Dropshipping vs Print on Demand – Complete Guide for 2025

With an 8.5% year-on-year growth, Japan’s e-commerce sector is projected to break through ¥152 trillion in 2024, continuing its dominance as the fastest-growing mature market in Asia. This nation of 120 million high-net-worth consumers is driving unprecedented momentum, fueled by a 94% mobile payment adoption rate and a 28% cross-border e-commerce growth rate—making it a strategic growth engine for global brands. Are you planning to enter the Japanese market, or seeking to understand the platforms Japanese consumers trust most? Mastering the local e-commerce landscape is the first step to success. From generalist platforms to niche verticals, Japan’s ecosystem offers unique opportunities. This article will analyze the top 6 mainstream e-commerce platforms in Japan, helping you decode market trends and seize growth potential. Amazon Japan  ​Platform Website：https://www.amazon.co.jp  Amazon Japan holds a significant position in Japan’s e-commerce market, with an estimated monthly visit count of approximately 601.7 million, highlighting its popularity and substantial market influence. Founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos in Bellevue, Washington, Amazon began as an online bookstore. Over time, it transformed into a comprehensive shopping platform where consumers can easily purchase a wide variety of products, including books, clothing, food, electronics, and streaming services.  Seller Fee Structure For every transaction that a seller completes, Amazon charges a fee based on a fixed percentage. The sales commission percentage varies depending on the product category. For example, the commission for fashion items may range from 8% to 15%, while consumer electronics typically range between 8% and 15%. If a seller utilizes Amazon’s FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) service, additional fees will apply. These include storage fees, which are charged for storing products in Amazon’s warehouses and are calculated based on the time period as well as […]

Dropshipping in cross-border e-commerce may appear to be an ideal business model: no inventory, low startup costs, and easy profits. However, the reality is more complex—this field is fraught with various scams, from fake suppliers to fabricated reviews, where a slight misstep can result in the loss of funds, time, and customer trust. This article dissects seven common dropshipping scams and offers practical strategies to help you operate safely. Fake Suppliers and Middlemen Traps  Some shady characters might pose as suppliers, claiming they have abundant stock to lure you into placing orders. In reality, they’re merely middlemen who mark up prices before passing your order to the actual supplier. This practice can cause runaway costs, delayed deliveries, and even harm your store’s reputation due to product quality issues. How to Spot These Traps Abnormal Pricing: If the price quoted is noticeably higher or lower than market rates, it’s a red flag. Refusal to Provide Proof: If they’re unwilling to show any proof of inventory or contracts with manufacturers, you should be extra cautious. Unverifiable Contact Information: If they lack a physical address or provide contact details that can’t be verified, that’s another warning sign. How to Protect Yourself 1.Do Your Homework: Check industry forums and third-party platforms (like Spocket) to carefully vet and select certified European or American suppliers. 2.Ask for Proof: Before finalizing any deal, make sure to get documents such as manufacturer authorization letters or partnership contracts. 3.Order Samples: It’s wise to order samples first to test product quality and shipping times, helping you avoid any hassle caused by misleading images or descriptions. Fake Product Quality Scams   In the realm of cross-border e-commerce, some unscrupulous suppliers mislead sellers […]

In domestic business, we’re used to communicating via WeChat — sending messages, making voice calls, or even solving problems with a screenshot or voice message anytime and anywhere. It’s convenient and efficient. Financial reconciliations might be stored in a folder somewhere, and contracts are often exchanged in PDFs or through “oral confirmation.” This way of doing business works well in familiar circles and local markets because it’s fast and flexible. But once you step into the world of cross-border e-commerce, especially after registering a company in the U.S., many things are no longer just a matter of “habits,” but of standards, systems, and compliance. You’ll be dealing with English emails, overseas banks, Stripe settlements, correspondence from U.S. state governments, and those dreaded IRS tax forms. Tax issues, especially tax compliance, will become crucial to whether you can operate long-term, make continuous profits, and receive payments legally. Why is Tax Compliance So Important? If you’ve just registered a company in the U.S., you might be most concerned about quickly getting your products listed, running ads, and receiving payments. As for “tax filing,” you may have temporarily put it aside, thinking, “I’ll deal with it once I start making money.” But sorry, this isn’t something that only shows up after you make money — it actually starts the moment you register your company. The U.S. tax system is notoriously complex. It’s not just about federal taxes — states, and even some cities, can impose their own taxes, and they’ll come after you individually. What’s even more “terrifying” is that the U.S. tax authorities are known worldwide for being meticulous. The IRS is like an insomniac “data machine” that, once you register your […]