There are several ways to export products from Japan to overseas countries cheaply. Let's list some of the main ones below.
How to export products overseas cheaply
Choose the right carrier
Choosing the right shipping company is important in keeping export costs down. Different companies offer different services and prices, so it's a good idea to compare quotes from multiple companies to find the most cost-effective one.
mass export
By exporting large quantities of products at once, you can reduce shipping costs per item. However, this also comes with risks, so care must be taken in sales forecasts and inventory management. If you are exporting for the first time, especially send a small amount of inventory.
Use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
With Amazon's FBA, Amazon takes care of storage, packaging, shipping, and customer service for your products. By sending large quantities of items to Amazon's fulfillment centers at once, you can reduce shipping costs per item. Also, since the Prime mark is not attached when shipping from Japan, you will not be able to get a cart and the probability of being selected by a buyer will decrease, so you will need to sell products that sell using FBA.
proper packaging
By packaging your products safely and compactly, you can reduce shipping costs. You can also consider using recycled materials to reduce the cost of packaging materials.
Understanding customs duties and taxes
It is important to understand the duties and taxes of the exporting and importing countries and to handle them in the most efficient manner. For example, special tariffs may apply to certain product categories or countries.
Manage currency risk
Managing currency fluctuation risk is also important in international transactions. When currency fluctuations are large, it is effective to develop an appropriate hedging strategy in advance. Form business partnerships (continued): If you frequently ship products to a particular region, you may be able to receive significant discounts by partnering with a logistics partner based in that region.
Choose the best export destination
Tariffs, transportation costs, laws and regulations, etc. may vary greatly depending on the destination country or region. In order to minimize export costs, it is important to take these factors into consideration when choosing the most suitable export destination.
Take advantage of export subsidies
Japan and other countries may offer export subsidies or assistance programs to encourage exports to certain products or regions. These can be used to offset the costs associated with exporting. Efficient Inventory Management Carrying excess inventory can result in storage and disposal costs. These unnecessary costs can be avoided by accurately forecasting demand and producing and exporting the appropriate amount of products.
When applying these strategies, it is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as the associated risks. Additionally, it is necessary to always strive to stay up-to-date on laws and regulations and industry best practices related to international transactions.
Japanese products popular overseas
- Food and Beverages : Japanese cuisine is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and its ingredients, seasonings, and processed foods (such as instant noodles and sweets) are loved all over the world. Matcha, sake, and salmon are also very popular.
- Anime and manga related products : Japanese anime and manga are popular all over the world, and related products such as figures, cushions, posters, and T-shirts are also popular.
- Video games : Japan is the center of the video game industry, and game software, hardware, and peripherals are in high demand.
- Cosmetics and skin care products : Japanese cosmetics and skin care products are internationally recognized for their high quality and effectiveness.
- Home appliances : Japanese home appliances are highly regarded for their high quality, long lifespan, and efficient energy consumption.
- Fashion : Japanese designers and brands are loved around the world for their unique style and high quality. Traditional kimonos and yukatas are also popular.
- Stationery : Japanese stationery is internationally acclaimed for its design and functionality. Fountain pens, notebooks, and masking tape are especially popular.
- Traditional Crafts : Traditional Japanese crafts such as ceramics, origami, Japanese swords, and tea utensils are also popular.
- Japanese culture experience kits : Kits that enable traditional Japanese culture experiences, such as origami sets, tea ceremony sets, and calligraphy sets, are used for education and entertainment abroad.
- Automobiles and Auto Parts : Japanese car manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Suzuki are recognized worldwide, and their cars and parts are highly sought after.
- Musical instruments : Japanese musical instrument manufacturers such as Yamaha and Roland offer high-quality products, with electronic musical instruments and pianos being particularly popular.
- Toys : Japanese toy manufacturers such as Bandai and Takara Tomy offer creative and educational toys. Products related to anime and video games are also very popular.
- Health foods and supplements : Health foods such as matcha, green tea, dried shiitake mushrooms, and seaweed, as well as Japanese-made health supplements, are also gaining popularity overseas.
- Japanese Art and Art Prints : Traditional Japanese paintings, ukiyo-e, and works by contemporary Japanese artists are highly valued by art lovers around the world.
- Cameras and photographic equipment : Japanese camera manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon, and Sony are known for their high-quality products, which are used by a wide range of users from professionals to amateurs.
- Japanese Furniture and Interior Items : Contemporary Japanese-style furniture and interior items are particularly popular, prized for their minimalist design and use of high-quality materials.
- Gardening supplies : Japanese gardening and bonsai culture are popular among gardening enthusiasts. Related tools, seeds, bonsai kits, etc. are popular.
- Marine sports equipment : Japanese-made surfboards, diving equipment, fishing equipment, etc. are popular for their high quality and durability.
- Japanese music and movies : J-POP and anime music, as well as download codes for DVDs and streaming of Japanese movies and dramas, are also popular.
- Jewelry : Japanese jewelry, especially pearl products, is valued around the world for its quality and beauty.
- Health equipment : Japanese-made health equipment such as massage chairs, electronic foot bath machines, and blood pressure monitors are also highly rated.
- Japanese books and magazines : Japanese language study books, books and magazines about Japanese culture, art, cooking, and travel are also popular internationally.
- Motorcycles and bicycles : Japanese-made motorcycles such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki, as well as bicycles from Panasonic and Bridgestone, are also popular for their high quality.
