Prices
When Japan is actually cheaper than PH
The JP price on the screenshot is not what you pay. Landed cost is product + local tax + shipping or operator fee + PH last mile. Sometimes it still wins. Sometimes you just got baited by yen.
Start from the exact JP listing, not a reseller’s “Japan price” graphic. If they will not show the source URL, walk away.
Convert yen at a real rate, then add the operator’s fee or proxy’s international shipping. For air, think days to a couple of weeks. For sea cargo, think a month or more.
PH retail already includes somebody’s markup, tax, and hassle. Specialty beauty, JP-exclusive sneakers, and Mercari-only collectibles are where the gap usually shows. Uniqlo basics and Donki snacks often do not.
If the gap disappears after a honest landed quote, we will say so. Buying from SM is allowed.