Mercari Guide for Foreigners in Japan: Buy Cheap & Sell Before You Leave

Quick answer (30 seconds): Mercari (メルカリ) is Japan's biggest flea-market app — the go-to place to buy used furniture, appliances, and electronics cheaply when you move in, and to sell everything before you leave Japan instead of dumping it. Signing up needs a phone number; to sell and cash out you'll do an identity check (本人確認) and link a Japanese bank account. Mercari takes a 10% selling fee (only when an item sells), and shipping is anonymous and flat-rate via convenience stores. The app is mostly in Japanese, so keep a translation tool handy.

ℹ️ Fees and shipping rates below are current/approximate and can change — confirm on the Mercari app before you buy or sell.

Why Mercari is perfect for foreign residents

Two moments in expat life are made for Mercari:

• Moving in: furnish an empty apartment for a fraction of retail — desks, microwaves, fridges, bikes, winter coats — often barely used.
• Leaving Japan: instead of paying to dump furniture, sell it in your final weeks and recover cash. (Combine with the disposal rules and your moving plan.)

It's also great for hobby gear, brand items, and electronics between those two points.

Setting up your account

1. Download the app and register with your phone number (SMS code).
2. To buy: you can start almost immediately, paying by card, convenience store, or Merpay (Mercari's wallet).
3. To sell and withdraw money: complete identity verification (本人確認 / eKYC) — typically with your residence card or My Number card — and link a Japanese bank account to receive your proceeds.

You can browse and buy with minimal setup; selling and cashing out is what needs the ID check and bank account.

Fees: what Mercari takes

• Selling fee: 10% of the sale price, charged only when the item sells (listing is free).
• Withdrawal fee: about ¥200 to transfer your balance to your bank (you can also spend the balance via Merpay with no withdrawal).
• Buyers don't pay a platform fee, just the item price plus any shipping the seller didn't include.

Shipping made easy (and anonymous)

Mercari's own shipping options keep your name and address private and use simple flat rates:

• Rakuraku Mercari Bin (らくらくメルカリ便, via Yamato) — drop off at a convenience store, Yamato office, or PUDO locker.
• Yuyu Mercari Bin (ゆうゆうメルカリ便, via Japan Post) — drop off at the post office or convenience store.

You print or scan a code at the counter; buyer and seller addresses stay hidden. Rates are fixed by size, so you know shipping cost up front.

Selling tips that actually work

• Honest condition + clear photos sell fastest; note any flaws.
• Search a sold item to price realistically.
• Bundle small items; ship promptly to keep your rating high.
• For furniture/large items, use a large-item shipping option or arrange local pickup.

Cautions & the rules

• Prohibited items: counterfeits, certain electronics, and other restricted goods are banned — follow Mercari's rules and Japanese law.
• Scams & disputes: keep all communication and payment inside the app (Mercari escrows the payment until the buyer confirms). Don't move off-platform.
• Language: the app is mostly Japanese; use a translation tool for listings and messages.
• Overseas buyers: Mercari has a service that lets overseas buyers purchase while you just ship domestically — handy, but not needed for everyday local selling.

FAQ

1. Can a foreigner use Mercari? Yes. You can buy with a phone number; to sell and withdraw, do the identity check and link a Japanese bank account.

2. How much does selling cost? A 10% fee when the item sells, plus about ¥200 to withdraw your balance to a bank.

3. Do I need a Japanese bank account? To cash out your sales, yes (or spend the balance via Merpay). Buying doesn't require it.

4. Is the app in English? It's mostly Japanese. A translation app makes listing and messaging easy enough.

5. What's the best way to sell everything before leaving Japan? Start a few weeks early, list in batches, price by checking sold items, and use Mercari's flat-rate shipping or local pickup for big items.

Sources

• Mercari (official) — how Mercari works, fees, shipping & ID verification: https://www.mercari.com/jp/
• Mercari — overseas/international transaction support (official): https://jp-news.mercari.com/more/international-transaction-support

Related guides

• Open a Japanese bank account as a foreigner — needed to withdraw your Mercari sales
• Furniture & appliance rental for foreigners — rent vs. buy used
• Buy iPhone/Mac cheaper (Amazon Renewed) — another way to save on electronics
• UR rental housing for foreigners — furnish a low-cost UR unit with Mercari finds

Last updated: 2026-06-19