Proxy Shopping vs Parcel Forwarding: Which Is Better?

So, you want something from Japan…

Let’s say you’re an anime otaku. With Jujutsu Kaisen’s 3rd season currently airing, tons of new merch is being released for preorder. You checked with your local anime shop, but they aren’t selling that new Gojo Satoru figure that just released last week.

But just because you don’t live in Japan, doesn’t mean you have to give up on these items! So you start to think, “Hmm, why don’t I just buy it directly from Japan?” But it’s your first time, and you have no idea where to start.

So, you run a little search online and these two terms come up: proxy and forwarding.

What’s a forwarding service? What does “proxy” even mean??

Allow us to introduce proxy and forwarding services: two services that help you bypass common restrictions when it comes to shopping for Japan-exclusive items. In this article, we will compare the differences between proxy and forwarding services so you can get a better understanding on which service suits your needs best!

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Table of Contents

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1. What are Proxy and Forwarding Services?

First, let’s understand the fundamental differences between proxy and forwarding services.

Here’s an overview and the general flow of each:

Proxy Service

A proxy service is a concierge-like service that handles everything from purchasing items on Japanese ecommerce sites (e.g., Rakuten, Suruga-ya, BOOTH, etc.) or flea market sites (Mercari, Rakuma, PayPay Flea Market, etc.) to payment, item checks, and international shipping. Even for sites that do not ship overseas, such as Mercari or Yahoo! Auctions (also known asJDirectItems Auction), all you need to do is provide the product URL to the proxy agent, and they will handle the basic transaction procedures.

Services like ZenMarket, Buyee, and DEJAPAN are official partners with several flea market sites, providing a sense of security and fewer issues.

General Flow

1. Make Account
2. Submit Purchase Request (1st Payment)
3. Request and Pay for Shipping (2nd Payment)
4. Delivery!

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Forwarding Service

This service provides you with a dedicated locker (or address) in Japan. With this “warehouse” address, you can make purchases from Japanese stores directly, even if they don’t ship internationally. However, customs declaration forms will need to be filled out yourself. Well-known services include Tenso.com and Blackship.

General Flow

1. Make Account
2. Order the Item Yourself
3. Request and Pay for Shipping
4. Delivery!

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2. Pros and Cons of Proxy Services

At first glance, many people see proxy services as confusing or intimidating. But proxy services actually offer quite a few benefits to customers. Although a little counterintuitive, having a middleman handle your orders takes care of several challenges when shopping from Japan.

The Pros

Solves credit card issues

• Many Japanese online shops do not accept overseas credit cards for security reasons. When using a proxy service, the service pays the seller or store on your behalf with a Japanese card, bypassing this issue.

No Japanese language skills needed

• You only need to provide the product URL. While it’s helpful to translate product pages to understand the condition, the proxy service handles all communication with sellers or stores.
• Japanese can be tricky with hidden “local rules” on flea market sites, such as “No immediate purchase” or “Must comment before buying.” Proxy services identify and handle these rules for you.

Troubleshooting for lost or damaged items

• If an item does not arrive or is damaged, the proxy service can contact the seller or site to work out a solution.

Proxies have a lot going for them. But everything has their benefits and drawbacks. And while proxy services have a number of strong points, they’ve also got a few weak points.

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The Cons

Purchase time lag

• There may be a lag between the time of your request and the actual purchase (as short as a few minutes to as long as several hours). Since orders are often processed from a queue, popular or limited items may sell out.

Higher costs

• In addition to the item price, there are service fees (approx. 300–800 JPY per item), inspection fees, and potentially currency exchange fees or additional fees for special packing.

Complex two-step payment

• Payment is split into the item price (1st payment) and international shipping (2nd payment). This is because the exact shipping cost isn’t known until the item reaches the warehouse and is weighed.

In Summary:

There’s no denying the convenience of having someone else take care of the entire order process from start to finish. It can save you a lot of stress, and also minimizes any risk of miscommunication with the seller or the shipping company. But like most things, this convenience comes at a price.

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3. Pros and Cons of Forwarding Services

Forwarding services, on the other hand, have a slightly more straightforward concept. With fewer steps and more direct control over purchases, forwarding services are able to offer several advantages to their customers.

The Pros

Almost no time lag

• You can buy items according to your own timing, such as immediately after a pre-order release. This also helps with “one per account” purchase limits.

Cheaper than proxy

• You save on proxy fees. However, costs for international shipping, forwarding fees, consolidation, and special packing still apply.

Use your own points and coupons

• You can use shop-specific coupons and earn points on your own account, which is often not possible with a proxy service.

Many people prefer having more control and agency over their purchases. But this can turn out to be a double-edged sword for some. After all, with great power comes great responsibility… This leads us to some of the drawbacks of forwarding services.

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The Cons

Strict identity verification

• Due to Japanese law (Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds), you must submit a form of ID, such as a passport or driver’s license.

Purchase barriers on Japanese websites

• Many Japanese sites prohibit overseas purchases or shipping to forwarding addresses, which can lead to canceled orders or difficulty registering without a Japanese phone number.

Japanese proficiency required

• Most interactions with stores, including registration and troubleshooting, are conducted in Japanese. Relying solely on translation tools for long disputes can quickly become confusing and exhausting.

In Summary:

Having more control over your orders has its pros and cons. You can manage how and when your money is spent, but you’re also responsible for any communications and shipping documentation. Forwarding services are certainly more direct, but they do require a little more effort upfront.

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4. Comparison Chart: Proxy Service vs. Forwarding Service

Proxy and forwarding services are similar in a lot of respects. They both require an account from you, and they’ll combine your orders and ship them to you from Japan.

But process aside, how are they actually different from each other? We went ahead and looked into the nitty, gritty details for you and compiled a side-by-side comparison of some of the key differences between the two.

Once you get into the details, it’s easy to see how different—almost opposite—proxy and forwarding services really are. Sure, they both have processing fees, but other than that, there’s almost no overlap between the two. They may both be viable options when buying items from Japan, but they’re certainly not interchangeable. 

5. Which Service is Right for You?

But which service is best for you? Everyone has a unique set of needs, along with varying degrees of knowledge and skill. What’s right for you may not be the same as someone else. Is a proxy service better for you? Or should you go with a forwarding service instead?

Well, let’s consider both services, and think about what you want from your Japan shopping experience. Let’s start with proxy services…

Proxy service is recommended for:

• Stores that don’t accept overseas credit cards
• First-time buyers from Japan
• Customers wanting to buy from stores requiring SMS/phone verification
• Those not confident in their Japanese ability
• People who want to avoid hassle and prioritize peace of mind
• Bargain shoppers who want to negotiate prices or ask questions before buying
• Customers who want support for scams or damaged/lost items

If you’re new to shopping from Japan and are willing to pay a little more for a smoother process, then a proxy service is your best bet. Take away the hassle and stress of cross-cultural communication and leave it to the experts.

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Proxy services not feeling quite right to you? Don’t like leaving things in the hands of others? Well, let’s take a look at forwarding services, then…

Forwarding service is recommended for:

• Shoppers who only use sites accepting overseas cards (e.g., Amazon.co.jp)
• Those who can communicate fluently in Japanese
• Customers experienced with Japanese shopping sites
• Those who want to buy as cheaply as possible
• Die-hard fans who want to use their own accounts and secure limited items where every second counts
• Those with knowledge about imports/exports (prohibited items, international shipping, customs, etc.)

If you prefer to be more involved in the purchasing process and are willing to take on a little extra effort, then forwarding services may be a better fit for you! You may need a bit more knowledge when it comes to import regulations and cross-cultural communication (unless you buy from Amazon). But if you’re up to the challenge, then that extra control might be worth it.

6. Conclusion

Now you know the key differences between proxy and forwarding services. We hope this article helped you understand which type of service will suit your needs best so you can look forward to shopping from Japan!

Both proxy services and forwarding services have their advantages. However, if you’re not confident in Japanese, or prefer having someone handle communication and potential issues for you, a proxy service may offer greater peace of mind. If your priority is purchasing from Japan with minimal risk and less hassle, choosing a reliable proxy service can make the entire process much smoother.

At DEJAPAN, we help customers purchase from Japanese online stores and auction sites with full support—from ordering to communication and issue resolution.

DEJAPAN is one of the few Japanese proxy services that can handle real-time bidding on Yahoo! Auctions and major flea market sites like Mercari, as well as difficult requests like kuji raffles, custom Nendoroid orders, and lottery applications.

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Additionally, DEJAPAN staff can handle requests for additional photos and price negotiations (for eligible items) on your behalf. Sound like the right fit for you? Explore our service here.