Letting a freight forwarder handle your Jellycat Sky Dragon order vs hunting for restocks in Tokyo

February 22, 2026

The 2026 Jellycat Sky Dragon frenzy

It is February 2026, and if you have been trying to find the Jellycat Sky Dragon in Japan, you already know the struggle. This specific plush has become a massive collectible, and local shops in Tokyo or Osaka just cannot keep up with the demand. Many of us are looking at empty shelves while watching collectors in other countries post their latest hauls. If you are tired of the constant "Out of Stock" notifications, looking toward the US market is your best bet.

Letting a freight forwarder handle your Jellycat Sky Dragon order vs hunting for restocks in Tokyo
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Check our guide on Read more: I am sounding the alarm on Japan's Jellycat Sky Dragon shortage and why I buy from US stores instead to understand why this shortage is hitting Japan so hard right now.

US retailers vs Japan boutiques: Where is the stock?

When comparing availability, US luxury department stores like Neiman Marcus often maintain a much steadier supply of high-value items than local Japanese retailers. While a boutique in Ginza might get five dragons a month, a massive US distributor gets hundreds. By choosing to shop us store sites, you are fishing in a much larger pond. You can find the latest us trends and popular products without waiting for a local distributor to maybe, eventually, restock.

You might also like: Read more: US Retail Access vs Japan Boutique Scarcity: Why waiting for local Sky Dragon restocks could cost you thousands in 2026.

Using a freight forwarder vs trying to ship direct

The lazy method for getting your hands on a Sky Dragon is simple: use a freight forwarder. Most US luxury stores either do not offer international shipping to Japan, or if they do, the costs are astronomical. By using comGateway, you get a tax-free us address to send your packages to. This lets you act like a US local shopper, which often means better prices and access to exclusive items. Once your dragon arrives at the warehouse, you can use the shipping calculator to estimate shipping cost before it heads to your door.

BuyForMe service vs credit card rejection headaches

Sometimes, shopping from Japan isn't as easy as just entering your details. Many big US retailers, including places like Neiman Marcus, Nike, or Sephora, have a habit of blocking international credit cards. They might also decline any order that they see going to a known shipping company. This is where most people give up, but there is a much easier way.

The BuyForMe service (also known as proxy shopping or assisted purchase) is the ultimate workaround. Instead of you fighting with a website that won't accept your payment, comGateway buys the item for you using a US domestic card. This is the safest way to guarantee your order doesn't get cancelled at the last second. You just tell them what you want, and they handle the checkout process. It is the perfect solution for those "difficult" stores that make life hard for international fans.

International shipping rates vs Japan delivery times

Once your Sky Dragon is safely in the warehouse, it is time for the final leg of the journey. When looking at international shipping rates, you want to balance speed and cost. For a plush toy, which is light but might require a medium-sized box, you can choose between various shipping fees depending on how fast you want your new friend to arrive. Typically, a Japan delivery via premium carriers takes about 3 to 5 business days from the US warehouse. You can even choose between DHL international shipping or FedEx international shipping depending on which one services your specific neighborhood in Japan better.

Import tax vs total savings

Is it actually cheaper to buy from the US? When you look at the import tax and shipping, you might still come out ahead. In Japan, personal imports under 16,666 JPY are often exempt from duty, though consumption tax may still apply depending on the current 2026 regulations. Even with these costs, the price gap between a US retail dragon and a Japanese reseller's markup is huge. You can find more details here: Read more: Saving 18,000 Yen on the Jellycat Sky Dragon by bypassing Japan's boutique supply barriers.

By letting a freight forwarder handle the logistics, you spend less time refreshing boutique pages and more time enjoying your collection. If a store gives you trouble, just use the BuyForMe service and let the experts handle the paperwork. It is the easiest way to ship to Japan and finally finish your Jellycat collection in 2026.

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