Shipping electronics from Japan to US - Any customs issues
 

I was looking to buy a used piece of electronics equipment from Japan to the US. Price paid is around $1k. Any guidelines on how best to do this? Does customs charge any tax on something like this?

No, just ensure it's declared as used electronics... how big is it and how're you shipping it? I bring in stuff ALL the time. Shipping from Japan is very expensive. SAL is very reliable, much quicker than stated (they state 4-6 weeks, it's never been more than two), and saves a bundle compared to EMS. Don't even think about using any of the US shipping companies. If it's sizeable, expect shipping to fully be $200-250.

Also, ensure they declare the full value AND fully insure. Most Japanese sellers I've dealt with are very fastidious about packing. Just to be sure, if it's delicate and irreplacable, have them double-box. What're you buying, anyway??? ;)

Useful info, thanks.

There's no tax to pay at all?


It's probably 5-10 lbs and 10" cubed. The seller is including shipping, but I'll need to ask how he is shipping it and perhaps request that he uses SAL


It's delicate, but replaceable at about twice the price. It's a monitor and control module for a car GPS/entertainment system.

I never paid duty on anything imported from computers to audio equipment. The HTS (Harmonized Tariff System) code you want is 90148040, I believe. You can find details here, just search on that number. Japan has NTR/MFN status, thus, no duty!