Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about selling on Japanese flea market apps
Fees & Costs
Q: What are Mercari fees?
Mercari charges a 10% selling fee. For example, if you sell an item for 1,000 yen, Mercari takes 100 yen and you receive 900 yen.
Try Profit Calculator →Q: Which app has the lowest fees?
PayPay Flea Market has the lowest at 5%, followed by Rakuma (6%), Yahoo Auctions (8.8% for premium members), and Mercari (10%).
Try Fee Comparison →Q: Are there any hidden fees?
The main fees are selling fees and shipping costs. There are no listing fees. Withdrawing money to your bank may have a small fee (usually 200 yen).
Shipping
Q: What is the cheapest shipping method?
Nekoposu (Raku-Raku Mercari Bin) costs 210 yen for small items (A4 size, under 3cm thick, up to 1kg). For larger items, Yu-Pack or Takkyubin are common options.
Try Shipping Calculator →Q: What is anonymous shipping?
Anonymous shipping (Raku-Raku Mercari Bin, Yu-Yu Mercari Bin) hides both buyer and seller addresses. This is popular in Japan for privacy.
Q: Can I ship from convenience stores?
Yes! Raku-Raku Mercari Bin can be shipped from Seven-Eleven and Family Mart. Yu-Yu Mercari Bin can be shipped from Lawson and post offices.
For Foreigners
Q: Can foreigners use Mercari Japan?
Yes! You need a Japanese phone number and address to register. The app is primarily in Japanese, but browser translation can help.
Q: Do I need a Japanese bank account?
To withdraw earnings, you need a Japanese bank account. Alternatively, you can use your balance to buy items on Mercari.
Q: Is there an English version of Mercari?
Mercari Japan is only in Japanese. However, you can use browser translation or our English tools to help navigate fees and shipping.
Taxes
Q: Do I need to pay taxes on sales?
If you are employed and your side income exceeds 200,000 yen/year, you must file a tax return. Selling personal items at a loss is generally not taxable.
Try Tax Calculator →Q: What counts as taxable income?
Profit (sale price minus purchase price and fees) is taxable. Items bought for resale are different from selling your personal belongings.
Q: Do I need a business license?
If you regularly buy items to resell, you may need a secondhand dealer license (Kobutsusho). Selling your own items occasionally does not require this.
Selling Tips
Q: How do I price my items?
Search for similar items on the platform and check sold listings. Price competitively, accounting for fees and shipping.
Try Profit Calculator →Q: When is the best time to list items?
Evenings (8-10 PM) and weekends typically see more activity. Seasonal items should be listed 1-2 months before the season.
Q: How do I handle price negotiations?
Negotiation is common in Japan. You can ignore offers or counter with your minimum price. Some sellers add a small buffer to their asking price.