Beginner's Guide for Doujin Shopping - 2. Tenso.com
About
TENSO 転送 means "forwarding." Their service is a forwarding service, not a proxy purchasing service. The steps to use Tenso is:
1. Create an account with TENSO and obtain a Japanese shipping address
2. Create an account with the EC shopping site using the shipping address provided by TENSO to shop.
Partnered Shops
As of 2023/7/18, Booth, Toranoana, and Melon Books are included in the list.
https://www.tenso.com/en/static/shopping_index
*Based on my conversation with a rep, they do ship R18+ Doujinshi overseas, although they reiterated that it is better to check with the shipping carrier you chose to make sure that the item will be accepted at custom clearance at the destination country.
For instance, if you chose DHL, check with DHL at the destination to ensure the item will not be shipped back to Japan.
Package Consolidation
TENSO offers package consolidation – a service that consolidates packages from multiple stores into one shipment. Handling fees pro rata apply to each additional box but will save shipping fees.
https://www.tenso.com/en/static/guide_option_consolidation
TENSO.COM’s website is in Japanese, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), and Korean, so it should be relatively easier to navigate than other EC sites, so I will be brief here.
It would be best if you went through all the sections, but also be sure to check their FAQs.
The FAQ contains information that is crucial for your registration process.
Payment Methods
Credit Cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex), China Union Pay, and PayPal.
Registration
To be ready for the event, you should have your registration with TENSO first before registering with the shopping sites.
*Especially for PayPal, I heard it is essential that the shipping address on your credit card and the shipping address provided by TENSO match to ensure it goes through.
They do accept international credit cards. It could be for several reasons besides being an international card if they are rejected.
The registration process entails an identity verification process (see below)
https://faq.tenso.com/pkb_Home?l=en_US
About the identification process
Based on The Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds in Japan, forwarding companies need to provide for verification of client identity. The law is to prevent money laundering and credit card fraud.Based on The Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds in Japan, forwarding companies need to provide for verification of client identity. The law is to prevent money laundering and credit card fraud.
Name
Date of birth
Current address
The required documents are as follows. Proof of identity with name and date of birth
<1> Proof of identity with name and date of birth
- Identity card issued by the government, financial institutions, educational affiliates
- Driver's license
- Passport
- Insurance card
<2> Proof of current address with name
- Driver's license
- Passport
- Bank/credit card statement
- Utility bill
- Mobile phone bill
- Rental lease agreement
*Invalid documents
✖ Business card
✖ Personal letters
✖ Shipping label
✖ Screenshot of order details
*NOTICE*
- The name and address you registered at tenso.com should match the uploaded documents completely
- You can submit one document if your current address is listed on the proof of identity
- Non-English documents are applicable to verification as long as they are issued by the government, financial institutions, educational affiliates
Please upload valid documents by clicking "Proof of Identity Submission Page" on My page.
A Japanese shipping address will be provided to you at the end of the registration. If you use their services, you will use this to register with Melon Books, Toranoana, and Booth.
