How to Buy & Import Foreign Energy Drinks For Japanese (Over 1000 Cans Purchased)

Posted on August 6, 2014 | Last updated February 11, 2025

How to Buy Foreign Energy Drinks
I often get asked how I import energy drinks from abroad. It’s probably not an exaggeration to say that the largest collection of foreign energy drinks in Japan gathers here at my place, which you can see if you check out the site (；・∀・)

I’ll explain the method of purchasing American energy drinks, which are in high demand, as an example. I’ll go over the options in order, starting with the least costly, and also explain the pros and cons at the same time.

Author information Author: Energy Drink-kun

In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.

Buy on US Military Base Open Days

How to Buy Foreign Energy Drinks
The US military bases hold open days several times a year, where they host festivals and you can buy energy drinks. Depending on the exchange rate, you can buy them for around 200 to 500 yen per bottle. In some cases, the price is almost the same as in mainland America.

It's highly recommended because you can buy energy drinks without extra costs and enjoy American food at the military base. If you're a fan of America, you can stroll around the base and enjoy the atmosphere. Currently, the most cost-effective way to buy American energy drinks in Japan is at a US military base. The online auction methods mentioned later are mostly reselling from the base or its internal transfers.

Advantages: You can buy the cheapest foreign energy drinks while enjoying the American atmosphere in Japan.
Disadvantages: There are only a few open days a year, so you need to match your visit to those dates. Popular bases have long lines for entry, and the time cost for traveling to and from the base is considerable. You may not be able to buy many types of drinks.

Energy Drink Enthusiast's Report on Visiting a Base

How to Import Foreign Energy Drinks
There are several bases in the Kanto region, including Yokosuka, Atsugi, Zama, and Yokota, and many events are held in the spring and summer. American energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster Energy, Rockstar, NOS, and Starbucks are available. Occasionally, rare finds like RIP IT, AMP, and Full Throttle may appear, which is quite exciting.

Every year, more and more people are visiting bases to buy American energy drinks. It has become the standard for purchasing foreign energy drinks instead of imports. However, many people are now buying entire cases by themselves, which is disliked by the general public, so it’s recommended to shop with moderation. It's unfortunate that energy drink enthusiasts are all lumped together in this negative way.

Also, regarding the next method, buying resold items: Due to the increase in people purchasing large quantities of energy drinks at US military bases and reselling them on auctions and flea market apps, there have been voices within the base about possibly halting the sale of energy drinks during open days. So, the availability of energy drinks on base open days may end at any time.

Buying Foreign Energy Drinks on Yahoo Auctions

This is probably the easiest and cheapest way to buy foreign energy drinks. Items listed on Yahoo Auctions are mostly imported directly from overseas, from US military bases, or resold by vendors who buy large quantities on open days. You can find sets of Monster Energy or other energy drinks for around 500 yen per bottle.

Sometimes, you may even find rare energy drinks like Monster Energy coming directly from the military bases.

Advantages: The cost per bottle is cheap. You don't have to buy a whole case of the same flavor.
Disadvantages: The specific drink you want may not be available. The price may rise due to bidding.

Recently, Mercari has started offering a wider variety of American energy drinks. I'll explain more about Mercari next.

Buying on Mercari or Other Flea Market Apps

Flea market apps like Mercari have become a great place to buy various types of foreign energy drinks online. It’s also infamous for unauthorized use of images from energy drink enthusiasts! I constantly have to request removal of my images.

Most of the items listed on Mercari are those purchased from US military bases, resold by people at the bases, or resold by individuals who import a case and sell it on. Mercari often offers drinks that are unavailable at military bases. The prices are similar to Yahoo Auctions, but most listings include shipping fees, so it's easier to understand.

However, recently many items have been overpriced, so it's important to check the price history of sold items before purchasing.

Advantages: You may find various foreign energy drinks sold individually.
Disadvantages: Some listings are overpriced, so be careful.

Buy from Japan's Amazon and Rakuten (Not Especially Recommended)

In fact, you can buy it for about 500–700 yen per bottle. However, it is often sold in cases of 24 bottles of the same flavor, which may not be suitable for those who want to try a variety of energy drinks. Nevertheless, it is reassuring that the products will arrive as ordered, and since the price per bottle is not too high, those who want to buy a case can do so with peace of mind.

However, the limited selection of available products is a disappointing factor. This is because it has become difficult to secure profits from reselling imported energy drinks on major online shops. In the past, there was a surge in reselling military-base items on Yahoo Auctions, and now, the same situation is happening on Mercari. This has made military-base-sourced products much cheaper, and as a result, vendors on Amazon and Rakuten are in a dire situation.
⇒ Amazon's Imported Energy Drinks
⇒ Rakuten's Imported Energy Drinks

Advantages: The reassurance and convenience of receiving the product just like any other online shopping
Disadvantages: The price per case is high

Importing from Amazon USA (Not Recommended Due to High Costs)

How to Buy Overseas Energy Drinks
In the US, it is also usually sold in cases. The product price is low, but international shipping costs are high due to the weight. Additionally, most sellers only ship domestically, and surprisingly few offer international shipping. This is a significant drawback.

To identify sellers that will ship to Japan, check if "International & domestic shipping rates" is listed under the seller's marketplace information. This generally means they will ship internationally.
⇒ Energy Drinks from Amazon USA

Advantages: You can choose from a variety of foreign energy drinks
Disadvantages: The total cost is high. Few sellers offer international shipping. There may be customs duties

Currently, there are shops where you can buy a case at a lower and more reliable price, so importing from Amazon USA is not recommended.

Importing Using a Freight Forwarding Service (Not Recommended)

If a seller does not ship to Japan, there is a service where you can have the product delivered to a local warehouse, and then the forwarding service will send it to Japan. However, international shipping costs are already high, and the added service fees make this option even more expensive. Fortunately, there is a Japanese service, "shopあいうえお," where the combined price including shipping is incredibly cheap, so I cannot recommend using forwarding services.

The forwarding service should just be something you are aware of as a possible way to import overseas energy drinks.

Advantages: You can purchase in Japanese and easily choose what you want
Disadvantages: The service fees and shipping costs are extremely high

Importing from eBay

eBay also offers a wide selection of Monster, Rockstar, and Red Bull energy drinks. Since purchases are made between individuals, it is possible to buy energy drinks one by one from overseas. However, eBay is an auction site, so it is rare to find products at the regular price, and since the shipping is international, the cost tends to be high.

eBay is generally used by enthusiasts who want to buy rare items at high prices, but if you want to buy various drinks, it is inevitable that the total cost will be higher. Additionally, some level of English is required. If you just want to buy energy drinks from overseas, it may be cheaper to purchase from services like "あいうえお" or Mercari. By the way, there is a service called eBay's Official Japanese Service: Sekaimon, which may offer more peace of mind.

Traveling Abroad to Buy Directly

How to Buy Monster and Rockstar Energy Drinks Overseas
The best option, in my opinion, is to buy it while traveling abroad. As you may know from Twitter, I travel to various countries many times a year and buy energy drinks abroad.

It’s fun to feel the atmosphere of the country and experience the difference between Japanese energy drinks. Since you don’t need to take several days just to buy energy drinks, you can enjoy the culture and have a memorable experience while drinking a bottle of energy drink in that setting.

Advantages: Endless choice of energy drinks, the lowest prices for the products, priceless experience of enjoying the country and region with all five senses
Disadvantages: Travel costs are high, and you need to take time off work

Energy Drink Man has written a report on how he buys energy drinks abroad, so you can check it out for reference.

Bonus

If you ask someone to bring back energy drinks as a souvenir, they will usually do so for free. It’s rare for you to be charged for energy drinks as souvenirs.
However, since energy drinks are typically about 500ml and heavy, if the total weight exceeds the 23kg limit for checked baggage, you may incur excess baggage fees, so it's difficult to bring back large quantities. Please don't push them to bring back too much.

By the way, cans rarely burst in-flight unless there is strong impact from a direct drop. Since liquids can't be carried onboard, be sure to pack them in your checked luggage.