Last reviewed: October 20, 2026. Shipping rules, fees, and store policies change often, so always confirm the details on the official page before you pay.
Official VTuber merchandise is often released in Japan first, and some items never leave the country. If you live overseas, you have four realistic ways to get what you want. This guide explains each one, what it costs you in extra fees, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Option 1: Official overseas stores
Start here, because it is usually the safest and cheapest route.
hololive production OFFICIAL SHOP. The shop opened in September 2021 and has an English site. International shipping began with the United States, Canada, and Mexico in January 2022 and was later expanded to more regions, mainly in Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Orders are shipped by carriers such as DHL and EMS, and import taxes or duties may be added depending on your country. Not every item ships abroad: some products, such as large furniture-style goods, have been limited to Japan. Always check the shipping notice on each product page and the list of supported countries at checkout.
NIJISANJI EN Official Store. ANYCOLOR directs overseas buyers to a separate store for international purchases, while Japanese customers use the Japan store. Product drops are announced with a start time in Pacific Time, and each announcement lists an estimated shipping window. The announcements also say the team cannot respond to shipping inquiries, so wait for your shipping confirmation email instead of asking support.
Why this is the best option: you buy from the source, there are no proxy service fees, and you avoid counterfeit risk.
Option 2: Proxy shopping services
If an item is sold only in Japan, a proxy shopping service can buy it for you. You send the service a link or choose the item on its site, it purchases the item from the Japanese shop, receives it at a warehouse in Japan, and ships it to you.
Well-known services include ZenMarket, Buyee, FROM JAPAN, and DEJAPAN. They support popular Japanese marketplaces such as Rakuten, Mercari, Yahoo! Japan, and Amazon Japan, and you can often paste in a product link from a shop that does not offer overseas shipping.
What it costs. The final price is usually made up of several parts:
- the item price (which includes Japan’s consumption tax),
- the proxy service fee, typically charged per item and varying by service,
- shipping within Japan, which is sometimes free,
- international shipping,
- import VAT or duties charged by your country, plus any carrier handling fees.
Because fees differ between services, compare the total cost of one real item on two services before placing a large order.
Option 3: Overseas retailers that ship Japanese merchandise
Some online shops stock licensed VTuber goods, particularly figures and collectibles, and ship from Japan or from an overseas warehouse. Examples include TOM Shop (operated by Otaku Mode) and specialist hobby retailers such as AmiAmi. Prices can differ from the official Japanese price, so compare before buying, but checkout is in English and shipping is straightforward. Check that the product is listed as an official, licensed item.
Option 4: Japanese official stores through a forwarding service
Some official shops, including the hololive production store on Amazon Japan, only deliver within Japan. A shipping forwarding service gives you a Japanese address; you order to that address and the forwarder sends the parcel abroad. This is different from a proxy service because you place the order yourself, which means you need to be able to use the Japanese shop’s site and payment methods.
Quick comparison
| Option | Best for | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Official overseas store | Current releases, safest purchase | Not every item or country is supported |
| Proxy shopping service | Japan-only items and marketplaces | Stacked fees; you rely on the service |
| Overseas retailer | Figures and collectibles, easy checkout | Higher prices, limited selection |
| Forwarding service | Japan-only official stores | You handle the Japanese shop yourself |
Tips to avoid problems
- Check the official announcement first. The agency or talent’s official X account and store page list sales periods, shipping regions, and limits.
- Beware of resale prices and counterfeits. Marketplace listings can be far above retail, and unofficial copies exist. Prefer official stores and reputable sellers.
- Do the math before you buy. Add item price, fees, shipping, and import charges. For small items the extras may cost more than the item.
- Read the return policy. International orders from official stores are often non-returnable except for damaged or undelivered items.
- Plan for delays. International delivery can take weeks, especially for pre-orders and limited drops.
What to read next
World Virtual Research is an independent, unofficial resource and is not affiliated with any store or agency mentioned here. All names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Sources
- hololive production OFFICIAL SHOP shipping announcement – Kyodo JBN
- Official Hololive Shop expands shipping – GamerBraves
- Hololive Startend gaming chairs and shipping limits – Siliconera
- NIJISANJI EN merchandise announcements – ANYCOLOR
- How to Shop from Stores in Japan – Gear Patrol
- Proxy Shopping Services – voltexes.com
- ZenMarket overview – notes.nicolasdeville.com
- Hololive merchandise shopping guide – Buyandship
- TOM Shop (Otaku Mode) shipping information
Reviewed by WVR Inoue on October 20, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Thumbnail: ときのそら 新メイクアップライブ-新しいお化粧！わたしのお披露目会- by SoraCh. ときのそらチャンネル on YouTube. Shown via YouTube; all rights belong to their owners.
