I'm having trouble determining when or if I will have to pay a duty if I order accessories from Japan. I checked the U.S. Customs website, and after 15 minutes of searching I got so twisted around I forgot what I was trying to find. Would someone who has ordered part from Japan please school me? My CB1100 is in Hawaii (for when I visit my Grandson), I'd like to order a rear carrier and have it sent there. Since I most likely won't be in Hawaii when it arrives, will it be trapped in Customs or simply delivered to the mailing address I place in the order? Thanks! Tom
The short answer is no. The longer answer is you could.
No duty on any of the items I've ordered and its been a fair amount. Some have ordered a LOT of stuff.
Customs doesn't hold anything while you travel (how would they even know?). As soon as they clear the item it is picked up by the shipping company and you get it delivered very fast. From Samurider I usually get it the next day after the package clears customs. If you have to sign for it, then you have to go to the Post Office or sign the tag so they will leave it if you are not home. That's been my experience.
Edit to add: Now if you order say 500 Road Comets the story might be different
No customs duties on my orders. But had to sign for package so if you are not there maybe use name of family member that is at home to accept delivery
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Anyone possessing valid ID that shows they live at the same address as on the package can sign for the same package. Usually if it's a detached home or your actual apartment door and they answer the door the couriers seem to consider this good enough. The only time you can get burned is by the timeout dates for holding (UPS is 3 delivery attempts, USPS is hold for 30 days at PO, IIRC, before sent back). Customs will always just be hit or miss with sporadic duty enforcement.
If you want to calculate your "worst case scenario" for customs try a site like this:
http://www.dutycalculator.com
These guys actually list motorcycle parts and accessories as being duty free, so maybe they are their own class of product. I ship alot to the States for my Ebay store, but never MC stuff, so not sure.
Ordered lots of stuff from Japan. Fender, cafe seat, Road Comet, emblems, shocks, bars, mirrors. No duty. Mr T or Web!ke will give you the total price for everything.
I live in Hawaii and I have ordered a few items from Samurider. The packages were delivered by USPS to my house however I do not remember if someone had to sign for delivery. No duty.
Thanks everyone for the replies! Tom