Rakuten Japan is one of the largest and most popular e-commerce platforms in Asia, offering everything from Japanese skincare and household goods to anime merchandise, electronics, and daily essentials. For Singapore-based shoppers who love Japanese quality, variety, and value, Rakuten is a goldmine — but shipping to Singapore isn’t always straightforward.
This 2025 guide explains exactly how to shop on Rakuten Japan and ship your purchases to Singapore using Buy&Ship, a trusted and affordable parcel forwarding service.
Why Shop on Rakuten Japan?
Rakuten Japan (楽天市場) is home to over 50,000 stores and millions of products, including:
- Japanese-exclusive skincare and beauty brands
- Premium kitchenware and household products
- Anime and gaming collectibles
- Local snacks and regional specialty goods
- Fashion and lifestyle items not found outside Japan
Benefits of shopping on Rakuten Japan:
- ✅ Competitive pricing, often lower than local resellers
- ✅ Access to limited-edition or Japan-only items
- ✅ Participation in promotions like Rakuten Super Sale & Point Days
- ✅ Most sellers accept international credit cards
However, many Rakuten sellers do not ship internationally, or charge high shipping fees. That’s where Buy&Ship Singapore comes in to help you forward items affordably and reliably.
Step-by-Step: How to Buy from Rakuten Japan and Ship to Singapore
✅ Step 1: Sign Up for Buy&Ship (Free)
- Go to www.buyandship.com.sg and create a free account.
- Once registered, you’ll receive your Japan warehouse address.
- You’ll also get access to 10 other warehouses, including the US, Korea, UK, and more — perfect for future shopping beyond Japan.
✅ Step 2: Browse & Shop on Rakuten Japan
Visit www.rakuten.co.jp — the site is primarily in Japanese, but you can:
- Use Google Chrome to translate the page into English automatically
- Create a Rakuten account or checkout as a guest
- Use product filters to narrow down items, and always check:
- Seller ratings and reviews
- Whether the seller accepts foreign credit cards
- Shipping options (confirm they ship domestically within Japan)
✅ Step 3: Enter Your Buy&Ship Japan Address at Checkout
When checking out:
- Enter your Buy&Ship Japan warehouse address as the shipping destination
- Be sure to include your Buy&Ship member ID in the “address line” or remarks section for identification
- Complete payment using your preferred international credit card
📝 Note: Not all sellers support international payment, so it’s helpful to filter for merchants who do or use a proxy payment service if needed.
✅ Step 4: Declare Your Shipment in the Buy&Ship Member Center
Once the seller ships your parcel (usually within 1–3 business days), they’ll provide a tracking number.
Here’s what you do:
- Log in to your Buy&Ship Member Center
- Click on “Add Shipment”
- Input:
- Tracking number
- Product name and declared value
- Select Buy&Ship Plus if you want premium protection
This step helps Buy&Ship process your parcel quickly once it arrives at the warehouse.
✅ Step 5: Parcel Arrives at Warehouse — Choose to Consolidate or Ship
You’ll get a notification once your item arrives at the Hong Kong warehouse.
At this point, you can choose to:
- Ship it directly to Singapore
- Consolidate it with other items from Japan or other countries (e.g., US, Korea) to save on shipping fees
📦 Buy&Ship offers free consolidation across different warehouses and countries.
✅ Step 6: Choose Your Shipping Method and Pay
Buy&Ship offers two delivery options to Singapore:
🚚 Buy&Ship Shipping (Most Popular)
- First pound: S$9
- Additional pounds: S$7 each
- Delivery time: 5–8 business days
✈️ UPS Shipping (Express Option)
- First pound: S$10
- Additional pounds: S$6 each
- Faster delivery, ideal for urgent or high-value items
✅ Most users choose Buy&Ship Shipping for its affordability and transparency.
✅ Step 7: Track and Receive Your Package in Singapore
Once paid, your parcel will be shipped out and you can:
- Track the delivery in real-time via the Buy&Ship app or website
- Receive push notifications and emails with status updates
- Expect home delivery via a local courier
All parcels include free basic protection, and you can upgrade to Buy&Ship Plus for higher-value insurance and easier overseas returns.
Estimated Delivery Timeline (Rakuten to Singapore)
| Stage | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Seller dispatch to Buy&Ship Japan warehouse | 2–4 business days (varies by seller) |
| Processing at Japan warehouse | 1–2 business days |
| Japan warehouse to Hong Kong hub | 2–6 business days |
| Processing at Hong Kong warehouse | 1–2 business days |
| Hong Kong to Singapore delivery | 3–4 business days |
| Total estimated delivery time | 9–18 business days |
GST and Tax Considerations
Singapore Customs imposes 8% GST on imported goods if the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight) exceeds S$400.
- If your parcel value is S$400 or below, no GST applies
- Parcels above the threshold may incur tax, and the courier (e.g., UPS) may charge a processing fee
More information: Buy&Ship Taxation Page
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Certain items cannot be shipped internationally or require approval. These include:
- Batteries (certain types), liquids, flammable materials
- Alcohol, tobacco, perishables
- Weapons, drugs, and chemicals
- Oversized or high-volume items
📌 Always refer to the official restricted items list:
www.buyandship.com.sg/restrictions/#all
Why Buy&Ship is Ideal for Rakuten Japan Orders
| Feature | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Transparent weight-based pricing | No volumetric weight or hidden charges |
| Free multi-country consolidation | Combine Japan, US, Korea parcels together |
| Full tracking & app notifications | Stay updated 24/7 |
| Free protection + optional upgrade | Peace of mind for valuable purchases |
| Trusted by Singaporeans | Localized service, responsive support |
Start Your Rakuten Japan Shopping Journey Today
Whether you’re shopping for Japanese skincare, household goods, or anime collectibles, Rakuten Japan offers incredible value and variety — and Buy&Ship makes it simple and affordable to bring those items home to Singapore.
👉 Sign up for free at www.buyandship.com.sg and unlock your access to Japan’s top online marketplace — with smart, streamlined delivery.