Asim
Well-known
Has anyone in the US ordered a film camera from one of the ebay sellers that are located in Japan? I'm interested in ordering a Ricoh GR1v or a Contax t3. They are readily available on ebay but are all shipped from Japan.
-Does anyone have recommendations on who is reliable?
-If the cost of the camera is about 700 dollars, am I going to be paying a lot on custom fees?
And how long does it usually take? Ive always bought from KEH but they seem to never have these cameras.
Thanks
-Does anyone have recommendations on who is reliable?
-If the cost of the camera is about 700 dollars, am I going to be paying a lot on custom fees?
And how long does it usually take? Ive always bought from KEH but they seem to never have these cameras.
Thanks
kuzano
Veteran
Let me see if I can start a Fire Here. I'm wearing Kevlar!!!
Let me see if I can start a Fire Here. I'm wearing Kevlar!!!
You may want to check little known aspects of customs and duties.
I have been told in the past that due to some intricate laws regarding Optics coming into the United States, We DO NOT pay customs or Duties since cameras fall under that obscure freedom from customs/duties on Optical Goods.
Fire away, those who know without a doubt. I do not and am not about to find such documentation. Anecdotal information and rumors are good enough for me.
Let me see if I can start a Fire Here. I'm wearing Kevlar!!!
You may want to check little known aspects of customs and duties.
I have been told in the past that due to some intricate laws regarding Optics coming into the United States, We DO NOT pay customs or Duties since cameras fall under that obscure freedom from customs/duties on Optical Goods.
Fire away, those who know without a doubt. I do not and am not about to find such documentation. Anecdotal information and rumors are good enough for me.
Maiku
Maiku
Hi,
As a former seller of cameras and lenses from Japan no American customer ever complained about the high custom fees.
If you go the US Customs website there is documentation the addresses your concern.
On another note beware of a seller that says shipping is 30$, 35$, 40$ and upwards for an EMS package. I shipped 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) packages for around 25$ with EMS. EMS provides tracking and insurance. If you seller is on the up and up they will have to pay 1$ or 1.50$ for insurance above 200$ to cover a 700$ camera.
Good Luck.
As a former seller of cameras and lenses from Japan no American customer ever complained about the high custom fees.
If you go the US Customs website there is documentation the addresses your concern.
On another note beware of a seller that says shipping is 30$, 35$, 40$ and upwards for an EMS package. I shipped 1 kilogram (2.2 pound) packages for around 25$ with EMS. EMS provides tracking and insurance. If you seller is on the up and up they will have to pay 1$ or 1.50$ for insurance above 200$ to cover a 700$ camera.
Good Luck.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Under $1000 declared should not gather any attention from customs.
I've purchased a $2500 item from matsui store years ago and it was held for a couple extra days but no notice from US Customs.
I give a strong Vote for Matsui Store. Prices are within realistic market value and quality of condition of goods has been tremendous over the years I have bought from him (half a dozen high ned items no less).
Also you can ask Belamy (JCH) if he can find you what you want. Japan Camera Hunter has a link on the RFF Homepage I believe.
Good luck!
I've purchased a $2500 item from matsui store years ago and it was held for a couple extra days but no notice from US Customs.
I give a strong Vote for Matsui Store. Prices are within realistic market value and quality of condition of goods has been tremendous over the years I have bought from him (half a dozen high ned items no less).
Also you can ask Belamy (JCH) if he can find you what you want. Japan Camera Hunter has a link on the RFF Homepage I believe.
Good luck!
Corran
Well-known
I've done it several times. No problems. Fast shipping too.
The only time I had a weird customs thing was when I ordered a lens from Hong Kong. It was $950 IIRC. It was shipped FedEx (groan!) and took forever to arrive.
After it did, about 2 weeks later I got a bill in the mail from a FedEx "handler" or something, for $11 in "fees." I called a number on the bill but got no response. I ignored it. A second bill came in about a month later, still trying to get me to send $11 to some agent. I ignored it and decided if I got one more bill I'd really try to call in earnest and tell them off, but I never heard about it again.
The only time I had a weird customs thing was when I ordered a lens from Hong Kong. It was $950 IIRC. It was shipped FedEx (groan!) and took forever to arrive.
After it did, about 2 weeks later I got a bill in the mail from a FedEx "handler" or something, for $11 in "fees." I called a number on the bill but got no response. I ignored it. A second bill came in about a month later, still trying to get me to send $11 to some agent. I ignored it and decided if I got one more bill I'd really try to call in earnest and tell them off, but I never heard about it again.
rhl-oregon
Cameras Guitars Wonders
for the cameras you mention, it's a sensible option. As Maiku says, be alert for inflated ems prices. But in general, Japan is a great market for compacts, for Contax, Ricoh, and the newer-gen Fuji film cams Klasse/Natura.
DKimg
Established
I've ordered stuff on ebay through Japan and had no issues at all. Most of my Fuji GX systems was from Japan and everything was fast... Just a smooth Transaction. I would recommend it.
raid
Dad Photographer
I have had only good buying experiences with ebay sellers from Japan.
Brian Atherton
Well-known
Ordered a couple of things from two different Japanese eBay sellers.
Not had anything other than pleasurable experiences, both went the extra mile to make sure I was satisfied, including personal letters with the goods.
No problems with UK customs; no extra charges levied, and goods got to me within three days of sending via EMS with tracking numbers supplied, which I could follow on the EMS website.
Certainly wouldn’t hesitate to order from Japan again.
Not had anything other than pleasurable experiences, both went the extra mile to make sure I was satisfied, including personal letters with the goods.
No problems with UK customs; no extra charges levied, and goods got to me within three days of sending via EMS with tracking numbers supplied, which I could follow on the EMS website.
Certainly wouldn’t hesitate to order from Japan again.
skibeerr
Well-known
There are some really good sellers with long standing, I do notice a lot of new ones.
I had to return a Fuji GS645 recently to one of those newish sellers, sold as mint but with sticking rangefinder patch and non functioning hotshoe, but refund was given so no further problems.
I keep on buying from Japan without hesitation.
I had to return a Fuji GS645 recently to one of those newish sellers, sold as mint but with sticking rangefinder patch and non functioning hotshoe, but refund was given so no further problems.
I keep on buying from Japan without hesitation.
raid
Dad Photographer
User condition cameras can be bought below USA prices from Japan.
Solinar
Analog Preferred
My big Fuji is from Japan - no issues at all. I recently ordered a Kanto MR-9 battery adapter - the same experience.
Best Regards,
Best Regards,
gilgsn
Established
Hello,
I have ordered from Japan as well and always got very fast shipping and no troubles (in Florida).
I recently ordered a Summilux from Hong-Kong (not Japan obviousely!) and it was delivered to my door sixty hours later! No custom fees (price was $2200).
Gil.
I have ordered from Japan as well and always got very fast shipping and no troubles (in Florida).
I recently ordered a Summilux from Hong-Kong (not Japan obviousely!) and it was delivered to my door sixty hours later! No custom fees (price was $2200).
Gil.
Finglas
Established
2 or 3 times now I've got photo related items including lenses and was always astonished at how good they were and how fast they delivered to Ireland usually only 4 DAYS !!!! and quite reasonable P&P charges too.
I am looking again over the past couple of months, and am amazed at the amount of new sellers with feedback of 100-200 each - I don't know where this glut of new sellers came from, but the lenses and cameras are up to high standard that I purchased from 2 established Japan located ebayers.
I am looking again over the past couple of months, and am amazed at the amount of new sellers with feedback of 100-200 each - I don't know where this glut of new sellers came from, but the lenses and cameras are up to high standard that I purchased from 2 established Japan located ebayers.
Contarama
Well-known
I wouldn't hesitate to order anything from Japan on Ebay
Chang He
Whisky Priest
I would second the motion for Japan Camera Hunter. Bellamy ships quickly, knows what to look for, and will ensure that you get a working copy of what you're looking for. I've gotten burned on eBay a few times, not specifically from Japan, but it makes me leery.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Hi Mike,
as you might well know, consumption tax has gone up in Japan from 5 to 8% since April, 1st. Following this VAT increase, Japan Post also increased their fees a little.
Last week, I have sent out my M4-2 for service to the US and Japan Post EMS, including insurance of JPY90000 was exactly JPY2440.
A list of shipping fees using EMS (Japan Post) in English can be found here:
http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/fee/intel/ems.html
as you might well know, consumption tax has gone up in Japan from 5 to 8% since April, 1st. Following this VAT increase, Japan Post also increased their fees a little.
Last week, I have sent out my M4-2 for service to the US and Japan Post EMS, including insurance of JPY90000 was exactly JPY2440.
A list of shipping fees using EMS (Japan Post) in English can be found here:
http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/fee/intel/ems.html
Maiku
Maiku
Gabor,
2440 yen is cheap. That is still around 25USD. If I shipped from Canada the same package to Japan it would set me back 75USD! Yikes!
Mike
2440 yen is cheap. That is still around 25USD. If I shipped from Canada the same package to Japan it would set me back 75USD! Yikes!
Mike
Harryo1962
Established
I have purchased a few cameras and watches from sellers in Japan. They were all in excellent condition, better than described. All had excellent packing.
kxl
Social Documentary
I second this. I've had noting but good buying experiences from Matsuiya store. Also, although I haven't yet had an opportunity, I would not hesitate from buying gear from JCH, one of RFF's sponsors.