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Thread: Ebay - lenses from Japan

  1. #1
    Armentor1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    New Orleans, La
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    85

    Ebay - lenses from Japan

    All, is there any reason to not buy the fuji lenses coming from Japan on ebay? Does anyone know what the import charges would be?
    According to a few forums i've been on it sounds like if less than $2000 and a legal item it should not cost anything.

    Im looking for at this fuji 135 CMW 5.6

    thanks -
    dave

  2. #2
    Drew Wiley
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    SF Bay area, CA
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    18,338

    Re: Ebay - lenses from Japan

    I've personally had excellent results with Japanese dealers or camera stores. There are no import duties. As usual, carefully read item desciptions and shipping policy.

  3. #3
    Armentor1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    New Orleans, La
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    85

    Re: Ebay - lenses from Japan

    Great, thank you Drew.
    just wanted to be sure I wasn't over looking a detail on importing fees.
    best-
    da

  4. #4

    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Greenwood Lake NY USA
    Posts
    211

    Re: Ebay - lenses from Japan

    I have imported some lenses from Japanese ebay (perhaps $500), no duty, no special fees. To avoid disappointment I urge careful study of the terms of return policy and the condition of the item.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Kalamazoo, Michigan
    Posts
    156

    Re: Ebay - lenses from Japan

    I have bought several Fujinon lenses from eBay sellers in Japan and have never had a bad experience. They ship through the mail system and I've never had to pay a duty. In fact I'm waiting for one now!
    Terry

  6. #6

    Re: Ebay - lenses from Japan

    Lenses from Japan tend to be accurate and true descriptions. Mostly in excellent condition at a low price. Several of them have my colleagues, I have one great Fujinon-T 8/300. He came into a new state. Unfortunately in Europe we pay tax and cduty ...:

  7. #7

    Re: Ebay - lenses from Japan

    For the most part, Japanese sellers seem to be more truthful and honest than others... even in the good ol' USA. At any rate, it doesn't matter because eBay jealously protects its buyers.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Collinsville, CT USA
    Posts
    2,330

    Re: Ebay - lenses from Japan

    Have bought several LF lenses from dealers in Japan on EBay. Conditions were exactly described or even better and like new. If you're buying a lens from a Japanese dealer, just don't rush. Usually took me a month or so to acquire the optic I was looking for. Waited for one in mint condition at a substantially lower than average price and always eventually found one. Just had to buy it immediately lest another EBayer beat me to it. I live in Connecticut, and the lenses I purchased from Japan always arrived before packages from California via the USPS... haven't got a clue why.

  9. #9
    Foamer
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    South Dakota
    Posts
    2,430

    Re: Ebay - lenses from Japan

    I've bought several items of camera gear from Japan. Each item was nearly perfect and the price was great. I think there are a lot of photo gear collectors there who are getting older and are downsizing their collections with few local buyers. There is no "duty" for items coming into U.S. Sellers from Japan are now my most preferred.


    Kent in SD
    In contento ed allegria
    Notte e di vogliam passar!

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin USA
    Posts
    320

    Re: Ebay - lenses from Japan

    My experiences with eBay sellers of MF and LF gear from Japan over the last several years has been similar to the above responses - ALL GOOD. Most of the sellers I've dealt with have 98-99% favorable ratings from eBay purchasers, and I've found their descriptions of item condition, along with their photos provided, to be scrupulously honest and fair. As for taxes or customs duty for purchase of used (or even new) gear from Japan to the US - there is none. As mentioned in posts above, the best shipping method I've experienced is where the seller in Japan sends you the item(s) by Japan Post, which means you'll receive here in the US from USPS. As for prices, the Japanese eBay sellers are not afraid to ask for top prices for items in VG to EXC condition, and they are willing to wait for some time for the market to respond. If you see what you are looking for in VG to EXC condition, it's up to you to decide whether the asking price is acceptable. Don't hesitate to make a reasonable offer. In my experience, if you are willing to pay the asking price of several hundred dollars for a nice LF lens the seller will often agree to a request to forego charging you the $20-30 shipping cost indicated in the eBay listing.
    ... JMOwens (Mt. Pleasant, Wisc. USA)

    "If people only knew how hard I work to gain my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all." ...Michelangelo

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