BjB1953 Loc: Rice Lake, WI

Lately, I've been looking at a couple of Nikon AI lenses on eBay. The lenses are from sellers in Japan. I've not seen anything posted recently on this forum, please forgive me if this question has been asked and answered and I've missed it.

Does anyone know about taxes or other fees that are applicable in receiving used photo equipment from Japan? The seller lists free shipping, but later in his post, there's a caveat about import fees that may be due.

Thanks in advance for any input anyone may have.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

I’ve never had a problem ordering eBay from Japan, but U.S. Customs can charge you import duty if they want to. I don’t know how often that actually happens though.

Math78 Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

I've bought several items on ebay from Japan. Most expensive was $400. No problems. Never any duty. Condition has always been like new.

Kuzano

For years there has been an exemption on duties for optics into the US, and that has always been extended to camera's sold with optics. I believe it started years ago with medical exemptions for optics and was extended to all optics imported to the US. I have never heard of any changes to that law. I confirmed it many years ago, when I was doing a lot of eBay internationally,,, both buying and selling worldwide.

I believe it can be documented by visiting any larger USPS facility in your area of the country.

I still buy quite often from Japan and have never paid any import duty on camera's or lenses. I no longer sell internationally, although I've never experienced any losses or import duties either way, to Asia or Europe.

As all attornies told me when I made credit union loans to Law Professors at the University of Oregon.
"Ignorance of the law is your best defense in a court of law!" None of them would ever read a promissory note or loan document when presented to them. Don't ask!

As I am sure you will understand, I am not presenting this as a legal opinion. That would be incredibly stupid of me and any other non lawyer on this forum.

Ask at your post office, or I hear Michael Cohen may need your money. Oh wait, he's been disbarred, as have many Trumpies.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I have bought several lenses from Japan through Ebay seller. Never had a problem that I had to pay duty/taxes. Always a smooth transaction. The key is making sure no or slight fungus listed in description. Most ship so you receive it in 3-4days

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

I have ordered many lenses from Japan, never paid any taxes on them. HOWEVER, a Nikon lens from Japan will not be serviced by NIKON USA. They would be considered GRAY MARKET. As long as you know this you are fine.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I bought a lens from an eBay seller in Japan, and it was delivered just like any other eBay order - no extra fees.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

No taxes, but be careful with the Japanese sellers however, they have this thing with the word excellent.... Excellent +++ only means good for some of these guys, read their descriptions fully and pay close attention to their pics of the item.

classic320

I've bought several lenses from Japanese sellers through eBay and have not been disappointed. They have all arrived in immaculate condition and met or exceeded their eBay description. Nevertheless, caution and carefull checking of the seller's feedback is always in order-- regardless of where the seller is located.

Tommy II Loc: Northern Illinois

I have ordered several lenses from Japan, and never had s problem with paying import duties. Not expensive enough, I guess. The sellers I have dealt with have also been very reputable, describing the conditions of the Lenses accurately. I’ve saved quite a bit of money, and never have been disappointed. But, then again, maybe I have been lucky.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Maybe I am a bit jaded because I only consider vintage lenses out of Japan lenses 40 to 60 years old, and I see these lenses described as Excellent ++++ but as I look at the pics I am often able to identify fungus and it is also often listed in the description, that is why I say be careful. Newer modern lenses probably not going to have the same problem. What lenses are you considering anyway?

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

These lenses ordered directly from Japan, which I assume were never meant for the US market: Is numbering the same as ours (Arabic numbers, etc)? Are any words on the lens barrel in English or some language one might have difficulty reading? My son was stationed in Japan years ago and bought some canon equipt. All in great shape but everything was in Japanese.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Along these same lines. Is a lens from Japan a grey market lens and will Canon USA repair it? . I assume that Canon will not honor a warrantee

GAS496 Loc: Arizona

Just last week I purchased a $4,500 view camera off eBay from Japan. The camera arrived in less than a week. I did have to pay $48 to the carrier for import fee.

I also bought a $1,500 lens from a separate vendor on eBay at it had no import fee. It arrived quickly also.

agillot

no problems with japan , the stuff is always spotless .