Used Amplifier import/purchase experience from Japan

[anshumanS]

Hi guys, Anshuman here. I am in a dilemma & potential problem and looking for some advice here.

I'm sure all of you must be familiar with the quality of products, amps the Japanese make & how they maintain it in pristine condition as compared to most indian sellers who will try to rip you off & sell anything as "best condition, perfectly maintained" even when the amp has ZERO service history & looks heavily degraded.

Knowing that I decided to go the route and bought a used amp (a Yamaha RS-500) from a store in Tokyo from their online shop(on the 14th Feb). They agreed to ship it & I paid the cost + EMS/air parcel shipping fees. But after it went to their shipping office of Japan post they returned it back to the shop yesterday stating that the package size is bigger than is allowed to ship to India so the seller has told to wait 2-3 days, they will repack it in a smaller size(the amp is ~10kg excluding packaging).

Now the problem is, upon doing more research on this issue, I stumbled upon another stupid law recently introduced by our great govt of used electronics going into the restricted category(DGFT Notification no. 13/2024-25) - they need BIS certification, some idiotic DGFT clearance & import license, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approval. And that upon arrival they might confiscate it or destroy it after a Show Cause Notice if I don't have those licenses, which i don't as I'm not some dealer or business person.

This has me confused as to what to do. My potential options are that I ask the seller to cancel the shipment & get a refund, or wing it and wait for it to come, hoping they don't give me a notice? Does anybody here have any experience or can provide some help/advice?

Thanks in advance

 

[hifimaddy]

We have talked about similar topics several times before. Many foreign brands are not shipping directly to India because of Indian government rules. You are fortunate that they haven't dispatched your package or exited the country, so I recommend cancelling the order and requesting a refund. You can find a better deal on the Yamaha RS-500 or even a higher model in India when you consider the price, shipping, and import duties.

 

[frend2001]

I have imported multiple vintage amplifiers and used electronics from Japan in last 8 years, the latest being about 4 months back.

None of them was stopped by customs and I didn't face any issues at all.

If you are importing as an individual, the amp / common electronics just pass thru customs but they slap a duty equivalent to about 46% of CIF value.

A word of caution though, never get it under invoiced. Be as truthful as you can be.

And try to get it thru EMS.

But this isn't for faint hearted. At times there are unexplained delays and the threat of confiscation is always there.

Make a wise decision.

 

[Anshul_J]

I had imported a tube preamp from Japan last year and was charged 60% on the cif value. Don't mention 'used' on the package/receipt as it automatically attracts penal duty which can be more than 70%.

 

[balavignesh002]

some advice

Fly to SG, buy what you like, fly back carrying it with you. Pay duties on actuals. Safe deal.

 

[Music Madhu]

Hi guys, Anshuman here. I am in a dilemma & potential problem and looking for some advice here.

I'm sure all of you must be familiar with the quality of products, amps the Japanese make & how they maintain it in pristine condition as compared to most indian sellers who will try to rip you off & sell anything as "best condition, perfectly maintained" even when the amp has ZERO service history & looks heavily degraded.

Knowing that I decided to go the route and bought a used amp (a Yamaha RS-500) from a store in Tokyo from their online shop(on the 14th Feb). They agreed to ship it & I paid the cost + EMS/air parcel shipping fees. But after it went to their shipping office of Japan post they returned it back to the shop yesterday stating that the package size is bigger than is allowed to ship to India so the seller has told to wait 2-3 days, they will repack it in a smaller size(the amp is ~10kg excluding packaging).

Now the problem is, upon doing more research on this issue, I stumbled upon another stupid law recently introduced by our great govt of used electronics going into the restricted category(DGFT Notification no. 13/2024-25) - they need BIS certification, some idiotic DGFT clearance & import license, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approval. And that upon arrival they might confiscate it or destroy it after a Show Cause Notice if I don't have those licenses, which i don't as I'm not some dealer or business person.

This has me confused as to what to do. My potential options are that I ask the seller to cancel the shipment & get a refund, or wing it and wait for it to come, hoping they don't give me a notice? Does anybody here have any experience or can provide some help/advice?

Thanks in advance

Hare Krishna !! As I have tried to buy from other countries and GIVEN UP my best advice is STOP Don’t go any further… just ask for refund
We audio enthusiasts will talk just out of love with the music systems. We can never think of the consequences… if our Governments allow used / old electronics in to the country then all the ships and oceans will be filled with electronic wastage dumped . It’s very very harmful.
What you can do is When you / your known people travel abroad, purchase what you like and carry with you . For One / two items customs will not trouble you , but tell them it’s DEMO piece from the store . If you declare as OLD / USED then the problem repeats.


Among pre used there are so many good amps available in INDIA at great prices. While buying used electronics , we shouldn’t be lazy … travel ( invest time ) and check the equipment thoroughly and pick it up . I don’t recommend AUDIO RESELLERS… they are nothing but scrap sellers. But very very few are genuine.
All the very best !!!
Hare Krishna !!!

 

[RT3]

Don’t bother. You’ve gotten Iucky. Cancel, get a refund and look elsewhere.