streetmarty Loc: Brockton, Ma

Hello all,

I have never made an international purchase and I am interested in a lens that seems to be kind of hard to get in the U.S. but relatively abundant in Japan. There are many solid Japanese e-bay sellers however the one thing that is stopping me is the following: "International items may be subject to customs processing and additional charges." Have any hogs dealt with these fees and if so what are the additional charges?

Thanks,
Marty

Wendy2 Loc: California

I think there was a post in the last couple of days regarding that. And as I recall, photo gear is not subject to he additional charges. But don't take my word for it, search UHH and see if you can find it.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

I've never had to pay any additional fees for equipment purchased overseas. Much of what I've purchased came from Japan. Sellers there ship very quickly.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

I have gotten some items from Japan and never had a problem.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I bought a Pentax "01" lens, rare in the US but common in Japan, from a Japanese merchant via Amazon. Apart from speed, it was just like buying from a US merchant. I've also bought several things from Chinese merchants, and again it was just like buying from California, apart from speed.

streetmarty Loc: Brockton, Ma

Thank you Wendy, I missed it. :( I do make a search before throwing out there. Today I searched Purchasing from Japan and nothing that I was looking for came up. Thanks again...Marty

streetmarty Loc: Brockton, Ma

I guess I'm all set. Between Darkroom317, ebbote and rehess and their almost 25,000 posts Id say no worries! lol Thanks Hogs.

Wendy2 Loc: California

I wish I knew what it was titled. But seems many people have had no trouble with additional costs.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

PM Kuzano. I think he knows about overseas as he sells to overseas people on eBay.

streetmarty Loc: Brockton, Ma

Ok good to know will do. Thank you.

bee7474 Loc: Selah, Wa

I have never paid any extra fees. I think this applies to countries like Canada. Good luck.

bv Loc: MN

I bought a Sigma lens on Ebay from Japan and happy with it. No duty. Check the rating and some will ship fast. But may take some time at custom clearing places

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

Yes i do there is no additional.

houdel Loc: Chase, Michigan USA

There was a time when US purchasers had to pay customs duties on items purchased overseas. However that practice was changed quite some time ago and US residents no longer are charges customs duties on items purchased for personal use. That provision does not apply to all countries, so your Japanese seller included the statement in his listing to cover his butt when shipping to countries that still charge duties on imported items.

However the bigger problem is buying photographic equipment from Japan. Japan has a quite warm, humid climate which promotes fungus and internal rust on photo gear unless it has been carefully stored. Sover Wong, who lives in the UK, specializes in the repair of 60s-70s vintage Nikon F2 cameras. He has remarked on a couple other forums that cameras he has worked on from Japan are much more likely to have internal fungus, rust or corrosion than cameras from other areas. I recently purchased a fairly current Nikon lens from Japan and it had fungus. That incident and Sover's remarks have convinced me that buying cameras or lenses from Japan is a risky proposition. My personal position is that I would be very hesitant to buy any photo gear from Japan unless it is an exceptional piece and and with the understanding that I might need to have that item professionally serviced.

bonjac Loc: Santa Ynez, CA 93460

I have made 4 or 5 lens purchases from Japan and have never a problem with this issue. It may be that for some countries this is a "problem" but, from my expeerience, not the US.