Sending a leather Jacket through Japanese Customs to be repaired?

[WolfofStateSt]

Well I could have sworn the forms were right. What would you guys do in this situation?

This is what Great Leather quoted me: “
I don't stock Conmars. You or I would have to purchase one from MASH in Japan.
But if you want something more reliable, I suggest going with a solid brass YKK with an antique finish. I expect your's is a 5, I could bump it up to a 7 and it would still look good.
If you go with the 7 zipper I have in stock it would probably be here 3 weeks- if that's all it needs. $85 plus return shipping of 15- 20 at the most.
Hope this helps!”

 

[Canuck Panda]

I had similar situation with one of my package and I just asked my guy in Japan to reject the parcel and it was routed back to me (no extra cost, Canada Post EMS).

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I had similar situation with one of my package and I just asked my guy in Japan to reject the parcel and it was routed back to me (no extra cost, Canada Post EMS).

I am leaning towards just having McCoys reject it and send it back. Great Leathers said they could fix it for cheaper in three weeks, while McCoys says it will take 8-12 weeks. Also, it is 40 dollars cheaper, and they will put a number 7 YKK on it or a Conmar if I have a Conmar to give them.

 

[Peacoat]

I would go with Dena at Great Leathers. I talked to her this morning and she is back in business, having mostly recovered from her arm injury.

She doesn't like to work with jackets more than 5 pounds or so.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I would go with Dena at Great Leathers. I talked to her this morning and she is back in business, having mostly recovered from her arm injury.

She doesn't like to work with jackets more than 5 pounds or so.

The parcel that I sent to Japan weighed 5 lb 9.40 oz.

 

[Peacoat]

The parcel that I sent to Japan weighed 5 lb 9.40 oz.

You will be ok. Part of the weight was packing. Now the problem is getting it back.

She is in Avon, Illinois, which is fairly close to you.

 

[floater]

I would ask them to reject the package and to please send a replacement conmar zipper while they’re at it

 

[Canuck Panda]

I am leaning towards just having McCoys reject it and send it back. Great Leathers said they could fix it for cheaper in three weeks, while McCoys says it will take 8-12 weeks. Also, it is 40 dollars cheaper, and they will put a number 7 YKK on it or a Conmar if I have a Conmar to give them.

85 is great price. Hard to beat this for leather jacket zipper replacement.

If you are looking for a Conmar get the M45 or earlier versions. The later versions are basically Scovills. And the Japanese ones might just be repro Waldes with repro Conmar pulls.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

I asked Real McCoys to reject the package and return it to me. Dena at Great Leathers said she would work on the jacket. Now I just have to decide between a Conmar and a YKK zipper. Where would I get a good Conmar, MASH? I don't care too much for historical accuracy; I just want something that will last forever.

 

[Peacoat]

I asked Real McCoys to reject the package and return it to me. Dena at Great Leathers said she would work on the jacket. Now I just have to decide between a Conmar and a YKK zipper. Where would I get a good Conmar, MASH? I don't care too much for historical accuracy; I just want something that will last forever.

I would think Dena has quality zippers in stock?

If not, your best bet for a durable zipper might be a Universal zipper.

 

[Yamahana]

I asked Real McCoys to reject the package and return it to me. Dena at Great Leathers said she would work on the jacket. Now I just have to decide between a Conmar and a YKK zipper. Where would I get a good Conmar, MASH? I don't care too much for historical accuracy; I just want something that will last forever.

Dena has been doing this for 30 years. She knows what she’s doing and which zipper to use. Just send it to her and be done with it.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Dena has been doing this for 30 years. She knows what she’s doing and which zipper to use. Just send it to her and be done with it.

You got it Jimmy Stewart!

 

[3.14nche]

Importing from non-EU countries is no fun as soon as something has to be returned.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Real

I also asked McCoys to reject the package and send it home. There has been no reply yet. I can’t wait until it's safely back in my hands.

 

[WolfofStateSt]

This is what RM said on Friday: “
Our logistics team in Japan have now received documents from Japanese Customs that allow us to provide the missing import information. Completing these customs documentation is necessary to ensure the item is processed correctly, based on the information we have received so far there is no option to reject and return and it is not clear whether an agreement is in place with USPS that would allow for the parcel to be rejected and returned directly to you so we will need to proceed with releasing the parcel from clearance. If the option to return the item becomes available we will be able to do that.

Thank you for your patience over the coming days while we await an update from Japan.

Our team member in Japan is completing the attached form which will then be mailed to Japan Post Osaka branch. Once we have an understanding of how to proceed we will contact you immediately.
There is nothing that can be done in the meantime, unfortunately.”

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Update: The jacket has cleared Japanese customs and is now on route to Real McCoys. Now I have to decide if I still let RM fix it or have them return it…

 

[Canuck Panda]

Did you end up paying any taxes or duties on the Japanese side?

Can RMC price match Great Leathers replacement price?

They will most likely put some kind of repro Waldes zipper in there. While it may look like an earlier Talon its functionality for everyday use is YMMV...

I found an YKK Talon, I have no idea what it is, but it looks like a modern YKK zipper track with the notch on the male pin but it has the Talon zipper pull. Maybe this is something that is really the best of all worlds, reliability of the YKK but the Talon name on the pull...

 

[WolfofStateSt]

Did you end up paying any taxes or duties on the Japanese side?

Can RMC price match Great Leathers replacement price?

They will most likely put some kind of repro Waldes zipper in there. While it may look like an earlier Talon its functionality for everyday use is YMMV...

I found an YKK Talon, I have no idea what it is, but it looks like a modern YKK zipper track with the notch on the male pin but it has the Talon zipper pull. Maybe this is something that is really the best of all worlds, reliability of the YKK but the Talon name on the pull...

View attachment 677224 View attachment 677225

I paid nothing to customs. RM's cost is $40 more than Great Leathers. RM states it will take 8 to 12 weeks for delivery, while Great Leathers claims it will only take three weeks. I have already paid $80 to ship it to Japan. I will ask RM if they can use a different zipper than the original.

 

[Jon Crow]

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.

Snap, had that happen to me, buying from the UK here in Spain and once had to return it, coming back, correos madrid pirates got me again mm I won't do it again

 

[Jon Crow]

I am leaning towards just having McCoys reject it and send it back. Great Leathers said they could fix it for cheaper in three weeks, while McCoys says it will take 8-12 weeks. Also, it is 40 dollars cheaper, and they will put a number 7 YKK on it or a Conmar if I have a Conmar to give them.

That sounds a better deal