Comprehensive Guide: Shipping Walmart’s Popular Products to Japan – From Purchase to Best Payment Methods

• This article is for reference only as it is merely a translated version of the Japanese article below.
  Walmartの人気商品を日本へ発送！購入からお得な支払い方法まで徹底ガイド (Japanese version)

Have you ever seen videos or posts on social media or YouTube showcasing shopping at Walmart or introducing Walmart products?

Walmart offers a wide variety of appealing items, from colorful and stylish accessories to home appliances that combine both functionality and design.

This guide will explain how to purchase popular Walmart products from Japan, addressing common concerns about the purchasing process, shipping times, and fees for international online shopping.

Also, the guide will introduce a convenient and cost-effective debit card payment method, so be sure to read through to the end!

What Kind of Store is Walmart?

Source: corporate.walmart.com

Walmart is the world’s largest supermarket chain, headquartered in Arkansas, USA. As of October 2023, Walmart operates 4,800 stores in the U.S. and 11,300 stores in 27 countries worldwide.

Walmart is known for its low prices, wide selection of products, and convenience.

Its stores, often larger than 10,000 square meters, are located close to residential areas and suburbs. Walmart offers a vast array of products, including groceries, household goods, electronics, clothing, sports gear, and more.

Walmart’s motto is “Everyday Low Price!” By purchasing products in large quantities, Walmart negotiates discounted rates with manufacturers and passes these savings on to customers.

Additionally, Walmart enhances convenience by offering services such as 24-hour operations and online shopping.

Popular Products at Walmart

Walmart is famous for offering a wide range of affordable products. Some of its particularly popular items include:

• Laundry detergents and fabric softeners with unique scents found only in overseas products.
• Character merchandise, clothing, and children’s products that are popular in the U.S.
• Stylish kitchen tools and home goods that combine functionality with design.
• Fun, colorful toys and camping gear.
• Beauty products, including cosmetics not available in Japan.

Source: corporate.walmart.com

Are There Walmart Stores in Japan?

Currently, Walmart does not have any physical stores in Japan.

Walmart withdrew from Japan in 2018 after selling its subsidiary, Seiyu. As a result, it is no longer possible to purchase Walmart products directly from a store in Japan.

Is There an Online Walmart Shop?

Yes, Walmart’s online shop is walmart.com. It offers the same wide variety of products found in their physical stores, allowing customers to complete all their shopping in one go.

To further improve convenience, Walmart integrates its physical stores and online shopping through digital technology.

For example, curbside pickup is a service where customers order products online and pick them up at a designated location, such as the store parking lot. This allows customers to collect their orders without entering the store, saving time and providing an additional safety measure against infections.

Walmart also offers a service called Mobile Scan & Go. This allows customers to scan items in-store and pay on the spot using a mobile device. This eliminates the need to wait in line at the cashier and streamlines the shopping experience.

In addition, since 2022, Walmart has introduced augmented reality (AR) shopping. Through a smartphone app, customers can visualize how furniture they wish to purchase would look in their own rooms.

Source: corporate.walmart.com

Can Walmart Ship to Japan?

Unfortunately, walmart.com does not offer direct shipping to Japan.

How to Purchase Walmart Products in Japan

Since Walmart.com does not ship to Japan, there are two main ways to buy Walmart products: through Walmart Rakuten Ichiba or by using import proxy and forwarding services.

Walmart Rakuten Ichiba

Source: Walmart Rakuten Ichiba

Walmart Rakuten Ichiba is an e-commerce site jointly managed by Rakuten and Walmart. When ordering from Walmart Rakuten Ichiba, products are shipped directly from American suppliers to the customer.

The site offers a wide range of categories, including groceries, daily necessities, electronics, and fashion items. Delivery takes approximately 14 to 28 days after the order is placed.

Advantages of Walmart Rakuten Ichiba

• Shopping is as easy as using Rakuten Ichiba in Japan, and Rakuten points can be earned.
• Free shipping.
• Customs duties and consumption taxes are covered by Rakuten.

Disadvantages of Walmart Rakuten Ichiba

• Ordered products may be confiscated by customs.
• There is a possibility of items being out of stock since inventory is secured only after the order is confirmed.
• Customers must contact the manufacturers directly for any inquiries.

Purchases made on Walmart Rakuten Ichiba are considered personal imports. Therefore, only a limited number of items for personal consumption can be bought.

Ordering large quantities at once or registering a company as the delivery address may be considered commercial imports, which could lead to customs confiscating the items.

Using Import Proxy and Forwarding Services

Another option is to use an import proxy or forwarding service.

What is a Forwarding Service?

A forwarding service allows a company to receive packages on behalf of customers at a U.S. address and then ship them to Japan as part of a personal import service.

When registering with a forwarding service, a U.S. address will be issued. While having a U.S. address might sound complicated, it simply means renting a dedicated space in the company’s warehouse for your exclusive use.

Source: usgobuy.com

How to Use Import Proxy and Forwarding Services

The steps to use a forwarding service are as follows:

1. Register as a member to obtain a dedicated address.
2. Use the provided address as the shipping destination when shopping on walmart.com.
3. Once the package arrives at the warehouse, the service provider will notify you. Then, pay the shipping and handling fees to request delivery to Japan.
4. Wait for the product to be delivered.

Costs of Using Import Proxy and Forwarding Services

There are many forwarding service providers available. Here are the fees for two highly reliable companies:

(As of October 2023, shipping rates are subject to change. Please confirm the latest fees on the service provider’s website before use.)

【Ship7】

Source: ship7.com

State Tax 0%, No Consolidation Fees, Up to 60 Days of Free Storage

“Ship7” offers simple pricing and fast service. Their shipping fees are among the most affordable in the industry.

For smaller packages, the deals are even better:

Packages under 700g and within 20×25×5 cm cost $19.34.

For A4-sized packages under 100g, the cost is $7.97.

The handling fees and costs for consolidating packages are all included in the shipping price. Additionally, Ship7 offers up to 60 days of free storage, allowing ample time to combine shipments without rushing.

They also provide clear and trustworthy service by sending photos that show the size and weight of your packages while in storage. However, note that they do not offer a purchasing service.

【USGoBuy】

No State Taxes, No Consolidation Fees, Up to 60 Days of Free Storage

There are no forwarding fees, and shipping costs are reasonable. For packages under 6kg, Yamato shipping is available, with an expected delivery time of 3–7 business days.

In addition, they offer a 60-day free storage period. The purchasing service fee is 8%.

Two Debit Cards That Save on Walmart Purchases

When paying on Walmart, both debit and credit cards are accepted.

For international online shopping, foreign exchange fees are always incurred when using credit or debit cards.

The final charge by the card company will be the product price and shipping cost, plus the foreign exchange fee. Here’s how the fees break down:

To help reduce foreign exchange fees, here are two debit card options. These cards offer savings not only for Walmart purchases but also for forwarding service payments and other international online shopping transactions. Be sure to check them out.

Comparison with Standard Credit Card Fees

For payments in U.S. dollars (USD), standard credit card fees range from approximately 1.8% to 2.6%, while Wise charges only 0.62%. Revolut offers 0% to 0.5% fees for weekday transactions.

By using Revolut on weekdays and Wise on weekends, the lowest possible fees can be achieved!

【Revolut】

Source: REVOLUT TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN

Revolut provides “disposable virtual cards,” which can be used for one-time transactions. Once a payment is completed, the card information disappears, minimizing the risk of misuse even if data is leaked. Additionally, refunds are supported, making it a safe choice for international shopping.

Revolut offers three plans: Standard, Premium, and Metal.

The highest tier, Metal, offers 1% cashback (up to JPY 5,000), meaning that after spending JPY 200,000, the monthly fee of JPY 1,980 will be covered.

If signing up for Revolut Premium from this page, the usual monthly fee of 980 JPY will be waived for the first three months.

【Wise】

Source: Wise Payments Japan K.K.

Wise offers various advantages beyond low foreign exchange fees and no annual fee.

It supports electronic payments, meaning that payments can be made with just a smartphone—convenient for those who don’t want to carry a wallet or cards. On iPhone, it supports “Apple Pay,” and on Android, “Google Pay.”

Additionally, Wise is known for its security. It is registered with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau as a money transfer provider, and it has security standards comparable to banks, so accounts can be opened with peace of mind.

Q&A for Shipping Walmart Products to Japan

How much does shipping cost?

For forwarding a 1kg Walmart product to Japan, shipping costs range from $30 to $100.

The price depends on the weight, size, and delivery time, so it’s best to use the shipping calculator on the forwarding service’s website to confirm the exact cost.

How long does delivery take?

First, it takes about 24 hours for the Walmart online shop to deliver products to a U.S. warehouse.

Then, shipping from the warehouse to Japan takes about 3–15 days.

The delivery time varies depending on the shipping company and the fees, so be sure to check the forwarding service’s website for more details.

Are customs duties and consumption tax applicable?

When products arrive in Japan, customs clearance procedures will be conducted, and customs duties or consumption taxes may be applied depending on the product category and price.

For items purchased from an e-commerce site for personal use, 60% of the product price will be subject to consumption tax.

Moreover, if the taxable amount is below JPY 10,000, customs duties and consumption taxes will be exempt.

However, not all products are eligible for exemption, so it is important to be cautious. Before making a purchase, refer to the “Simplified Tax Rate Table for Small Imported Goods” on the customs website.

The payment method for customs duties and consumption taxes varies depending on the shipping method, but in general, they are paid directly to the delivery company or via bank transfer or credit card after receiving the invoice.

Purchasing Walmart Products from Japan

Although Walmart does not offer direct shipping to Japan, using a forwarding service makes it easy to shop. Consider purchasing U.S.-exclusive items, such as event merchandise, from Japan!