Be careful when purchasing parallel imports and personal imports

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Recently, the so-called “parallel imported products” (heiko yunyu-hin) and “personal imported products” (kojin yunyu-hin) are being widely marketed on the Internet because they are cheaper than the “genuine imported products” (seiki yunyu-hin).

However, there are problems occurring such as products causing side effects because of having poor quality, causing skin problems in makeups or unable to return them even when recalled.

When purchasing parallel or personal imported products from abroad, you need to understand the risks and only buy from a reliable seller.

*1 – Parallel Imported Products (heiko yunyu-hin) are products that were imported via routes other than the routes of genuine products, they were not imported into Japan through foreign affiliate or affiliate manufacturers in Japan and other official stores that have sales contracts.

*2 – Personal imported products (kojin yunyu-hin) are products bought directly from abroad for personal use.

< Advice to prevent problems >

1. Parallel imported products and personal imported products arriving in Japan may differ from the genuine products which have instructions and safety measures. Buy them keeping in mind that they may differ from genuine products in Japan.
2. Purchase the products after verifying the seller’s address, return conditions and other details in the contract.
3. Confirm that the product is not recalled before purchasing it.
4. Confirm the seller’s contact information and make sure you saved it.

<Mie Info materials>

Important points to not get involved in online sales issues
https://mieinfo.com/en/videos-en/information-videos/ecommerce/index.html

Learn How Not To Get Involved In Online Shopping Issues ~ Important Points About Overseas Internet Shopping ~
https://mieinfo.com/en/informations/others/learn-how-to-avoid-problems-related-to-online-shopping-important-points-related-to-the-purchase-of-overseas-products-over-the-internet/index.html

Consultation Center

Consumer Hotline:

TEL: 188

Upon making the call, there will be a voice guidance and the call will be transmitted to the nearest Municipal Consumer Consultation Center or to the Mie Provincial Consumer Center.

If you are having problems with products purchased from overseas sellers, please consult with the Transnational Consumer Protection Center. (Ekkyo Shouhisha Center)
https://www.ccj.kokusen.go.jp/sdn_process

FAX: 03-3443-8879

Click here to open the consultation form.

* Consultations are via FAX or online form only.  There are no telephone consultations.
* Consultations are in Japanese only.
* Consultations does not include transactions between individuals or between merchants.

Reference: “Important Points when Purchasing Parallel Imported Products and Personal Imported Products from Abroad” from the Consumer Department.
https://www.caa.go.jp/notice/assets/consumer_safety_cms204_190830_01.pdf