Shopping in Japan from your couch: proxies or borderless consumption

Snoopy is so cute in his train driver's uniform. At the end of March, an American internet user asked for help on the community site Reddit to obtain a keychain featuring the famous cartoon dog, in collaboration with the Saitama Railway Museum. A limited edition, available only in Japan. He couldn't order it from the United States. Luckily, a user offered to lend him a hand. For those in the know, this is called "proxying." Are you eyeing a pair of pumps available across the Atlantic, but no store delivers to Europe? All you need is a willing intermediary.

While the idea isn't new, it has transformed over the past decade as e-commerce fever has spread worldwide. Zenmarket, Buyee, Shipito, Blackship… There are countless dedicated platforms, freeing themselves from the limitations of global commerce. No need to beg for help on obscure forums. These companies take care of ordering, delivering, storing, and even negotiating your precious finds for you, for a commission.

Hippolyte is one of those fans of borderless shopping. The thirty-year-old nurse, based near Toulouse, is a big fan of Japanese fashion. But there are no specialist stores near his home. So he found a solution: "I've ordered several pieces from Buyee