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Japan is famous for its wide array of high-quality consumer products. From fashionable clothing to affordable electronics, there are great deals to be had when purchasing items from Japan. Just be aware that it sometimes takes a few extra steps to find and order products that can be shipped to you. Keep reading to find out the answers to your questions about this process.
Steps
Can I buy products from Japan online?
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1Yes, but expect to pay more for shipping. It’s easier than ever to purchase products from Japan, but it still requires some extra steps. Many Japanese companies don’t ship outside of the country. If they do, shipping will cost extra.[1]
- Before you check out online, make sure to look at the shipping options and prices.
- Factor shipping costs into your budget when you are looking to make a purchase. Those costs can add up quickly.
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2Yes, but payment and language barriers can be tricky. Many Japanese companies don’t accept international credit cards as a valid form of payment. This can make it hard to figure out how to make a purchase. A lot of websites are also only in Japanese, so unless you can read that language you might struggle to find the products you want.[2]
- While Google translate can help with this a little bit, it’s still really difficult to navigate websites in Japanese if you’re not fluent.
- For security, if you don't understand what the website says about payment and ordering, don't use it. Find a site where you can understand the terms.
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3Consider a borderless multi-currency account for payment. Look for a company that offers international personal banking accounts. Wise is one of the most trusted of these companies. You can set up an account that will allow you to keep multiple currencies in your digital wallet. Use this account to convert your money to the Japanese Yen and use the debit card from this account to order goods from Japan.[3]
- This will allow you to avoid losing money on the conversion rates if the exchange rate isn't favorable.
- When it's time to submit payment, just enter your debit card number in the same way you would enter any other payment information.
- This is a secure way to make payments, as these online banks have to follow traditional banking protocols.
References
- ↑ https://www.gearpatrol.com/style/a429652/japan-proxy-shopping/
- ↑ https://www.jpmorgan.com/merchant-services/insights/reports/japan
- ↑ https://nomadgate.com/best-business-banks-open-remotely/
- ↑ https://www.jpmorgan.com/merchant-services/insights/reports/japan
- ↑ https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/shopping/best-online-stores-to-buy-things-from-tokyo-and-japan
- ↑ https://wise.com/us/blog/buying-from-amazon-in-a-different-country
- ↑ https://www.gearpatrol.com/style/a429652/japan-proxy-shopping/
- ↑ https://www.jpmorgan.com/merchant-services/insights/reports/japan