Sending a leather Jacket through Japanese Customs to be repaired?

[WolfofStateSt]

So, I ripped a zipper on my Real McCoy’s A2. I contacted them, and they said they would replace the whole zipper for $125. It sounded way more appealing than getting rid of an expensive jacket. So, I filled out the customs forms and shipped it to Japan. It’s been stuck in Japanese Customs Clearance since Monday. I’m worried they will never let the jacket through, especially since Real McCoys emailed me saying they are concerned that the Customs is taking unusually long. Does anyone here have any experience with this type of thing?

 

[Bfd70]

I dont have any experience with japanese customs but would like to offer that in the future you should consider

https://www.greatleather.com/

That is a simple repair for Dena and assuming you are in the US (and maybe IL) no shipping issues

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I dont have any experience with japanese customs but would like to offer that in the future you should consider

https://www.greatleather.com/

That is a simple repair for Dena and assuming you are in the US (and maybe IL) no shipping issues

IL is close, yeah.

 

[Monitor]

Generally, items that are being re-imported should not be subject to VAT & import duties but certain conditions have to be met, such as being able to prove the origin of an item. Of course, all of this depends on the specific laws and regulations of the country in question and the circumstances of the re-import.

In my experience, I don't think there should be an issue but it just might be that it's taking longer because they're making sure all the conditions of import have been met.

I would be a lot more worried about getting the jacket back without having to pay the import taxes for it again.

 

[MickeyPunch]

When I sent a jacket back to Japan for alterations I was asked to specify “for repairs” in the customs form to avoid extra charges.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

When I sent a jacket back to Japan for alterations I was asked to specify “for repairs” in the customs form to avoid extra charges.

That is exactly what I did. Only worried because according to RMC, customs usually doesn't take more than a day or two.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Generally, items that are being re-imported should not be subject to VAT & import duties but certain conditions have to be met, such as being able to prove the origin of an item. Of course, all of this depends on the specific laws and regulations of the country in question and the circumstances of the re-import.

In my experience, I don't think there should be an issue but it just might be that it's taking longer because they're making sure all the conditions of import have been met.

I would be a lot more worried about getting the jacket back without having to pay the import taxes for it again.

This red tape makes no sense to me, I already paid for the jacket when I imported it the first time. It's just about squeezing every dollar out of us for the government, makes no logical sense why I should have to pay duties twice, but watch them charge me again.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I really hope I don’t lose the A2 because I love that jacket, and it was no small investment; if I do lose it, I will probably contact Goodwear for my next A2.

 

[Canuck Panda]

You won’t lose the jacket. In the worst case scenario your receiver can just reject the parcel and it will be routed back to you without cost.

i have sent two packages to Japan, both for repair work. first one got through easy peasy the second box got caught up in their customs bureaucracy. After a week stuck in customs I just ask my receiver in Japan to reject the parcel and I got it back two weeks after that without paying anything else. All sent by EMS.

i have since learned about Yamato and Sagawa, japans own broker/forwarder. I will ship my next shipments using those brokers, more expensive than EMS less expensive than UPS, they’re suppose to be customs hassels free because they’re japans own companies. Probably in a couple months, I’ll post my experience of that when I get to it.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

You won’t lose the jacket. In the worst case scenario your receiver can just reject the parcel and it will be routed back to you without cost.

i have sent two packages to Japan, both for repair work. first one got through easy peasy the second box got caught up in their customs bureaucracy. After a week stuck in customs I just ask my receiver in Japan to reject the parcel and I got it back two weeks after that without paying anything else. All sent by EMS.

i have since learned about Yamato and Sagawa, japans own broker/forwarder. I will ship my next shipments using those brokers, more expensive than EMS less expensive than UPS, they’re suppose to be customs hassels free because they’re japans own companies. Probably in a couple months, I’ll post my experience of that when I get to it.

How long should I wait until I contact USPS, that is how I shipped mine.

 

[Monitor]

This red tape makes no sense to me, I already paid for the jacket when I imported it the first time. It's just about squeezing every dollar out of us for the government, makes no logical sense why I should have to pay duties twice, but watch them charge me again.

That's what they do. But if you have the paperwork from the original purchase / import, then there shouldn't be any problems.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

That's what they do. But if you have the paperwork from the original purchase / import, then there shouldn't be any problems.

Que Sera Sera, I'm debating whether to call USPS tomorrow or wait for them to contact me.

 

[Aloysius]

They’re going to put the same crappy zipper on it again. You’d be better served sending it somewhere in the U.S. like Great Leather or any number of others.

 

[MrProper]

There is also a good leather cutter in Austria if you ever need one.

 

[Monitor]

There is also a good leather cutter in Austria if you ever need one.

Info, please. Since my guy closed his shop, I've nowhere to send my leather shit.

On the other hand, I can now do alterations I didn't even think of attempting before.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

They’re going to put the same crappy zipper on it again. You’d be better served sending it somewhere in the U.S. like Great Leather or any number of others.

Please elaborate, might come in handy for the future.

I know that Goodwear also uses Talon zippers, are other Talon zippers better quality than RMC, is there a difference?

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I guess my question now is, what is my best bet? Should I call the Post Office today and bug them about it to make sure nothing is wrong, or should I wait for them to reach out to me if there are any issues with the forms?

At this point, it is in Japan and so close to RMC, so I might as well have them fix the zipper, right? Or would it behoove me to cancel, have it sent back, and find someone in the US to do it? Would Great Leather put a beefy YKK zipper on it for me?

 

[Will Zach]

There is also a good leather cutter in Austria if you ever need one.

... and in Poland, excellent, and as of now, still inexpensive.

 

[Tom71]

I guess my question now is, what is my best bet? Should I call the Post Office today and bug them about it to make sure nothing is wrong, or should I wait for them to reach out to me if there are any issues with the forms?

At this point, it is in Japan and so close to RMC, so I might as well have them fix the zipper, right? Or would it behoove me to cancel, have it sent back, and find someone in the US to do it? Would Great Leather put a beefy YKK zipper on it for me?

I would just sit tight for a week or two. Customs turnover of 4-6 weeks is not unheard of, so I wouldn´t worry prematurely.

What is happening is that the customs office needs to make a judgment call wether or not they "believe" that this is a repair on an previously taxed item, or a scam to get overseas goods into the country without paying VAT/customs. Could be that they are short on staff (holiday season), that the customs guy is inexperienced or grumpy etc.

Eventually, they will forward or reject...

 

[AeroFan_07]

This topic is all over this forum.
Dena is on here on occasion @iknowleather and she does excellent work.
Her website - https://www.greatleather.com/
I also have had #10 Brass zippers installed at other locations in Iowa as well.
Johnson Leathers in San Francisco has gotten quite busy but they do zipper replacements as well.

It may be advisable to have your jacket sent back to you and send it to a local shop in the US to do the work.