Ordering guitars from Japan

  • Thread starter Thread starter alan67
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alan67

alan67

Well-known member
Can anyone fill me on their experiences with buying guitars from Japan? I'm interested in one from a reputable dealer on ebay but I have no idea how customs works. I don't mind paying the import tax, I'm just not familiar with what the process is. I've heard some say they've imported guitars before and never got taxed, the guitars just showed up at their door - but if you do, how does that work? I guess the guitar will not show up at your door, you have to go somewhere to pick it up, the closest post office to your address? - it would piss me off if it was someplace far away. Or do they allow it to be delivered but just send you a bill....no idea.
 
I've had to pay at the post office for dhl, ups for an amp from ceriatone. The last one was $120ish for an Edwards les paul.
 
chadprsman":3ieurp8v said:
I've had to pay at the post office for dhl, ups for an amp from ceriatone. The last one was $120ish for an Edwards les paul.
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So in each case you had to go pick it up? How did you get notified it had arrived?
 
I guess you're taking about meestursparkle?
I ordered through him once and the guitar arrived in 3 days to the east coast and I didn't have to pay a cent for customs.
From what I hear it seems to be luck of the draw when it comes to customs fees.
James is a good guy, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him again, so you can set your mind at ease from that perspective.
 
xzyryabx":1s5exqf8 said:
I guess you're taking about meestursparkle?
I ordered through him once and the guitar arrived in 3 days to the east coast and I didn't have to pay a cent for customs.
From what I hear it seems to be luck of the draw when it comes to customs fees.
James is a good guy, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him again, so you can set your mind at ease from that perspective.
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Yep, that's the seller. 3 days? Wow, that's freakin fast.
 
The guy is very legit and is one of the best in terms of both packing and making sure you get a quality product. And yeah, they generally arrive within about 3 business days since he ships via EMS, and you almost never have to pay customs fees. It'll arrive via USPS, in case you're wondering.
 
They usually get sorted out to usps and you will most likely be provided with a tracking.
I recently purchased a guitar from ishibashi music and it arrived in the us within 2 days but, was stuck in customs for 4 days before it was delivered to me. I was afraid i was going to pay the import fee, but to my surprise I didn't have to pay. It really is luck of the draw from what i've heard.
 
My edwards came lightning fast and very well packed. I paid the customs fee to the ups guy at the door. Im in Europe though.
 
megaboogie":2jf0ync7 said:
They usually get sorted out to usps and you will most likely be provided with a tracking.
I recently purchased a guitar from ishibashi music and it arrived in the us within 2 days but, was stuck in customs for 4 days before it was delivered to me. I was afraid i was going to pay the import fee, but to my surprise I didn't have to pay. It really is luck of the draw from what i've heard.
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Good info, so it did come right to your door then. I was wondering, and I couldn't tell from their awesome (sic) website, exactly where the process took place. Like I was picturing some giant separate facility where incoming foreign items were diverted to and stayed after being cleared waiting for someone to pick them up. With my luck I figured I'd get a notice saying, hey, no fee....but now come pick up the package at our facility which is only 10 hours away from you within 3 days or it's being sent back. :lol: :LOL:
 
xzyryabx":1avp5sub said:
I guess you're taking about meestursparkle?
I ordered through him once and the guitar arrived in 3 days to the east coast and I didn't have to pay a cent for customs.
From what I hear it seems to be luck of the draw when it comes to customs fees.
James is a good guy, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him again, so you can set your mind at ease from that perspective.
Click to expand...

I've also bought a guitar from him to Australia - 7 days & all good. I can't talk about USA customs but import duties will not be "luck of the draw". RAther there should be a minimum amount to begin taxes. That is, for example, anything over $500 declared value taxed.
I suggest you check out your government Inland Revenue website or Customs website for info on import duties & charge rates
 
I ordered a Fender bass from Ishibashi Music a few years ago - spoke to the salesman through email, worked out a price, paid for the instrument - and it showed up about a week later via USPS.
I was actually surprised I didn't need to pay any additional customs taxes or anything.
 
I bought an Edwards Flying V (and its fucking killer) from Rakuten. He had it shipped to the US in 5 days. Well, the jerks at the USPS lost it and I didn't receive it for another 28 days. Anyway, it arrived in one piece and I didn't get hit for any customs fees.
 
xzyryabx":1kp6bjla said:
I guess you're taking about meestursparkle?
I ordered through him once and the guitar arrived in 3 days to the east coast and I didn't have to pay a cent for customs.
From what I hear it seems to be luck of the draw when it comes to customs fees.
James is a good guy, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him again, so you can set your mind at ease from that perspective.
Click to expand...

I've purchased 5-J customs over the years from James and his service was outstanding every time. Very reputable seller. Sometimes I had to pay duty, other times, no.
 
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