Ordered a simple little Panny 12-32 lens, and wow....

[Ben Herrmann]

Hello all...

Hope all is going well in your individual lives...

I've got a quick tariff/import duties story here - and I "don't" want it to get political - although I realize that for some folks, they can't help but get their political jabs in. I'm aware of how import duties work and the purpose behind these tariffs in the first place, so I'm not going to argue with anyone about the matter.

This experience is being relayed just to make you aware of some shipping organizations and how import duties are collected.

A month ago, I saw an almost new Panny 12-32 zoom lens from a Japanese vendor on eBay. I personally love buying items from Japanese vendors (at least in the past I have) because when they advertise something as mint (or any other condition), that's just the way the item arrives, so you're expectations (for the most part) are met.

Prior to them shipping the lens, the eBay vendor informed me - actually asked me - if I was going to be OK with the import duties that I may be charged when it arrives in the US. I said, "yes I am," since I assumed that perhaps the most I'd be charged is $50 or less. I paid $175 for the lens and realized that, at least temporarily, I would be required to pay a reasonable import duty charge. However, I was naive enough to wrongfully assume that duties were only charged for new imports, not used.

So they shipped the lens via DHL, and when it arrived in the US, I was called with a recorded message, indicating that I had to pay - and now get this - $133 in import duties. I almost passed out when I heard this, and this for a lens that only cost me $175? I was shocked to say the least, as I was prepared to pay reasonable fees, but $133 (almost 3/4 of what the lens cost me) was ridiculous. So I informed DHL to send the lens back to the vendor. I know he wasn't happy, but he was informative saying that depending on where an item is made - i.e. Japan or China - the amounts would be different. Since the 12-32 I ordered was made in China, the largest import duties were assigned (I believe they are 60% or something like that). Talk about a learning experience!!!

Now in another matter, several weeks ago, I also ordered an Olympus (Mint) X-Z1 enthusiast camera. It set me back some $250 and it arrived via Fed Ex. I was stunned to see that no import duties were charged to me at all - not even in the mail after-the-fact. Normally, you are notified up front of the levies, so I found that interesting - and it also was made in China.

Again - don't make this political. I just wanted you to be aware when you order items from eBay, depending on how it's shipped, you could be asked to pay a hefty amount in import duties. As I said, I basically replied to DHL, just send it the "f_ck" back to the vendor. In that case, DHL holds on to the item for 10-12 days before they send it back.

So if you are going to order something off of eBay (electronic like a camera or whatever), check with them as to how they ship the product. It may make a difference.

So just a friendly warning here...

Ben Herrmann

Fuquay-Varina, NC

 

[grsnovi]

I have heard that DHL is or has been rather anal about tariffs. In fact several carriers have stopped shipping to the US due to the tariff situation.

Another thing that has come into play: it used to be that anything under $800 came in duty free. That is no longer the case.

 

[Edward Lowy]

Hello all...

Hope all is going well in your individual lives...

I've got a quick tariff/import duties story here - and I "don't" want it to get political - although I realize that for some folks, they can't help but get their political jabs in. I'm aware of how import duties work and the purpose behind these tariffs in the first place, so I'm not going to argue with anyone about the matter.

This experience is being relayed just to make you aware of some shipping organizations and how import duties are collected.

A month ago, I saw an almost new Panny 12-32 zoom lens from a Japanese vendor on eBay. I personally love buying items from Japanese vendors (at least in the past I have) because when they advertise something as mint (or any other condition), that's just the way the item arrives, so you're expectations (for the most part) are met.

Prior to them shipping the lens, the eBay vendor informed me - actually asked me - if I was going to be OK with the import duties that I may be charged when it arrives in the US. I said, "yes I am," since I assumed that perhaps the most I'd be charged is $50 or less. I paid $175 for the lens and realized that, at least temporarily, I would be required to pay a reasonable import duty charge. However, I was naive enough to wrongfully assume that duties were only charged for new imports, not used.

So they shipped the lens via DHL, and when it arrived in the US, I was called with a recorded message, indicating that I had to pay - and now get this - $133 in import duties. I almost passed out when I heard this, and this for a lens that only cost me $175? I was shocked to say the least, as I was prepared to pay reasonable fees, but $133 (almost 3/4 of what the lens cost me) was ridiculous. So I informed DHL to send the lens back to the vendor. I know he wasn't happy, but he was informative saying that depending on where an item is made - i.e. Japan or China - the amounts would be different. Since the 12-32 I ordered was made in China, the largest import duties were assigned (I believe they are 60% or something like that). Talk about a learning experience!!!

Now in another matter, several weeks ago, I also ordered an Olympus (Mint) X-Z1 enthusiast camera. It set me back some $250 and it arrived via Fed Ex. I was stunned to see that no import duties were charged to me at all - not even in the mail after-the-fact. Normally, you are notified up front of the levies, so I found that interesting - and it also was made in China.

Again - don't make this political. I just wanted you to be aware when you order items from eBay, depending on how it's shipped, you could be asked to pay a hefty amount in import duties. As I said, I basically replied to DHL, just send it the "f_ck" back to the vendor. In that case, DHL holds on to the item for 10-12 days before they send it back.

So if you are going to order something off of eBay (electronic like a camera or whatever), check with them as to how they ship the product. It may make a difference.

So just a friendly warning here...

Ben Herrmann

Fuquay-Varina, NC

Avoiding the politics as requested, just wondering Ben if DHL gave you any kind of official breakdown of the charge calculation?

 

[Will Rose]

I have heard that DHL is or has been rather anal about tariffs. In fact several carriers have stopped shipping to the US due to the tariff situation.

Another thing that has come into play: it used to be that anything under $800 came in duty free. That is no longer the case.

There was so much back and forth there was a lot of confusion depending on the exact date.

What I’ve seen in the past was that US Customs was actually cleared at the export terminal in China, so that was considered the date of import rather than when it actually arrived on US soil.

 

[Ben Herrmann]

It was just a recorded voice mail, informing me that they have my package, but can't make delivery unless import duties of $133 were paid. They didn't give a breakdown. All they added extra was they will be holding the package for 10-12 days, allowing me time to make the payment, otherwise, they will return it to the sender. It's enroute back to Japan now.

 

[UsherFellig]

What a story, and what a word to the wise. I have been following all this closely. The more information the better, ghastly though it is. After exhaustive scrutiny of the infuriatingly prone-to-reversals-and-surprise-add-ons status of tariffs as to various countries, as well as the status of the $800 de minimis exemption and the pending litigation over that, I ordered a new 20mm F1.4 PRO lens from a Japanese seller with free expedited shipping at a total supposedly safely under the de minimis amount. The latest date in the range the listing gave for delivery was several days before the supposed August 30 cutoff for the de minimis to end.

Delivery was by DHL and so far I haven't been socked with any extra duties. Perhaps the reason you were sandbagged with that whopping penalty is that in my investigative research I learned that the de minimis exemption for China actually ended several months ago by executive order. For everybody else it's skedded to end O/A August 30 (some sources are giving September 1). Maybe your 12-32mm (one of my all-time faves!) is in the China category, I dunno.

When communicating with the ebay seller on my 20mm f1.4 PRO, I mentioned the upcoming deadline and that it was a concern. And the Japanese seller responded something to the effect of, "We are well aware of the status of the de minimis exception, and can assure that you will receive delivery prior to XXX."

Another possibility is that your seller is in actuality a China source. There is a lot of that going around on the auction site at the moment. They represent the listing location as Japan but it's not really originating from Japan. I just had this experience with another Olympus item, a sale I canceled after doing BIN and receiving an email to the effect of: "The item is not near a DHL/Fed X location and is some distance away. It will be flown from our warehouse by domestic carrier to a DHL dropoff, after which it will ship to you and you will receive a tracking number at that point," or something like that. After a week or more went by with no tracking notice to me I had it canceled.

 

[Ben Herrmann]

Good info! Yes, my lens was made in China.

 

[Art_P]

I wonder if that camera was already in the States, or perhaps was shipped before the tariffs kicked in. The on again, off again nature of these tariffs has wrecked havoc with international trade, and I've heard you can't even get a package shipped from the EU at the moment, until they sort out all the details.

 

[Paxo]

Wonder if Panasonic will open a factory in the US?

 

[UsherFellig]

Wonder if Panasonic will open a factory in the US?

None of us own the 100% accurate crystal ball, of course, but for a number of reasons I'd bet the odds of any Japanese manufacturer doing that for camera gear production are miniscule at best. There are worldwide commodities or production items that make sense as a basis for wrangling over trade balances and imbalances. But I don't believe cameras and lenses are in that category. Accordions, either. ‍

 

[Woody Meristem]

Wonder if Panasonic will open a factory in the US?

You've got to be kidding, the way thing are going nobody in their right mind would open a factory in the US.

 

[MacOrneille]

From way back in April:

https://www.dpreview.com/news/5962407507/blackmagic-design-halts-us-factory-plans-due-to-concerns-over-tariffs

 

[jalywol]

I was looking to order a JJC rear LCD loupe for my S9, but very few sellers have them, and they are all on eBay.

I had my choice of two shipping from within the US, the lowest for $49.99 with free shipping, or a couple from Hong Kong, (would be $32 with shipping).... However, since the HK one would arrive after the end of Aug, I do not trust there would not be a mountain of new fees when it got here....so I ordered from the US warehoused seller, simply because I had a clear final cost.

Does this mean that JJC is going to now move its manufacturing to the US? No. It just means that US consumers will pay more for everything, while the rest of the world makes other arrangements.

PS: I had to pick up a few things from Walmart a couple of days ago, and holy moly, MAJOR sticker shock.

I hope the people who wanted this mess will finally realize that they are reaping what they sowed. And if they don't like it? Imagine that.

Grrr.

-J

 

[MEDISN]

I am curious why you bothered with Ebay and Japan when there are dozens of these lenses for sale from reputable dealers in the US at that price.

https://www.mpb.com/en-us/product/panasonic-lumix-g-vario-12-32mm-f-3-5-5-6-asph-mega-o-i-s

https://www.keh.com/shop/panasonic-...cus-lens-for-micro-four-thirds-system-37.html

Was it a special edition of some kind?

 

[Marty4650]

... the Panasonic 12-32mm is a real cracker of a lens. Absolutely tiny, but a really great performer. And an ideal choice for a smaller ILC. And for street shooting or travel use.

If you bought a used one from ebay or Craigslist there would be no tariff on it. Even brand new ones that were imported prior to recently would be reasonably priced as well.

GM1 with 12-32mm, EM1 with 17mm f/1.8. EM5 with 14-42mm

--
Marty

http://www.fluidr.com/photos/marty4650/sets/72157606210120132

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my blog: http://marty4650.blogspot.com/

 

[Ben Herrmann]

At the time of my initial ordering of this lens, I tried the usual outlets, meaning KEH, B&H, and Adorama. I eventually got a used 12-32 through another vendor - Roberts Camera. I did that several days after refusing delivery of the one I ordered from Japan. It was new, mint condition, so I'm a happy camper in that regard.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

It was just a recorded voice mail, informing me that they have my package, but can't make delivery unless import duties of $133 were paid. They didn't give a breakdown. All they added extra was they will be holding the package for 10-12 days, allowing me time to make the payment, otherwise, they will return it to the sender. It's enroute back to Japan now.

"Usually" it would be a clearance fee, plus tariff on buy price, freight and clearance fee. But maybe there would be no tariff on the clearance fee to avoid double dipping.

You should be able to get a break up of the charges from their web site.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

... the Panasonic 12-32mm is a real cracker of a lens. Absolutely tiny, but a really great performer. And an ideal choice for a smaller ILC. And for street shooting or travel use.

If you bought a used one from ebay or Craigslist there would be no tariff on it. Even brand new ones that were imported prior to recently would be reasonably priced as well.

GM1 with 12-32mm, EM1 with 17mm f/1.8. EM5 with 14-42mm

Good advice Marty but I guess that the cheap local supply will dry up soon enough and the prices will rise. Good for sellers I expect.

--
Tom Caldwell

 

[Tom Caldwell]

I was looking to order a JJC rear LCD loupe for my S9, but very few sellers have them, and they are all on eBay.

I had my choice of two shipping from within the US, the lowest for $49.99 with free shipping, or a couple from Hong Kong, (would be $32 with shipping).... However, since the HK one would arrive after the end of Aug, I do not trust there would not be a mountain of new fees when it got here....so I ordered from the US warehoused seller, simply because I had a clear final cost.

Does this mean that JJC is going to now move its manufacturing to the US? No. It just means that US consumers will pay more for everything, while the rest of the world makes other arrangements.

PS: I had to pick up a few things from Walmart a couple of days ago, and holy moly, MAJOR sticker shock.

I hope the people who wanted this mess will finally realize that they are reaping what they sowed. And if they don't like it? Imagine that.

Grrr.

-J

Pity, because I have a copy of that JJC loupe sitting on my desk that I will not be using in the short term. But it was announced on the news here that Australia Post was no longer accepting parcels sent to the US because of the cancellation of the De Minimus exemption. Cause - they don't want to take the risk of not applying and collecting the tariff. Their computer systems, work-force and storage facilities will not be able to cope.

Given that most of my stuff sent from China (in particular) has no enclosed documentation it would be a nightmare to have to open freighted parcels, inspect the contents and then "estimate" their value for tariff charging purposes. I also imagine that private parcels will also not have full documentation.

 

[Guy Parsons]

I wonder if that camera was already in the States, or perhaps was shipped before the tariffs kicked in. The on again, off again nature of these tariffs has wrecked havoc with international trade, and I've heard you can't even get a package shipped from the EU at the moment, until they sort out all the details.

Australia has stopped accepting parcels that are to be posted to USA. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...it-shipping-parcels-us-trump-tariff/105680456 though there is mention of a $150 threshold.

As for de minimis taxing in general the threshold for importing into Australia is AU$1000 per parcel. The Govt has declared a few times that the manpower cost of taxing every parcel is simply not worth any likely gains, so our de minimis stays at AU$1000. Above that and we are slugged the usual local 10% GST tax plus any likely fees.

In fact overseas sellers into Australia may have to collect the tax...

"In Australia, the de minimis threshold is set at AUD 1,000, meaning that goods valued below this amount can be imported without incurring customs duties or taxes. However, if a seller's annual sales into Australia exceed AUD 75,000, they must register and remit Goods and Services Tax (GST) on those sales."

So as I understand that, if I buy a $50 item from some overseas seller and they send more that $75,000 in total per year to Australia then my $50 item with have the Aussie 10% added at the source before posting.

It's all too complicated, I'm retreating back into my cave and will clog up the entrance with rocks.