Ordering Gear from Japan

[Doug West]

Anybody order gear, lets say from ebay, that came from Japan?

The ad usually talks about import duties...are these duties placed
on all items, no matter what the price? Is there a range of price?

From what I've read on the US Customs site, it seems if the product
is bought for personal use, there shouldn't be a fee?

Thanks
Doug

[Marina Scarr]

Back into thousand nine I purchased a long lens through eBay from Japan and had no problems at all. I was also not charged any duties.

[Doug West]

Thanks Marina...I switched countries and ordered something from South Korea :)

Doug

[Adhika Lie]

Doug and/or Marina, if you don't mind telling, what's the value of the items? Did you guys have any problems at the custom? I am wondering if we have to pay certain import tax if the value exceeds certain amounts. I have bought a few lenses from Japan via eBay but they seem to be cheap enough to not make any scene at the custom. These were old manual focus Nikkor AI-S lenses.

[Doug West]

My order was under $200.

If you want some confusion, here's what U.S. Customs has to say about duties, etc:
http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/internet-purchases

It mentions that if the item is for personal, you should be okay.

Doug