【In-depth Guide】How to Buy the iPhone 15 from the US Apple Site Without Fail!

• This article is for reference only as it is merely a translated version of the Japanese article below.
  【徹底解説】Appleアメリカ版サイトからiPhone15を失敗せずに買う方法！ (Japanese version)

Quote：Apple.com

Apple’s products are globally popular due to their luxurious design, high quality, and user-friendliness.

From computers like Macs and iPads to pioneering smartwatches like the Apple Watch, and various other products like AirPods and HomePod, Apple offers an extensive range of merchandise.

In particular, the iPhone enjoys overwhelming support in Japan, with a usage rate exceeding 67% as of May 2022. The sight of lines forming at Apple Store locations upon the release of new products is a common occurrence.

However, the high price of iPhones is a significant deterrent. Many people are interested in finding ways to purchase them more affordably.

This article introduces methods to purchase iPhones inexpensively through Apple’s US website, along with tips to avoid common pitfalls like buying a model that is incompatible in Japan, and ways to minimize the payment amount.

Conclusion

• Direct purchases of products to Japan from the US Apple site are not possible.
• Using a purchasing agent can be costly, so it’s recommended to ask family or friends living in the US to buy and bring them to Japan during their return.
• If using a purchasing agent is unavoidable, choose a time when the exchange rate is $1 = 93.8 to 107.4 JPY to save up to 20,000 JPY.

Related Article

• iPhone 15 Buying Guide for International Travel: Exchange Rates and Optimal Timing (To be published later)

Reasons Why Purchases from the US Apple Site Cannot Be Made in Japan

Apple’s US website does not allow direct purchases to Japan. The reasons are as follows.

Apple’s US site does not ship to Japan

Products purchased from Apple’s online store cannot be shipped internationally.

As of May 2021, there are 500 Apple Stores worldwide, with ten located within Japan. This distribution ensures that products intended for use in Japan can be bought domestically.

The shipping policy on the US site, Apple.com, states: “Products purchased online from Apple will only be shipped to addresses within the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. It cannot be shipped to PO Boxes, U.S. territories, or addresses outside the U.S.”

Japanese credit cards cannot be used on Apple’s US site

Transactions attempted with credit cards issued in Japan result in errors at checkout.

If the cardholder’s address is in Japan but the shipping address is in the US, the order will likely be canceled.

People have resorted to using forwarding services, where a forwarding agent in the US receives the goods and ships them to Japan.

However, this can also lead to cancellations if the credit card’s billing address does not match the shipping address.

Apple has implemented such measures to prevent fraudulent use of credit cards.

Conditions for Using an iPhone Purchased in the US in Japan

To use an iPhone purchased in the US in Japan, there are two conditions.

Models that have acquired technical standards conformity certification

In Japan, devices that use radio waves, such as smartphones, Wi-Fi routers, and Bluetooth earphones, must meet technical standards.

This certification is indicated by a mark, known as a “technical conformity mark,” which is not displayed on the iPhone body but can be checked under Settings > General > Regulatory. The mark has been updated in design since the year 1995.

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Radio Use Website “Q&A on Technical Conformity Marks“

Devices that have obtained the Technical Standards Conformity Certification can be searched on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications website section titled “Search for Devices that Have Received Technical Standards Conformity Certification.”

It is advisable to verify in advance whether an iPhone has the technical conformity mark (known as the “Tech Kitei Mark” in Japan).

The iPhone must also be compatible with Japanese mobile phone networks

Different carriers such as NTT Docomo, au, and SoftBank utilize various frequency bands for connectivity. Ensure that the iPhone supports the frequency band of your carrier before purchase.

Additionally, since smartphones support different frequency bands, ensure that the iPhone you wish to purchase is compatible with the frequency band of your service provider before buying.

How to Purchase an iPhone from the US Apple Site

Quote：Apple.com

Thus, several key points must be addressed when purchasing products from the Apple US site.

Use a proxy purchasing service

This service involves a third-party buying the product in the US and shipping it directly to Japan, ensuring the buyer and shipping addresses match.

US-BUYER.com, for example, employs Japanese staff and does not charge US sales tax since their warehouse is located in Oregon.

The cost includes the product price, domestic shipping fees, service fees, shipping to Japan, customs duties, and sales tax.

Please refer to our website as some brands incur a fee of 20%.

Purchasing through Family or Friends Residing in the US

Asking family or friends living in the US to purchase the phone is the most reliable and cost-effective method. They can send the phone by mail or bring it back when returning to Japan.

Using an agent will incur service fees, and the cost can be higher than expected, but immediate contact can provide reassurance about the product’s condition.

Financial Analysis: Is It Worth Importing? At Which Exchange Rate Is It Advantageous?

The price of an iPhone 15 in a US Apple Store is typically 10,000 to 40,000 JPY cheaper than in Japan.

However, shipping an iPhone from the US involves additional costs such as postage and consumption tax.

Consider these expenses when deciding whether to purchase an iPhone from the US Apple Store.

Quote：apple.com

Reference: Apple Store (USA)

As of October 30, 2023, the prices for the iPhone 15 at the Apple Store in the United States are as follows:

Reference: Apple Store (Japan)

Conversely, the prices for the iPhone 15 at the Apple Store in Japan are:

【iPhone 15】Taxes Paid to the US Government

In the United States, retail businesses charge a sales tax to the final consumer upon sale .

This sales tax varies depending on the state or region where the product is purchased, and the type of product being bought. Additionally, a use tax may be applied when items are shipped out of state to cover the tax differences between the purchasing state and the state of use.

The rates for these taxes vary, but generally hover around 10%. Thus, for the purposes of this article, the sales tax paid to the US government (including use tax) is defined as 10%.

【iPhone 15】Taxes, Duties, and Customs Fees Paid to the Japanese Government for Personal Imports

Normally, when goods are imported into Japan for personal use, duties, consumption tax, and customs fees are incurred. The taxes and fees for importing an iPhone 15 are as follows:

Duties

No duties are charged on mobile phones imported for personal use, as the tariff rate for mobile phones is set at zero according to the “Import Statistics Commodity Table (Tariff Schedule)” by the customs.

Consumption Tax

Consumption tax is also applied to personally imported goods.

The calculation is based on (taxable value + amount of duty) × consumption tax rate of 10%.

For personal-use items, if the taxable value is less than 10,000 JPY, the item is tax-exempt, meaning consumption tax applies only if the item’s price exceeds 16,667 JPY.

Customs Fees

Customs fees are charged for processing imported goods. Typically, shipping companies like FedEx, DHL, and Yamato Transport advance the payment for customs fees and later bill the recipient.

The fees are usually around 1,000 JPY per case or 2% of the advanced amount.

Payment methods include direct cash payment to the courier upon delivery, bank transfer after receiving an invoice by mail, or credit card payment via a payment link sent by email.

Is Importing for Business Purposes More Costly?

Importing multiple units of iPhone 15 for personal use might result in higher taxes due to the quantity not being deemed appropriate for personal use.

The taxation rate depends on whether the import is for personal or business use. For personal use, the taxable base is 60% of the product price. For business purposes, the taxable base is 100% of the product price plus shipping and insurance costs.

Thus, importing for personal use can significantly reduce customs duties and consumption taxes compared to business purposes.

Customs determines the intent based on several factors, such as:

• The recipient address being a business name.
• Importing the same item multiple times.
• The quantity being excessive for personal use.

For smartphones, if multiple units of the latest models are imported unopened together, it may be considered for resale purposes.

If the taxable value exceeds 200,000 JPY, an import declaration must be filed with customs.

When such goods arrive from overseas, the delivery service will send the recipient the necessary documents for customs procedures, which must be followed accordingly.

Reference: Japanese Customs “Guidance on International Postal Items Requiring Customs Declaration“

【iPhone15】Shipping Costs from the US to Japan

There are numerous companies that provide international shipping services from the United States to Japan. This time, the comparison of shipping rates was conducted based on the following criteria, assuming the package includes one iPhone 15 weighing 500 grams:

• Ability to track the package
• Insurance against loss or damage of the product
• Capability to ship lithium-ion batteries internationally

As of November 10, 2023, according to the rate tables (rate calculation tools) of various companies, it was found that shipping with USPS Priority Mail International using a dedicated box is the most cost-effective option, costing $46.50.

Cost Simulation for Purchasing an iPhone 15

Let’s simulate the total cost of purchasing one unit of iPhone 15 ($799) and shipping it to Japan.

If using a proxy service

Product price ($799) + US sales tax ($80) + domestic shipping in the US ($0) + proxy service fee ($120) + international shipping to Japan ($47) + insurance ($16) + Japanese customs duty ($0) + Japanese consumption tax ($48) + customs fee ($7) = Total $1,117

If a friend in the US mails it

The price mentioned below is for purchasing through a friend residing in the US and having the product shipped to Japan.

Product price ($799) + US sales tax ($80) + domestic shipping in the US ($0) + international shipping to Japan ($47) + Japanese customs duty ($0) + Japanese consumption tax ($48) + customs fee ($7) = Total $981

(The estimated costs assume shipping via USPS Priority Mail International with pre-paid consumption tax.)

If a friend brings it when returning to Japan

Product price ($799) + US sales tax ($80) + domestic shipping in the US ($0) = Total $899

If the product is purchased by a friend and brought to Japan upon their return, shipping costs can be saved.

Products under 200,000 JPY are tax-exempt when entering Japan, so no customs duty or consumption tax is applicable.

Reference: Japanese Customs “Exemption Ranges for Entrants”

Estimated Total Costs by Import Method for iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 ProMax

The total costs incurred when purchasing the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 ProMax through the above three methods are as follows:

【iPhone 15】Optimal Exchange Rates for Cost-Effective Purchases

So far, methods and costs for purchasing an iPhone from the US Apple site have been discussed. To buy cheaper than in Japan, the exchange rate at the time of purchase is crucial.

Below, the exchange rates that would allow a saving of 20,000 JPY compared to purchasing from the Japanese Apple Store are summarized for different models and purchasing methods. Those considering a purchase can use these rates as a guideline to achieve cost savings!

【Essential】Selecting Cost-Effective Payment Methods and International Money Transfer Options

Purchasing an iPhone through a friend residing in the US can be a cost-effective option. However, the method of payment to the friend can incur high transaction fees, potentially reducing the overall savings.

The most advantageous method involves using an appropriate international money transfer service. Choosing the right service can save you between 10,000 to 20,000 JPY.

You can compare transaction fees and exchange rates for free using an international money transfer simulator!

Selecting a cost-effective international money transfer service is desirable, but comparing all the transaction fees and exchange rates from numerous services might seem daunting.

This is where the international money transfer simulator comes into play.

The simulator allows real-time comparison of about 30 major international money transfer services. After comparing, you can directly visit each company’s website to proceed with membership registration and complete the transfer.

Here is the result of a simulation transferring 150,000 yen to a bank account in the US (as of October 29, 2023):

The services are ranked from the most cost-effective to the 21st position.

This simulation highlighted the top three and the 18th to 21st positions.

There is a significant difference of $74.68, approximately 11,176 JPY, between Revolut, ranked first, and Mizuho Bank, ranked 21st (as of October 29, 2023).

Without knowing these differences, selecting a money transfer service might result in a loss of about 7%.

The international money transfer simulator is free to use! It is a highly recommended tool when making international transfers.

Conclusion

Direct purchases and shipments from the Apple US website to Japan are not possible. Using a purchasing agent becomes more expensive, hence it is recommended to ask family or friends living in the US to purchase and bring the items to Japan during their return.

When paying family or friends, it’s economical to choose a cost-effective international money transfer service via a money transfer simulator!

The optimal timing to purchase an iPhone 15 from the US Apple site at about 20,000 JPY cheaper than in Japan is:

• Using a proxy service when the exchange rate is approximately ¥93.8 to ¥107.4 to $1
• Using a friend plus mailing when the rate is about ¥106.8 to ¥117.5 to $1
• Using a friend plus hand-carry when the rate is about ¥119.2 to ¥128.7 to $1

Q&A on Purchasing an iPhone from the US Apple Site

What are Apple Certified Refurbished Products?

Quote：iPhone.com　Refurbished iPhone

Apple Certified Refurbished Products are returned items that have been reconditioned and are guaranteed for quality.

These products are sold at Apple Stores and the Apple Online Store.

Refurbished products are characterized by lower prices compared to new items. All models come with a new battery and outer casing, and they include a one-year warranty, just like new products.