Buying a used lens from Japan

In buying a lens from Japan, what kind of fees can I expect to be hit with as an American consumer?

I wouldn't normally go this route, but it is for a discontinued lens--Minolta 200 2.8 high-speed prime. The only copy I have found in comparable shape state-side is $899. The one in Japan is $635 shipped.

Thoughts and info much appreciated.

I think you should keep the canon version and sidegrade to the A7ii for AF if that's what you're looking for. You're 200 has top notch IQ, and you've already got the MBIV. the minolta 200 seems overinflated IMO 899 for a screw drive 200mm prime that's probably no better than the canon version? On top of that, you'll need an LA-EA4 adapter, which robs some light from the lens in favor of AF.

seems like the jump to the A7ii may easier to acquire and cost may be similar when you take into account adapters and price of lens.

to answer your question, I've bought a few times from japan, and no extra fees.

You should't expect to pay anything. I export photo gear to the US all the time and to my knowledge no one has ever been assessed tax or duty. My understanding is that these items are exempt from such fees on import. Normally I'd say to buy in the US if it is available because importing yourself makes it a grey market item and not eligible for warranty service in the US but considering the price difference it might be worth it unless this lens has a very high repair cost.

Charlie wrote in post #17804945
I think you should keep the canon version and sidegrade to the A7ii for AF if that's what you're looking for. You're 200 has top notch IQ, and you've already got the MBIV. the minolta 200 seems overinflated IMO 899 for a screw drive 200mm prime that's probably no better than the canon version? On top of that, you'll need an LA-EA4 adapter, which robs some light from the lens in favor of AF.

seems like the jump to the A7ii may easier to acquire and cost may be similar when you take into account adapters and price of lens.

to answer your question, I've bought a few times from japan, and no extra fees.

Hey Charlie, thanks for the insight. I know you've got quite a bit of experience shooting both platforms and you've used a ton of gear.

I loved my 200 2.8 ii, but when I used it with the Metabones iv on my A6000 the AF took 3 or 4 seconds to lock on--even in perfect light. I sold my EF 200 and I returned the Metabones iv to Adorama days after testing the combo together, and that was a sad day for me. From what I understand the Minolta 200 and EF 200 are very close in performance and IQ, with some giving the Canon the slightest edge. To be sure, I was thrilled with my three years shooting the EF 200 2.8.

From the information I've gathered, people using the A7 bodies and A6000 say the Minolta 200 performs close to native glass. I certainly need all the AF performance I can get, as I'll be using it for sports on the a6000. On the a7r, it would of course be a portrait lens. I'm not thrilled with having to use an adapter, but I'm willing to do so to get what I want.

On side-grading to the a7ii, it is not a move I'm ruling out. I have only had the a7r for about 10 days and I'm still evaluating it and putting pics through PP. I have mixed emotions so far, but the high IQ ceiling of the a7r is certainly tantalizing.

nqjudo wrote in post #17804964
You should't expect to pay anything. I export photo gear to the US all the time and to my knowledge no one has ever been assessed tax or duty. My understanding is that these items are exempt from such fees on import. Normally I'd say to buy in the US if it is available because importing yourself makes it a grey market item and not eligible for warranty service in the US but considering the price difference it might be worth it unless this lens has a very high repair cost.

Thank you very much for sharing your experience on buying from Japan, it looks like I'll go this route!

I just pulled the trigger on the Minolta 200 2.8 HS from a Japan seller, thanks for the input you guys gave me. $629 with shipping vs $899 from the American seller. The Japanese seller's was probably in E- condition, the American's was E+. I'll buy the Sony A-mount adapter with the savings.

If it doesn't satisfy me, maybe I'll be "forced" to sell the adapter and get an a77ii exclusively for sports. Who knows? LOL.

I can also confirm you typically don't pay customs/duty tax if shipped via Japan Express Mail (EMS) and delivered by USPS. However, you may experience delays while in customs for no reason. Tracking in the US often falls into limbo for days or weeks, and USPS managers will simply suggest you wait until it shows up. In contrast, the Japan Postal Service tracks the exact bag, pallet and flight all the way to the US.

Fedex has a much higher frequency of charging tax if the item falls into any taxable class. While USPS cannot check every package, the customs office for Fedex is on site and the labeling and processing is more strict.

Thanks for the reassurance.

It is coming via EMS, so great news!

NDAPhoto wrote in post #17805839
I can also confirm you typically don't pay customs/duty tax if shipped via Japan Express Mail (EMS) and delivered by USPS. However, you may experience delays while in customs for no reason. Tracking in the US often falls into limbo for days or weeks, and USPS managers will simply suggest you wait until it shows up. In contrast, the Japan Postal Service tracks the exact bag, pallet and flight all the way to the US.

Fedex has a much higher frequency of charging tax if the item falls into any taxable class. While USPS cannot check every package, the customs office for Fedex is on site and the labeling and processing is more strict.

The point about the USPS checking packages is not accurate. The USPS does not check any packages. In the case of something being imported via the USPS custom processing is done by U.S. Customs and Border Protection which is a Federal office but completely separate from the USPS. The reason shipments get assessed differently by Fedex and UPS is because they use 3rd party customs brokers. As private enterprises they are completely profit driven so service charges and commissions on higher brokerage assessments are their bread and butter. I have challenged their decisions with success on several occasions. One time I refused a shipment at the door and negotiated a more favourable assessment over the phone with an agent while the driver stood waiting. Personally I don't use these private couriers any longer. If not illegal their operation is certainly unethical.

nqjudo wrote in post #17805893
The point about the USPS checking packages is not accurate. The USPS does not check any packages. In the case of something being imported via the USPS custom processing is done by U.S. Customs and Border Protection which is a Federal office but completely separate from the USPS. The reason shipments get assessed differently by Fedex and UPS is because they use 3rd party customs brokers. As private enterprises they are completely profit driven so service charges and commissions on higher brokerage assessments are their bread and butter. I have challenged their decisions with success on several occasions. One time I refused a shipment at the door and negotiated a more favourable assessment over the phone with an agent while the driver stood waiting. Personally I don't use these private couriers any longer. If not illegal their operation is certainly unethical.

That's super interesting info to read. Thanks for explaining something that I've been puzzling over for years.

I didn't have any problems (shipped EMS and I received in 3 days)
I thought the pieces I bought were very clean and the pricing fair.

but.. because overseas shipping is involved and you ideally would
like to avoid a return... , look over the ads VERY carefully
as sometimes references to "dust", "haze" etc can be very subtle. ask
for a more specific shot of that area (glass etc)... if the pics aren't
jiving with the description.

nqjudo wrote in post #17805893
The point about the USPS checking packages is not accurate. The USPS does not check any packages. In the case of something being imported via the USPS custom processing is done by U.S. Customs and Border Protection which is a Federal office but completely separate from the USPS.

I beg to differ. You read a lot into a simple statement of customs processing through USPS versus Fedex. You could have still made your point, while I saw no need to delineate or tell stories about importing goods from Japan for 20 years.

NDAPhoto wrote in post #17806188
I beg to differ. You read a lot into a simple statement of customs processing through USPS versus Fedex. You could have still made your point, while I saw no need to delineate or tell stories about importing goods from Japan for 20 years.

Well friend I've been importing from Japan for about 38 years. I also lived there for almost 3 years while studying at Tokai university and worked part time for KuSakura as an exporter. You can differ all you want but it doesn't correct the innacuracy of your statement. If you care to offer an explanation as to how the USPS handles customs I'd love to hear it.

Before you do however I suggest you read this article from the US customs and border protection about how inbound mail via the USPS is processed.

https://help.cbp.gov …essing-international-mail

Again, you read far too much into a simple statement about customs processing through USPS versus Fedex. No pissing match intended.

NDAPhoto wrote in post #17806697
Again, you read far too much into a simple statement about customs processing through USPS versus Fedex. No pissing match intended.

Naw. Nothing of the sort. Say, I'm sorry about calling you out on the spurious information you introduced to the thread out but after all we are a community that hopefully exists to help one another. Not confuse each other. Personally I don't think that nebulous statements meant to deflect rather than respond are particularly productive. I don't think I'm the one reading into anything too deeply. This is just a forum. I'm wrong here all the time and I haven't died from it yet. Try it. It's ok