How Pre-Orders (Tsūhan, 通販) Work in Japanese Anime Wholesale

In Japan, most anime merchandise wholesale is sold via pre-orders (tsūhan). Manufacturers release product images, cut-off dates, and estimated shipment dates. Distributors and wholesalers must submit orders before the deadline, then wait about 2–3 months for production and delivery.

Another model you may hear is kaijō hanbai (会場販売) — items sold exclusively at designated physical venues in Japan. Since this guide focuses on overseas import, we won’t go deep into that.

Benefits & Drawbacks of Pre-Orders for Overseas Stores

• Benefits:
  • Latest releases not yet on the market — perfect for early demand.
  • Limited supply at launch — supports stable pricing and liquidity.
• Drawbacks:
  • 2–3 month lead time — requires cash-flow planning and inventory scheduling.

Pre-Orders vs In-Stock: Quick Comparison

Is There In-Stock Anime Merchandise for Overseas Wholesale?

Yes. Some major Japanese distributors keep limited in-stock items. These are not “unsold products” — manufacturers sell by cases/boxes, and distributors may have leftover single items after case distribution. Those singles become the in-stock pool for wholesale.

Additionally, to serve international demand, several Japanese manufacturers maintain overseas (U.S.) warehouses with figures in stock. If you target Chinese/East-Asian customers in the U.S. and need badges or acrylic stands, these often still ship from Japan via our export channel.

Which Sourcing Model Fits My Anime Merchandise Business?

Both pre-order and in-stock imports are viable. Choose based on your business model, customer profile, and sales platform:

• U.S. stock (figures): faster delivery, great for stores that need quick turns.
• Japan export (badges, acrylic stands, keychains): broader catalog, trend-aligned SKUs, works well for collectors and anime specialty shops.

Explore our collections: figures, acrylic stands, badges, stickers.

Shipping & Timelines for Overseas Import

• Sea freight: ~1 month (port-to-port) after goods are ready.
• Air freight: ~1–2 weeks after goods are ready.

Remember: if you’re using pre-orders, your total time = production lead time (2–3 months) + international logistics time. Plan content and launches around these windows.

Licensing & Platform Compliance (Amazon, etc.)

As a Japanese company, we work with manufacturers under copyright agreements. Products are officially licensed and suitable for international platforms (e.g., Amazon) when you follow each platform’s listing requirements.

MOQ, Mixed Orders & Membership Access

• Order minimum: approx. 1500 USD worth of goods (low for import/export wholesale), mixed orders accepted.
• Per-product MOQ: minimal; in many cases you can start with one box or even 2 acrylic stands for testing.

Request our live product list via message, or apply directly here:

FAQs