Buying from Japan

[Dan Dare]

Has anyone bought from Japan? If so, what are the import duties, etc you had to pay. Thanks in advance

[Doctor J]

You'l pay about 25% on the combined value of the item and shipping costs.

[BigRedX]

I've bought 6 musical instruments from Japan. Four from Ishibashi which came by post and attracted the usual VAT and import duties; as Doctor J says allow 25% on top of the combined item and shipping costs and you won't have any unpleasant surprises. The other two were bought in person (in Osaka) and I simply walked through the green channel at the airport; although in retrospect I believe that this was the right thing to do as neither item was over the much higher personal import allowance for travellers returning to the UK.

[Sparky Mark]

I bought this used Musicman StingRay Special from Ikebe Music via Reverb. Excellent service and the bass was as new, not a fingerprint in sight. Price including taxes/duty was pretty much what it would've been in UK.

[BlueMoon]

I’ve bought plenty of instruments from Japan. Never had a problem.

 

Shipping to Europe can pricey, but EMS is OK as a slightly cheaper and slower option.