How to Sell on Mercari Japan as a Foreigner: The Complete 2026 Guide
Mercari Japan has over 23 million monthly active users — and most of them want to buy from you. This guide covers everything from account setup to your first payout, with free tools and copy-paste Japanese text for every step.
Furima Navi Team
Last updated: 2026-05-26T00:00:00+09:00
✅ What You Need to Start
- Japanese phone number (SMS verification required)
- Japanese bank account (for withdrawals)
- Japanese residential address
- Residence card (在留カード) for identity verification
Setting Up Your Account
Download the Mercari app (メルカリ) from the App Store or Google Play. Registration requires a Japanese phone number for SMS verification. Once registered, complete 本人確認 (honnin kakunin — identity verification) by photographing your residence card (在留カード, zairyu card). This unlocks selling and higher transfer limits.
💡 Foreigner tip
Use your residence card for 本人確認, not a passport. The passport verification flow often fails for foreign addresses. Make sure your registered address matches your residence card exactly.
Creating Your First Listing
Japanese listings dramatically outperform English ones — buyers search in Japanese, and the algorithm surfaces Japanese content first. You don't need to write Japanese yourself: use the Template Generator to create a properly formatted listing with the right keywords.
🛠️ Free Tool
Template Generator → Create a Japanese listing title and description in secondsJapanese Comment Templates → Copy-paste replies for buyer messagesFor photos: take 3-10 clear images showing all angles, any defects, and brand labels. Mercari buyers are detail-oriented — a photo of the tag dramatically increases trust. Clean white backgrounds convert better.
🛠️ Free Tool
Photography Tips → Lighting and background setup for Mercari photosWhite Background Guide → DIY setup for clean product photosSetting the Right Price
Before pricing, calculate your real profit after Mercari's 10% commission and shipping. Many sellers underprice by forgetting shipping costs. Use the Profit Calculator to find the minimum listing price to hit your target earnings.
🛠️ Free Tools
Profit Calculator → Real take-home after fees and shippingPricing Assistant → Category benchmarks and negotiation buffer tipsCheck Mercari's sold listings (売り切れ) for your item category. Filter by “sold” to see actual transaction prices — not just asking prices. This is the most reliable pricing data available.
Shipping Methods Explained in English
Always choose 匿名配送 (tokumei haisou — anonymous shipping). This hides your home address from buyers and provides seller protection. There are two main options:
| Service | Carrier | Drop-off | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| らくらくメルカリ便 | Yamato | FamilyMart, 7-Eleven | Most items, flexible sizes |
| ゆうゆうメルカリ便 | Japan Post | Lawson, Post Office | Small packets, letters |
🛠️ Free Tool
Shipping Flowchart → Answer 3 questions and get the right shipping methodShipping Calculator → Exact cost by size and weightCommunicating with Buyers in Japanese
Japanese buyers expect polite, prompt communication. You don't need to speak Japanese — use these copy-paste templates for the most common situations.
After a sale — send this first
この度はお買い上げいただきありがとうございます。丁寧に梱包してお送りいたします。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Thank you for your purchase. I will pack carefully and ship promptly.
When shipped
本日発送いたしました。お手元に届くまでしばらくお待ちください。
I have shipped today. Please wait a little until it arrives.
After buyer receives item
お受け取り確認ありがとうございます。またよろしくお願いいたします！
Thank you for confirming receipt. Hope to see you again!
🛠️ Free Tool
Japanese Comment Templates → 50+ situations covered with bilingual referenceMessage Generator → Custom Japanese messages for any situationAfter the Sale: Ratings, Withdrawals, and Tax
After the buyer receives and rates the item, your proceeds are credited to your Mercari balance. To transfer to your bank account, tap 売上金を振り込む (uriagin wo furikomu — transfer sale proceeds) in the app. Minimum transfer: ¥200. Fee: ¥200 (free for PayPay Bank).
For tax: if your NET profit from flea market sales exceeds ¥200,000 in a calendar year and you have a salary, you must file a tax return (確定申告, kakutei shinkoku) between February 16 and March 15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can foreigners sell on Mercari Japan?
A: Yes. Any foreign resident with a Japanese phone number, bank account, and address can sell. Identity verification (本人確認) via residence card is required.
Q: Do I need to write listings in Japanese?
A: Japanese listings perform significantly better. Use our Template Generator to create well-formatted Japanese listings even without knowing Japanese.
Q: How long does it take to get paid after a sale?
A: After the buyer rates the transaction (typically 3-7 days after delivery), funds are credited. Transfer to bank takes 1-3 business days. Fee: ¥200.
Q: What is the Mercari commission fee?
A: Mercari charges a flat 10% on every sale. No listing fees. Shipping is additional (either seller-paid or buyer-paid).
Q: Can I sell from Japan to international buyers on Mercari?
A: No. Mercari Japan is domestic-only. For international sales, use eBay.