Import duty fee on lens from Japan? Has anyone recently (last year of two) bought a lens from Japan? If so, have you had to pay any sort of import duty fees or charges, might their be...

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Has anyone recently (last year of two) bought a lens from Japan? If so, have you had to pay any sort of import duty fees or charges, might their be a $$ threshold you may be aware of?

I'm thinking of buying a lens from what appears to be a reputable dealer in Japan ... but am wondering if I'm going to wind up paying some exorbitant amount in fees. I've done a Google search on this, but cannot determine anything definitive from reading the answers. They're all over the map.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Fredrick wrote:

Has anyone recently (last year of two) bought a le... (show quote)

I have bought used lenses from Japan with no import duties.Last one about 4 months ago.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I purchased a used Minolta lens from japan over Ebay about 6 months ago and there were no import taxes then....heaven only knows what Trump has in store for tomorrow.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

ORpilot wrote:

I purchased a used Minolta lens from japan over Ebay about 6 months ago and there were no import taxes then....heaven only knows what Trump has in store for tomorrow.

Thanks PixelStan77 and ORpilot! Do either of you know what the maximum dollar amount might be before import duties start kicking in? What was your most expensive purchase? The lens I’m looking at is $750. Thanks.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Fredrick wrote:

Has anyone recently (last year of two) bought a le... (show quote)

There are no import duties on lenses, but there ARE import duties on cameras.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

Don't know but you could look up US Customs on the web.

pendennis

I've bought literally thousands of dollars worth of used equipment from Japan, and have yet to pay a cent. The customs documents always show what's in the box, so U.S. Customs knows exactly what's there.

I don't believe there's any customs due on used equipment, and maybe not even on new. We don't have any camera manufacturers here in the U.S., so customs and import duties aren't really protecting any U.S. industries in this case.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

pendennis wrote:

I've bought literally thousands of dollars worth of used equipment from Japan, and have yet to pay a cent. The customs documents always show what's in the box, so U.S. Customs knows exactly what's there.

I don't believe there's any customs due on used equipment, and maybe not even on new. We don't have any camera manufacturers here in the U.S., so customs and import duties aren't really protecting any U.S. industries in this case.

To ALL of you who responded, THANK YOU so much! Yet another reason why I ABSOLUTELY love this forum!

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Fredrick wrote:

Thanks PixelStan77 and ORpilot! Do either of you know what the maximum dollar amount might be before import duties start kicking in? What was your most expensive purchase? The lens I’m looking at is $750. Thanks.

I believe the threshold is $2000 and usually only apply for commercial imports.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

I believe the threshold is $2000 and usually only apply for commercial imports.

Thanks grenaderphoto! Figured there had to be some limit. I’m leaning towards buying this lens from Japan, but don’t know yet if I’ll pull the trigger. Just wanted to know all my options.

My preference is always to “buy American.”

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

Fredrick wrote:

Has anyone recently (last year of two) bought a le... (show quote)

NO, I did not pay ANY import fees.

bedouin Loc: Big Bend area, Texas

Last year I bought an open box Pentax 645Z for 4K from Japan and was not charged an import fee

Largobob

I've only purchased used photo equipment from Japan. Two Bronica GS-1, 8 assorted lenses, Sekonic light meter, speed light, etc. Perhaps $2K total over several separate purchases.

There were NO import or customs fees on anything.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Only one issue, consider the camera or lens you buy from abroad could have problems if it requires service here.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes and no. I bought a lens from Japan, and it arrived quickly, with no extra fees.