When do import charges apply Japan to USA?

General
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1

Hi guys,

Hope some of the members can help me figure something out. I’m looking to send a card worth aprox 3500 usd from Japan to the US ( Michigan if that matters) and was curious if anyone could give me an estimate on how much import tax i’d be looking at paying for that package? Obviously that would be declared at the 3500 value.

Thank you for any help

2

I used to send 1000s of packages a year from Japan back in 2017 ish. They had to be marked as a gift with a max value of $15. This value has likely changed over time, but regardless you will likely be charged import duties if marking it at that price. Sometimes you get lucky even when over the limit and they just don’t charge. But if you’re going to mark it at face value, definitely expect a hit.

3

I only have one experience with this. I purchased a $3200 watch from Closer in Japan in late 2021. The fee I had to pay through DHL was $261. I don’t know if that’s helpful because it’s a different product category but it might give you an idea

4

Thank you guys. Yeah unfortunately i dont think Buyee lets you change the declared value so kinda stuck with it being declared at the full price. Unless there is a way to have them mark it down.

Is there a way to prepay import charges online thru dhl/usps?

Basically i live in Canada and trying to figure out if itll be cheaper to send to a us adddrss or directly to me but dont think my us address would front import charges aince they mostly just deal with us packages so I would want to prepay it so that it just got delivered without having to “pick it up” at the post office.

5

For mine, DHL paid it so it would clear and then charged me after. I just had to make sure I paid them (online with credit card) before delivery guy got to me.

6

I’ve had a couple card packages in that range and have never paid any customs fees. I think you’ll be fine, and even if you do get hit with charges, using a courier like DHL/FedEx/UPS should give you the option to prepay online. I’d just avoid EMS/USPS postage because you may not be able to pay that online if there are any fees.

7

Thank you, that makes me feel abit better i had originally thought to send it EMS thinking usps would be less likely to catch it then the big ones like fedex.

To my Canadian address ive never had a package slip by fedex,ups or dhl on stinging me with import only a few rare times with Canada post/Ems