Buying from overseas sellers on Amazon

[SSNJim]

When you purchase a model on Amazon from an overseas seller (Japanese in this case), are there additional fees related to import, duties and taxes and so on at the time of purchase or delivery? Or is it just the model price plus shipping? I don't want to be surprised if it shows up on my doorstep needing additional payments. I am in the US.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I've bought electronic parts from Chinese Amazon sellers (no US-made equivalents were available) and have never had to pay any additional import fees.

I don't know about the situation with Chinese models, but buying them from Japanese sellers on Ebay, I've never faced additional fees there either.

[Miatatom]

It'll probably show up in your mail.

[Gt fan]

I've bought a bunch of kits and supplies from Amazon. They have came from a vender from overseas. The box is marked model kit or model supplies on the custom tag. I never had to pay more than what I was billed at time of purchase. I've always got the box or boxes quickly. 

[peteski]

While I don't want to scare anybody, the official word is here. As with all government regulations, it seems very complicated.

Having said that, I have been buying model (and some other) items online from foreign sellers (through eBay, Amazon, etc.) for about 17 years and I have never been charged any duties.

[martinfan5]

No, there are no duties on model kits that are imported to the US, model kits are listed under the toy category , and toys are on a list of duty free items that my be imported into the US.

Buying from those sellers on Amazon is no different than buying from those sellers on Ebay, and a lot of them list on both sites.

 

Edited August 14, 2017 by martinfan5

[SSNJim]

Thanks, all. I'm glad to hear there aren't any additional taxes or duties. I do little on-line ordering, and even less from overseas. 'll get it ordered.