What is a proxy shopping service?
A proxy (or forwarding) service buys items in Japan on your behalf from sites that do not ship abroad, consolidates them, and forwards the parcel to your country. You pay the item price, the proxy's fees, domestic and international shipping, and any duty and tax.
What is landed cost?
Landed cost is the total you actually pay to receive an item: the price plus proxy fees, all shipping, and import duty and tax. Our calculator estimates each part so there are fewer surprises.
Which proxy service is cheapest?
It depends on the store, the number of items and your shipping choice. Per-order services can be cheaper for a single item, while per-item pricing can suit consolidated orders. Compare them on the proxy comparison page and run your own numbers in the calculator.
Will I have to pay customs duty and tax?
Often yes. Rules changed recently: the US suspended its de minimis exemption in 2025, and the EU plans to remove its EUR 150 duty exemption. Thresholds differ by country and product. Treat our figures as estimates and verify with your customs authority.
How accurate are the shipping estimates?
They are seeded with plausible current rates and are estimates only. Actual cost depends on the exact weight, dimensions, destination and carrier surcharges. Check the proxy's live quote before paying.
Can I buy from Mercari or Yahoo Auctions from abroad?
These platforms are aimed at buyers in Japan, but a proxy can buy and forward items for you. Read our listing guides to understand condition grades and seller signals before bidding.
Do you sell anything or ship items yourself?
No. We are an information site with a calculator and guides. Buying and shipping are handled by the proxy service you choose.
Why do some buttons not appear?
We only show a shop or proxy button once that program is active. If a button is missing, that link is not live yet.