I found the fastest way to ship A24 Genre candles to Japan this 2026 restock

Why I think the A24 x Joya candles are worth the craze

I have been waiting for the 2026 restock of the A24 x Joya 'Genre' collection for what feels like an eternity. If you are a film buff like me, you know that A24 merchandise is more than just a brand; it is a cult aesthetic. These candles—with scents like Horror, Western, and Musical—are hand-poured in Brooklyn and rarely stay in stock for more than a few hours. Because they are so difficult to find at local retailers in Tokyo or Osaka, my only option was to look toward the US market.

The quality of Joya's wax and the unique fragrance profiles that mimic cinematic tropes make these a must-have for my home theater setup. Since the A24 shop often limits international shipping options or charges a fortune for direct delivery, I decided to take matters into my own hands to ensure I got mine before they sold out again.

How I bought from the US store from my home in Japan

My first step was securing a tax-free us address. I realized that shipping directly from the A24 website to Japan often comes with high domestic taxes within the US or limited carrier choices. By using a freight forwarder based in Oregon, I managed to skip the US sales tax entirely, which saved me enough money to basically cover part of my international shipping costs.

During the checkout process, I simply entered my US warehouse address. If you find that the US store does not accept your Japanese credit card, don't worry. I have seen many friends use a proxy shopping service to have an agent buy the items on their behalf. This proxy shopping method is a lifesaver when items are high-demand and you cannot afford a checkout error. If you are curious about how that works, you can check the FAQ for more details.

My shipping estimates for the Genre collection

I know how stressful it is to guess how much you will pay at the end of the journey. Based on my order of the full Genre collection, here is what I found for the logistics side of things:

I always suggest using a shipping calculator before you commit. This way, you can estimate shipping cost for your specific combination of candles. I also made sure to double-check the shipping rules to ensure that scented wax wasn't on any restricted lists—thankfully, they are perfectly fine for Japan.

How I handled Japan import tax and customs

When shipping to Japan, I always keep the 16,666 JPY threshold in mind. If my total order value (including 10% of shipping) is under this amount, I usually don't have to pay import tax or consumption tax. However, the A24 Genre collection can be pricey if you buy the whole set. We should be prepared to pay about 10% consumption tax if we go over that limit. Using a reliable international shipping service like comGateway helps because they provide clear documentation for Japanese customs, which speeds up the process at Narita or Kansai airports.

The fastest way to get your candles home

My goal was to get these candles before the weekend. To achieve my "speed run," I chose DHL international shipping for the final leg from the US warehouse to my door in Japan. While FedEx international shipping is also a great choice, I found that DHL currently has the fastest processing time for small parcels entering Tokyo in 2026.

By using a package forwarding service, I also had the option to consolidate my order. If I had bought an A24 hoodie or a film book alongside the candles, I could have put them all in one box to save on the base shipping fee. This is the smartest way to shop US stores while living abroad. I hope my experience helps you secure your favorite scents before they disappear again!