Which Japan proxy service is cheapest?
It depends on the order. Across 1,512 orders priced on this site, Doorzo was cheapest or joint cheapest on 1,032 (68%), Buyee on 432. The full count is in which proxy is cheapest.
How much does it cost to ship from Japan to the United States?
By EMS, ¥5,300 for a 1 kg parcel; by airmail small packet, ¥2,720. A ¥10,000 Mercari item, 1 kg, comes to ¥16,300 through Doorzo before US duty, which depends on the item. See buying from Japan to the United States.
Do I pay import tax on things from Japan?
In most countries, yes. On a ¥10,000, 1 kg order: United States depends on the item, Canada depends on the item, United Kingdom ¥2,880, Australia ¥1,440, Germany ¥2,736, France ¥2,880, Singapore ¥1,184, Taiwan ¥610, Hong Kong nothing. See import tax by country.
How much US duty will I pay on things from Japan?
Since 24 July 2026, goods made in Japan pay 12.5% where the normal US duty is lower, which covers figures, model kits, cards and game consoles: about ¥1,250 on a ¥10,000 figure. Books, manga and CDs are exempt. The totals on this site leave it out because the exact rate depends on the item. See US duty.
Can I pay the import tax before the parcel arrives?
With some services, for some countries. To the United Kingdom, ZenMarket (up to GBP 135) collects it at checkout; to Australia, FROM JAPAN (under AUD 1,000), ZenMarket (up to AUD 1,000) and Neokyo (up to AUD 1,000) (Buyee also says it does, without publishing the rate). See paying tax up front.
Which proxy service lets me store items longest?
Free storage periods are FROM JAPAN 60 days, Buyee 30 days, ZenMarket 60 days, Neokyo 45 days, Doorzo 60 days. A longer period gives you more time to collect several purchases into one parcel.
Does combining parcels really save money?
Usually a lot. Three 1 kg items sent in one box instead of three save ¥2,200 to ¥5,600 in EMS postage, the most to United States. See consolidating parcels.
What is the cheapest way to post a parcel from Japan?
For anything under 2 kg, usually an airmail small packet; for heavier parcels, surface mail. A 5 kg parcel to the United States costs ¥5,400 by sea against ¥15,100 by EMS, but takes much longer. See shipping methods.
Can I get a Nintendo Switch or anything with a battery shipped?
Not by Japan Post to Germany. Elsewhere, FROM JAPAN, ZenMarket, Neokyo and Doorzo accept devices with built-in batteries by EMS, under conditions. See game consoles.
Can I ship model paint or spray cans from Japan?
No. Model paint and thinner; spray cans and topcoat; lighters; perfume; and plants and seeds are refused by all five services to every country on this site. See what you cannot ship.
What happens if my parcel is lost or damaged?
It depends on the service. FROM JAPAN, Buyee and ZenMarket pay out themselves (Buyee only on its paid Insured Delivery or Standard plan); Neokyo and Doorzo pass your claim to Japan Post, whose EMS cover is free only up to ¥20,000. Deadlines run from 5 days from delivery at Doorzo to within 5 months of shipping at Neokyo. See lost or damaged parcels.
What happens if my item cannot be exported?
It is refused at the warehouse, after you have paid. On a ¥10,000 Yahoo! Auctions win that is about ¥11,000 already spent on the item, the postage inside Japan and the service fee, with disposal charged on top at some services.
Why is the total so much higher than the service fee?
The advertised fee is a small part of it. On a ¥10,000 order to the United Kingdom, the service fee is ¥300, 4% of the ¥8,280 you pay on top of the item. Postage and tax are most of the rest.
Do I need a proxy for new items from Japanese shops?
Not always. Some Japanese shops sell overseas directly, such as CDJapan and Solaris Japan, which avoids proxy fees entirely. For second-hand marketplaces and auctions, a proxy is the only way.
How accurate are the numbers on this site?
Fees were checked against each company's own pages on 2026-10-06; Japan Post rates on 2026-10-02. They are estimates: companies change prices and customs has the final say. The method is set out in how we calculate.