Questions
If your question is not here, write to me. I reply within one business day.
Buying
What can you buy for me?
Anything sold in Japan that can legally leave Japan and enter your country: from online shops that deliver only in Japan, from shops in person, store-only and event releases, and second-hand items from shops. Auction sites and marketplace apps are part of the private buyer retainer, not one-off orders.
What don’t you buy?
Tickets of any kind, fakes, goods for resale on one-off orders, and anything that cannot legally leave Japan or enter your country. Food, cosmetics, perfume, batteries and aerosols: ask first, because many cannot go by post.
Can you buy tax-free?
No. Tax-free shopping in Japan is for visitors buying in person with their own passport. I pay the normal price including consumption tax, and that is what you see on the receipt.
Can you enter a lottery or queue for a release?
Yes, in Tokyo, where the lottery’s terms allow it, in my own name and with one entry per lottery. Lotteries that need your own ID, a membership or collection by the winner in person are not possible. It costs ¥16,000 per half day. More on lotteries and queues.
What if it sells out, or the lottery doesn’t come through?
You get the goods money back in full. If I couldn’t buy anything, the purchase fee comes back too. Fees for going in person and for searching pay for time already spent, so those are not refunded.
Do you check that branded items are genuine?
I do a visual check of every item. Authentication by an independent service is available for ¥4,300; I pass on its written result, and the judgement is theirs, not mine. I do not buy fakes. More on authentication.
Paying
How do I pay?
In Japanese yen, by PayPal, Wise or Payoneer, after you approve the quote and before I buy. Payment processing is 4% of the total and is shown in the quote.
How long is a quote valid?
7 days, unless the shop changes the price, the item sells out, or shipping costs change significantly.
Can I cancel after paying?
Before I have bought anything, yes, and you get your money back less any payment processing already incurred. Once the item is bought, orders generally cannot be cancelled.
Shipping and import
How do you ship, and how long does it take?
By Japan Post (EMS, airmail or surface) or an express courier. I quote the options with the time each takes. Most items ship within 3 business days of the last item reaching me.
Can I combine several orders?
Yes. I hold everything free for 30 days and ship it together, so you pay for shipping once.
Who pays import duty and tax?
You do. They are charged by your country’s customs on arrival and are not in my quote. Exception: for the United States, the duty must be paid before the parcel leaves Japan, so I collect it in advance, together with the prepayment provider’s fee, and show both in the quote.
Will you mark the parcel as a gift to avoid duty?
No. I declare the real contents and value on every parcel.
What if something arrives damaged?
I photograph every item when it reaches me. If the shop sent it damaged or wrong, I deal with the shop in Japanese. For damage in international transit, I give you the photographs and the paperwork for the claim. If an item is significantly different from the listing, tell me within 7 days of delivery.
About me
Who is behind this?
Me, Yuki Iemura, working from Tokyo under the name JEPRA. I also run jeprajp.com, which supplies Japanese stationery and washi paper to shops overseas and sources from Japan for businesses. More about me.
Is my information safe?
I use your name, address and contact details only to buy and ship your order. See the privacy policy.