Good to know about Rakuten
- Ships within Japan: Most shops only ship to Japanese addresses, so forwarders are common.
- Shipping varies by shop: The same item can have different shipping costs. Enter it under local shipping.
- Points: Rakuten points lower your real cost on later purchases; they are not included here.
How it is calculated
- Cost per item = (item price + local shipping) × exchange rate + agent fee + international shipping + extras + duty and VAT, divided by quantity
- Buying agent: duty-free if the item value (with local shipping) is 150 USD or less; above that, duty and 10% VAT on (items + international shipping)
- Stock import: duty and 10% import VAT regardless of value. General taxpayers recover the import VAT, so it is left out of cost
- Net profit = price in Korea − marketplace fee − cost per item − domestic courier − VAT
The 150 USD limit is the current rule. The government is reviewing the small-import exemption, so check Korea Customs notices. VAT for buying-agent businesses depends on how you file; check with a tax accountant.
Frequently asked questions
What is the duty-free limit for goods from Japan?
Usually up to 150 USD in item value, for agent purchases cleared in the customer’s name.
How do I enter the yen rate?
Enter how many won one yen is worth. If 100 yen is 950 won, enter 9.5.