jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I bought a lens from a seller in Jap. No complications.

Maybe related - I see ukuleles for sale from Japan on eBay, and the prices are many times higher than local prices. I can't understand why they even bother posting them. This isn't a on-off; this is all ukes from Japan.

ELNikkor

My experiences have all been positive, descriptions were honest, delivery was fast.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I have bought at least 5 Nikon lenses from Japanese sellers and have paid no import taxes or duties.
I will not buy from anyone without a 100% rating.

leftj Loc: Texas

Have bought several items from them and never had a problem.

cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

When I upgraded my camera, I gave my son the old body and purchased a 24-105L lens for him from a Japanese camera shop on Ebay. The lens was very reasonably priced and it was pristine. I paid no additional import fees or duties. I'm not sure how far to generalize from a single transaction, but I can't imagine being more satisfied.

Irwin

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

"That is because the Japanese are a very clean people"! Substitute "Black" for "Japanese" or "Mexican" for "Japanese" and see what that looks like!!!
This is beyond ridiculous!

therwol Loc: USA

I get your point, and I didn't choose those words, but there is ample evidence from user experience that they don't abuse their camera equipment. Perhaps that's a cultural thing.

photonaut Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA

I have purchased several lenses from mapcamera, a Japanese company that sells on ebay. Everything has arrived very quickly, well-packed and in the condition advertised. I'm not sure about other Japanese companies since I've had such good service from mapcamera I don't purchase from any others.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Like any other online sale, see what the seller's experience and ratings are.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

There is a definite cultural appearance and understanding about the Japanese. No, I reject your saying that this is a negative stereotype. It is a positive stereotype and totally acceptable within intelligent discussion. Apparently you do not fit within that category!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Over the years I've purchased a number of collector cameras from Japanese sellers (and many other countries... also have shipped assorted camera gear all over the world).

Without exception, the items from Japan have been as good or better than described. Seems to me that people in Japan just take better care of their gear! The sellers are generally knowledgeable, do their best to communicate well and are prompt about shipping carefully wrapped packages.

The cost of shipping from Japan is quite steep. I'd estimate it's at least 2X, maybe 3X the cost of USPS in the lower 48 states.

Perhaps because I was buying "used" collectibles, I don't recall ever being charged an import duty on any items from Japan. I wouldn't be surprised to have to pay a duty on a brand new item... but also can't recall any recently (on a few things from China). Import duties vary wildly depending upon the type of item and what country it's coming from. It is probably different now, but I seem to recall there used to be one percentage of duty charged on cameras, a different percentage on lenses, and a third one on a camera with a lens! Check online for more info.

dgilliam

Uniformly excellent product and service from Japanese eBay sellers in my experience.
Never had an issue with unexpected import duties or taxes.
Expect shipping to be $35 or more.

Oldeio

I bought a canon 300 mm 2.8 and the description was for a later model the lens was in perfect shape so I contacted them and they made a significant refund.This lens is a killer lens and a steal for the actual price I paid.They are very honest people.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Your post is ridiculous. Why make this a racial thing. You've been watching too much mainstream TV.

mikee

Recently bought a lens from Japan seller. Asked in advance if VR worked, he replied it did before sending it. It didn’t. Contacted him and looked into me paying return shipping. Apparently the plane uses more gas from me to them, because shipping was really high (on a $160 lens). He refunded all my money and said keep the lens!