Foreign shipments: Has anyone purchased a product from Japan? I am looking at a lens from Japan, but know absolutely nothing about duty taxes and such. Any info would help. Thanks!

dikh123

Has anyone purchased a product from Japan? I am looking at a lens from Japan, but know absolutely nothing about duty taxes and such. Any info would help. Thanks!

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

Hmmm...maybe google that question? Maybe others have comments to share. My first consideration and question would be the warranty buying something like that out of the country.

dikh123

I know duty taxes and such will be required, and from what I researched, the "buyer" is responsible for the fees. Let's say the product is $7000, how heavy are the taxes? I mean, heck, I am paying $7K....how much more am I on the line for?

mrova Loc: Chesterfield, VA

Try this site: http://www.dutycalculator.com/

I just googled "duty tax from Japan to USA". Remove the quotes and correct the USA part and insert your country. You'll see lots of pages.

dikh123

Thanks, I'll check it out.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

dikh123 wrote:

Has anyone purchased a product from Japan? I am looking at a lens from Japan, but know absolutely nothing about duty taxes and such. Any info would help. Thanks!

The duty is only one consideration. Perhaps a more important aspect is the loss of USA warranty if the product is new.
I did buy a factory refurb lens direct from Japan about 4 years ago, the import duty was $93 on a $3800 lens.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

dikh123 wrote:

Has anyone purchased a product from Japan? I am looking at a lens from Japan, but know absolutely nothing about duty taxes and such. Any info would help. Thanks!

I was stationed in Japan. There were a lot of companies that offered duty free items,.

Haydon

If you're buying Nikon, you need to be aware that warranties are difficult to obtain when purchases are made out of country. Several years ago, I was forced to buy from Canada when the arrival of the 500 FII was eminent. I paid 3% of the cost collected by UPS.

Please keep in mind, there are members on this forum that run their own camera business and their advice might be convoluted by their own greed.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Haydon wrote:

If you're buying Nikon, you need to be aware that warranties are difficult to obtain when purchases are made out of country. Several years ago, I was forced to buy from Canada when the arrival of the 500 FII was eminent. I paid 3% of the cost collected by UPS.

Please keep in mind, there are members on this forum that run their own camera business and their advice might be convoluted by their own greed.

I hope you are NOT referring to MT Shooter as I have not seen one single post from him with this type of slant. (No, I am not related, I just find him very helpful!)

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

dikh123 wrote:

Has anyone purchased a product from Japan? I am looking at a lens from Japan, but know absolutely nothing about duty taxes and such. Any info would help. Thanks!

If you purchase a lens, camera or other equipment from Japan and it is Nikon, then in additon to paying duties and such, you would also have to send it back to Japan for repair and pay duties on the lens again each direction for repair. If the lens is a used lens then this really becomes problamatic because NikonUSA will not touch it for repair and it isn't worth the round trip shipping costs plus duties plus paying for the repair in Japan. Other brands may be different, but I would check before making the purchase.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

That remark about greed was a bit harsh, there are lots of member/dealers on here who offer very good unbiased advice.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Haydon wrote:

If you're buying Nikon, you need to be aware that warranties are difficult to obtain when purchases are made out of country. Several years ago, I was forced to buy from Canada when the arrival of the 500 FII was eminent. I paid 3% of the cost collected by UPS.

Please keep in mind, there are members on this forum that run their own camera business and their advice might be convoluted by their own greed.

In 2001, while working for a large insurance company in Hartford Connecticut, I was supposed to send 2 HP Laserjet 5 laser printers to Vancouver, Canada for a presentation. After researching the cost of shipping the printers to Canada and paying duties both ways, it was determined that it was about break even in cost to just purchase 2 printers there and then have the Vancouver office use the printers when the show was over. The same holds true with camera equipement etc.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

dikh123 wrote:

Has anyone purchased a product from Japan? I am looking at a lens from Japan, but know absolutely nothing about duty taxes and such. Any info would help. Thanks!

I've gotten products through Amazon and ebay that came from Japan and china, and they just arrived in the mail. Do extra charges.

Flipper2012 Loc: Alberta, Canada

I buy lot of stuff from China Japan Not only camera stuff and never had to pay shipping or duty but I never ordered something that was real expensive like a lens but what I did order I found the quality to be real good at half the cost i Usually order things from there not available here. Be prepared to wait a month though unless you have it air shipped then 2 weeks

SqBear Loc: Kansas, (South Central)

johneccles wrote:

That remark about greed was a bit harsh, there are lots of member/dealers on here who offer very good unbiased advice.

:thumbup: :thumbup:
I agree with you johneccles, especially about MT Shooter! Not only advise but good solid help too!