Are Chanel bags Cheaper in Japan? Buying Preloved from Japan
Want to score your next Chanel bag?
Let's really see if Chanel bags are cheaper in Japan and preloved alternatives to find Chanel bags at a much affordable price.
1. Currency exchange rates are a major factor
One of the biggest factors that many see Chanel bags being cheaper in Japan is the current exchange rate.
Before 2019, the exchange rate with Japan and the USA was that 100 yen was about a dollar. But as of September 2025, the exchange rate is about 147 yen to a dollar.
This exchange rate makes high-end things and luxury gifts from Japan extremely affordable when buying with USD.
2. Tax-free shopping options in Japan
If you are a tourist in Japan, then you’ll see Tax-Free shopping signs around. Usually, there’s an 8-10% consumption tax on goods from Japan.
You can claim that tax back when you purchase over ¥5,000. This exemption also applied to many luxury boutiques, including Chanel, as long as you present your passport at the time of purchase.
With this and the currency exchange rate, it makes luxury items like Chanel cheaper in Japan than in your home country.
When the Japanese yen becomes weak compared to the U.S dollar, you essentially get more for your money.
Of course, the opposite can be true. If the yen is strong, then you’ll be essentially paying more than if you were to buy it in your home country.
3. Promotional discounts
Chanel does occasionally have promotional discounts on their products, including in Japan.
These discounts are usually in combination with certain department stores running events, in-store bonuses, or duty-free perks.
One thing about these in-store promotional discounts is that they’re more likely to come from currency conversion or tax benefits than from official discounts.
4. Get second hand Chanel bags in Japan for more affordability
If you really want to find a great deal for Chanel bags in Japan, then their second hand luxury market is the way to go.
Japanese consumers take meticulous care of their designer goods, so the resale industry has extremely high standards for authentication and product condition.
This makes Japan one of the best places to get second-hand and preloved Chanel bags that are nearly new at a more affordable price.
Chanel items waiting for you
Browse through WeeklyLuxDrop’s Chanel catalog to find vintage items, such as handbags, wallets, and jewelry.
Since these items aren’t in production anymore, it makes them even more valuable.
Live video sales with WLD
Not sure about the items based on the pictures? No problem.
WeeklyLuxDrop has live video sales on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 6:30 PM PST | 9:30 PM EST where you can see the items up close.
Our sellers will give descriptions of the texture, the feel, and potential issues they see. Got a question? Ask it in the comments, and the sellers will be happy to answer them.
Didn’t catch the video sales? No problem. You can still reach out to them, and they'll send more photos if needed.
Affordability with free trackable shipping
If you compare the pricing for Chanel items, you’ll see that the preloved market is the way to go for Chanel bags in Japan.
Generally, Chanel Flap Bags cost about $10,000 to $11,000. But a preloved Chanel Flap costs about $2000-$4000, saving you money when you go the preloved route.
Plus, when you shop with WeeklyLuxDrop for Chanel bags or other luxury bag brands, your items will be shipped for free and will have a tracking number, so that you will always know where your items are.
Chanel price comparison: Japan vs. other countries (2025)
Let’s use the 2.55 Handbag in aged calfskin with gold-tone metal black as our reference point.
Here are the prices for that handbag:
- Japan: 1,766,500 JPY
- US: 11,300 USD
- Great Britain: 8,850 GBP
- France: 10,300 EUR
- Singapore: 15,680.00 SGD
If you were to convert each of the prices to JPY, then you’ll see that each is about the same, if not more than, in yen.
Of course, there are some nuisances, such as this comparison does not take into account tax-free shopping or promotional deals occurring.
But the difference isn’t a huge game-changer. The biggest difference lies in the second-hand market.
Is it cheaper to buy luxury in Japan now?
Many global luxury brands, including Chanel, have adjusted their pricing across different countries to maintain consistency.
In the end, you may be paying roughly the same after adjusting the currency.
So, does Japan have cheap Chanel bags?
Are Chanel bags cheaper in Japan? Well, that depends.
If you’re in Japan, then the tax-free shopping and the exchange rate might heavily be in your favor, saving you a couple of hundred dollars compared to buying the same bag at home.
But for more substantial savings or rare styles, Japan’s second-hand luxury market is where you should check out. Preloved, high-quality, affordability, and getting rare items are what you should be on the lookout for if you are looking for a cheaper alternative.