New Koetsu on Ebay from Japan???

In Tokyo, my Urushi  cost about 40% of the then current US price, with warranty and all. So I was happy to consign a profit to the dealer who sold it to me. No problem.

That was a good deal!

It just demonstrates the markup on Koetsu imposed by the US distributor. Again, that was 12-13 years ago.

Thanks you guys this has been helpful. Did anyone ever get slammed with a heavy customs duty charge?

Carrying small items worth less than $5K in from Japan, I don't think I was ever charged by US Customs.  Just be completely honest with them.  Shipping from Japan, I don't know.