Getting started
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Japanese consumption tax: when the 10% comes off an overseas order
Japanese consumption tax is 10%, but an export sale is zero-rated. Which route you buy through — direct shop, proxy or forwarder — decides whether you pay it.
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Proxy service or forwarding address? The difference decides your fees
A proxy buys the item for you; a forwarder only lends you a Japanese address. Which you need depends on whether the shop will sell to you at all.
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When Japanese shops actually discount: the sales worth waiting for
Japanese retail runs on recurring seasonal sales and point events rather than constant discounts. The patterns worth timing a purchase around, and the traps.
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Your first order from Japan, in the order you should do it
A step-by-step first order from Japan: check for a direct route, pick the right service, read the total cost, clear the restricted-item checks, and ship.