1 & Only Amazon Japan Thread

[Damius]

A package was sent yesterday from a Amazon warehouse. It was the first time for me it was sent from there. It was sent from Fukuoka. Did anyone got a package from there before? It seems when it is sent from there, it takes the longest. Since before leaving the country it is sent from Fukuoka to Osaka.

[Damius]

To put it simply, last week I got an order from Amazon JP with Blu-ray discs only (without Import duty and tax). This week, I got another order, this time with only CDs (3 of them). For the first time since a long time, I needed to pay Import duty and tax. So, I wonder, did I pay them only because it was CDs only or is the Import duty and tax back for good with DHL... It was the first time I got CDs only on a shipment, but before I got Blu-ray/CDs shipments... I guess I'll find out for sure with my next shipment at the end of the month that should be here around the first week of December.

[relentlessflame]

This may not amount to anything, but just placed my December order today, and Amazon decided (at the order confirmation screen) to automatically split the order into two shipments; one in about a week, and a second near the end of December. This resembles the sort of behaviour that was in place by design at one point during the transition. I have noticed in years past that Amazon tends to split orders more over the holidays (to try to make sure people get things on-time), so this could easily be part of that trend. We'll see if that lasts into January.

Also, maybe it's always been there and I just never noticed, but I just noticed today a little blurb on the confirmation screen talking about foreign orders being subject to taxes and duties in their local countries. If it is new, it could tie into what Damius was just saying about having to pay duty again. I should find out later this week...

[Damius]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

This may not amount to anything, but just placed my December order today, and Amazon decided (at the order confirmation screen) to automatically split the order into two shipments; one in about a week, and a second near the end of December. This resembles the sort of behaviour that was in place by design at one point during the transition. I have noticed in years past that Amazon tends to split orders more over the holidays (to try to make sure people get things on-time), so this could easily be part of that trend. We'll see if that lasts into January.

My order did split as well. (That is why I only got CDs) It was my December order as well. And I guess it is a seasonal thing. (because of the extra note on the order page)

[something]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

This may not amount to anything, but just placed my December order today, and Amazon decided (at the order confirmation screen) to automatically split the order into two shipments; one in about a week, and a second near the end of December. This resembles the sort of behaviour that was in place by design at one point during the transition. I have noticed in years past that Amazon tends to split orders more over the holidays (to try to make sure people get things on-time), so this could easily be part of that trend. We'll see if that lasts into January.

Also, maybe it's always been there and I just never noticed, but I just noticed today a little blurb on the confirmation screen talking about foreign orders being subject to taxes and duties in their local countries. If it is new, it could tie into what Damius was just saying about having to pay duty again. I should find out later this week...

I vaguely remember something about this before - both the seasonal splits and the all CDs = fees thing. I don't know if I ever actually got charged, but I do remember checking packages to see what was listed as Music Disc vs Video Disc or whatever before.

And yes, I just did my December order and it split four in-stock CDs (estimated to ship tomorrow) apart from the rest of the order (shipping late December). One of the CDs comes with a DVD, so maybe it'll count as a video disc and I won't get any fees...

[Nikopol]

Well, i have all my november and december BDs in one order, which i've placed back in october. So far, the order hasn't been split yet, most november releases should be available by now..

I sort of envy you guys about the taxes. I'm in Europe and DHL collects them every time. Guess it could be worse, afaik if you live in the UK you might even have to pay a service charge on top of VAT and customs duties.

[Damius]

Originally Posted by Nikopol

Well, i have all my november and december BDs in one order, which i've placed back in october. So far, the order hasn't been split yet, most november releases should be available by now..

They split order when you place it since a certain date, they won't go back and split older order placed before that date. I guess they still can split it, but it would be for another reason.

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by Damius

To put it simply, last week I got an order from Amazon JP with Blu-ray discs only (without Import duty and tax). This week, I got another order, this time with only CDs (3 of them). For the first time since a long time, I needed to pay Import duty and tax. So, I wonder, did I pay them only because it was CDs only or is the Import duty and tax back for good with DHL...

To add to the anecdotal evidence, got a shipment today with 3 CDs, 1 DVD, and 1 BD... no taxes or duty. So perhaps just a fluke at this point. I should have two more shipments arriving early next week (including my main November shipment), so we'll see what happens...

[something]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

To add to the anecdotal evidence, got a shipment today with 3 CDs, 1 DVD, and 1 BD... no taxes or duty. So perhaps just a fluke at this point. I should have two more shipments arriving early next week (including my main November shipment), so we'll see what happens...

I should also mention I got two CD-only packages in from Amazon/DHL recently and don't think I need to pay anything. Unless they send a bill later.

Edit: Oh wait Damius is in Canada, I'm in the States. Maybe it's just in Canada that they're doing it?

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by something

Edit: Oh wait Damius is in Canada, I'm in the States. Maybe it's just in Canada that they're doing it?

Yeah, in Canada, there is "basically" no tax-free exemption even for goods imported for personal use, so anything is "at risk" of being taxed. (There is a small exemption for gifts, but it's tiny, and abusing this can cause you to be taxed anyway or even to have the shipment returned to sender by customs.) But whether they actually charge the taxes or not depends on a lot of factors. The government-run postal system is about 50/50 in my experience (a bit higher odds if your package is worth more, less if worth less). For a long time, every Amazon JP package from DHL was being taxed, but then one day they just stopped. And now Damius noted that, out of the blue, he was charged duty on one package. So the question is whether this is a trend or a fluke.

I'm guessing that each country probably has its own rules, so whatever caused them to stop charging taxes in Canada may not have had any impact one way or another elsewhere. But hard to say for sure... In general, my impression is that they didn't regularly charge taxes in the U.S. except under certain circumstances? I also think the tax-free exemption is higher.