Buying from Japan...Accuphase or Luxman what are the costs ? import duties etc

You need to be careful. Aside from all the scams that are going on, there's always a good chance that your package will get held up in customs. It can get held up for a long time. And if they decide to open the box for inspection, they don't not go easy.  

On $6k around $500 from what my friend paid last year shipping depends on the weight on $55 lbs $300

Watch jays audio lab video review on YouTube of the acuphase e800 he explains a bit about import taxes on acuphase and why acuphase are expensive in the USA hope this helps and good luck ps after watching this video you’ll probably sway more towards luxman 

I have bought several items, audio, cameras, accessories, clothing ... from both Japan and China: eBay, other sites, direct. Always successful.

Never a fee of any kind to me in USA, despite all the ..... they say are not included which is worrisome.

One item, my tonearm from Russia, took an extra week to get out of Kennedy Airport Int’l postal system during covid. Seller arranged for the transfer agent, easy if you have patience.

Buying from aleado (yahoo auctions japan) has also been successful. Seller ships to aleado, aleado inspects that it is what seller said it was, then you pay aleado to ship to you. they give you shipping options, each it’s estimated time and cost. you pick which method, they ship it. If transfer agent involved, they arrange it.

you make an account with aleado, pre-deposit funds in the account, enough for the item(s) you want. you win, they use the money in your account.

You can get terrific deals, but shipping big or heavy stuff is costly, quick shipping is/was costly especially during covid.

I won an auction for an AT33PTG/II MONO cartridge with broken cantilever (planning on having Steve at VAS rebuild it, which he did, advanced stylus on boron). I chose quicker shipping, the total was almost $100. (cartridge was $33). I should have been patient, chosen slow/less costly shipping they offered. I found out later, with other items, the extra delivery time they estimate for low cost was exaggerated.

AliExpress is a great place to find things, darn good prices, many free shipping, some not, always check shipping cost for each item. Everything has been the quality they describe, read carefully, some is junk.

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This comment applies to new units: AXISS Audio, the Accuphase importer, has reduced the MSRP by 20% in the US for new Accuphase equipment. Although, the US prices are still higher than the domestic MSRP in Japan, when you add all the other costs, the gap gets reduced significantly. In addition, it will be difficult to get the 110V version in Japan and as others said, in case of need for service you will need to seek a third party as the official Accuphase channels, most likely, will not provide support due to the unit being a gray market import. 

Disclosure: Locrian Audio is an Accuphase dealer.