Questions about import duties from Japan

[cnjackson]

Hi Everyone! I hope this is the right place to ask a question like this. (As I've noted before, I'm a beginner in the world of leather jackets.)

I saw one that I like on a Japanese site called Buyee. I've had a hard time getting a sense of what import duties would be for a used leather jacket sent from Japan to the US. Any insights on this?

Also--anything I should be aware of when (if) ordering from Japan?

Thank you!
Chris

 

[AeroFan_07]

Quite a bit of info on this thread, not just Buyee also:
https://www.thefedoralounge.com/threads/shipping-into-us-from-buyee-now-20-charge.119995/

 

[cnjackson]

Thank you, AeroFan!

 

[jmomlws]

I put in a bid on a Japanese Schott before the 15% tariff was enacted. I won after it was enacted and paid the 15%.

 

[TNas]

Yeah I've bought a couple items from Japan both in the past and recently. The new policies in place for a lot of these proxy sites as well as the fee hikes due to tariffs have made it pretty tough. But, if you've found the exact thing you're interested in and know it's super scarce, it might be worth it to eat fees.

 

[Bfd70]

I bought a brand new jacket from Japan. They declared it a gift. I paid $65

 

[cnjackson]

I put in a bid on a Japanese Schott before the 15% tariff was enacted. I won after it was enacted and paid the 15%.

Thanks, jmomlws--that helps. 15% is not great, but it's less than the up-to-35% I was seeing when I did a google search on tariffs for apparel from Japan.

 

[cnjackson]

Yeah I've bought a couple items from Japan both in the past and recently. The new policies in place for a lot of these proxy sites as well as the fee hikes due to tariffs have made it pretty tough. But, if you've found the exact thing you're interested in and know it's super scarce, it might be worth it to eat fees.

Thanks, TNas--I'm still a beginner in leather jackets. But I did find one that I like a lot. I don't know if it is scarce, though.

 

[cnjackson]

I bought a brand new jacket from Japan. They declared it a gift. I paid $65

Wow! Is that something that sellers in Japan do?

 

[Bfd70]

Cannot speak for sellers plural

 

[Pinkleton Stanley]

Wow! Is that something that sellers in Japan do?

I have bought (and am buying) several jackets and coats from Japan through Buyee. I have also bought a few watches through Chrono24.
My impression is that there is a reticence to under declare so much so that I have now ended up feeling a bit embarrassed to even ask. Fortunately, our customs duties are not as “extreme” as those in the US.
Never had a problem with Buyee. In fact they have been great (so far). Their customer service is also very quick to respond, helpful and polite.
Can’t beat a trip to Tokyo and Osaka though. Heaven for the leather/denim addict!
I am impatient and one thing I regret is splurging on high end jackets without really knowing what suits me or what the fit of certain jackets should be.
It has been an expensive but enjoyable exercise.

 

[steve u]

I bought a zipper from Japan recently , They also sent it as a gift . No tariff.