Proxy Forwarding in Japan: 8 Proxy Services Compared (2026)

Proxy forwarding in Japan lets overseas customers buy from Japanese online shops that only ship within Japan. Japan proxy sites and forwarding services do this in two different ways.

• Proxy services buy the item for you. Buyee, ZenMarket, Neokyo, and Doorzo work this way.

• Forwarding services give you a Japanese address. You buy the item yourself, and they forward it abroad. Tenso and MailMate work this way.

You need a proxy for auction sites and marketplaces like Yahoo Auctions and Mercari. For mainstream online shopping sites that accept foreign cards, a forwarding service is usually cheaper.

This guide compares eight services at their October 2026 fees. It covers which service suits each purchase, what international shipping costs, and how US shipping works in 2026.

What is a proxy service in Japan?

A Japanese proxy service is a company that buys items on your behalf from Japanese websites. It uses its own Japanese account and payment method. Then it receives the package at its warehouse and ships it to your country.

You need a proxy when a seller or website:

• only accepts Japanese addresses or Japanese payment methods

• requires a Japanese account, like Yahoo Auctions or Mercari

• will not deal with overseas customers directly

A forwarding service is different. It gives you a Japanese address, and you complete the purchase yourself.

How does proxy forwarding work in Japan?

The process takes five steps with most services:

• Sign up. Create an account with a proxy or forwarding service.

• Shop. With a proxy, you paste a product link or search on its website. With a forwarding service, you shop on Japanese online shopping sites and enter your Japanese address at checkout.

• Receive. The seller ships to the service's warehouse in Japan.

• Consolidate. The service combines multiple items into one package, if you ask.

• Ship. You choose from the shipping methods on offer, pay the shipping cost, and get a tracking number.

Shipping costs depend on weight, size, and country. Heavier packages cost more, so consolidating multiple items saves money. See our guide to shipping options from Japan and Japan Post international parcel rates.

Why use a proxy forwarding service in Japan?

1. Domestic-only shipping

Many Japanese online shops only ship to Japanese addresses. Mercari Japan, Yahoo! Shopping, and HANDS (formerly Tokyu Hands) are common examples. Some sellers also refuse overseas cards.

2. Japanese-only products

Amazon.co.jp, Uniqlo Japan, and Rakuten sell items in Japan that their international sites do not. Some Japanese items, like limited editions and store exclusives, are only sold in Japan. See our Rakuten Japan English guide for one example.

Forwarding service versus proxy service: which do you need?

Two types of service sit under the label proxy forwarding. Pick the one that matches where you shop.

	Forwarding service	Proxy service
What you get	A Japanese address	A buyer who purchases for you
Who pays the seller	You, with your own card	The service, then it bills you
Works for	Amazon Japan, Uniqlo, most retail stores	Yahoo Auctions, Mercari, shops that refuse foreign cards
Typical fee	A handling fee per package	A fee per item or per order
Examples	Tenso, MailMate	Buyee, ZenMarket, Neokyo, Doorzo

If you shop on auction sites or C2C marketplaces, you need a proxy, not just a forwarding service. For retail sites that take your card, a forwarding service is enough and usually cheaper. Our parcel forwarding guide covers forwarding services in more detail.

Using a forwarding address? Learn how to write a Japanese address so the seller's checkout accepts it.

Japan proxy and forwarding services compared (2026)

Eight services cover most needs, from cheap proxy shipping for many small items to a reliable service for ongoing mail. Fees below come from official fee pages and dated comparisons. Check each website before you buy, since fees change often.

Service	Type	Service fee	Free consolidation	Mercari and auction sites	Best for
Buyee	Proxy	¥500 per order	Yes	Yes (official Mercari partner)	Mercari, Yahoo Auctions, several items from one seller
ZenMarket	Proxy	¥300–800 per item, plus a 1% deposit fee	Yes	Yes (¥800 per item)	Amazon, Rakuten, ordinary stores; 60-day storage
Neokyo	Proxy	¥350 per item, plus ¥500 packing per parcel	Yes	Yes	Hauls of many items
Doorzo	Proxy	¥50–300 per item	Yes (up to 10 orders)	Yes	Cheapest headline fee for small items
Remambo	Proxy	¥500 per order	Check site	Yes	Yahoo Shopping and other domestic-only stores
Japan Rabbit	Proxy	Sliding fee by order value, plus $1 per item	Paid	Yes	Higher-value orders
Tenso (tenso.com)	Forwarding	From ¥50 per package, by weight	Paid (¥200 + ¥300 per added package)	No	Retail sites that accept your card
MailMate	Forwarding and mail	¥500 + 3% per shipment; plan from ¥3,800 a month	On request	No	Residents and expats who also need mail handled

Fees checked October 2026.

1. Tenso

Note for 2026 readers: there are two separate services that use the Tenso name. tenso.com is operated by Tenso Inc. (the same company that runs Buyee) and is the most widely used. Tenso Japan (tensojapan.com) is a separate service operated by Navibird Inc. They have different fee structures and storage policies. Always confirm which service you are registering with before signing up.

Tenso is a forwarding service, not a proxy. It gives you a Japanese address to use on Japanese online shopping sites. When your package reaches its warehouse, Tenso emails you, and you choose how to ship it.

• Fees: a handling fee from ¥50 per package, set by weight. Consolidation costs ¥200 per request, plus ¥300 for each added package. Japan Post shipments declared over ¥200,000 add a ¥2,800 customs fee.

• Shipping methods: Japan Post (EMS, airmail, SAL, and surface mail), DHL, and ECMS. Tenso also runs its own air service to Taiwan, with FamilyMart pickup.

• Limits: you pay the seller yourself, so Tenso cannot buy from Mercari or auction sites.

2. ZenMarket

ZenMarket is a proxy service. You search Amazon Japan, Rakuten, Mercari, and Yahoo Auctions on its website, and it buys the items for you. You do not get a Japanese address.

• Service fee: ¥300 per item at its recommended stores, ¥500 at most shops, and ¥800 for Mercari and auctions.

• Other fees: a deposit fee from 1%, domestic delivery to the warehouse, and international shipping.

• Free extras: consolidation and 60 days of storage.

ZenMarket's per-item fee adds up on hauls of many cheap items. It is good value on single higher-priced items.

3. Buyee

Buyee proxy service homepage

Buyee is a proxy service and the official overseas partner of Mercari Japan. It also buys from Yahoo Auctions, Rakuten, and thousands of other Japanese online shops.

• Service fee: ¥500 per order, however many items the order holds.

• Other fees: consumption tax, domestic shipping, and international shipping. Optional plans add inspection or compensation.

• Free extras: consolidation (free since December 2022) and 30 days of storage.

Buyee is the cheapest choice for Mercari and auction buyers, who would pay ¥800 per item at ZenMarket.

4. Neokyo

Neokyo charges ¥350 per item, plus a ¥500 packing fee per parcel. That suits buyers who ship multiple items in one package. It covers Mercari and auction sites.

5. Doorzo

Doorzo has the lowest headline fee, from ¥50 to ¥300 per item. Storage is free for 60 days. Its app suits buyers of many small, cheap items.

6. Remambo

Remambo charges ¥500 per order. It buys from Mercari, Yahoo Auctions, Yahoo Shopping, and other stores that only ship inside Japan.

7. Japan Rabbit

Japan Rabbit charges a sliding service fee that falls as your order value rises, plus $1 per item at most shops. Auction bids carry their own fee. It suits higher-value orders.

8. Bonus: MailMate

MailMate is a forwarding service with a full mailroom. You get a Japanese virtual address to use at checkout. MailMate receives your mail and packages and forwards them on request.

It cannot buy from Mercari or auction sites. It suits people who live in Japan or have just left, and who need mail handled as well as packages.

a) Online dashboard

MailMate handles letters as well as parcels and packages.

When an item arrives at MailMate, you’ll receive a notification via email or Slack. MailMate scans the outside content and will not open any of your items unless you request it with the “Open It” button. 

On your account, you can request a forwarding for your items.

b) Flexible forwarding

You choose when and where to forward each item. The forwarding fee is the shipping cost plus a ¥500 handling fee and 3% of the shipping cost. Plans start at ¥3,800 a month.

MailMate can also pay Japanese bills for you, which proxy services do not do.

c) Bilingual support

MailMate’s bilingual staff will handle your items with care for any mail room issues you may have. 

Which Japan proxy service should I use?

The best service depends on where you shop and how many items you buy. Start with the store, then pick the cheapest service that can buy from it.

You want to buy from	Best fit	Why
Mercari Japan	Buyee	Official Mercari partner; ¥500 per order
Yahoo Auctions	Buyee or ZenMarket	Buyee charges ¥500 per order; ZenMarket ¥800 per item
Amazon Japan, Uniqlo, other stores that take your card	A forwarding service, or ZenMarket	You pay the seller yourself; ZenMarket charges ¥300–500 per item
Many small, cheap items (anime goods, cards)	Doorzo or Neokyo	Low per-item fees keep the total cheap
Yahoo Shopping and other domestic-only stores	Remambo, or any proxy	They buy where you cannot
Higher-value orders	Japan Rabbit	Its fee rate falls as the order value rises
Mail and packages while living abroad	MailMate	Handles letters and bills as well as packages

What proxy shipping really costs: an example

Here is one order of three Japanese items: a Mercari item, a Yahoo auction item, and an Amazon Japan item. Item prices and domestic delivery to the warehouse come on top.

Service	Service fees	Notes
Buyee	¥1,500	Three orders at ¥500 each; free consolidation
ZenMarket	¥2,100, plus about 1% deposit fee	¥800 + ¥800 + ¥500; free consolidation
Forwarding service	Amazon item only	It cannot buy the Mercari or auction items

Consolidating multiple items into one package saves the most money. On Japan Post's 2026 rates, two separate 1 kg EMS packages to the US cost ¥10,600. One combined 2 kg package costs ¥7,900, saving ¥2,700.

Shipping costs also depend on the destination country. EMS costs least to nearby places like Taiwan.

Shipping from Japan to the US in 2026

Japan Post paused US-bound parcels worth over $100 on 27 August 2025. It resumed EMS, ePacket, and Saver on 14 April 2026.

• Under $100: no duty prepayment needed.

• $100 to $800: you prepay US customs duty through an approved app before the package ships.

• Couriers (DHL, FedEx): duty can apply at any value, since the US ended its de minimis rule on 29 August 2025.

Some proxy services still offer only couriers like DHL or FedEx for US addresses. Check the shipping methods at checkout. See our full guide to shipping costs from Japan to the US.

Delivery times by shipping method

• EMS: about 3 to 5 business days to the US.

• Couriers (DHL, FedEx): fastest, but the highest cost.

• Surface mail: cheapest for heavier packages, but takes 1 to 3 months.

Shipping elsewhere? See our guides for the UK and Australia.

Buying secondhand luxury from Japan

Japan's resale market is known for well-kept luxury bags, watches, and jewelry. Large resale chains like Komehyo and Brand Off sell authenticated secondhand items. Many sold items also appear on Mercari and Yahoo Auctions.

• Check the seller. Resale stores usually authenticate items in-house. Individual sellers on Mercari and auction sites do not.

• Ask for photos or authentication. Buyee offers a ¥300 inspection plan and a paid authenticity check for more categories since October 2025. ZenMarket takes photos for ¥500.

• Budget for duty. High-value items can owe import duty in your country.

Komehyo also sells on eBay with authenticity-guaranteed international shipping. For a single item, that can be simpler than using a proxy.

For ideas on what to buy, see our guide to high-end things to buy in Japan.

What items can not be shipped with proxy forwarding in Japan?

All proxy forwarding services must follow customs regulations and inspections when shipping internationally.

Most items can be shipped internationally. However, some items can not be shipped due to legal and safety concerns. Here are some examples:

• Explosives and flammable goods: Fireworks, gunpowder, and flammable liquids.

• Weapons: Including firearms, ammunition, knives, and other weapons.

• Hazardous materials: Chemicals, toxins, and radioactive materials.

• Drugs and medications: Illegal drugs, prescription medications, and certain over-the-counter medicines.

• Perishable goods: food that can spoil or needs refrigeration may be refused or restricted.

• Alcohol and tobacco: Some countries have strict regulations on importing alcohol and tobacco products.

• Currency and valuable items: Cash, checks, and certain high-value items like precious metals and stones.

• Electronics: Items with lithium batteries may have shipping restrictions.

Each country also restricts some products, such as cosmetics. Check your country's customs rules before you purchase. Japan Post lists the items it will not ship on its prohibited items page.

Proxy forwarding in Japan frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a proxy service and a forwarding service in Japan?

A forwarding service gives you a Japanese address, and you buy the item yourself. A proxy service buys the item for you with its own Japanese account and payment method. You need a proxy for auction sites and Mercari. A forwarding service is enough, and usually cheaper, for stores that accept your card.

How to get a Japanese proxy address?

Sign up with a forwarding service such as Tenso or MailMate. It gives you a Japanese address to enter at checkout on Japanese online shopping sites. Proxy services like Buyee and ZenMarket do not give you an address. They buy and receive the item for you instead.

Can I use proxy forwarding for Yahoo Auctions Japan?

Yes, but you need a proxy service, not a forwarding service. Yahoo Auctions requires a Japanese account and payment method. Buyee, ZenMarket, Neokyo, and Japan Rabbit all bid for you. Buyee charges ¥500 per order, while ZenMarket charges ¥800 per auction item.

How much does proxy forwarding from Japan cost?

You pay a service fee, domestic shipping to the warehouse, and international shipping. Service fees run from ¥50 to ¥800 per item, or ¥500 per order at Buyee. International shipping usually costs the most. A 1 kg EMS package to the US costs ¥5,300 on 2026 rates.

What is a Japanese proxy service?

A Japanese proxy service buys items from Japanese websites on your behalf. It uses its own Japanese account and payment method, then ships the items to your country. Proxies let you buy from auction sites, Mercari, and stores that only ship within Japan. Buyee, ZenMarket, Neokyo, and Doorzo are popular examples.

What is the best Japanese proxy site?

The best site depends on where you shop. Buyee suits Mercari and Yahoo Auctions, with a flat ¥500 fee per order. ZenMarket suits Amazon Japan and Rakuten at ¥300 to ¥500 per item. Doorzo and Neokyo keep costs low on many small items.

Is Buyee or ZenMarket cheaper?

It depends on the store. For Mercari and auction sites, Buyee is cheaper at ¥500 per order, against ZenMarket at ¥800 per item. For ordinary stores, ZenMarket can be cheaper at ¥300 to ¥500 per item. Both offer free consolidation.

Can I ship from Japan to the US in 2026?

Yes. Japan Post resumed EMS, ePacket, and Saver to the US on 14 April 2026. For items worth 100 to 800 US dollars, you must prepay US customs duty through an approved app. Some proxy services still offer only couriers like DHL for US addresses.

In closing

Proxy forwarding in Japan opens up stores and auction sites that never ship abroad. Pick a proxy for Mercari and auctions, and a forwarding service for stores that take your card.

Compare service fees and shipping costs before you buy. Consolidating multiple items into one package is the easiest way to keep proxy shipping cheap.