Import Business

A subway advertisement caught my attention during my commute one day last year. It was for a book about creating an import business using Amazon. I was not drawn in by the promise to get rich with minimal investment, but I was curious about the possibility of starting a (side) import business in order to import products that I cannot otherwise (easily) get in Japan.

My local library did not have the advertised book, but there are many like it. Search for amazon 輸入ビジネス if you are curious. I got on the waiting list and was eventually able to borrow a book. It was an interesting read.

At the time, I was investigating the possibility of importing Mexican, Cajun, and Texan food products. For example, I have never purchased a salsa in Japan that is near as good as Herdez Salsa Casera. (Most of the salsa sold here has a disgusting sweet flavor, and some brands even contain sugar!) If I imported Herdez products, I would be able to purchase some for myself.

I did not think that the idea was viable, and the book confirmed my intuition. The book recommends importing products that can be sold at high prices, such as designer goods and watches. Food products have a low value to weight ratio, and shelf life would also be a concern.

I recalled that book after writing the blog entry on tortilla chips. I wonder what size of bulk order would be required to get the cost down to a decent amount (such as 50 yen per 100 grams)… Given the low demand, I bet that it is impracticable to create a sustainable import business selling such products in Japan.