Buying from a Japanese shop while living overseas: where to start
You have found a product in a Japanese shop, but cannot work out how to have it delivered overseas. A Japanese checkout or address form may be where you get stuck. Before buying, check whether the store can ship directly to your country and quote for the exact item you want. This guide sets out what to tell the shop first.
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Check direct international delivery first
Look in the shop’s delivery information for destination countries, ordering instructions and a contact for overseas enquiries. If only Japanese delivery methods are shown, send the product URL, quantity and destination country and postcode to ask whether the shop can ship directly to you.
If international delivery is available, check the ordering method and shipping price. If the shop accepts domestic delivery only, compare another seller that can send the same product abroad. PORTLETTER also checks direct seller-to-customer delivery before accepting a request.
Identify the item and send a short enquiry
Send the individual product URL and your chosen model, colour or size. If you are unsure about sizing, check the page’s dimensions and specifications and ask about anything unclear. Replace details in brackets before sending this Japanese enquiry:
海外への発送について伺いたく、ご連絡しました。 商品：[商品ページURL・必要な型番や色] 個数：[希望数] 配送先：[国・郵便番号] こちらの商品を配送先へ直接送っていただくことは可能でしょうか。 可能な場合、商品代、送料、発送までの目安と 購入方法を教えてください。 現時点では問い合わせで、注文ではありません。
The fields are the product link and variation, quantity, and country/postcode. Follow the store’s instructions about accepted languages and contact methods. If the URL alone does not identify your chosen colour or size, add those details to the email. If the individual page already identifies the model, focus on the questions you need answered.
Separate the shop’s price from costs at the destination
Alongside goods and international shipping, check whether destination taxes or clearance-related costs may apply and who will collect them. A free-delivery offer for Japan does not establish free overseas shipping. If a quote includes shipping, ask which transport leg and costs it covers.
Check the payment currency, actual conversion rate and transfer charges before setting your budget. Check whether the product can be imported into your destination country and what procedures and taxes apply. Before payment, also ask about the return contact, acceptance of international returns and who pays return shipping.
Get help coordinating with the Japanese shop
PORTLETTER supports stock, delivery, return and warranty checks by email with Japanese suppliers, terms negotiation and purchase arrangements. Start with the URL, necessary specifications, quantity and your reply email. We ask for the destination and other information needed for the checks afterwards. Enquiries are welcome in Japanese or English.
The service relies on direct seller-to-customer delivery, rather than receiving goods in a Japanese warehouse and forwarding them. We do not proceed where destination import conditions or importer responsibility cannot be established. You can start by asking whether this product can be delivered to your country.