this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2026

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Can you import a game console to refuse paying sales tax? (piefed.world)

submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by DarkMaverick@piefed.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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For example, the Switch 2 is $449.99 but if you add sales tax it comes to $479.24, but you can import the same thing from JPN that's only ¥49,980 if you exclude shipping costs or proxy fees. Even if you've paid less for the same product, does that alone void sales tax just because its from overseas? However they may look at the customs value upon entry into the border of an item that's ¥49,980. (now taxes upon entering, why?)

So, even if the raw conversion is $307 tax free would the sales tax be rebranded as an import duty (as in customs will hold the item hostage until you pay duties?) Usually, items below 800 USD in customs value are not subjected to further taxation (edit: it has been voided and revised) but even then, does that rule out sales tax imposed by the state the recipient lives in for the sake of saving $172 for the console and avoiding 6.25% ST?

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[–] finalarbiter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 20 points 1 month ago

Usually, items below 800 USD in customs value are not subjected to further taxation

Unfortunately this is no longer the case in the US, the de minimis exemption was suspended last year:

As of August 29, 2025, everything changed. The U.S. government eliminated the de minimis threshold for all countries, making the rule apply regardless of country of origin. That means every shipment — regardless of value or origin — will now go through formal or informal customs entry and be assessed import duties, taxes, and fees.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 17 points 1 month ago

You'd pay more in the import and shipping fees than you would in sales tax.

[–] adarza@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 month ago

federal duties will still apply, and that stuff has changed a lot in the last year. most of what used to come in 'free', is not any longer.

many states will expect a buyer bringing-in items to use in-state that were bought elsewhere, with lower or no sales tax at point-of-sale, to pay the equivalent of the sales tax, commonly called a 'use tax', if the items would be subject to sales tax if purchased locally. such use taxes are difficult to enforce, and are rarely reported or paid voluntarily by individuals.

also note that the cheaper switch2 version sold in japan is region locked to that market and language

[–] WhiteRabbit@lemmy.today 1 points 1 month ago

I believe this is another LLM-bot account, due to similarities with the others. See this thread.