JAPAN BUYING GUIDE

How to Buy from Japan

This guide explains the actual order sequence.

Overview

This guide explains the actual order sequence.

If you want a broad overview of whether you need a proxy, use the general Buy from Japan guide. This page is for customers ready to place an order.

Japan Proxy Shopping visual guide for How to Buy from Japan
JPS visual guide — How to Buy from Japan.

Step 1: Find the exact listing

Confirm:

For used items, inspect seller photos and condition notes before purchase.

  • source marketplace or store
  • seller
  • product
  • variation
  • quantity
  • condition
  • included accessories
  • Japan domestic shipping

Step 2: Choose the right purchase path

Use:

Do not force every Japanese purchase into the same workflow.

  • direct international checkout when the store already ships to you
  • JPS Buy by URL for eligible non-standard stores
  • the JPS marketplace flow for supported sources
  • auction bidding tools for auction listings

Step 3: Submit the purchase request

The request should clearly identify what JPS is authorized to buy.

If price, seller, variation, or stock changes materially, the customer should review the change.

Step 4: Pay the purchase-stage amount

JPS purchase-stage costs:

International shipping is not final yet.

  • item price
  • actual Japan domestic shipping
  • ¥300 JPS proxy fee per purchase request

Step 5: Wait for Japan-side delivery

The seller ships the item to the JPS warehouse.

Track separately:

  • purchase confirmation
  • seller dispatch
  • domestic shipment
  • warehouse arrival

Step 6: Use warehouse storage

JPS provides:

60 days free storage

This allows time for other eligible purchases to arrive.

Step 7: Request optional photos if needed

JPS basic receiving check is included.

Item photos:

¥500/item

Detailed inspection, functional testing, and authentication are not included in the standard service.

Step 8: Consolidate eligible purchases

JPS consolidation:

Free

Combining items can reduce duplicated international shipping, but not every item should automatically be packed together.

Step 9: Pack the international parcel

Packing starts from:

¥500 per parcel

Now the warehouse can determine:

  • actual weight
  • dimensions
  • contents

Step 10: Choose international shipping

JPS charges:

Actual carrier rate — no JPS markup

Carrier shipping protection applies according to carrier terms.

JPS assists with eligible carrier claims.

JPS cost summary

  • Proxy fee: ¥300 per purchase request
  • Storage: 60 days free
  • Consolidation: free
  • Packing: from ¥500
  • Photos: ¥500/item
  • International shipping: actual carrier rate
  • Shipping markup: ¥0