Who wants to give me the low-down on US Customs for importing parts?

[TurboSE]

I was looking for a Tomei oil pump, and I found one at tokyoseven.com. Their price was $1250USD plus $55USD shipping via EMS.

Killer price right? The next lowest offer was from Sam at JSpec, $1420USD shipped.

(BTW, I'm buying from Sam for a few reasons A. Great reviews on Zilvia. B. He's in the US. C. He responds promptly to my questions and is very helpful tokyoseven.com can't match any of these)

I emailed tokyoseven.com

"I saw on your site EMS delivery takes 4-7 days to the US, does that mean I should have my pump in a week, or will it have to clear customs?

Will there be any additional fees involved with Customs, taxes etc?

Do I get a tracking number via EMS?

When I finally got a response from them, all they said was

"Thank you for your enquiry. The shipping service shown on the website is the time frame for when the order is shipped. The Tomei oil pump is currently sold out from our inventory and we will have more available for dispatch from the end of next week. We already have backorders so if time is important for you it would be best
for you to place your order soon.

There is usually minimal delays with customs to the US from Japan."

I assume since they're Japanese, something may have been lost in translation...
I've dealt with Nengun, and haven't had any problems, but new (to me) companies with no reviews on any (Zilvia, HybridZ, FA, GTRPWR, GT-R Reg., SO) forums worry me. Maybe I spent $115 more than I needed, but I feel good about my purchase.

I want to know what (if any) issues you've had with customs?
Extra fees? Long delays? Lost goods?

[nathanong87]

the parts i've ordered from japan in the past came EMS with tracking in 3 or less days from japan to me (east coast). given...EMS is limited in box size. i bought bike parts not car parts, same process though

[TurboSE]

the parts i've ordered from japan in the past came EMS with tracking in 3 or less days from japan to me (east coast). given...EMS is limited in box size. i bought bike parts not car parts, same process though


No extra fees?

[94_240sx]

Usually no extra fees for EMS, but EMS is expensive.

[NeedCAforS13]

I've never paid extra import fees on stuff mailed through EMS. And like he said, about 3 to 5 days to the east coast. I got tracking numbers, but they're always so slow to update, that I usually have the package before they show up in the USPS computer system.

[tricky_ab]

EMS for me usually means little to no fees whenever I've received things from my friend in Japan.