I haven't ordered anything from Japan for about 18 months.  The bait monkey is gnawing at my wallet.  Has anyone ordered from Digitaka recently? 

 

With the new Tariffs and repeal of the De Minimis exception, I'm not sure what to expect.  It sounds a little random as to what people end up paying in fees.  I've heard stories of 80% of the items value, and others of just the 10% Japan tariff.  Is there a way to calculate exactly what I'm going to pay in taxes and fees to rule out any suprises?

 

I also received an email from Digitaka saying they would split the charge with the buyer.  Don't know if this is still in play.

 

Has anybody ordered from Digitaka lately and if yes how did it go?  

I ordered a reel from them in late September and it went very well. They pay the tariff for you, (on top of whatever the reel costs) and were even splitting the (estimated) cost of the tariff so you knew the total cost before checking out. I am not sure this arrangement still exists.

Digitaka, Hedgehog Studio, and FedEx are working extremely well together.  

Both are getting everything through FedEx with straight 15-21% tariff (including reels from Digitaka). Digitaka will charge you half of the tariff up front, and they pay the other half.  

I just bought a Ryoga from Digitaka and paid 10% for my half of the tariff, and free shipping.  

My 20-year broker Masamichi (noppin.com) is closing shop.  I've used ZenMarket - they don't look out for you, and make too much on currency conversion - they also seem to do everything next week.  Reels, parts, lure boxes, plastic lures range in tariff from 40 to 60% because of steel- and aluminum-derivative tariff, and offshore tariff for the plastic goods (Indonesia, Malaysia).  Handmade wood lures get by with 15% tariff - also lines.  Generally, rods are straight 21% tariff..  

  

If you don't pre-pay tariff + customs brokerage (charge for CN23 form), you will get an additional COD charge - $20.  UPS with an account, and DHL On Demand account have been no problem with pre-pay tariff online, and they email links to pre-pay.  

 

Courier speeds are slowing down by 2 or more days - I suspect they're holding flights to load up cargo bays, because of reduced export/import volume.  

I just bought from digitaka. My first jdm experience. I have @bulldog1935 and @KP Duty to thank for answering questions through my wishy-washyness

9 hours ago, Smirak said:

I just bought from digitaka. My first jdm experience. I have @bulldog1935 and @KP Duty to thank for answering questions through my wishy-washyness

Awesome! Won't be your last.

They're rabbits.  

1 hour ago, bulldog1935 said:

They're rabbits.  

They are. Already bid on a millionaire mini st-1000 on eBay.

Just ordered a Calcutta Conquest SE from Digitaka. Already in the states and on its way to me. Smooth sailing. 

When did you order? I ordered mine from digitaka on 12/18. Got my shipping notice this am. No Del date yet, it’s still in Japan.

Mine is out for delivery today - both Ryoga from Digitaka, and Studio Composite handle from Hedgehog, both ordered on Thursday.  

They left Japan Saturday night (our time), and first scheduled delivery stated Wed 24th - they're here 2 days before that.  

I'll edit-in a photo later (tomorrow)...

Dang - that’s fast…wonder why mine is a couple days behind? Weird, but I ain’t complaining…just anxious!

 

Edited - I did have some hooks and split rings on that order as well…could have been the delay…

Ryoga shipped 2 days earlier than estimated by Digitaka, took Sennan-Shi to Memphis non-stop.  

Hedgehog order left from Narita-Shi, and imported through Anchorage - both arrived in San Antonio last night - still listing Wednesday 24th delivery - and both are out for delivery today.  

 

Holy cow, I even got morning delivery - tough subject with only throw-in lights.  

Ryoga 100SV, 6.3, stock SV Boost 1016 spool, ZPI drag star and Studio Composite RC/SC handle.  

 

 

@Gnarwhal - no extra fees - you pay your half at purchase, and Digitaka paid the rest - all paid up front.  

 

OK, this is unusual.  The only screw head to install a G-Nius hook keeper on Ryoga is on the foot side of the drive pancake.  Japan bench, K-n stripped the M1.3 socket head installing the screw.  My Daiwa M1.5 hex was too big to fit the hole, and Wiha M1.3 spun like a top.  I had to take a photo of the screw to figure it out - couldn't tell with my Ott magnifier.  You can see he barely left me flats to get the screw removed and reinstalled with a hollow-ground bit.  

For the guys with incoming orders, do you have to pay extra fees on delivery or is everything paid to Digitaka on check out?

Digitaka has a tariff share (my words) where you pay 10% of the order and anything extra, they pay. Fishing items aren’t all in one “bucket” on the harmonized tariff schedule. 
 

After looking at my FedEx tracking number in depth, it shows that the standard delivery time is Wednesday by 10pm. They left Japan at 8:22 last night (the 22nd japan time). 

Digitaka charged you everything up front and covers whatever needs to be covered. Once you've checked out, that's it. It's a great policy IMHO, and it's why I will do business with them without hesitation.

Just ordered a Metanium Shallow Edition from Digitaka and they split the tariff charge with me. I received the reel via FedEx in about 4-5 days without any other charges. The fee was an extra $25 but that reel had two features I really wanted, the shallow spool and silver color.

2 hours ago, Edrod13 said:

Just ordered a Metanium Shallow Edition

That's the one, out of the three models, I don't have. What are your plans for it? 

 

Thanks for the shipping info.  Good to know everyone is having a similar experience.

Was hoping mine would be here today, but no. Orders about 8pm my time last Wednesday and shows it left Memphis today. Was showing left Memphis yesterday, but whatever. Excited to get it.

Adding a datapoint.  

Yesterday, paid my first DHL duty and brokerage through DHL On-Demand.  
Duty was only $9 on PE lines and hyperdrive brass gearset.  
DHL charged $17 for brokerage, a bit higher than FedEx and UPS (charge for filing Form CN23). 
If you don't pre-pay online before delivery and wait for a mail invoice, there's additional COD charge, up to $20. 

Both DHL and UPS, with registered account, will e-mail you a link to pre-pay invoice.  
I haven't found anything like that on FedEx account, so I'm only using FedEx where the vendor will pre-pay for me, e.g., Digitaka and ZenMarket.

Good deal. Thanks for updating! I’m on FedEx from digitaka as well then…

Novice Nelly here - can somebody quickly enlighten me re: bc reel handles specs on JDM?  I’m seeing many Shimano & some Daiwa models where handle length = 42 or 45mm.  Is that half, i.e. center drag nut to end or are the JDM models really small compared to USDM handles on Shimano/Daiwa.  Only factor holding me back on any buys now.  We all know common size specs here are 90-100mm.

JLS needs to hop on the Digitaka business model.

4 hours ago, AVGuy said:

Novice Nelly here - can somebody quickly enlighten me re: bc reel handles specs on JDM?  I’m seeing many Shimano & some Daiwa models where handle length = 42 or 45mm.  Is that half, i.e. center drag nut to end or are the JDM models really small compared to USDM handles on Shimano/Daiwa.  Only factor holding me back on any buys now.  We all know common size specs here are 90-100mm.

Your thinking is probably correct. My newly purchased zillion has a 90mm handle and it showed that on digitaka. The same on Japan Lure Shop. Not sure where you’re seeing that, but… The screenshot is the from digitaka… 

 

     Smirak - Too Bad I'm terrible about screen shotting here! LOL..but from both Digitaka and JPL; the Shimanos of 22 Bantam, Currado DC, Scorpion DC, and 23 Metanium All are showing Handles under 50 mm.

 

You know, I may not be affected as my Bass fishing with baitcasters is ancient history from the '80's!  I have a Bantam (JP) and an ABU Garcia 5600 CA (SW) and their handles (I don't have in front of me - will dig them out,)  could very well be a shorty on that Shimano as I recall and a big one on the AG.  They both were ok to me.

   

 

@AVGuy - they're talking about handle Pitch (radius) rather than handle length (diameter)  

 

5-geared Zillion P has pick-up rate of 59 cm/t, and comes with a 90-mm handle.  

6-geared Bantam has pick-up rate of 68 cm/t - 42 mm has to be handle pitch = 84-mm handle length.  

 

My smallest low-geared Shimano small-frame spinner has 37-mm handle pitch = 74-mm length on this tiny double.  

Closest in current stock reporting (35-mm) handle Pitch is '22 Stella