Customs?

[Eddie]

I've been considering ordering some DB merchandise from Japan, but I've never ordered anything from overseas before. When I browse various online retailers, there's usually some sort of mention of the customer being responsible for any fees involving customs. What are these fees? I wouldn't mind ordering some CDs and books later this summer, but if there is some crazy fee (in addition to the already sky high shipping & shitty exchange rate) I don't know if I can afford it.

[frozie]

I would guess it depends on where you live. Generally custom fees are for more expensive things

Though if you live in Canada, beware when trying to cross the customs with manga...
http://elizabethmcclung.blogspot.com/20 ... ans-x.html

[Kendamu]

I've been considering ordering some DB merchandise from Japan, but I've never ordered anything from overseas before. When I browse various online retailers, there's usually some sort of mention of the customer being responsible for any fees involving customs. What are these fees? I wouldn't mind ordering some CDs and books later this summer, but if there is some crazy fee (in addition to the already sky high shipping & shitty exchange rate) I don't know if I can afford it.

I've imported random stuff from random people in Taiwan and Hong Kong to the US before via USPS and I've never had an additional fee. However, when I ordered from Amazon Japan through FedEX I had a $14 fee from customs. FedEX paid it as it came into the country and I paid FedEX back for it. That's the only experience I've ever had with import fees.

[Eddie]

I'm in Colorado and I'm mostly looking to get CDs, books, and toys. I would likely be spending under $200. Would there be any sort of fee to get this sort of order?

@Kendamu Would you mind if I asked what was in that order? (Not trying to be snoopy, just wondering if it was a large order or something)

[sumpter360]

However, when I ordered from Amazon Japan through FedEX I had a $14 fee from customs. FedEX paid it as it came into the country and I paid FedEX back for it. That's the only experience I've ever had with import fees.

You ordered through FedEX? As in, in lieu of using a deputy service such as Celga? How long did the package take to get to you?

[Goku100xKamehameha]

However, when I ordered from Amazon Japan through FedEX I had a $14 fee from customs. FedEX paid it as it came into the country and I paid FedEX back for it. That's the only experience I've ever had with import fees.

You ordered through FedEX? As in, in lieu of using a deputy service such as Celga? How long did the package take to get to you?

It depend on what shipping speed that you use.

[sumpter360]

However, when I ordered from Amazon Japan through FedEX I had a $14 fee from customs. FedEX paid it as it came into the country and I paid FedEX back for it. That's the only experience I've ever had with import fees.

You ordered through FedEX? As in, in lieu of using a deputy service such as Celga? How long did the package take to get to you?

It depend on what shipping speed that you use.

That was really not helpful. Did you seriously think I didn't know about shipping speeds? Ugh. Besides, I meant for KENDAMU, personally, not shipping in general.

[Kendamu]

I'm in Colorado and I'm mostly looking to get CDs, books, and toys. I would likely be spending under $200. Would there be any sort of fee to get this sort of order?

@Kendamu Would you mind if I asked what was in that order? (Not trying to be snoopy, just wondering if it was a large order or something)

9 DVDs.

However, when I ordered from Amazon Japan through FedEX I had a $14 fee from customs. FedEX paid it as it came into the country and I paid FedEX back for it. That's the only experience I've ever had with import fees.

You ordered through FedEX? As in, in lieu of using a deputy service such as Celga? How long did the package take to get to you?

Amazon Japan shipped it to me through FedEX. It got to me really quick!

[Goku100xKamehameha]

I've heard that countries like Hong Kong are free of customs, the government pay for the customs.

[sumpter360]

Amazon Japan shipped it to me through FedEX. It got to me really quick!

Ahh, you meant directly through AmazonJP, not its Marketplace, where most sellers don't ship internationally. Sorry, I misunderstood and thought you found a way around using Celga to buy from the non-international sellers.

[Kendamu]

Amazon Japan shipped it to me through FedEX. It got to me really quick!

Ahh, you meant directly through AmazonJP, not its Marketplace, where most sellers don't ship internationally. Sorry, I misunderstood and thought you found a way around using Celga to buy from the non-international sellers.

I don't use any go-betweens. Since you can view the website in English it's not that hard to use Amazon Japan, anyway.

The only time I ever amde an order indirectly was when the Jump Special came out on DVD. I had a friend of mine, still in Japan at the time, nab it for me since it wasn't being sold internationally. From there it was either shipped to me or she brought it with her back to America. I don't remember.

[oXdanXo]

At $200 you will get hit by customs, you're liable to pay tax (whatever your state charges.) An aditional fee to the shipper (i.e. FedEx which is going to be around $10) Sometimes there are other fees, but that's what you're likely to get.
When importing into the UK the limit before shipping fees is £18, anything over £18 declared & customs charge I know royal mail charge £8 for holding a shipment (parcel force charge more) & VAT on games, dvds etc is 17.5% in the UK which then gets added on.
Since you're in the US you need to find you're import limit and try to stick under it. Unless where you're importing from (like Europe to the UK for example) is Tax exempt.
Hope you can read this since it's getting late, so there should be a load of mistakes.