December 2012 anime imports thread

[Damius]

JP BD

Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai! Vol. 1
Dog Days' Vol. 4
Girls und Panzer Vol. 1
Hyouka Vol. 7
Kokoro Connect Vol. 3
Strike Witches II BD Box

[traviskeshav]

On Blu-Ray:

Chuunibyou, Volume 1
Hyouka, Volumes 2-6

Other:

Some of the promotional posters for Chu2's DVD release

Gave up waiting on a US License on Hyouka and figured I wanted to see it that badly after all.

[takkun29]

Originally Posted by something

Do you live in Japan or outside of it? I assume outside since you mentioned DHL. When Amazon took away cheaper shipping options, and later order combining as well as virtually eliminated partial shipping, monthly orders became the only good way to go for most importers. Paying the ¥1700/order fee 3-4 times a month just isn't feasible (or even if it is, still not desirable) for a lot of people. Plus one big order has a better ¥/item S&H fee since it scales down as you order more and spread out that ¥1700 fee (or worse if you order even one book, ¥2700).

I tend to order once, in the last few days of the prior month. I get anywhere between 10 and 20 items (as much as 30+ in rare cases) coming out that month. Almost all BDs and CDs. It does kinda suck having to wait until the end of the month to receive items released early in the month, but most items I order come out in the last 10 days of the month anyway.

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but I have a question regarding ordering from Amazon Japan. It's been about five years since I placed an order with them, ever since they started charging custom duties. I wanted to order the heavy Macross TV BD Box at about 35000 yen, since they charge the flat handling/shipping fee, but wanted to know how much extra you would have to pay in duties. I live in California if that makes a difference.

I usually order from HMV since they price adjust orders and hold items together. Their prices are higher than Amazon at 5%, but their shipping is based on weight, so sometimes it's cheaper and makes up the difference, and they give points back (up to 15% depending on the campaign). This Macross box would be over $100 in shipping, so I'm wondering if Amazon Japan duties would be equal to that amount.

[something]

Originally Posted by takkun29

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but I have a question regarding ordering from Amazon Japan. It's been about five years since I placed an order with them, ever since they started charging custom duties. I wanted to order the heavy Macross TV BD Box at about 35000 yen, since they charge the flat handling/shipping fee, but wanted to know how much extra you would have to pay in duties. I live in California if that makes a difference.

I also live in the United States, and have never paid customs through DHL. Per the law, DVD/BD shouldn't incur any fees unless Amazon or DHL mess something up. Or if California has some state-level import duties, which I doubt. People have reported it happening occasionally, but in that case you can appeal and get it removed since it never should have been applied in the first place.

[takkun29]

Originally Posted by something

I also live in the United States, and have never paid customs through DHL. Per the law, DVD/BD shouldn't incur any fees unless Amazon or DHL mess something up. Or if California has some state-level import duties, which I doubt. People have reported it happening occasionally, but in that case you can appeal and get it removed since it never should have been applied in the first place.

Thank you so much for your response! I remember the duties being applied when Amazon Japan used FedEx, so I stopped using them, but if this is the case, I might start ordering box sets from them again. I find that single BDs are still cheaper through HMV with shipping. I still have Howl and Earthsea on hold through HMV for 2050 yen each and two copies of the limited edition Gunbuster on hold (although I need to cancel one).

[something]

Originally Posted by takkun29

Thank you so much for your response! I remember the duties being applied when Amazon Japan used FedEx, so I stopped using them, but if this is the case, I might start ordering box sets from them again.

FedEx had some issues, yeah. They weren't supposed to charge either but sometimes did. DHL seems to be less of an issue there.

I find that single BDs are still cheaper through HMV with shipping.

Singles are still cheaper from Amazon if you're buying a fair number of them. For the orders I put in, Amazon is much less due better discounts and how S&H scales well with larger orders. For just 1-3 discs at a time, I guess HMV can be better in some circumstances. But I just know that any time I've ordered from them I've paid a good deal more.

[FUNiOP]

Keep The Beats !

[hpulley4]

My last December BD arrived today, just in time. Shinsekai Yori 2! Nice booklet with this volume. Three episodes, 68 minutes plus 52 special content minutes, not even sure what that is.

[AKX20000]

BD/DVD
Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai! Vol. 1 (BD)

[Damius]

Originally Posted by Damius

JP BD

Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai! Vol. 1
Dog Days' Vol. 4
Girls und Panzer Vol. 1
Hyouka Vol. 7
Kokoro Connect Vol. 3
Strike Witches II BD Box

Ooops... since I rewatch Jinrui and love it even more... I added it by mistake to stuff I buy... Can I take the occasion to ask for a second season of Jinrui?