Phono Cartridge Purchase from Asia?

The Koetsu distributor in the US might not honor any warranty on these cartridges, but Koetsu the company in Tokyo might well do so, if the cartridge was sourced in Japan.  I bought an Urushi in person from a reputable salon in Tokyo, and when I got home I found the cantilever was misaligned.  I had a certificate of warranty from the selling dealer, and Koetsu honored it. Within a few weeks I got back a new cartridge.  I don't know whether this seller offers any sort of warranty that resembles what I received, but in his case he might exchange a brand new item if it is defective out of the box.

I don't know anything about the seller in question, but consider the fact that the Japanese yen has been severely devalued compared to baseline averages, with respect to many foreign currencies, for the past several months or more. Then add the fact that a foreign national can purchase goods in Japan free of their VAT just by displaying a foreign passport and at a further discount based on quantities and methods of payment.  So, the seller in question could be buying in bulk from legitimate brick and mortar emporia in Tokyo or Osaka or other cities goods that are perfectly OK and perfectly legal, and then re-selling those goods at a profit.  The prices we pay in the US are often greatly inflated in retail cost by US-based distributors and forms of import taxation that are invisible to us as buyers.  If the seller has an excellent track record, it is probably a sign he is honest.

“Asia”? Where in Asia? It’s a big place. To buy an AT cartridge from a known seller in Japan (aka Asia) is no or very low risk.