I bought a discontinued lure from another collector whom I've bought from before back at the end of July. He always send packages to me via registered mailed so I can track them. It arrived in New York on the 8th of August and sat in customs until today, the 28th of August, and it was finally picked up by USPS and is now in their system. I've never understood how I can get a package from Japan in 8-10 days, but a package from Europe always seem to take close to a month. For awhile I was beginning to think that a customs employee was enjoying my lure. The custom facility on the east coast must really be understaffed.

Maybe the customs agent who had your lure is a member hear....check the ‘latest catch pic thread’. 

 

Maybe your Japanese supplier is a trusted business? Or maybe businesses get top priority? 

I've ordered Shimano reels from various retailers in Japan and received them in 2 business days. 

 

Yet, if I order from TW, it takes 5 days every single time. 

I've only ever had 1 order from Japan get held up in customs and I've placed many. I ordered from Europe once and it got held up. I figured it was coincidence that the European order got held but maybe not.

i order stuff from everywhere around the globe. I sear the country that takes the longest is canada. I too get tuff from japan in under a week, but yes, for some reason, the european countries always take longer.

Finally received the package yesterday and it had been opened and inspected by Customs. I bet that lure was x-rayed, sniffed, scanned, and everything in between. Other than that, the box was still sealed and had no damage. The Rapala Husky 13 in Clown/Trout (CLNT), 13cm (5.25"), 3/8oz, Balsa. The Husky 13 was introduced in 1978 and discontinued in 1995 in the states. It was reintroduced in 2000-2001 as the Husky Classic Collection for one year in the states but continued until 2007 in Europe.

The reason is simple, Europe has third world post system, Japan on the other hand has first world post system.

Does the US have a trade deal with Japan? If so it might explain why things get through customs quickly as opposed to Europe where goods may be liable for duty and taxes so take longer to process? Living in the UK every time I order from the US or Japan I can expect a delay in customs and a bill for duty, tax and a nice "handling fee".