US tariffs on eBay orders from Japan - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 02:44:34 pm
content: This is a specific question about recent experience: please do not derail with political rants as in another topic.With the end of the $800de minimisrule, how does an individual handle import duty on an eBay order from Japan (specifically), worth between $200 and $500?

author: dobsonr741
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 03:07:16 pm
content: Shipper will keep your package until you paid the dues.Unless the merchant pays up front, and provides the necessary documentation, so you can receive it as in the past.

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 03:29:26 pm
content: The method is now the same as it is for all shipments. That sounds like a non-answer but it is the key if you search for methods.You are just asking about having an item shipped and paying the applicable duties. That is covered on many shippers' sites.https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-jp/logistics-advice/country-shipping-guides/ship-to-usa#:~:text=Step%202:%20Preparing%20your%20shipment,challenging%20aspects%20of%20international%20shipping.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 03:43:53 pm
content: Quote from: dobsonr741 on September 03, 2025, 03:07:16 pmAnd how does an individual pay the duty?Decades ago, when thede minimislimit was more minimal ($100 or so), and my camera lens purchases on a business trip to Japan were over the traveler’s limit, I would declare it at O’Hare and they sent me to the Customs desk for the paperwork and charges.Recent news accounts are quantitatively confusing on the charges for shipments no longer under the limit. The DHL link wasn’t clear about my procedure as an individual receiver.Has anyone done this, specifically be eBay from Japan, since the changes in duty?

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 03:54:48 pm
content: For all of the major shippers, they will hold your package when it arrives in the US and send you a notice to pay the duties.https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/international/duties-and-taxes.html#:~:text=When%20making%20a%20purchase%2C%20pay,are%20included%20on%20the%20invoice.I've been through this a number of times and its fairly painless with the major shippers.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 04:12:24 pm
content: That FedEx page is better than the DHL site, but it’s still hard to get a handle on the size of the duty and other charges. The duty itself, including the end ofde minimuschanged very recently, and the CBP webpage is out of date. I’ve seen horror stories about miscellaneous charges (government and shipping company) above the new tariff rate (15%?) but I understand it’s early to get a reply based on actual experience.

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 04:28:45 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on September 03, 2025, 04:12:24 pmI agree, it is early for anyone to have experience around shipments that would have fallen under de minimis. There can be miscellaneous handling and charges related to processing the duties. It has been a couple of years since I imported anything above 800, but I'll look for mail pertaining to that, though it's obviously outdated.Anyone on the forum out here have imports above $800.00 lately?If I'm not in urgent need, I often purchase in-country and bring it along, given the opportunity and sizes.I don't know how many Apple Watches I have purchased while in Canada. It's a lot. The US and Canadian Apple Watch are the same, except the O2 sensor is enabled on the watch sold in Canada. Apple treats them the same otherwise.I'm not sure what the process is for importing to Canada, but I might look into that as an alternative and pick it up when I'm there. I've done the same previously in reverse for friends in Canada. I feel so guilty working around government taxes. (not)

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 04:33:00 pm
content: Again, I’m interested in purchases between $200 and $500, previouslyde minimis.I can easily deal with 15% duty in my calculations, but I’m concerned about other charges that are not specified during the purchase.

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 04:44:03 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on September 03, 2025, 04:33:00 pmBased on the prior imports I have done, and reading the docs I've found here are some things you can expect:Sales Tax: eBay is required to collect and remit sales tax to the appropriate authorities on behalf of sellers for purchases in the U.S.Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): U.S. Customs charges this fee for processing imports.Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): If your product arrives via a vessel, this fee is also applicable.Customs Brokerage Fees: These are fees charged by express carriers like FedEx or UPS for their customs clearance services.Other Fees: Depending on the shipment, additional charges for things like tracking, insurance, and delivery to your final destination may applyHave you explored eBay's page on duties and fees and what to expect?https://pages.ebay.com/tariffs/#:~:text=Add%20processing%20fees%20Shipping%20carriers%20or%20US,collected%20on%20delivery%2C%20depending%20on%20the%20carrier

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 04:50:13 pm
content: That recently updated eBay page is good, but not quantitative about the other charges past the duty rate.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 09:55:56 pm
content: Japan has suspended most regular parcel service to the USAhttps://www.reddit.com/r/japanresidents/comments/1n3uivz/japan_shipping_to_us/If you use courier these charges are explained online, but depends on the service level used. Fedex/DHL tend to be similar, UPS often is higher. Yamato mentioned in the thread above uses UPS for end delivery.https://www.fedex.com/en-ca/ancillary-clearance-service.html

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 10:42:24 pm
content: Quote from: dobsonr741 on September 03, 2025, 03:07:16 pmFor non-fleabay purchases I've been hit like that receiving items above the UK de minimis limit. The shipper, e.g. Fedex, demands the import taxplustheir own processing fee of around £20. I imagine without evidence similar mechanisms could be used for US imports.What isn't clear to me, because I haven't seen/heard it in action, is what happens on fleabay purchases shipped by fleabay's GSP programme to the US. I wouldhopethat all the duties would be shown to the purchaser at the point of sale before they commit to a purchase. That might avoid the £20 processing fee or might simply fold that into the price.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 11:35:24 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on September 03, 2025, 10:42:24 pmIf its shown yes, then its prepaid. These companies usually bulk clear items so processing fee is low or nothing.But if it says "Authorities may apply duties, fees, and taxes upon delivery" then its not. Prepay may not be available for all items, maybe if seller has not set a COO or HS code isn't clear.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 11:44:41 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on September 03, 2025, 11:35:24 pmYup, the devilwillbe in the detailsHS codes are bad enough, but COO is a minefield for experts, let alone a typical fleabay seller like myself.

author: watchmaker
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 04, 2025, 11:11:31 am
content: Quote from: TimFox on September 03, 2025, 04:33:00 pmHave it sent via Post. Even 20 years ago the charges by UPS and FedEx for customs services were outrageous. USPS had no additional fees.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2025, 03:26:18 pm
content: Quote from: watchmaker on September 04, 2025, 11:11:31 amAs noted above, many countries have suspended postal shipments to the USA because it has become too complicated to deal with the administrative requirements.

author: factory
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2025, 07:16:46 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on September 03, 2025, 11:44:41 pmFor feeBay provided forwarding services (e.g. GSP or EIS) they tend to use the seller chosen "item category" to determine this, the seller can get this wrong if they have no knowledge or don't care and not helped if they use the feeBay suggestion for category or anything else. Some sellers use other people listings "sell an item like this" or "have one to sell?" option and this can also be very wrong if the previous listing(s) are wrong, as most item specifics are prefilled from the previous listing (except item condition).Getting things in the wrong category can also lead to unintended geo-blocking.COO isn't a required "item specific" last time I looked, again sellers ignore, or can put incorrect info here, maybe they get fed up with the scroll fest that is feeBay listing tool, I certainly do. As a buyer I get fed up with them too, as sellers can abuse the "item specifics" to spam all kinds of keywords/brands/part numbers that have nothing to do with the item they have listed.The forwarding company I've used in the US to import stuff here, has similar scroll lists to feeBay for item category, this determines the HS code for my imports.David

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2025, 07:45:12 pm
content: Quote from: factory on September 04, 2025, 07:16:46 pmAll very plausible.Maybe I'm a little sensitive aboutdetails...Someone in the US almost managed to buy a Fuller calculator of mine, only to find that fleabay said I had disallowed shipping to the US, when I hadn't. Theprobablereason for that is that I had marked the materials as mahogany and brass, and it turns out you can't import wood into the US, and that GSP had picked that up. I was annoyed and relieved, since if I hadn't marked it mahogany, then it might have simply been destroyed by US customs, I would have lost a lot of money, the purchaser (and the world!) would have lost a rather good antique.A lot of it will come down to the US authorities' policy and what they detect. "How lucky are you feeling today, punk"

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2025, 10:49:23 pm
content: Quote from: factory on September 04, 2025, 07:16:46 pmYeah that makes sense for simplicity.Found the email from ebay about COO:Quote

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2025, 11:39:56 pm
content: I posted my question too early: I thought thede minimischange happened earlier than it did (August 30).I hope someone can reply in a week or two about actual experience when receiving an eBay package in the US, specifically from Japan.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2025, 03:37:54 am
content: Handling customs duties seems a bit complicated. For example, out of curiosity I looked at what is involved to import a watch. It appears you can't just declare it as a single item, but rather you might have to separate it into a case, a movement, and a strap, give separate values for each, and then select the correct customs codes for each part, so for example the duty might be different for a stainless steel bracelet, a titanium bracelet or a leather strap.It seems like the whole system is designed for large scale commercial imports, and importing a single item as a one-off is not something they are very concerned to facilitate. Which is presumably the whole point of thede minimisexemption.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2025, 09:45:35 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on September 05, 2025, 03:37:54 amUsually you don't need or want to do that, unless as a loophole to reduce rates.eg in Canada: a complete bicycle has a certain tariff code at 13%, the frame alone is 5%, and the bicycle parts are 0%.So to reduce what they pay a manufacturer might import the frame and parts, and have it assembled locally, which means they pay ~5% vs 13%.https://www.tariffnumber.com/2025/91https://terminalcityriders.ca/articles/importing-bikes-and-parts-to-canada/

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2025, 09:55:24 pm
content: Since my original post about eBay orders from Japan, I may find out something about post-de minimisshipments to me.Last summer, I ordered a book, after seeing a favorable review, through Abe Books from an American bookseller who sometimes fulfills orders from Ireland.It turned out that the book had not yet been published then, but was just released this week.I received an e-mail from Ireland on Thursday (Sept. 4) that it had been shipped, with a tracking number that USPS recognized but had not yet received the package.I hope to get further information next week.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2025, 11:17:12 pm
content: How did someone write a review if the book was not published

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2025, 11:18:41 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on September 05, 2025, 11:17:12 pmPre-publication reviews; book written, essentially in final form, just not published.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 02:46:18 am
content: Quote from: Analog Kid on September 05, 2025, 11:18:41 pmAlso, it was a new English translation of an older Japanese-language book.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 06:35:45 am
content: Quote from: Bud on September 05, 2025, 11:17:12 pmPre-publication review copies of "important" books can sell for a lot of money, since they are rare and (slightly) different.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2025, 11:26:15 pm
content: While I wait for USPS to receive my book shipment, I noticed this article about the short-term effect of the tariff change:https://apnews.com/article/un-postal-services-us-suspended-tariffs-d74eb6022e8838f39bba8ed9588c74baShort summary: there is almost no international parcel post traveling to the US at present, and there is no system in place for collecting the tariffs on low-value shipments."The Bern, Switzerland-based agency [Universal Postal Union] said the 'major operational disruptions' have occurred because airlines and other carriers indicated they weren’t willing or able to collect such duties, and foreign postal operators had not established a link to CBP-qualified companies."

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2025, 11:44:34 pm
content: To bring the book shipment story (from Ireland) to a conclusion:The vendor stated that books could be shipped from Ireland or US to US addresses, and this one was shipped from Ireland after the change inde minimistariff policy.The usual nonsense of "label created" from Irish post office was posted on Sept 4, but I received no later tracking information from Ireland.The tracking number was recognized by US post office, with the same "label created" status, but no later tracking information appeared there either.When I inquired from the vendor, they said it had been shipped on Sept 2.It physically arrived today (Sept 16), but I have no paperwork discussing import duties.Apparently, it had gone through "OSM", which I find is a cause for delay even on domestic shipments.Their tracking did not recognize the number ("not found").If anyone has a recent story about my original question (shipment from Japan from eBay, $200 to $500 value), I am still interested.

author: macboy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2025, 12:11:49 pm
content: Canadians are very accustomed to searching carriers' websites for "brokerage fees". The carrier acts as your broker in the customs clearance process, since it is otherwise technically your responsibility. They usually charge a fee for this service, on top of the taxes and/or duties due. Sometimes if a very fast and expensive shipping option is used, the fees are included in the shipping cost.

author: abeyer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2025, 10:05:36 pm
content: Quote from: macboy on September 17, 2025, 12:11:49 pmI kind of suspect all international shipping to the US is going to settle out on that and just be expensive up front. (assuming we stop making changes long enough for anything to settle, and nothing gets overturned on court appeals.)American consumers aren't used to having to deal with the whole paying separately for brokerage & tariffs, are too lazy/dumb to change, and foreign sellers and shippers don't want to lose all that business nor deal with constant complaints.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2025, 11:02:23 pm
content: If the extra fees be disclosed up front, and the tariffs are from the schedule, then I can decide if the total price is worth it.Again, has anyone done an eBay from Japan to the US since the end ofde minimison August 30?

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2025, 11:14:12 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on September 17, 2025, 11:02:23 pmThat does seem sensible, but is it achievable?Will the shipper know the fees, especially the non-tariff fees?What happens when, not if, the US authorities decide the tariff fees are different those stated at point of purchase? All that takes is a difference of "opinion" over the HS code or COO, neither of which are trivial to determine.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2025, 11:21:12 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on September 17, 2025, 11:14:12 pmThe shipping company should be able to disclosetheirfees for customs paperwork, and the tariff duty rates are public.(I realize that the code is hard to nail down sometimes, having done that before I retired.)Apparently, I have to wait a few months before someone else has actual experience with my original question.

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 18, 2025, 02:32:45 am
content: Quote from: TimFox on September 17, 2025, 11:21:12 pmGiven your parameters, and the likelihood of the experienced person reading and wanting to tell you, I think your estimate might be fair.You might place a token order of nominal value to test and determine the information. If you do, please do share.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2025, 07:25:50 am
content: Quote from: TimFox on September 17, 2025, 11:21:12 pmIn that case you would have to be able to determine the shipping company before purchase. Sellers might not know that and/or might not want to be bothered to tell you. In the absence of definitive information, it is plausible to presume all shipping companies have similar admin/processing fees. From memory of 5-10 years ago, that is £15-£20 in the UK. I expect others can give more solid generic information for the US.If the new US tariffs are as complex and variable as I've read, especially if the %Al, %Cu etc is required by whoever examines the paperwork, that could be more variable and problematic.

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2025, 12:50:45 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on September 03, 2025, 02:44:34 pmYou just be prepared to pay 15% to import your thing. However, chances are you will just receive your item without any tariffs.Watch any SMS and read all e-mails, if you get hit with a tariff you'd have to go to a separate website and pay your duties.Back in 201x whatever, I don't remember. I was called from customs, and I had to meet agent at a postal office so witness her opening my package. Package contained one more bottle of alcohol than what was allowed, so I had to destroy one bottle of alcohol before I could take my package. This is one way it could be done.Then later everything was done online. You get an SMS informing you that something needs to be paid. You go and pay.That's another possibility.How it will be done in the U.S., unknown. In my personal experience, stuff that I ordered from China, I hadn't paid any tariffs yet. Things like adapters for Xgencu T-48 programmer. Things like adapters for heat gun. Tech things that I can not go on amazon and purchase from United States. They seem to not get hit by a tariff.I would recommend you just order it and find out.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2025, 05:36:51 pm
content: Quote from: u666sa on September 18, 2025, 12:50:45 pmThat's odd. Why could you not just pay the duty on the extra bottle?