Buying Expensive Speakers Holidaying in Japan?

uniqualz on 21/03/2016 - 14:02
Last edited 21/03/2016 - 14:03

Hi Guys,

Not sure if I'm posting appropriately here, I hope I'm not offending.

My wife and 2 kids (14 and 10yo) are going skiing in Japan in April 2016, and I want to buy some Nexo PS8 speakers while I'm there. The system there is half the cost of buying it here - about AU$4k in Japan, versus $8k here in Australia. Can I do it? What are the problems, if any? I'm flying back on Jetstar (no luggage allowance purchased yet, but I guess I could prior to flying, if I need it?), and the weight is not too bad - it's 4 small 300mm squared boxes (very roughly), weights being ~7kgs (for 2 of the speaker boxes), 19kgs for one box, and only 4kgs for the other.

I can buy either new, or second-hand over there, prices proportional to each other, but always cheaper than here.

Am I allowed to do this, or is it a fool's folly? I hope it's an easy answer?! :-)

Thanks Very Much,
Stu

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • plmko on 21/03/2016 - 14:27

    The small speakers can be carried on board, however the larger speaker will need to be checked in. It's very possible.

    But do you really want to be holding 25kg+ speakers to the airport when you have a family in tow?

    All the best

    • uniqualz on 21/03/2016 - 16:55

      Thanks mate. Yeah - these are for my job. Gotta get them while I'm there.. Kids can carry the heavy ones - lol!

  • Randxyz123 on 21/03/2016 - 14:35
    +1

    Alright the most important thing is that you buy heaps and heaps of luggage allowance BEFORE you go. Jetstar is incredibly strict about all this. If you buy it at the airport it is about $100 per kg overweight.

    You will need luggage allowance anyway. The speakers are unlikely to be an issue but if you are buying any other PA equipment you'll have to check the voltage and whether the system can handle multivotage.

    Japan is 100v , Australia is 240v.

    To answer your question about whether you are allowed to - of course. But I'd be looking into things like

    • Extra luggage cost?

    • Is the warranty international?

    • What the deal with the voltage is.

    Make sure you get a 28 degrees card or Citibank plus account ASAP if you don't have one.

    Are these the correct speakers? They are $2,695 each here

    I assume the other 2 boxes have PA equipment / amps in them?

    • uniqualz on 21/03/2016 - 16:58

      haha.. Yep mate that's them. The full system I need will be a few more bits = ~AU$10k if bought here, so can't afford that. Hey what's the importance of buying a 28Deg card or Citibank Plus account?

      • Baysew on 21/03/2016 - 18:00
        +1

        Most cards have a 2-3% overseas transaction fee.

        Cards with No Overseas Transaction Fees

      • Randxyz123 on 21/03/2016 - 18:50
        +1

        Hey what's the importance of buying a 28Deg card or Citibank Plus account?

        You'll get with a bunch of currency conversion fees and international transaction fees. (Thanks Baysew for clarifying that)

        The full system I need will be a few more bits = ~AU$10k if bought here, so can't afford that.

        What other bits do you need? You should look into whether anything that needs to be plugged into power is multi voltage. If it isn't it can't be used here.

        Also Keep in mind you'll have to pay duty/GST when you arrive back in Australia*. Finding a forwarder mightn't be a bad idea that way you won't have to drag them through the airport (which has massive distances) they'll deliver them to your door and will sort out the duty/GST details for you and might even be able to get a quote.

        *You will be asked if you have anything to declare. You don't have to declare them but it's a big risk and a big fine if you get caught….

        • uniqualz on 22/03/2016 - 14:18

          Yes. Nexo voltages are fine for Aus, so all good there.

  • eediot on 21/03/2016 - 14:37

    Might have an issue with checking your luggage in, being a magnetic item.

    I brought a subwoofer and splits back from Bali (Indonesian branded high end car audio - half the price of Aussie RRP). No problem with the splits, the sub must've shown up on the xray as a giant magnet ( only 10in mind you ). They made me get it thoroughly wrapped at those wrapping stations then let it through luckily. Would've had to leave it behind otherwise.

    So maybe check with Jetstar regarding their policy on magnetic items before you purchase and get it in writing. Unless you know someone in Japan who can send it to you later if it's not permitted on board.

    Also you may be hit with customs duty on arrival.

    • plmko on 21/03/2016 - 14:44

      Never considered that, interesting.

      Another alternative is to express mail it from Japan with EMS, probably will be $400, but I imagine that's about the same as Jetstar luggage all added up.

      Post offices sell boxes for about $5 for a large one, or you can scout out groceries near the check-out area they usually give away card board boxes from fruit etc Just spend an afternoon taping up boxes in the hotel lol

  • Evil-Elmo on 21/03/2016 - 15:55

    Have you looked at duty and/or GST?

    • uniqualz on 21/03/2016 - 17:00

      Yeah, I was very concerned about that, TBH. What would AU$5000 worth of speakers cost if I dragged those through customs when I get back?

  • derek324 on 21/03/2016 - 16:03

    Compare this alternative: http://www.borderlinx.com/AU/en/

    • uniqualz on 21/03/2016 - 17:03

      Cheers mate. There's a company called Tenso in Japan too, who are super-cheap freight forwarders, and I wonder if they'd be worth a shot for this. They might even be able to get around the AU$1000 customs limit thing.. Or at least the customs/import bill might be similar to the excess freight charge with Jetstar, so I'd come out somewhere near even, having not used Jetstar to drag them home?

      • PVA on 21/03/2016 - 18:59
        +1

        I would do something like that rather than carry with Jetstar, the items you dont carry onboard with be just thrown around like any suitcase is. i wouldnt trust it.

      • Relapse on 21/03/2016 - 22:13
        +1

        I've used Zenmarket before and they were great - their postage costs seems very cheap. There's also currently a referral bonus too for $5 but probably doesn't mean alot in the context of your purchase. They have a shipping calculator available though so you can get a fair idea what your costs would be:

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/231317

        • uniqualz on 22/03/2016 - 09:28

          Brilliant. Thanks mate.

  • PVA on 21/03/2016 - 19:04

    nexo is French, you cant get it from say Amazon France?

    • uniqualz on 22/03/2016 - 09:35

      TBH, I'm no expert on that stuff, but I did try France Amazon, but couldn't even find one Nexo PS8 or PS10 listing. Strange as they are very common, usually.

      • PVA on 22/03/2016 - 10:52
        +1

        It was just a thought. I didn't look myself.

  • piggyfund on 15/04/2016 - 08:12

    If it is that much cheaper go for it and buy two - sell one on ebay and it will help pay for your trip. Voltage may be an issue

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