How to Buy Chinese Products Not Sold on Rakuten Ichiba via Proxy Buying [2026 Edition]

"It doesn't show up on Rakuten" or "It's all domestic shops, no Chinese products" — Rakuten Ichiba is dominated by domestic shops, so Chinese products can be hard to buy there. With proxy buying and forwarding, you can get them.

1. Why certain Chinese products cannot be bought on Rakuten Ichiba

Rakuten Ichiba is a shopping mall where domestic Japanese shops sell. That is why Chinese products can be unavailable for 4 reasons.

① A mall dominated by domestic shops

Rakuten sellers are mostly businesses in Japan. Products sold only on Chinese EC are not carried by any shop to begin with.

② Most shops do not ship overseas

Rakuten shops assume domestic delivery. Most shops have no overseas shipping option, and the shipping tables on product pages are for domestic delivery only.

③ No products sold directly by Chinese makers

Products that Chinese makers sell directly on their own EC are rarely listed on Rakuten. Even via agents, availability is limited.

④ Searching does not even find them

Searching by the Chinese product name or maker returns nothing because Rakuten has no data on them. The reason they don't show up is that they are not listed.

Rakuten cart

Domestic shops only

×Most shops do not ship overseas
×China-exclusive items are not carried
×Items do not even show up in search

✓

allallbuy proxy buying

We buy from Chinese EC sites for you

✓Buy from Chinese EC (Taobao, 1688, etc.)
✓International shipping at cost — transparent, with a detailed breakdown
✓Inspect, repack and ship to Japan

2. Products you can't buy (by category)

Here are the categories that customers ask us about most when they can't find items on Rakuten.

Category	Examples	Why can't I buy it on Rakuten?
Fan merch & anime goods	China-exclusive figures, live goods	Not carried by domestic shops
Phone & PC accessories	Cases and cables sold directly by Chinese makers	Most makers do not have Rakuten shops
Cosmetics & beauty devices	Chinese-brand serums and beauty devices	Not yet sold in Japan
Food, tea & seasonings	Local-only snacks, tea leaves and seasonings	Hard to obtain without personal import
Business & bulk purchases	Fixtures, packing materials, bulk PB products	No shop stocks bulk quantities

3. 5 steps to buy via proxy buying & forwarding

Here's how to get products you can't buy on Rakuten, in 5 steps that beginners can follow.

STEP
1

Find the product／We find items not on Rakuten at Chinese EC sites

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STEP
2

Request a quote／Just send the product URL or name and we'll quote

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STEP
3

Receive at our warehouse／We consolidate and store multiple orders at our China warehouse

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STEP
4

Inspection & repacking／We check for damage or defects and repack for safe transport

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STEP
5

Ship to Japan／We ship internationally to your home; you can track arrival with the tracking number

4. Estimated costs

Proxy buying costs mainly consist of 4 items. Getting a quote in advance prevents unexpected expenses.

Item	Estimate	Notes
Product price	Price shown on the Chinese EC site	Priced in CNY; varies with the exchange rate
Buying & service fee	A few percent of the product price	Varies by service
International shipping	At cost	Air or sea freight available
Inspection & packing fee	Optional	Reduces the risk of damage

Tip: Ship multiple items together to lower the shipping cost per item. allallbuy also offers 30 days of free storage.

5. Cautions and risk avoidance

Buying this way differs from shopping on Rakuten, so here's what to watch for.

Rakuten Points & sale benefits do not apply

Point rewards and super-sale perks apply to domestic Rakuten purchases; they cannot be used with proxy buying.

Tip: instead, compare the China-local price, which can be much lower.

Sizes & standards may differ from Japan

Some items have Chinese voltage, plugs and sizing.

Tip: check the specs before buying and ask us whether you need a plug adapter.

Check the seller ratings on Chinese EC

Separate from Rakuten shop ratings, you need to check each seller's rating on the Chinese EC site.

Tip: ask us to buy from highly-rated stores or official agents.

Shipping can cost more than the item itself

Light but bulky items often have disproportionately high shipping.

Tip: consolidate multiple items into one shipment to lower the cost per item.

6. allallbuy support

allallbuy provides one-stop support for people who want to get Chinese products that cannot be bought on Rakuten.

Proxy buying & forwarding

¥0/month

We buy the items you want from Chinese EC sites, starting from a single item. Orders from multiple stores can be shipped together.

Best for: Those who want items not on Rakuten at China-local prices

Inspection & repacking option

Peace of mind

We check the item condition and repack for safe shipping before dispatch. It also helps catch defective items early.

Best for: Those buying fragile or high-value items, or first-timers unsure about proxy buying

Japanese-language support

LINE・X

From product research to shipping, you can consult with us in Japanese. Quotes are free.

Best for: Those who want to buy without knowing Chinese and want to ask first

7. FAQ

Yes. If the item is sold on a Chinese EC site, we can buy it for you. Items that Rakuten shops do not carry are often available on Chinese EC. Just send us the product URL.

It depends on the item, but since you pay the China-local price plus shipping, it is often cheaper than Rakuten reseller listings. Please request a free quote.

Depending on the shipping method: about 3–6 days by air, 1–4 weeks by economy or sea freight. Express shipping is available for urgent orders.

It depends on the item. Please ask us in advance. We can provide protective packing and inspection services.

Yes. We handle bulk purchases, regular sourcing and B2B shipping. The larger the quantity, the lower the cost per unit.

8. Summary

Chinese products you can't buy on Rakuten can be obtained through proxy buying and forwarding. Three key points:

Domestic-shop focus and no overseas shipping are the main blockers
Just send the product URL and the buying is done
Inspection and consolidated shipping reduce cost and risk

If you're wondering "It's not on Rakuten, but can I still buy it?", contact us free of charge. We reply in Japanese.

Not on Rakuten? We can get it.

Simple quotes — just send the product URL. Japanese-language support, ¥0/month.

Free consultation See pricing