Best way to get preorders for new Japanese product?

[zachary]

Hey guys Was just wondering how international buyers manage to get preorders for new Japanese product. Is a middleman in Japan the most efficient/cost-effective way? Are we able to get product direct from distributors without established connections/businesses? Any help/advice would be great, thanks for your time!

[blondeychipsahoy]

Bumping this as interested to know as well !

[genosha]

If you want fast after release; AmiAmi
They ship out on release date and you probably receive it within 10 days after, but they are doing it all legal so no import fees/tax evasion by lower package declaration.

[smpratte]

There are a few Japanese stores like amiami, but with Covid you have to use DHL, so it makes eBay the easiest option.

[megazone]

@zachary

Are we able to get product direct from distributors without established connections/businesses?

Unfortunately, no. There’s lots and lots of red tape, even for the big players outside of Japan.

[pichufan]

@smpratte

There are a few Japanese stores like amiami, but with Covid you have to use DHL, so it makes eBay the easiest option.

Worth noting that this possibly only applies to the US? There have been no restrictions on shipping from Japan to the UK that I’ve seen since March. The only country which only has DHL as an option for the UK is mainland China.

[ozenigma]

@smpratte

There are a few Japanese stores like amiami, but with Covid you have to use DHL, so it makes eBay the easiest option.

It’s interesting you say this because DHL has often been the most economical for priority shipping between Japan and Aus for me.

That and they regularly arrive within two days of sending, including weekends.

Is it not the case for the US?

[smpratte]

@ozenigma

@smpratte

There are a few Japanese stores like amiami, but with Covid you have to use DHL, so it makes eBay the easiest option.

It’s interesting you say this because DHL has often been the most economical for priority shipping between Japan and Aus for me.

That and they regularly arrive within two days of sending, including weekends.

Is it not the case for the US?

It’s significantly more expensive. I made a small purchase from amiami awhile back, and I think DHL was 2-3 times as much.

[gami]

I have been using CuteJapan on Ebay recently, they give some of the best prices I have seen on Ebay at least. Just did another order with them recently… very communicative and ship pretty fast to the US. Not going to get insane prices, but I think I averaged about 50$ per box after taxes and fees along with factoring in credit card cash back/ Ebay bucks for legendary heartbeat cases on release.

[goldcrest]

I can also recommend amiami.com for the best prices. PlazaJapan are also good - more expensive than amiami but less expensive than eBay in most cases.

[hofmania]

I’ve been going through miyabihobby and they’ve been awesome

[parkermrparker]

@smpratte

There are a few Japanese stores like amiami, but with Covid you have to use DHL, so it makes eBay the easiest option.

Not sure if the case is different for me in canada but with my yahoo japan purchases via buyee i have been receiving packages shipped with japan post for the typical amounts, with no import fees.