Rakuten’s Overseas Delivery Services

5/25/2020

Rakuten, one of the largest online shopping malls in Japan, offers millions of products to Japanese as well as foreign customers. With the arrival of cross-border e-commerce the numbers of consumers purchasing items from overseas sites are growing rapidly.

But what you do if you want to buy from an online store in Japan, and the store doesn’t ship internationally - Sites like; UNIQLO, MUJI, GU, or even Yahoo and Amazon-Japan!

Rakuten Global Express Forwarding Services

While some merchants have the capability to ship products directly overseas, some have to utilize third-party forwarding services, and for some it is too much work – not to mention, even if they all do ship, as a consumer at the receiving end if you are buying a lot from Japan, getting individual packages from each online store is quite expensive.

To simplifying the shipping process for merchants and customers alike, Rakuten Ichiba launched the Rakuten Global Express "RGX", an international delivery service for products purchased on Rakuten or other shopping websites in Japan.

This Rakuten Global Express service is best if you want to save on shipping by combining products purchased on multiple different websites into one package. It is also useful if you want to buy products from shops that don't provide international shipping, so you can enjoy a much wider variety of products.

This service is available in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Korean languages.

Once users are registered with Rakuten Global Express, they can shop using their personal forwarding address, and have their purchases sent to a Rakuten fulfillment logistics in Japan. After the packing request, just let RGX know how you want your package shipped; Express for fast delivery, Economy Air for high cost performance, or Surface for sending bulky shipments cheaply – and they will be shipped to their final destination overseas.

You can shop from all of your favorite Rakuten Ichiba merchants and earn Rakuten Super Points. For every 100 yen spent you earn 1 Rakuten Super Point worth 1 yen, which can be used for your next purchase on any of Rakuten services.

How Rakuten Global Express Works

As a new user, you need to register with Rakuten Global Express and verify your identity, regardless of whether you reside inside or outside of Japan. For the "identity verification procedure", RGX will ask you to submit a copy of an official document such as a passport or identification card, with which they can confirm your "name", "current address", and "date of birth". This procedure needs to be completed before your items arrive at RGX warehouse, if it is your first time using the service.

Once you sign-up, you will get a Japanese address; a Rakuten Global Express address that looks like this "RGXセンター-MLJ38337". Now, when you shop at Japanese online stores; Amazon Japan, ZOZOTOWN…, you can set the delivery address to your Rakuten Global Express address.

All your purchase information on Rakuten will automatically be linked and displayed on My Page of Rakuten Global Express. There's no need to register these products in advance. But products purchased on other websites must be registered. Upon receiving your package request, RGX will combine your items into one package and send you a shipping fee notification email.

User Responsibilities

Since you are shopping overseas, you are required to perform obligations as an "importer", and follow the laws and regulations of the destination country. This means, you are responsible for all applicable customs duties, value-added tax and other taxes and public charges upon customs clearance. Also depending on the product, the amount and the quantity, you may be required to file documents such as an import permit.

When shopping, make sure products you purchase can be shipped to the destination country. There are also items subject to some delivery limitations; for example, items using lithium-ion batteries (digital cameras, laptop computers, mobile chargers, etc.). You can contact RGX support staff for more details.

Packaging & Shipping Methods

You can set your delivery preferences on your personal My Page.

Manual Pack: You need to tell RGX how you want the items to be packed. For combined shipping use this mode.
Auto Pack: RGX will start packing right away once the items arrive at their warehouse.

Manual Ship: If you would like to choose the delivery method for each package each time, you should choose this mode.
Auto Ship: The shipping method can be pre-selected for items already packaged. Payment for shipping fees can be completed at the same time.

Shipping Modes

Express: Shipped by EMS, the fastest delivery
Economy Air: Uses economy flight services such as SAL and ECMS, that is faster than surface mail while the cost is lower than express shipping
Surface: Uses surface mail and the most economical way possible to deliver your package
FedEx: Used for large and heavy items such as furniture

If you select Auto Pack and Auto Ship mode, you’d save time and the hassle of telling RGX each time how to pack and ship. With this option you can shop on Rakuten Ichiba and simply wait for the packages to arrive at your door step.

Payment Methods

Available payment methods are credit card, Paypal, Alipay, and Rakuten Super Points, registered with your Rakuten user ID. Note, that when you choose "Auto Ship" as Shipment method, PayPal, Alipay, and Rakuten Super Points cannot be used for payment. On RGX website you can use the pricing calculator to estimate the shipping fees.

On the FAQs page, you will find answers to questions you may have. For more details, you can contact the support center.

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