Hey Everyone, I am thinking about buying a guitar from Japan, Reverb/Ebay and was wondering if anyone has done the same recently, what I'm worried about is the customs tax and any other expense I would incur, the guitar is around $1200. The person selling it has a very good rating on those sites. Let me know what your experience was...Thanks
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Buying a Guitar from Japan
- Thread starter nitrofix
- Start date
Some good info in this very recent thread:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/purchased-a-bass-from-japan.1662668/
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/purchased-a-bass-from-japan.1662668/
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I've bought a Japanese bass from eBay before, and it was a positive experience. Fast shipping, with the item well packed and including all documentation. Just know that basically all Japanese eBay sellers list items they don't actually own. When you buy it, they will purchase it for you from a store and ship it, pocketing the difference of a few hundred dollars.
I've found its cheaper to buy through a large shipping proxy service rather than a private eBay seller, since the private sellers usually charge a killing for the convenience. Not sponsored, but One Map did a good job with shipping a bass from Japan. Its not as seamless or fast, but was cheaper all together than what sellers were asking on eBay.
You may also have luck buying direct from a retailer like Ikebe Gakki or using Bass Japan Direct, a well regarded importer. I have no experience with either.
In short, shop around and ask for quotes. You may very well save hundreds on a very nice instrument.
I've found its cheaper to buy through a large shipping proxy service rather than a private eBay seller, since the private sellers usually charge a killing for the convenience. Not sponsored, but One Map did a good job with shipping a bass from Japan. Its not as seamless or fast, but was cheaper all together than what sellers were asking on eBay.
You may also have luck buying direct from a retailer like Ikebe Gakki or using Bass Japan Direct, a well regarded importer. I have no experience with either.
In short, shop around and ask for quotes. You may very well save hundreds on a very nice instrument.
I've gotten basses from both JP Sounds and Bass Japan Direct, and was pleased with both of them. Danny at Bass Japan Direct is great to work with and often posts videos of the basses he has so you can hear them before buying. It can be cheaper to buy directly from his site than to go through ebay or reverb. I want to say that I spent around $120-130 on shipping for those, and they were well-packed and got here within a week.
I didn't pay customs on either bass that I bought from Japan. They were older Japanese-made instruments, and under $600, so that might have been part of it. Sorry, I can tell you more from personal experience.
Thanks Rev, also what I've read is the price makes a difference, under $800 no customs tax over $800 customs tax...
That hasn’t been my experience. I have purchased three basses from Japan, each of which were over $2300. The Japanese music store (Ishibashi Music) simply charged me the price of the bass plus around $200 shipping. My basses passed through the US customs in Chicago without incident (or taxes) and arrived VERY quickly through USPS.
I cannot say the same easy process will occur with every Japanese seller, but I can say that Ishibashi has been absolutely stellar with each of my purchases. Not only did I save money, but the basses were all in excellent condition. Judging by the feedback I’ve seen from others who have bought basses from the same store, I’d say my experience is the norm for Ishibashi.
If you’d like a more comprehensive account of what I did to make my purchases, feel free to IM me.
Incidentally , what type/model of bass are you looking to buy?
I second working with Danny at Bass Japan Direct. Have bought multiple basses from him. He can also track down rare basses. Never had an issue with customs/taxes.
Thanks Whale, the three basses you bought from Japan were they MIA or MIJ/CIJ I think that might make a difference and I'm not buying a bass but a Guitar This one which is a GRECO / MSV850 from Ishibashi Music. and the price plus shipping is a lot cheaper than what I've seen on Reverb or E Bay
Last summer I bought a Jerzy Drozd from Japan. $4500 shipped to my door. No other fees or taxes. And it arrived in 8 days!
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I've been charged customs for all of the instruments I've bought from Japan, not a crazy amount though. Everything I've bought has ended up shipping via Fedex - for a $1200 instrument I would expect a charge in the $70 range.
This is my experience as well. I have purchased at least six (6) instruments from Ishibashi, guitars and basses. One charge, quickly through customs, usually a week or less to my door.
This is correct, I bought a Suhr from a Japanese store (TC Gakki) and paid shipping only, no tax or customs fees. You must ask the store if the instrument price includes VAT (local taxes) which do not apply for overseas sales. If you decide to buy, ask them to include a comment in the invoice about the instrument being made in USA.
I've only had one experience and it was fine. A used medium scale fender Jbass. Arrived quickly and in great condition. My fav bass ever.
I’ve done it through a bidding service… paying shipping was an arm and a leg
I bout my atelier z and though bass direct japan
Shipping was way better
I bout my atelier z and though bass direct japan
Shipping was way better
A couple of weeks ago I wanted to buy a German Warwick from Ishibashi with shipping to Europe, but I've read, that I would have to pay not only customs duty, but also 23% VAT. It is surprising, that some of you didn't have to pay anything additionally. Is it because of importing something that was made in US to US? Would it work the same in Europe?
I bought a Japanese Fender on eBay this year. I think customs was 5% of the total price, and was billed by the domestic shipper after I received the instrument. Shipping took just under a week.
I've only had horrible experiences buying from Japan. Do an image search of the bass you plan to buy, If it's being listed by lots of other sellers, only buy from the true owner (if you can figure that out)
I only learned of the Japanese online broker madness AFTER I got burned twice.
I only learned of the Japanese online broker madness AFTER I got burned twice.
