The Conundrum: Lower vs. Higher Price...

STANDY

Be mindful a Japanese bracelet is always a few links shorter than a US bracelet.

Duty is a coin toss many times in Australia.
Sometimes you get it other times you don't. (Usually always via FedEx or DHL but post it's a coin toss)

Bought heaps from Japan over the years be it camera lenses, watches, fishing gear or knife steel and never had a issue....

Evitzee

I've only bought one new watch from a Japanese dealer, easy transaction. US duty on a $7,000 watch was $144, no biggie. Delivered in less than a week. Would do it again.

pdxleaf

There are OF members in Japan who can help you with a purchase. Start a WTB and people should contact you.

Regarding customs, for some strange reason, i have never been asked to pay customs (i am in the US). I haven't taken any steps to try to avoid or lower customs fees. I have purchsed bracelets and several Prime Canon lens from Japan (for my Sony mirrorless) and haven't been charged. Paperwork is all completed accurately too. I don't know why. I remain blissfully ignorant of duty fees.

The amount of items available in great condition means that you have to be open to purchasing from Japan.

SC1

...when it comes to purchasing a watch outside vs. within the USA.

Currently looking into a very special purchase and am finding great pricing from sellers in Japan and significantly higher prices from sellers in the States.

So my conundrum is -- save some money on the Japanese purchased watch but potentially spend more on customs and even a return (if things, forbid, aren't how they should be) or pay significantly more and avoid duties (and potential return hassles in terms of shipping/language barriers) yet know I am not really getting a good price?

I've tried my best to self-educate on customs fees (read articles and watched various videos), and even with a somewhat educated guess, also factoring in sales tax & shipping, if I purchase through a couple different Japanese sellers I should be looking at an upcharge on the base price of around $600-800USD for sales tax/customs/shipping whereas the lowest price I can find on the same watch in the States leaves me paying 500-700 more than the Japanese-purchased watch with customs/sales tax/shipping factored in while foregoing the customs & shipping charges.

Part of my brain says the additional money spent is worth avoiding surprises and hassles while the "responsible with money" side of my brain is shouting "Money Saved Is The Way!"

Worth noting, all sellers involved in this potential purchase (both in Japan and the States) are established with very good reviews.

Can I get some opinions on this?

Donn Chambers

I think your customs calculations are too high. I’m not surprised, because the info online is all over the place. I’ve imported several watches that were over $4k and my customs charges were less than $150.

one thing people forget is that you have an $800 allowance for imports, so that is taken off the price before customs is calculated.

pdxleaf

Sender fills out the customs forms. They describe the item and value. The package goes to a Customs station, where who knows what happens. It gets released and continues on its way. The buyer receives an invoice from the carrier if duties are owed.

SC1

Did you have to fill out the customs forms or did the seller... would you detail the process for me?

Donn Chambers

one thing people forget is that you have an $800 allowance for imports, so that is taken off the price before customs is calculated.

Evitzee

I might be wrong but I think the $800 allowance only applies to US citizens when they personally enter the US from abroad. Doesn't apply if you have something sent in.

Donn Chambers

I have imported many pieces right under $800 and it did not trigger customs. The one time I imported multiple watches, they changed me customs on the amount over $800. Maybe they did it wrong, or not. I don’t eally know, just giving my experiences.