Buying Second Hand and Vintage Books from Japan

Buying Second Hand and Vintage Books from Japan 中古本

Japan is a land of enthusiasts, and has more than its fair share of bookworms. Japan therefore has a wealth of second-hand book shops stocking usually very well preserved books in fair to excellent condition and covering as many topics as you can think of.

Most second hand book stores in Japan are very small, individually owned businesses catering exclusively to the busy domestic market. Therefore, vintage book stores in Japan are not motivated to offer their services to the overseas buyer, and usually shy away from foreign transactions because of the language barrier, the perceived risks involved in terms of payment security, and potential problems with delivery.

GoodsFromJapan regularly comes to the rescue of buyers in overseas countries who wish to purchase second-hand vintage books from Japan.

GoodsFromJapan's reliable proxy service charges a base fee of 1,200 yen (about nine dollars eighty cents, or nine euros, at today's exchange rate) plus 10% of the cost of [book + domestic freight].

Therefore, a 7,500 yen book would cost the overseas buyer as follows. (Please note that the book price, domestic freight price and international postage prices shown here are estimates, for illustrative purposes only):
7,500 yen for the book (estimate)
  600 yen sales tax levied by the Japanese government (8% at present)
  500 yen for domestic freight (estimate)
2,060 yen for the GoodsFromJapan commission (1,200 yen + 860 yen, i.e., 10% of the cost of [book + domestic freight])
2,400 yen for EMS postage (estimate based on 1kg to the USA)
  548 yen international surcharge (4.2% of the 13,060 yen subtotal)
13,608 yen TOTAL (illustrative estimate)

Books are sent using Japan Post's EMS service. Books usually arrive within 3 days, 5 days at maximum. EMS goods are fully insured and traceable online using a unique number.
EMS international postage rate schedule

GoodsFromJapan packs your valuable books very securely, but as lightly as possible to keep the postage down. We have never had a single incident of books being lost or damaged in transit, so your book purchase is safe with us.

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Did you see a book on a Japanese website that you need? Please contact GoodsFromJapan. Our personalized, secure and efficient English-language service is guaranteed to satisfy.

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