Buying a Designer Bag on eBay from Japanese Sellers: My Komehyo Experience
2025-09-09
Buying a Designer Bag on eBay from Japanese Sellers: My Komehyo Experience
For years, I had been dreaming of owning a Loewe x Spirited Away bag. I’m a huge Studio Ghibli fan, and Spirited Away has always been one of my all-time favorite movies. When Loewe launched the collaboration collection, I was heartbroken not to snag any of the pieces.
Even after the release, I couldn’t let it go. I kept a wishlist of Ghibli bags, set alerts, and tracked them across resale platforms.
Finally, I spotted the bag on Komehyo’s official eBay store. The price, condition, and timing aligned perfectly. I felt ecstatic, but also nervous about shipping and authenticity.
Ordering internationally always raises questions: Will customs charge too much? Will the bag match the listing? Will it arrive in good condition? I hope my detailed experience helps others considering rare Japanese eBay purchases.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is an honest personal experience, not sponsored content.
Why Japanese eBay Resellers?
Japanese resellers are trusted for careful authentication, especially for collaboration or limited edition pieces that are often copied. Sellers like Komehyo, Brand Off, Monoshare are reputable for authenticity, detailed photos, and clear condition grading.
Of course, nothing is ever 100% guaranteed, but choosing these sellers felt like a safer option for rare, highly copied bags. I felt it was more trustworthy to buy from Japan for this bag, since it’s a highly copied collaboration.
Other reasons to consider Japan:
- Unique availability: Rare bags often appear in Japan before anywhere else.
- Competitive pricing: Even with shipping and import VAT, prices can feel fair for highly collectible pieces.
- Detailed listings & grading: Japanese sellers often use clear grading like New / S / A / B / C, making it easier to assess the bag’s condition.
Other Sellers I Considered
Before buying, I explored multiple options:
- On eBay: Komehyo, Brand Off, Monoshare, Brand Street Tokyo, brand_jfa
- Outside eBay: Rebag, A Retro Tale
Since this bag was so limited, it was more about waiting and hoping one appeared, then balancing price, condition, and seller trust. Well-known sellers often price higher, but for rare collaborations, paying a premium can feel worth it.
The Bag & The Purchase
This wasn’t just any secondhand bag—it was a holy grail tied to one of my favorite films.
What made me commit:
- Condition rating: A (very good)
- Price: fair for a rare, collectible bag
- Promotion: 15% off on Komehyo via eBay
The eBay checkout process was simple:
- Order confirmation: immediate
- Tracking: provided within a couple of days
- Payment: smooth, no extra communication needed
Despite excitement, a bit of nervousness lingered about shipping and condition—but the process was reassuring.
💡 Tip: Komehyo allows returns on most items, so if something doesn’t match your expectations, you have that safety net.
Shipping to Northern Europe
Komehyo offered free expedited FedEx shipping. Timeline:
- Ordered: 8th of the month
- Shipping confirmation: 12th
- Arrival: 15th, delivered with signature
Total transit: ~1 week. Each tracking update was exciting, and the process was smoother than I expected.
Customs & VAT
Importing a bag from Japan means adding VAT + customs duty. For example, shipping a €1,500 bag might include (this is a calculation for my country, which would be different depending on where its being sent):
- VAT (25%): ~€375
- Customs duty (2–5% typical for handbags): ~€30–€75
💡 Always mentally include VAT, customs, and potential handling fees when comparing international vs. local resale prices.
Packaging & First Impressions
Packaging was practical and safe:
- Sturdy outer box
- Inflated padding so the bag didn’t shift
- Plastic wrapping around the bag
- Receipt inside
No ribbons, dust bag, or boutique extras—expected, since it wasn’t purchased from a physical store. I picked up a proper dust bag separately (missing dustbag or strap guide).
First impressions:
- Fresh leather smell (no mustiness)
- Immaculate interior
- Leather and structure exceeded expectations
Condition vs. Listing
Comparing the bag to listing photos:
- Description was accurate
- Photos matched perfectly
- The bag looked even better than the listing
Japanese sellers’ grading systems (N, S, A, B, C) make it easy to know what to expect. This bag was A grade, and it matched the standard: minor marks, shining hardware, intact stitching, and firm structure.
Emotional Experience
Buying internationally can be a rollercoaster:
- Nervous about condition and shipping
- Excited to secure a rare, coveted bag
- Relieved and overjoyed upon receiving it
Owning this bag felt especially meaningful as a Ghibli fan. I plan to continue collecting pieces from Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and My Neighbor Totoro.
Tips for Buying Rare Japanese eBay Luxury Bags
- Learn grading systems (N, S, A, B, C)
- Calculate VAT & customs ahead
- Stick to reputable sellers
- Understand nothing is 100% guaranteed
- Be patient: rare items can take months
- Save listings and photos for your records
Final Thoughts
Buying from Komehyo via eBay was exciting, nerve-wracking, and rewarding. The bag arrived safely, in excellent condition, and exceeded expectations.
- Fair price (even after VAT)
- Honest grading
- Fast international delivery
- Holy grail bag tied to a beloved movie
✨ Now I feel more confident buying from Japan. My Ghibli bag collection journey has just begun.