How Does International Shipping Work for Amazon Japan ? – AMZ Advisers

Amazon Japan features many exclusive items that appeal to foreign buyers. These are products that customers can’t always get in their local marketplace.

In such cases, international shipping from Amazon Japan is the go-to solution for this setback. But the process could be a bit nuanced for Amazon shoppers overseas.

In this post, we’ll explore how international shipping works for Amazon Japan. 

Let’s dive right in.

International Shipping for Amazon Japan

Image source: Amazon Japan

Amazon Japan boasts 260 million products. That makes it the fifth largest marketplace in the world. Imagine what customers may find just in this store. 

But it’s not only a big marketplace for Amazon users. Merchants can also order unique items from Amazon Japan to sell on their own territories.

As of 2021, it’s possible to ship products to 64 countries from Amazon Japan. You need only make sure the territory is eligible for the Amazon Global shipping program.

It’s all about knowing the requisites and nuisances for ordering from Amazon Japan.

Let’s take a look at what you’ll be dealing with:

Account Setup

You can usually check most Amazon stores from foreign countries with a single account. That’s not the case for China or Japan.

Customers can’t use their current Amazon account to shop on Amazon Japan. So, you’ll have to create a Japanese account.

The process is no different to creating any other Amazon account.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. First, switch the display language. Click on the little flag beside the search bar. Here, you can choose between Japanese, Chinese, and English.
2. Then, follow the usual sign-up process. Submitting all relevant data. For example: Name, email, and delivery address. 

It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to set up your Amazon Japan account.

Before you move on, make sure you also change the currency settings. It’s best to review prices in your local currency to improve your shopping experience. 

International Delivery Times

Delivery times vary between territories, and Japan is no exception to the rule. When shipping from Japan, Amazon offers two delivery options:

• Standard shipping: as fast as 9 business days
• Priority shipping: as fast as 6 business days

Keep in mind these delivery times when ordering from Amazon Japan. Also, note that not all items are eligible for priority shipping. This is due to space and weight concerns by Amazon.

The timeframe may vary, depending on supply chain setbacks, of courts. But Amazon is well-known for its delivery prowess. So, foreign customers won’t have to wait beyond the usual. 

Free Delivery on Your First Order

This is an Amazon Japan perk for buyers. It applies to the first standard shipping order of brand-new customers.

Here’s how it works:

• Create an Amazon Japan account.
• Add your Amazon-dispatched items to the shopping cart.
• Select ‘Free delivery on your first order’ at the checkout. 

“Free delivery on your first order” is limited to items eligible for international shipment. Plus, the product must be fulfilled by Amazon Japan. The promotion is not valid to seller fulfilled prime. 

Keep in mind that this is a one-time, non-transferable offer. Customers can’t claim a free delivery on their second purchase.

All following orders from Amazon Japan will charge delivery costs.  However, customers whose order is over 2,000 yen (around $17.55 USD) can apply for free shipping again.

Note. Amazon Prime customers will still enjoy free shipping on eligible items.

Keep an Eye on Import Fees

Shoppers can’t always enjoy free deliveries from Amazon Japan; it does not always apply. As with many overseas deliveries, some items may be subject to import fees.

One example of note are Seller-Fulfilled items. Third-party products do not enjoy the free delivery offers from Amazon Japan.

In such cases, it’s crucial to consider taxes such as VAT and custom duties before ordering.

Amazon Japan may consider the following points when calculating taxes:

• Item category (based in HS code) and price
• Product weight and shipping cost
• Customs clearance

You can always check an estimated fee on your Amazon checkout cart.

Note: Some destinations may require an ID document from the IOR. This is to ensure the product complies with the country’s laws and regulations.

Currency Conversion

Amazon converts all foreign currencies to charge all shipping fees. So, it’s crucial to Keep an eye on exchange rates at all times.

Once you’re ready to buy, check Amazon’s pricings and rates against an online currency converter. This way, you’ll know how much you’ll pay to Amazon Japan for an order.

The marketplace features a built-in currency converter for users. It allows sellers to compare all prices against their own currency to save on shipping costs. 

A Few Cross-Border Tips

It’s easy to get lost in translation when you buy products from another country. If unchecked, some items purchased abroad may not work at home.

To avoid any unwanted returns, make sure you check the following factors before you buy from Amazon Japan:

Amazon Global

The marketplace features a shipping program to display only international-shipping products: Amazon Global.

Customers should take advantage of this to ensure they can buy an item from another country.

However, it’s also key to make sure that said items do ship to your territory. As we said, Amazon Global ships to 64 countries worldwide. Only make sure your country is featured on that list when buying from Japan.

Film Region Codes

Few of us buy DVDs and Blu-rays any more. But those who still do should mind region codes.

Canada and the US use Region 1 DVD codes. But Europe and Japan use Region 2 DVS. So, a US consumer may not be able to watch a Japanese DVD at their homes.

Make sure your DVD or Blu-ray player is suited to play discs in the region you want to buy from. Otherwise, you’ll need to get a new device.

Electronics Voltage and Plugs

Not all electronic plugs are made the same. Different countries have varying voltage needs you should check before making an electronic purchase.

Let’s look at some examples:

RegionPlug Types VoltageFrequencyJapanType A / Type B100 V50 or 60 HzUS & CanadaType A / Type B120 V60 HzMexicoType A / Type B127 V60 HzEuropeType C230 V50 HzUKType G230 V50 Hz

You must check voltage and frequency to ensure you can use the device in your country. If that’s not the case, you may need to get hold of a proper voltage adaptor.

Otherwise, you could fry the device in a short time.

Final Thoughts

Japan it’s known and admired for several qualities. Three great examples are the country’s singular culture, products and high-tech innovations.

Amazon is one of the eCommerce leaders in Japan. As such, the marketplace is a unique place to deliver Japan-exclusive items to the world.

With these tips, it’ll be easier than ever to order from Amazon Japan. Only watch out for the shipping fees, and you’ll get that hard-to-find product you want in no time!

Author

Esteban Muñoz is an SEO copywriter at AMZ Advisers, with several years’ experience in digital marketing and e-commerce. Esteban and the AMZ Advisers team have been able to achieve incredible growth on the Amazon platform for their clients by optimizing and managing their accounts and creating in-depth content marketing strategies.