Is there import or taxes when buying lenses from japan

[md_skater]

Can anyone in the USA, who has bought lenses from Japan give me an idea on what the import duties are.  This lens is about $900.  Thanks.

[vssoutlet]

There shouldn't be. At least I've never been hit with import duty.

[eofeapr33]

I also have never been asked to pay anything.

This may be true of heavy freight like for a retail store maybe.

[cycle-dog]

Japan is a signatory to the WTO/TRIPS among other agreements with the USA and, as such, goods manufactured there are entitled to the beneficial rate of duty when imported into the USA which, in the case of camera lenses is generally 2.3% .

That said --as you’ve no doubt already found out since making this post, and for the benefit of others -- there is a “de minimus exemption” in the USA which generally allows importation of a shipment of merchandise by a single person free of duties and taxes – up from $200 to $800 USD. Moreover, cross-border shipments with values under $800 USD no longer require formal customs processing (with some exceptions), making cross-border deliveries to US shoppers not only quicker but also cheaper!