Custom/duty/import fees from Japan to USA

[shinymagpie]

Most people in Japan use Express Mail Service to ship items, which are always handled by USPS in the USA. It's fast and secure to post by EMS.

Sometimes, it is cheaper to post by EMS, than by Air Mail. http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/charge/list/ems_all_en.html

 

[PoodleMom]

I just received a LV Keepall from Japan. It was in customs in Chicago for 2 weeks! My package had a "Postmaster Collect Fee" invoice on it, but my carrier didn't say anything or ask for any payment, just gave me the package. Did I just get lucky? The fee was based on a value of $900 even though I only paid $620 and $620 was the declared value... SInce when is the customs office a LV valuation expert? For those wondering, it was a total of $83 based on the $900 value. There are no instructions for me to pay, but only for the postmaster to collect the fee before releasing the package to me. Guess I'll wait and see if I get a bill in the mail.

 

[meandmylouis]

I just received a LV Keepall from Japan. It was in customs in Chicago for 2 weeks! My package had a "Postmaster Collect Fee" invoice on it, but my carrier didn't say anything or ask for any payment, just gave me the package. Did I just get lucky? The fee was based on a value of $900 even though I only paid $620 and $620 was the declared value... SInce when is the customs office a LV valuation expert? For those wondering, it was a total of $83 based on the $900 value. There are no instructions for me to pay, but only for the postmaster to collect the fee before releasing the package to me. Guess I'll wait and see if I get a bill in the mail.

Similar situation a couple of years ago. The USPS Mail carrier just handed to me the package ( also from Japan) requested for my signature ( Express Mail) Scanned the package and left. I only noticed the The Postmaster Collect Fee invoice that was on the outside of the package later on, i did not remember exactly how much the fee was, for me to pay for my used LV Noe. No instruction how to pay. Up to now I never get a bill in the mail.

 

[PoodleMom]

I'm guessing I'm in the clear. Sounds like my postal carrier will get an extra nice Christmas gift this year

 

[Deppaholic]

So, if I purchase a bag for 500.00 that is all I should expect to pay? It says free shipping? Also, besides Brandoff, Riseon, LVlady (methinks) does anybody know of any other good Japan sellers. Seems some of their bags a way cheaper than any in USA. I'm not talking really expensive Hermes. I'm speaking of LV. Thanks for your help. I was looking for one bag, and found several other LV's that are really priced well!

 

[Deppaholic]

How about one that is 1K? Any fees?

 

[Kitties Are Cute]

Reviving this thread!

I purchased a $1700 bag from Japan. Listing says "free shipping", but obviously I'd have to pay any customs. It seems that custom charges are totally random?? Anyone know how much the charge would be from Japan to Los Angeles, CA for a $1700 bag? The seller said they could declare a lower amount, but then I'm only insured for that low amount and I don't want to risk it.

I once bought three pairs of jeans with the intention of returning two of them from Topshop's website and got hit with a $60 or so customs fee. The total amount for the jeans were like $240. Never doing that again!

 

[jyyanks]

Reviving this thread!

I purchased a $1700 bag from Japan. Listing says "free shipping", but obviously I'd have to pay any customs. It seems that custom charges are totally random?? Anyone know how much the charge would be from Japan to Los Angeles, CA for a $1700 bag? The seller said they could declare a lower amount, but then I'm only insured for that low amount and I don't want to risk it.

I once bought three pairs of jeans with the intention of returning two of them from Topshop's website and got hit with a $60 or so customs fee. The total amount for the jeans were like $240. Never doing that again!

Hmmmm. Bought 2 bags from Japan. One was over $3000 and one $6500. They were shipped to NY via EMS and I didn't pay tax. I read somewhere that when a seller ships via DHL or Fedex then the buyer usually has to pay a fee but that is not the case if they ship via EMS. I do think that it's probably random and depends on the customs officer.

 

[pittcat]

Reviving this thread!

I purchased a $1700 bag from Japan. Listing says "free shipping", but obviously I'd have to pay any customs. It seems that custom charges are totally random?? Anyone know how much the charge would be from Japan to Los Angeles, CA for a $1700 bag? The seller said they could declare a lower amount, but then I'm only insured for that low amount and I don't want to risk it.

I once bought three pairs of jeans with the intention of returning two of them from Topshop's website and got hit with a $60 or so customs fee. The total amount for the jeans were like $240. Never doing that again!

There's another thread here recently where the buyer asked/agreed for the seller to declare a lower value and eBay ruled that she lost her buyer protection by doing this. The seller ended up sending a $20 bag for what should have been a $3500 Chanel. I know she kept fighting this and was hoping her cc would help since it was clearly a scam. I'm sure someone else could advise better, but I figured I would mention it so you could search for the thread if needed. I think member beenburned found the "fine print" around the declarations and posted it in that thread.

 

[jyyanks]

There's another thread here recently where the buyer asked/agreed for the seller to declare a lower value and eBay ruled that she lost her buyer protection by doing this. The seller ended up sending a $20 bag for what should have been a $3500 Chanel. I know she kept fighting this and was hoping her cc would help since it was clearly a scam. I'm sure someone else could advise better, but I figured I would mention it so you could search for the thread if needed. I think member beenburned found the "fine print" around the declarations and posted it in that thread.

I remember that thread. In my case, the sellers (2 different ones) and I didn't communicate and I have no idea if they charged a lower fee or not. Once you "know" they are doing this and ok it or "ask" for it, you lose your buyer protection.

 

[Kitties Are Cute]

There's another thread here recently where the buyer asked/agreed for the seller to declare a lower value and eBay ruled that she lost her buyer protection by doing this. The seller ended up sending a $20 bag for what should have been a $3500 Chanel. I know she kept fighting this and was hoping her cc would help since it was clearly a scam. I'm sure someone else could advise better, but I figured I would mention it so you could search for the thread if needed. I think member beenburned found the "fine print" around the declarations and posted it in that thread.

Yikes! Thanks for the info!

Yeah, I didn't want to risk declaring lower in case something happened to it. So it's safest to declare the full amount to keep my buyer protection, right? I'm not worried about scams since the seller has 9000+ feedback, but you never know. Maybe if anyone has experience buying from seller tig-japan, they can help. It would suck to get a $200+ customs charge on top of the cost of the bag already!

 

[boboxu]

Reviving this thread!

I purchased a $1700 bag from Japan. Listing says "free shipping", but obviously I'd have to pay any customs. It seems that custom charges are totally random?? Anyone know how much the charge would be from Japan to Los Angeles, CA for a $1700 bag? The seller said they could declare a lower amount, but then I'm only insured for that low amount and I don't want to risk it.

I once bought three pairs of jeans with the intention of returning two of them from Topshop's website and got hit with a $60 or so customs fee. The total amount for the jeans were like $240. Never doing that again!

I got $1700 bag form Japan and got cleared with Los customs, got an invoice @ 9% on what seller declare, ended up paying about $145 or something like that.
Even if the seller declare it at lower value, they still could open up your package and evaluate the item and charge you custom fee at 9%. Happened to me this week and had to pay custom tax $550 You can protest if you paid lower then what they evaluate, just send them protest letter and your actual invoice or any related paper work about the sale. Good luck with yours

 

[ellacoach]

I've read through this entire thread...very helpful info!!

I'm considering purchasing a preowned LV wallet on eBay for $299 with free shipping from a seller in Japan.

Still not sure after reading this thread if I will get hit with customs fees or if I will just have to wait and see...?

Thoughts?


Sent from my iPad using PurseForum

 

[AllSaintsAddict]

I've read through this entire thread...very helpful info!!

I'm considering purchasing a preowned LV wallet on eBay for $299 with free shipping from a seller in Japan.

Still not sure after reading this thread if I will get hit with customs fees or if I will just have to wait and see...?

Thoughts?


Sent from my iPad using PurseForum

I bought from elady on eBay, value 150GBP. I am sure they under-declared the customs as it wasn't very much. I get the idea that some of the Japanese sellers will under declare even if you don't ask. Not sure if it's for shipping insurance purposes?

 

[jyyanks]

I got $1700 bag form Japan and got cleared with Los customs, got an invoice @ 9% on what seller declare, ended up paying about $145 or something like that.
Even if the seller declare it at lower value, they still could open up your package and evaluate the item and charge you custom fee at 9%. Happened to me this week and had to pay custom tax $550 You can protest if you paid lower then what they evaluate, just send them protest letter and your actual invoice or any related paper work about the sale. Good luck with yours

Wow! You got an invoice? Was the invoice mailed after the fact or was it there when you went to pick up the package? Also, do you know if it was delivered by USPS or one of the private carriers (fedex, dhl?). Thanks!