How to Sell Belongings Before Leaving Japan [Mail-in Buyback Guide]

Before returning to your home country from Japan, what to do with unwanted items such as furniture, appliances and clothing is a major concern. Throwing them out as oversized waste costs money and effort. For items that are still usable or have value, using a "mail-in buyback" you can send from home may let you turn them into cash without going to a store. For the overall moving process, see the Moving Guide as well.

① What to do before leaving: disposing of and selling unwanted items

Once your return is decided, sort items into take-home, sell and discard, and prepare early.

• Take home: keepsakes and things you will use back home (decide based on the balance with shipping costs)
• Sell: brand items, kimono, cameras, instruments, sneakers and other things that tend to retain value
• Discard: items with little value or that are broken (follow local-government rules)

② How mail-in buyback works

Mail-in buyback is a service that lets you send items from home to be appraised and sold without going to a store.

1. Apply from the official site (some companies send a collection kit)
2. Pack and ship your items
3. The company appraises them and presents an amount
4. If you accept the amount, you are paid by bank transfer or similar

③ Mail-in buyback services by category

The buyback service that is best depends on what you want to sell. Here is a summary by representative category.

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Mail-in buyback services you can send from home (by category)

Brand OffBrand & fashion

Send brand bags, wallets, watches and more from home to have them appraised.

Apply for a buyback appraisal →

FukuchanKimono & stamps

Handles mail-in buyback of kimono, obi and Japanese-dress accessories, as well as stamps and old coins.

See kimono buyback →

JUSTYSneakers

Mail-in buyback of sneakers and sports shoes. Popular models and unused items are also accepted.

See sneaker buyback →

Camera KaitoriyasanCameras

Send DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, lenses and other camera gear together.

See camera buyback →

Gakki KaitoriyasanInstruments

Mail-in buyback of guitars, wind instruments, electronic instruments and more. Large instruments may be picked up.

See instrument buyback →

LakudaGeneral recycle

A general recycling buyback that handles a wide range of genres such as home appliances and household goods.

See what is accepted and the flow →

COYASHDolls

Mail-in buyback of Hina dolls, May dolls, Japanese dolls and more — a place to pass on items you cherish.

See doll buyback →

*The appraised amount varies with the condition of the item and the market, and a buyback is not guaranteed. Whether shipping, appraisal fees, or return shipping (if you decline) apply differs by company, so please check each official site before applying. Identification documents (such as a residence card) are required. Applications and procedures are generally conducted in Japanese.

④ Items that won't sell, and how to dispose of them

Some items rarely fetch a buyback, and some must be disposed of according to rules.

• Items covered by the Home Appliance Recycling Law: TVs, refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners are, in principle, disposed of by the method set under the Home Appliance Recycling Law (collection by the retailer, designated collection sites, etc.). They cannot be put out as oversized waste.
• Oversized and general waste: Sizes and rules differ by municipality. Advance application and a fee are often required. Check the Garbage Sorting Rules as well.

⑤ Prepare alongside the return procedures

In parallel with disposing of unwanted items, proceed with the procedures needed to return home.

• Resident record (moving-out notification): Submit a moving-out notification to the municipality. See Resident Registration Procedures
• Canceling utilities: Stop electricity, gas, water and internet. See Electricity, Gas & Water Procedures
• Bank accounts and credit cards: Cancel and settle balances as needed
• Pension: Under certain conditions you may be able to claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment. See the Pension Guide

FAQ

Can I use mail-in buyback without a residence card?Many mail-in buyback services require identification documents. A residence card or passport may be accepted, but the required documents differ by company, so please check before applying.

What happens if I am not satisfied with the appraisal?You may be able to cancel the buyback and have the items returned. However, whether you bear the return shipping differs by company, so check in advance.

Will they buy back my TV or refrigerator?It depends on the condition and model. Appliances that are not bought back are disposed of under the Home Appliance Recycling Law or municipal rules.

Will payment make it in time before I leave?It can take days from application to appraisal and payment. Since the period just before leaving is hectic, we recommend applying early.