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.
What is the 25-year rule for importing a car from Japan into the US?
Under 49 CFR 591.5(i), a vehicle at least 25 years old can generally be imported into the US without showing it meets the US motor vehicle safety standards. NHTSA counts the 25 years from the date of manufacture, so a car made in June 2001 generally qualifies from June 2026. EPA has a separate exclusion for vehicles at least 21 years old in their original configuration, counted in calendar years. This is an estimate of how the rules generally work; confirm with a licensed customs broker.
Do I pay duty on a car imported from Japan?
Generally yes. In the US a passenger car of Japan under 25 years old is generally charged 15% in total under Section 232, and an older one 12.5% in total under Section 301; light trucks and vans are 25%. Canada charges 6.1% unless you claim CPTPP with a certification of origin. The UK charges 10% unless you claim the UK-Japan CEPA preference. Australia charges 5% unless you claim JAEPA or the car is 30 years or older. Import VAT or GST is added on top in Canada, the UK and Australia. Confirm with a licensed customs broker.
Can I import a car under 25 years old from Japan into the US?
Generally not under the 25-year exemption. A Japanese-market car that is younger than 25 years (counted from its month of manufacture) does not qualify for that exemption, so it generally cannot be imported for road use unless it meets the US safety and emission requirements. The car import calculator shows the month a car first meets the 25-year rule. Confirm with a licensed customs broker before you buy.
How old does a car from Japan have to be to import it into Canada or Australia?
Canada: Transport Canada generally requires a vehicle from a country other than the US to be 15 years or older, counted from the month and year of manufacture. Australia: the older vehicles pathway generally requires a build date at least 25 years before you apply, with a concessional RAV entry approval. The UK has no age ban, but a vehicle first registered or manufactured more than 10 years ago might not need vehicle approval. Confirm with a licensed customs broker.