I recently made my first purchase from Amazon Japan and had it shipped directly to the UK. In this article, I'll share my experience, the ordering process, and important things to consider.
Table of Contents
Why I Chose Amazon Japan
As we grow older, health and weight management become increasingly important. My spouse and I decided to invest in a body fat scale to track our progress. Since we knew these scales aren't 100% accurate, we aimed to get a basic one at an affordable price to monitor weight and body fat trends. After conducting thorough research, I discovered that "Tanita" is the world's first body fat scale brand with a great reputation. I chose the "Tanita BC-759" model because of its compact size and essential features, such as body fat percentage, visceral fat, muscle mass, and body age. Amazon UK sells it for £39.95, but since Tanita is a Japanese brand, I checked Amazon Japan for pricing. Surprisingly, the same model costs only ¥19.78 (¥3,910 JPY), almost half the UK price. Additionally, the Amazon Japan version is "Made in Japan," while the UK version is "Made in China." It was an easy decision to buy from Amazon Japan.
Shipping Costs and VAT Considerations
As a careful spender, I calculated the shipping cost before placing the order. Shipping via air from Japan to the UK isn't cheap, so I wanted to ensure it was worth it. Amazon Japan conveniently calculates shipping costs based on your delivery address. The scale's package size is 30.2 x 25.2 x 4.6 cm, weighing 1.08 kg, with a shipping fee of ¥18.8 (¥3,717 JPY). Adding up the product price and shipping, the total came to ¥39.
However, things aren't always that simple. Both Japan and the UK impose VAT (Value Added Tax). Japan's VAT is 10%, included in the displayed price. When shipping internationally, Amazon Japan deducts this 10% VAT at checkout, but the UK imposes a 20% VAT upon import. Final cost breakdown:
Product price: ¥3,910 ÷1.1 x 1.2 = ¥4,266
Shipping: ¥3,379 ÷1.1 x 1.2 = ¥4,055
Total: ¥8,321 (£42.09 GBP)
Although purchasing from Japan costs about £2 more than buying in the UK, the "Made in Japan" label and the reliable DHL shipping made it worthwhile. I placed the order on Monday night, and by the following Monday morning, the package had arrived. Shipment tracking showed it reached Leeds on Saturday morning, but DHL does not deliver on weekends, so I received it on Monday.
To help others interested in shopping from Japan, here's an FAQ guide:
Amazon Japan Shopping FAQ
1) Can I use my Amazon UK account to log into Amazon Japan?
No. While Amazon UK accounts work across multiple regions (US, Germany, etc.), Amazon Japan requires a separate account.
2) What if I don't understand Japanese?
Amazon Japan offers language options at the top right corner of the website, including English and Simplified Chinese.
3) Can everything on Amazon Japan be shipped to the UK?
No. Use the "International Shipping Eligible" filter on the left-hand side to view items available for international shipping.
4) Should I pay in GBP or JPY at checkout?
You can choose the currency at checkout. If you pay in GBP, Amazon's exchange rate applies, with no extra charges. If you choose JPY, your card provider's exchange rate applies, which may include additional fees. Check your bank's foreign transaction fees.
If you choose to pay in Japanese yen (JPY), the exchange rate will depend on your card issuer, and you won't know the exact rate immediately—you'll only find out later when the transaction is processed. Additionally, some card issuers charge extra fees for non-GBP transactions. For example, American Express (AE) UK charges 2.99%, HSBC UK charges 2.75% for debit cards and 2.99% for credit cards, while Starling Bank does not charge any fees.
5) Should I pay in JPY or HKD if using a Hong Kong credit card?
If you choose to pay in Japanese yen (JPY), your credit card will incur a Foreign Currency Conversion (FCC) fee. Visa and MasterCard charge 1.95%, while American Express (AE) charges 2%, and UnionPay charges 0% (although UnionPay's exchange rate isn't very favorable). The exact exchange rate is unknown at the time of payment and will only be confirmed when the transaction appears on your statement a few days later.
If you opt to pay in Hong Kong dollars (HKD), most credit cards will charge both a Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) fee and a Cross-Border HKD Transaction Fee (CBF). Since the HKD price is shown directly at checkout, the exchange rate is immediately visible. DCC is usually embedded in the product price (meaning the displayed HKD price includes it), while CBF adds an additional 1% fee. Some financial institutions that currently do not charge CBF include CBB, AMTD, ICBC, and Citi.
In recent years, Amazon's exchange rate has become quite close to the rates provided by credit card companies. Whether to pay in HKD or JPY depends on the offers available on your credit card. Some cards provide cashback on foreign currency transactions, so it's worth checking. If you prefer a hassle-free approach, paying in HKD might be the best option.
Additionally, if your debit card offers a Global Wallet feature—such as Citi Plus, HSBC, or Revolut—you can choose to pay in JPY and use the yen balance in your debit card account. This way, you can avoid currency conversion fees entirely.
6) Are there any additional taxes in the UK?
If the order value exceeds £135, you will also need to pay import customs duty. The amount of duty depends on the type of product and the country of origin. You will see the customs duty amount at checkout before making payment. For more details on import taxes, please refer to another dedicated guide : TOR in the UK..
7) What are Amazon Points?
Purchasing certain items on Amazon Japan earns Amazon Points, which can be redeemed as currency (1 point = ¥1 JPY).
8) How do I check the country of manufacture?
Check the "About this item" section for origin details. If not available, customer reviews or the official product website often provide this information.
9) Any other tips?
Always opt for "Shipped & Sold by Amazon.co.jp" for added security and reliability.
Conclusion
My experience shopping from Amazon Japan was smooth and efficient. The product arrived in perfect condition, and I found it to be a great option for future purchases. If you're considering ordering from Amazon Japan, I hope this guide helps you make an informed decision!
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(The above information is for reference only. Please refer to the official website for everything.)
