Bonsai Pot Purchase Support Service

Purchase bonsai pots directly from Japan

I would be glad to help overseas bonsai collectors who wish to purchase bonsai pots from Japan — whether through bidding on Yahoo Auctions or Mercari, or through direct purchases from bonsai shops and nurseries across Japan.

I check each item myself, take photographs of its condition, and pack it carefully by hand before sending it on internationally.

I have been fortunate to maintain 100% positive feedback on eBay over the past 12 months, and I hope to bring that same care to this service as well.

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Why Work With Me

Most proxy-buying services from Japan are built to be self-service: there is often no English support, not much particular care taken in how items are packed, and you're left to translate the Japanese listing yourself, hoping that the seller and the item turn out to be as described.

I try to do things a little differently. I read every listing in Japanese myself, and I do my best to let you know honestly what an item actually is, and whether the seller seems trustworthy, before you decide to bid. I inspect each item with my own hands and pack it myself, the same way I pack pieces for my own eBay and Etsy customers. I try to take extra care with larger or more fragile pieces, and I'm always happy to talk through what you're looking for, even before anything is decided.

I'm still actively selling on eBay today, and I have been fortunate to maintain 100% positive feedback there over the past 12 months.

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How It Works

Step 1 — Please send me the item

Please send me the URL of the pot you're interested in, or simply let me know what you're looking for. For auctions, please also include your maximum bid in Japanese yen.

For example: Yahoo! Auctions, Mercari, or Japanese online shops and nurseries.

Step 2 — I'll check the details for you

I'll check on availability, the seller's reputation and ratings, the item's condition, and the cost of domestic shipping. If anything is unclear, I'll reach out to the seller on your behalf — this is free of charge and carries no obligation.

Step 3 — Estimate and your approval

I'll send you an estimate covering the item price, domestic shipping, packing, my service fee, and an estimated international shipping cost. Nothing will be purchased without your approval.

Step 4 — Advance payment

Once you approve, please transfer the item amount (or your maximum bid) in advance. If it's an auction and we aren't able to win it, the full amount will of course be refunded.

Step 5 — Purchase, inspection, and photographs

I'll purchase or bid on your behalf, check the item carefully against the listing, and send you photographs of its condition before packing. This is part of the standard service and free of charge.

Step 6 — Final invoice and shipment

Once the item is packed, I'll know its exact weight and size, and will send you one final invoice covering the service fee, domestic shipping, packing, and international shipping. Your pot will then ship via EMS, DHL, or UPS.

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Timing and Storage

Once an item arrives at my workshop, packing usually takes about a week. For larger pots, I sometimes need a little more time, since I pack each one to fit its own size.

I'm happy to store purchased items free of charge for up to 45 days, so you can combine several purchases into a single shipment. That said, I may sometimes have to decline combining fragile items into one shipment, out of concern for possible breakage.

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Fees

Payment. I accept PayPal and Wise. Wise carries no surcharge. PayPal charges roughly 5% on international payments, which I simply pass along at cost — I don't add anything on top.

To avoid placing exchange-rate risk on either side, all estimates, invoices, and refunds are handled in Japanese yen only.

A worked example. For an auction won at ¥35,000 with ¥1,000 in domestic shipping, the service fee would be the higher of ¥5,000 or 10% of ¥36,000 (¥3,600) — so ¥5,000. Packing would be ¥3,000. That comes to ¥8,000 in service and packing, plus the actual cost of international shipping. There are no other charges.

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Duties and Taxes

For most destinations, customs duties and local taxes will be payable by you on arrival.

Shipments to the United States work a little differently. EMS to the US is only available on a prepaid-duty (DDP) basis, so I'll let you know the amount in advance, invoice it separately, and ship once payment has been confirmed. There should be nothing further to pay when the parcel arrives.

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Where I Can Ship

I'm able to ship to most countries, though unfortunately not all. Some destinations can't be served due to carrier restrictions, and some due to EU packaging regulations (EPR).

If you're ever unsure whether your country is covered, please feel free to ask before placing an order — I'll gladly check for you.

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Cancellation

Inquiries made before a bid or purchase are free of charge and carry no obligation.

Once I've placed a bid or made a purchase on your behalf, I'm unfortunately unable to cancel it, since auction bids in Japan are legally binding. I don't charge any separate cancellation penalty beyond costs already incurred.

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If the Item Doesn't Match the Description

During inspection, I check each item carefully against its listing. If I notice a meaningful discrepancy, I'll negotiate directly with the seller on your behalf before moving forward. My hope is always to resolve any issues before they ever reach you.

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If an Item Arrives Damaged

Before packing, I photograph the condition of every item and send you the photographs, free of charge, so we both have a clear record of how the piece looked when it left my hands.

Every shipment is insured. If an item is damaged in transit, I'll do my best to compensate you for the item price, up to the declared value and within the amount I'm able to recover from the carrier. Please note that it's the declared value, not necessarily the price you paid, that sets this ceiling, and that carriers do occasionally decline a claim.

In such cases, the service fee, packing, shipping, and customs costs are unfortunately non-refundable, as they reflect work and costs already carried out on your behalf.

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Contact

Please feel free to reach me through the inquiry form on this website, or at hello@japanbonsaipots.com.

I'll personally take care of your order and its international shipment from Japan, from start to finish.