Sending a leather Jacket through Japanese Customs to be repaired?

[cbez]

When you shipped it did you correctly fill out the details like made in Japan and the harmonization #? Is it specified in the docs that it's a return for repair?

Seems silly that RMC doesn't have a process in place for this to at least communicate with customs.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

When you shipped it did you correctly fill out the details like made in Japan and the harmonization #? Is it specified in the docs that it's a return for repair?

Seems silly that RMC doesn't have a process in place for this to at least communicate with customs.

Real McCoys told me to just say it was a repair. Didn't say it was made in Japan.

 

[Aloysius]

I agree with you that there's no need for a bigger zipper but RMC will almost certainly put the stock zipper back on it.

Wolf could ask the repair shop he's using to order a Conmar-marked Ideal #5 or Universal-marked YKK #5 and be in good shape.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I agree with you that there's no need for a bigger zipper but RMC will almost certainly put the stock zipper back on it.

Wolf could ask the repair shop he's using to order a Conmar-marked Ideal #5 or Universal-marked YKK #5 and be in good shape.

Yes. Do you think I should pull the plug and just have the jacket sent back asap. I am worried that I will have to pay duties and tariffs on it to get it back to the US if RM fixes it because it seems none of these bureaucrats care that it is a used item I own.

 

[Canuck Panda]

The sure thing is if RMC rejects the parcel then you don't have to pay anymore, Japan duties, potential return US duties (after zipper replacement)...etc. Bureaucracy cost a lot of money does very little in reality.

The best zip is Conmar imo. Hands down. Talon and Scovill has flawed design. The opposite teeth does not check the male pin first so there is always the possibility of slipping from the bottom. Crown is too expensive and not better than the other three, Conmar, YKK, Riri, which all share the same basic design, the opposite teeth checks the male pin first to secure the start of the zipper.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

The sure thing is if RMC rejects the parcel then you don't have to pay anymore, Japan duties, potential return US duties (after zipper replacement)...etc. Bureaucracy cost a lot of money does very little in reality.

The best zip is Conmar imo. Hands down. Talon and Scovill has flawed design. The opposite teeth does not check the male pin first so there is always the possibility of slipping from the bottom. Crown is too expensive and not better than the other three, Conmar, YKK, Riri, which all share the same basic design, the opposite teeth checks the male pin first to secure the start of the zipper.
View attachment 675780

I don’t want to pay a %10 - %60 on the jacket to get it back.

 

[Aloysius]

I don’t want to pay a %10 - %60 on the jacket to get it back.

I don't see how or why you would pay duties on your own package being returned to sender, because that obviously originates in the US. Best course seems to be to ask them to do return to sender. Then you have someone in the US put a better #5 on it.

(Yeah the Japanese are trying to charge duties on something Japanese but that's obviously a whole lost in translation thing.)

 

[Canuck Panda]

I don’t want to pay a %10 - %60 on the jacket to get it back.

You shouldn't have to pay anything to US customs on the way back. On reject parcels there is no import cost. I never got billed for the trip back by Canada Post, not sure if USPS will send you a bill for the return leg or not. Even in the case you go through with RMC zipper replacement, as long as they declare the value under 800 dollars you don't have to pay anything either. So make sure they declare value under 800 dollars. Japanese zipper replacement is usually about ¥15,000 yen, so that is about 100 bucks, which is what I would assume RMC would declare as value, it doesn't hurt to make sure they do with an email. Or have them reject the package and not pay a cent to the Japanese customs. That's just insane they want import duties on a Japanese made jacket.

 

[cbez]

I don’t want to pay a %10 - %60 on the jacket to get it back.

They are less than 5% and only if over 800.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Policies may change with the incoming administration.

They are less than 5% and only if over 800.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

You shouldn't have to pay anything to US customs on the way back. On reject parcels there is no import cost. I never got billed for the trip back by Canada Post, not sure if USPS will send you a bill for the return leg or not. Even in the case you go through with RMC zipper replacement, as long as they declare the value under 800 dollars you don't have to pay anything either. So make sure they declare value under 800 dollars. Japanese zipper replacement is usually about ¥15,000 yen, so that is about 100 bucks, which is what I would assume RMC would declare as value, it doesn't hurt to make sure they do with an email. Or have them reject the package and not pay a cent to the Japanese customs. That's just insane they want import duties on a Japanese made jacket.

It sounds like the move is try and get RM to explain to customs the cost of repair and that it is a Japanese product. Then if customs wants money, have them reject the package and I find a leather smith in the US. I have been looking for someone in the US to fix it but haven't heard back from anyone on such short notice yet.

 

[Canuck Panda]

It sounds like the move is try and get RM to explain to customs the cost of repair and that it is a Japanese product. Then if customs wants money, have them reject the package and I find a leather smith in the US. I have been looking for someone in the US to fix it but haven't heard back from anyone on such short notice yet.

It doesn’t hurt to ask RMC to relay the information to Japanese customs that,
the jacket is made in Japan, it has a big tag inside the pocket saying so, and I remember the zipper was missing two teeth, so it is a Japan made jacket coming back to Japan for repair. In my head this should not have any duties or taxes issues at all. But I do not know the Japanese customs rules. It’s still worth a try to see if they can relay the information to the customs and see if the packages can get through without import charges.
or worst case scenario just have it rejected and returned.

For their current asking prices their after sale customer service needs to improve…

 

[WolfofStateSt]

It doesn’t hurt to ask RMC to relay the information to Japanese customs that,
the jacket is made in Japan, it has a big tag inside the pocket saying so, and I remember the zipper was missing two teeth, so it is a Japan made jacket coming back to Japan for repair. In my head this should not have any duties or taxes issues at all. But I do not know the Japanese customs rules. It’s still worth a try to see if they can relay the information to the customs and see if the packages can get through without import charges.
or worst case scenario just have it rejected and returned.
View attachment 675826

For their current asking prices their after sale customer service needs to improve…

100%

 

[Tom71]

There is obviously a bit of a SNAFU going on.

VAT upon import is chargeable for the sale of goods and the provision of services.
If the paperwork is done correctly, jap customs should be aware that the jacket is not being sold to a Japanese customer.

The repair itself is of course subject to full japanese tax payable by RMC, but not subject to any additional costs before entering the US again (where it would be taxable, but the Service cost will be well below the threshold).

It would be my expectation that RMC as the recipient of the package explains that to the office. They clearly suspect that OP tries to sell a product into the country.

I have had unfortunate interactions with local tax authorities before, and it always is a major nuisance. There is rarely a shortcut in all things buerocratic.
It does work out though, if you are willing to invest the time it takes. That’s the good thing: there’s always a remedy too.

 

[MrProper]

Unfortunately, the way this is handled is often quite arbitrary.
I bought a jacket in the UK and had it sent to the EU. I then paid local VAT + customs + handling charges.
Unfortunately, the measurements weren't right and I sent the jacket back with a return label. I did not get back the VAT + customs duty I had paid. No matter, I should receive a replacement. Unfortunately, I had to pay VAT + customs duty + handling fees again for this replacement.
An appeal, which took months, was successful once, but unfortunately not the other time under identical conditions.
Importing from non-EU countries is no fun as soon as something has to be returned.

 

[photo2u]

I will do it for you $150. NOS 1950s Conmar included. Just for you to ease your pain. However, I wish
Good luck to you. Truly hope RMC does the right thing.

 

[Tom71]

Unfortunately, the way this is handled is often quite arbitrary.
I bought a jacket in the UK and had it sent to the EU. I then paid local VAT + customs + handling charges.
Unfortunately, the measurements weren't right and I sent the jacket back with a return label. I did not get back the VAT + customs duty I had paid. No matter, I should receive a replacement. Unfortunately, I had to pay VAT + customs duty + handling fees again for this replacement.
An appeal, which took months, was successful once, but unfortunately not the other time under identical conditions.
Importing from non-EU countries is no fun as soon as something has to be returned.

I agree. Took me close to one year, the last time it happened. Including sending the same documents over and over again.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I agree. Took me close to one year, the last time it happened. Including sending the same documents over and over again.

This is what RM said: “
My understanding is at the moment, no import declaration has been accepted by Japan Customs, which is very bureaucratic, and does not know that the item is made in Japan, or the reason why it was sent to Japan.

From the only photo we have of the parcel there was a customs declaration on the outside which is incomplete, it does not state the reason for the export or the origin country. So they are aware that the value of the parcel is high but require additional paperwork to allow this item to be imported. Customs wouldn't open the parcel at our request so the labels on the jacket and the broken zip wouldn't be helpful at this stage.

It seems there is a procedure, that can only happen through filling out paper forms and mailing them (quite ridiculous) that will enable us to submit a declaration as I understand you have been unable to via USPS.”

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I’m seriously considering pulling the plug on this operation. Idk how to get them the proper paperwork.

 

[cbez]

I'm surprised usps let you ship it without the basic customs information filled in correctly.