが課題だ。

[Item] は関税の対象外である。

この部品は関税の対象外である。

関税自主権の [Noun] は歴史的転換点だった。

関税自主権の回復は歴史的転換点だった。

関税の [Noun] 的運用が求められる。

関税の弾力的な運用が求められる。

Word Family

Nouns

税金 (tax)

税関 (customs office)

課税 (taxation)

減税 (tax cut)

増税 (tax hike)

Verbs

課税する (to tax)

免税する (to exempt from tax)

納税する (to pay tax)

Adjectives

課税対象の (taxable)

免税の (tax-free/duty-free)

貿易 (trade)

輸出 (export)

輸入 (import)

国境 (border)

経済 (economy)

How to Use It

frequency

High in news and business; Low in daily household chores.

Common Mistakes

Using 関税 for consumption tax. → 消費税 (shōhizei)
Kanzei is only for items crossing borders.
Saying '関税に行く' (Go to the tariff). → 税関に行く (Go to the customs office).
You go to a place (zeikan), not a tax (kanzei).
Writing 関税 as 観税. → 関税
The first kanji must be 'barrier' (関), not 'view' (観).
Pronouncing it 'kansei'. → kanzei
The 'z' is voiced. 'Kansei' means completion.
Using 'kanzei o tsukuru' for setting a rate. → 関税を設定する
Rates are 'established' or 'set', not 'made'.

Tips

Contextual Learning

Read the 'Economics' section of a Japanese newspaper to see 'kanzei' in its natural habitat.

Airport Signs

Look for the characters 税関 (Customs) at the airport to remember the 'kan' and 'zei' characters.

Cross-border EC

Check the FAQ of sites like Amazon Global or Buyee to see how they explain 'kanzei' to customers.

Character Logic

Remember that 関 means connection/barrier. A tariff is the connection between trade and taxes.

Verb Pairing

Always memorize 'kanzei' with 'kasu' (impose). They are inseparable in formal Japanese.

News Keywords

When you hear 'TPP' or 'FTA', expect to hear 'kanzei' within the next few sentences.

HS Codes

In professional settings, 'kanzei' is determined by 'HS kōdo' (Harmonized System codes). Mentioning this shows high proficiency.

Rice Sensitivity

Understand that 'kome no kanzei' (rice tariff) is a symbol of Japanese tradition versus globalization.

Compound Words

Using 'kanzei-ritsu' (tariff rate) is much more natural than 'kanzei no paasento'.

Reverse Logic

If you forget which is which, remember that the 'tax' (zei) comes first in the 'office' (zeikan) because the government cares about the money first!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'CAN' (Kan) of imported 'SAY-i' (Zei) sauce. You have to pay a tax at the 'Gate' (Kan) to bring the 'Tax' (Zei) sauce in.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant gate at the ocean with a cash register on it. Every ship that passes through must put money in the register.

Word Web

Trade Import Export Tax Border Government Money Protection

Challenge

Try to find three items in your house that were imported and guess if 'kanzei' was paid on them in Japanese.

Word Origin

Composed of two Sino-Japanese (Kanji) characters. '関' (kan) historically referred to a 'barrier' or 'checkpoint' (like the Hakone Checkpoint). '税' (zei) means 'tax'.

Original meaning: A tax collected at a physical barrier or border checkpoint.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing agricultural tariffs with Japanese farmers, as it is a matter of survival and cultural heritage for them.

In English-speaking countries, 'tariff' is often used in political debates about 'bringing jobs back,' similar to the Japanese context of protecting local industry.

The TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) debates in Japan. The US-Japan Trade Agreement. Historical 'Sekisho' (checkpoints) in Samurai films.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

International Shopping

関税はいくらですか？
関税込みですか？
関税を払いたくない。
関税の計算方法。

Airport Customs

税関申告書
関税の支払いカウンター
免税範囲
課税対象品

Business Logistics

関税率を確認する
HSコード
関税コストの試算
原産地規則

Politics/News

関税を引き上げる
貿易摩擦
関税交渉の行方
保護貿易

Academic Economics

最適関税
関税の経済的効果
消費者余剰
死荷重

Conversation Starters

"最近、輸入品の関税が上がったというニュースを見ましたか？ (Did you see the news about import tariffs going up recently?)"

"海外から商品を取り寄せる際、関税で困ったことはありますか？ (Have you ever had trouble with tariffs when ordering products from abroad?)"

"日本の農産物の高い関税について、どう思いますか？ (What do you think about Japan's high tariffs on agricultural products?)"

"関税がなくなれば、私たちの生活はどう変わるでしょうか？ (If tariffs were eliminated, how would our lives change?)"

"あなたの国では、どんなものに関税がかかりますか？ (In your country, what kind of things are subject to tariffs?)"

Journal Prompts

もし自分が政府のリーダーだったら、どの品目の関税を撤廃したいですか？その理由も書いてください。 (If you were a government leader, which items would you abolish tariffs on? Write your reasons.)

最近買った輸入品と、それにかかった関税（または価格への影響）について考察してください。 (Reflect on a recently purchased import and the tariff (or its impact on price) incurred.)

自由貿易と保護貿易、どちらが世界経済にとって良いと思いますか？関税という言葉を使って説明してください。 (Which do you think is better for the world economy: free trade or protectionism? Explain using the word 'kanzei'.)

日本の「米の関税」を守るべきか、それとも下げるべきか、自分の意見を述べてください。 (State your opinion on whether Japan should protect or lower its 'rice tariffs'.)

関税が自分の国の産業にどのような影響を与えているか調べて書いてみましょう。 (Research and write about how tariffs affect your country's industries.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

関税 (kanzei) は輸入品にかかる「税金そのもの」を指します。一方、税関 (zeikan) はその税金を徴収したり、荷物を検査したりする「役所（場所）」を指します。空港で通るのは「税関」で、そこで払うのが「関税」です。

はい、個人輸入でも商品の種類や金額によって関税がかかる場合があります。一般的に、商品の合計金額が16,666円以下であれば免税されることが多いですが、革製品や靴などは金額に関わらず関税がかかることがあります。

関税は「商品の価格 × 関税率」で計算されます。関税率は品目によって細かく決められており、数パーセントのものから、米のように数百パーセントに及ぶものまで様々です。

海外のショッピングサイトでは「Duty Included」とあれば関税込み、「Duty Excluded」や「Customs may apply」とあれば関税抜き（後で自分で払う）という意味になります。

主な理由は、安い輸入品から国内の産業を守るため（保護貿易）と、国が税金として収入を得るためです。しかし、関税が高すぎると自由な貿易が妨げられるため、国際的な議論の対象になります。

基本的には「輸入者（荷物を受け取る人）」が払います。オンラインショッピングの場合、配達時に配送業者に支払うことが多いです。

自由貿易協定（FTA）を結んでいる国同士では、特定の品目について関税がゼロになることがあります。これを「無関税」と呼びます。

お酒やタバコには、関税の他に「酒税」や「たばこ税」がかかります。これらは一般的に高い税率が設定されています。

これまでかかっていた関税をゼロにすることを指します。貿易を自由にするための重要なステップです。

関税を支払わないと、荷物を受け取ることができません。また、意図的に隠して輸入しようとすると「密輸」となり、罰せられることがあります。