Ordering from Japan ...

[FrogInTheWell]

Do we have to pay tax here in the U.S. when we order from Japan?  Thanks, Joe.

[webertime]

I never have.

[FrogInTheWell]

2 minutes ago, webertime said:

I never have.

Hmmmm, guess I got screwed..I just got charged 14.00 bucks in taxes ... free shipping though.  I went through Amazon so maybe that was the mistake I made? 

[webertime]

Potentially.  I went through ebay and Asian Fishing Portal.

[JustJames]

16 minutes ago, Joe Henry said:

Hmmmm, guess I got screwed..I just got charged 14.00 bucks in taxes ... free shipping though.  I went through Amazon so maybe that was the mistake I made? 

No you don’t because you ordered with Amazon.com (US base). A lot of ppl here either order from Japan website like digitaka, Asians portal or even Amazon Japan (.co.jp not .com)

you still can cancel, because that take 4-5 days to ship plus a week or so to arrive at your door. 
If total is about the same price as digitaka I would order from those guys ship faster.

[LrgmouthShad]

4 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

digitaka I would order from those guys ship faster.

I made a few tackle orders on the same day when I ordered from digitaka. The digitaka, and then two here in US. Digitaka arrived first, 5 days and that included labor day weekend. Free shipping. Insane. I would not mind shopping there again

[PhishLI]

45 minutes ago, Joe Henry said:

Do we have to pay tax here in the U.S. when we order from Japan?

Technically, you're supposed to voluntarily pay your state or county's rate on any goods or services where they aren't collected by the seller or servicer. Is it worth it not to? You might not think so if you get audited.

[J._Bricker]

I bought a Vanford on eBay through asianportal and paid with PayPal, which collected the applicable sales taxes. The reel arrived from Japan in three days time. If you’re gonna pay any taxes on a reel or any other fishing tackle @Joe Henrymight as well take advantage of the favorable exchange rate. 

 

[FrogInTheWell]

Well the bottom line is I paid 224.00 thru amazon for a Daiwa Zillion SV TW 1000 Bait Reel Right Handle (2021 Model)...I couldn't find a better price that had it in stock,  but I could have missed a that.  Oh well, I paid what I paid and at least it's on the way...still worth it.  Thanks,  Joe.

[Revival]

Just be patient being that you used Amazon.  As @Bass_Fishing_SoCal stated, it will take almost 2 weeks depending where you are located.

 

Ordering from Digitaka takes like 3-4 days.  Price there is currently $232.  I would gladly pay the $8 more for the ridiculously quick shipping.

[Jrob78]

I've never been charged any kind of taxes but if you pay with Paypal you will be charged a Paypal fee or possibly a different exchange rate, not sure which. Using Paypal for JDM purchases always costs more than using a card.

[redmeansdistortion]

6 hours ago, Jrob78 said:

I've never been charged any kind of taxes but if you pay with Paypal you will be charged a Paypal fee or possibly a different exchange rate, not sure which. Using Paypal for JDM purchases always costs more than using a card.

This is right, PayPal goes by their own exchange rate.  Some places do let you use a credit card and you get the proper exchange rate, but many credit cards will also charge a foreign currency conversion fee which is usually somewhere between 3% and 10%.  Most of the card issuers also have cards exempt from that fee.  PayPal is the least amount of headache, but if you have one of those cards exempt from the currency conversion fee, that's the way to fly.

[bulldog1935]

In context, I believe our OP bought from an Amazon link using the US-based company, which is also established in every state, and charges state sales tax. 

If bought through Amazon.jp, which is established as a different, offshore company, he would not have to pay sales tax. 

Likewise, if you buy on ebay from Asian Portal, e.g., you have to pay sales tax because ebay is established in every state.  If you buy direct from Asian Portal website, no tax. 

Worth noting in Canada, import duties are also required, but the price level is below consideration for US Customs. 

 

I'm going to add about exchange rate, it's a dice roll. 

If you buy direct in JPY, your credit card charges you the currency exchange fee.  If you note Amazon.jp gives you the choice to pay in yen or USD.  If you pay in dollars, they add the exchange rate fee. 

 

Asian Portal is the really weird one.  While they list prices in USD on their website, their inventory is all priced in JPY.  The dollar listing on their website was the exchange rate when they added the listing, but they will bill your purchase in JPY.  You will end up paying the exchange rate at the time of your purchase.  I've received AP invoices ranging from 10% less to 5% over AP list price. 

[FrogInTheWell]

Thanks for the replies,  as if you couldn't tell this was my first purchase from Japan so I've learned a few things thanks to your replies.   Did this zillion reel really sell for over 300 bucks at one time? 

[Jrob78]

2 minutes ago, Joe Henry said:

Did this zillion reel really sell for over 300 bucks at one time? 

It's $349.99 if you buy it for retail in the states.

[FrogInTheWell]

Wow!! Thanks

[redmeansdistortion]

21 minutes ago, Joe Henry said:

Thanks for the replies,  as if you couldn't tell this was my first purchase from Japan so I've learned a few things thanks to your replies.   Did this zillion reel really sell for over 300 bucks at one time? 

The same reel one year ago would've been $300.30 from Digitaka at the exchange rate of the time.  It's nearly $70 cheaper now.

[bulldog1935]

As I said on Joe's first thread, if you're in the market for a $200 reel, a Zillion anywhere near that price is Do Not Pass Go. 

I believe I paid $290 for mine from Asian Portal (already had the nice Avail handle to swap over). 

[Motoboss]

Just ordered a new SLX BFS reel from Digitaka with free shipping and no tax added. Great price too!

[redmeansdistortion]

17 minutes ago, Motoboss said:

Just ordered a new SLX BFS reel from Digitaka with free shipping and no tax added. Great price too!

Just a warning, BFS is a very infectious disease with no known cure.

 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Just a warning, BFS is a very infectious disease with no known cure.

 

Due to the cost...I think I'm immune.

[Motoboss]

Just now, redmeansdistortion said:

Just a warning, BFS is a very infectious disease with no known cure.

 

Yeah this is my first dive into BFS and looking forward to it. Although I do have a very OCD, 100% all in obsessive personality so it may end badly  

[JustJames]

32 minutes ago, Motoboss said:

Just ordered a new SLX BFS reel from Digitaka with free shipping and no tax added. Great price too!

What do you plan to use BFS for, stream trout, farm pond bass or just small panfish?

[redmeansdistortion]

14 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

What do you plan to use BFS for, stream trout, farm pond bass or just small panfish?

It works for bigger fish too.  I fish lake run steelhead, coho, browns, and Atlantic salmon with mine.  #0.8 line and an 8lb leader with the drag set at 2lb gets it done.  Most of these fish average about 5lb to 7lb.  Granted, I'm not throwing tiny lures, most are in the 1/8 to 1/4 range.  A 2mm deep spool holds plenty of #0.8 line.

[JustJames]

7 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

It works for bigger fish too.  I fish lake run steelhead, coho, browns, and Atlantic salmon with mine.  #0.8 line and an 8lb leader with the drag set at 2lb gets it done.  Most of these fish average about 5lb to 7lb.  Granted, I'm not throwing tiny lures, most are in the 1/8 to 1/4 range.  A 2mm deep spool holds plenty of #0.8 line.

I have no doubt any fishing gear would catch fish big and small. This is direct to him because he is getting my stream trout rod. I just wanna make sure he got the right tool for right job.