A quick google search will get you to the Official U.S. Customs lists for Japan. I didn't look for amplifiers, I researched turn tables. It turns out that turntables/record players (and associated parts, like tone arms--- I bought a tonearm from Japan as well) are exempt from customs duties when imported from Japan. The seller I used in Japan understood this, and the customs declaration stated "Record Player". I had no problems ($'s or delay) at US customs (and the TT came in by air, but still seemed to take a couple days to transit the system). I do remember seeing other components listed, but once again, I was looking just at TT's. I am not computer savvy, but found what I needed in a jiffy, but you will have to go through a substantial list (I skipped over "Heavy Mining Equipment" and "Electrical 3 Phase Switching Apparatus". Yes you will need to step down the 120V to 100V, but both are 60 cycle. Don't skimp on the transformer. My TT performed very well with a transformer, held speed, no noise, etc. All in all the TT and the arm were painless, and a good value. Good luck
What to expect if I import an amp and preamp from a Japan seller via US eBay
I can’t afford the cost of the amp and preamp I’d like to buy. I’ve discovered I can pay just less than half what I’d pay at a dealer in the US. But I haven’ t done this before. I’m aware that I won’t have a guarantee and that I’ll need a step down transformer. I willing to take the risk of no guarantee. But I don’t know what to expect when my box hits CUSTOMS. What can I expect? What are my responsibilities? How much is it likely to cost me?, I’ll be paying $7000 for the amp and the preamp..