whats the best way to get my stuff from Japan to Seattle?
lkc, the term for what you are shipping is “(used) household goods”, or ” (used) personal goods”, so import taxes should not be an issue. You will have to pay some minimal import fees, documentation fees, etc, to take delivery of your goods in Seattle, but you shouldn’t be paying import taxes akin to new items being imported for sale in the U.S. When you ship, ask the company you are dealing with to request in writing approximate import fees in Seattle from their agent in Seattle. In the end it may vary slightly (this can depend on the weight or measurement of your shipment, as these can affect handling on this side), but it should be within the ballpark. For instance, maybe $100-$150 difference, but not $1000 difference. For God’s sake, if you have a dispute about the charges, DON’T leave your goods with the import agent, just pay it, get your stuff, and then continue the dispute on paper. Reason being that after 3 days (on average) the import agent will start charging you storage fee
This company advertises in Kansai Time Out magazine. Book rates ask directly at your post office. I sent a big M-bag of books to Japan, but haven’t bulk mailed them the other way.
