Pasabuy may become a thing of the past for some—and here’s why

Japan-based Shopee stores are offering lower-cost alternatives, proving that the “middleman” might finally be priced out of the market.

Japan-based resellers on Shopee could pose serious competition to pasabuy businesses, offering consumers direct-to-buyer access to imported goods at competitive prices with fewer middlemen in the picture.

Netizens are shifting to Japan-based resellers on the e-commerce platform Shopee. These shops claim to sell directly to consumers, offering genuine products straight from Japan—spanning fashion, food, cosmetics, gadgets, home goods, and office supplies.

Before the influx of Japan-based shops, most shoppers looking for imported items had long relied on pasabuy—a popular local setup where travelers buy items abroad on behalf of customers in exchange for a service fee. Buyers typically place orders through social media or chat groups, then wait for travelers to return with the goods.

How the “pasabuy” math changed

Some pasabuy sellers would go on trips for the sole purpose of shopping for resale items. Because of tax-free shopping incentives and traveler-exclusive discounts, pasabuy sellers can acquire otherwise expensive and in-demand items at attractive deals. But resale prices tend to vary among sellers: some would retain products’ original price plus a minimal service fee, while others would also distribute travel costs across their clients’ orders.

More buyers are now flocking towards Shopee stores to cut out the middlemen and minimize associated costs. While shipping reportedly takes longer compared to the average pasabuy wait, some customers have said the trade-off is worth it for the lower prices and better discounts.

As imported products become more accessible through online shopping and international travel becomes more expensive, pasabuy may lose just a little bit of its appeal.

 

 

Is the Pasabuy era ending? From skincare to gadgets, discover why Filipino shoppers are ditching personal shoppers for direct-from-Japan digital storefronts—and what it means for your wallet.

 

 

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