When you first start thinking about importing goods, especially for a small business or even a personal project, the word ‘customs duty’ can sound like a massive, insurmountable hurdle. My own journey into this was definitely colored by that initial apprehension. I remember a specific instance a couple of years back when I was looking…
I recently ordered a few skincare items directly from a brand based in Japan, hoping to get them before a friend’s birthday. The total cost, including shipping, was around $150. I figured it would take about a week, maybe a week and a half at most, given it was a direct purchase and not some…
I remember the first time I decided to buy something directly from an overseas website, thinking I was going to save a ton of money. It was a specific electronic component for a DIY project, something I couldn’t easily find locally. The price listed on the website was indeed lower than any local option, even…
Dealing with customs duties when buying things directly from overseas can be a real headache. It’s not as straightforward as just paying the listed price. I learned this the hard way a couple of years ago when I decided to buy a pretty specialized piece of camera equipment directly from a manufacturer in Japan. They…
When you start shipping items overseas, whether for personal reasons or a small business venture, the world of customs duties and import taxes can feel like a maze. I remember my first time shipping a decent batch of electronics components to a client in Southeast Asia. I’d done my homework, or so I thought. I’d…