TromboneChat

While doing a little ebay dreaming, I noticed that "mint" and "near mint" Yamaha trombones shipping from Japan were an easy $600-700 less than similarly described horns (and shipping was the same or less). At the bottom of the page it said that the buyer was responsible for any custom and duty charges.

1. Are these horns on the up and up?
2. Are there custom and/or duty charges on trombones purchased from Japan?

(the horns I was looking were the Yamaha 891Z & 897Z)

I have bought a number of yamahas from Japan.
Never any issues. The horns are in the condition described and priced according to condition. I just picked up a well-used/but not abused 882UG for $600 shipped. The better condition horns sell for more.

The US does not have any import fees. European customers have a VAT that they have to pay, but we are off the hook, or at least that has been my experience.