Purchases from Japan (eBay)

[Mullyman]

How are custom charges handled on eBay purchases from Japanese sellers. Also is there a way to calculate how much they would be on $350.

[autronicdsm]

There's no custom charges on used clubs.

The only time I had to pay customs is when I ordered new iron set. Single clubs, shafts, etc. are exempt from these.

[jblough99]

On 9/4/2023 at 12:22 PM, autronicdsm said:

There's no custom charges on used clubs.

The only time I had to pay customs is when I ordered new iron set. Single clubs, shafts, etc. are exempt from these.

100% incorrect.  New or used has nothing to do with customs.  It has to do with the value of the item and what item category it falls under.  I purchased 2 used drivers and had to pay customs on them because they exceeded the value limit.  I believe the cut off is around $800, anything under that is typically without fees.

[AlohaPineapple]

i've been hit with customs fees from FedEx a couple weeks after receiving a set of used irons from japan off ebay.  but i've also bought a few putters and wedges that never got fees charged.

Edited September 11, 2023 by AlohaPineapple

[autronicdsm]

16 hours ago, jblough99 said:

100% incorrect.  New or used has nothing to do with customs.  It has to do with the value of the item and what item category it falls under.  I purchased 2 used drivers and had to pay customs on them because they exceeded the value limit.  I believe the cut off is around $800, anything under that is typically without fees.

 

Maybe you're right but I didn't pay customs on new Basileus AAA few years ago. Price was around $800 back then.

They did send me a link with explanation of what falls under customs fees and what doesn't when I had to pay it. Wish I had bookmarked it. I don't remember it mentioning any specific value. It was about 3 years ago so my memory is fuzzy lol.

I do have a new set of irons coming in so we'll see. Values is below $800 so I hope you're right!

[autronicdsm]

12 hours ago, AlohaPineapple said:

i've been hit with customs fees from FedEx a couple weeks after receiving a set of used irons from japan off ebay.  but i've also bought a few putters and wedges that never got fees charged.

 

I've ordered on ebay from UK and always paid custom fees too

[subrew]

I've ordered about 6-7 sets of irons off multiple Japanese ebay stores.  Usually $100-150 in value.  Never paid customs once.  Also, every order has arrived via DHL, handed off from Japan Post.  Usually arrives 2-3 days after ordering.  I often get irons from Japan quicker than I get irons shipped to me in the same state I'm in (California.)

 

I wouldn't hesitate to order anything from these stores.  I've actually saved multiple Japanese stores to my "saved sellers" list, and I get a weekly email on Thursday showing me what new product they post up. 

 

Another tip:  If there is something you are interested in, add it to your watchlist.  Most of the time I get an offer from the Japanese sellers with anywhere from a 10-20% discount on the item within a day or two.   

[subrew]

9 minutes ago, subrew said:

I've ordered about 6-7 sets of irons off multiple Japanese ebay stores.  Usually $100-150 in value.  Never paid customs once.  Also, every order has arrived via DHL, handed off from Japan Post.  Usually arrives 2-3 days after ordering.  I often get irons from Japan quicker than I get irons shipped to me in the same state I'm in (California.)

 

I wouldn't hesitate to order anything from these stores.  I've actually saved multiple Japanese stores to my "saved sellers" list, and I get a weekly email on Thursday showing me what new product they post up. 

 

Another tip:  If there is something you are interested in, add it to your watchlist.  Most of the time I get an offer from the Japanese sellers with anywhere from a 10-20% discount on the item within a day or two.  

 

sorry, double post.

Edited September 13, 2023 by subrew

[ddbowdoin]

I seem to have skipped custom fees with UPS and FedEX but DHL is 100% going to get me on fees.  Asides from golf, I’m a photographer and Japanese gear sellers never fudge on paperwork so I always get that “before we can release your package please click on this link to pay for all required fees and custom duties”.

[Macroach]

On 9/13/2023 at 10:09 AM, subrew said:

I've ordered about 6-7 sets of irons off multiple Japanese ebay stores.  Usually $100-150 in value.  Never paid customs once.  Also, every order has arrived via DHL, handed off from Japan Post.  Usually arrives 2-3 days after ordering.  I often get irons from Japan quicker than I get irons shipped to me in the same state I'm in (California.)

 

I wouldn't hesitate to order anything from these stores.  I've actually saved multiple Japanese stores to my "saved sellers" list, and I get a weekly email on Thursday showing me what new product they post up. 

 

Another tip:  If there is something you are interested in, add it to your watchlist.  Most of the time I get an offer from the Japanese sellers with anywhere from a 10-20% discount on the item within a day or two.   

I had the same experience with some graphite designs shafts. At first I was hesitant because of customs and speed of shipping. I encountered an excellent seller who shipped quickly and packaged well.  Somehow the shafts arrived just as quickly as domestic priority mail. I didn’t have customs charges  with either one.

[HeadCovered]

https://www.trade.gov/de-minimis-value

[DaveGoodrich]

I just ordered some iron heads from Japan on Monday evening 9/25, they are arriving today (9/29) via FedEx.  Pretty amazing actually.  I don't see any indication of customs charges/duties on the FedEx tracking.  The post above suggests that the purchase amount must exceed $800 before customs duties kick in.  

[HeadCovered]

1 hour ago, DaveGoodrich said:

I just ordered some iron heads from Japan on Monday evening 9/25, they are arriving today (9/29) via FedEx.  Pretty amazing actually.  I don't see any indication of customs charges/duties on the FedEx tracking.  The post above suggests that the purchase amount must exceed $800 before customs duties kick in.  

 

Yup. It's not as strict into the US as it is into Canada. Into Canada, even from the US, they have to declare something and deal with it. 

[Ger21]

1 hour ago, HeadCovered said:

Into Canada, even from the US, they have to declare something and deal with it. 

Before we got married, my Canadian wife brought her golf clubs on vacation and left them with me. When I drove across the border with two sets of clubs, I had to pay duty on her clubs. Something like $80, 25 years ago.

[HeadCovered]

22 hours ago, Ger21 said:

Before we got married, my Canadian wife brought her golf clubs on vacation and left them with me. When I drove across the border with two sets of clubs, I had to pay duty on her clubs. Something like $80, 25 years ago.

 

Yup. Dunno how they would check things that are brought in as “luggage” when it’s just the 2nd bag for international flights when it pertains to us golfers with golf equipment, but obviously if people are bringing in clubs wrapped as new LOL that would probably be a problem into most countries, as you’ve seen people buy things like TVs and microwaves type things and bring those in as checked items in boxes, they’re paying a tariff to bring that stuff in if the price goes over the limits. 

https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/canada-import-tariffs

 

Which is, to make a distinction, is NOT the same as “duty free” as in if you’re in Tokyo and you don’t pay the local tax there, it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t pay the tariff to bring it into Canada, according to this law and numbers shown here. 

Edited September 30, 2023 by HeadCovered

[Ger21]

On 9/4/2023 at 8:55 AM, Mullyman said:

How are custom charges handled on eBay purchases from Japanese sellers. Also is there a way to calculate how much they would be on $350.

I just bought a set of irons for $380, no customs charges.