Buying from Japan

I'm pondering the purchase of a used 300mm Pentax K A lens. No luck on the bay so far, at least not in the UK at a price that would exceed what I could get for one of my kidneys. OTOH, I've seen several well priced items from Japan. I realise that import charges would likely be significant but even then, the prices seem competitive. Question then has anyone here made such a purchase from Japan though eBay? If so, how did it go?

Bought an "as new" (it was perfect) FA* 400 from Japan, arrived pretty promptly, in good order, though the 20% import duty made it a good bit more expensive than id hoped....
Stunning lens though......

Another positive -
Last September I ordered a used SMC Pentax K series manual lens on eBay from a seller in Japan. It was described as 'near mint'. It arrived a week later and it could have been brand new - superb condition and in perfect working order.

Philip

This is so useful, thanks. I've been mulling over the same thing, i.e. buying from Japan but was concerned about the import duty etc. Good information.

Useful to know. Thanks to both. My only trouble now is that I'm thinking of saving my money and getting a top quality bridge camera, one of the 1" sensor jobbies.. They seems to have got a lot more going for them in the last couple of years.

I have bought two lenses from Japan in the past year. Both purchases problem free, in fact the more recent took just 4 days to arrive with daily updates as to the whereabouts of my package. A very pleasurable transaction from beginning to end. Also no import duty was paid by me (lens cost £120.00 incl. P& P)

From memory you'll need to pay VAT on the import duty and the shippers admin fee as well,

Having purchased 2 lenses ( prior to Brexit ) I can vouch for how easy it is, pick your seller well, check their feedback if using fleabay, generally I've found the Japanese sellers very good, they probably under describe the condition slightly, for example described as excellent but meaning mint.

Where poss I've purchases boxed lenses and on both occasions, they've arrived in good time, well described and mint condition

IMHO they are keen to please so supply plenty of info pre and post shipping.