What Tenso does

Tenso JAPAN, operated by privately-held Navibird, Inc. headquartered in Osaka, is a Japanese package forwarding service established in 2009 that enables international consumers to purchase products from Japanese online retailers. The platform provides customers with a Japanese warehouse address and a personal JT number used at checkout, addressing barriers such as geographic shipping restrictions, language limitations, and payment method incompatibilities on Japanese e-commerce sites. Core services comprise three integrated offerings: package forwarding (receive, consolidate, and re-ship internationally), proxy purchase (Tenso purchases on the customer's behalf from sites that reject foreign addresses or payment methods), and proxy bidding for Japanese auctions such as JDirectItems.

The technology stack is a web-based platform combining warehouse management with multi-carrier shipping integration (EMS/Japan Post, DHL, FedEx, SF Express, Yamato, Sagawa, Seino) and a multi-language customer support system. The website is available in six languages (Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, plus a Korean name variant), and registration is self-serve without identity verification for proxy services. Revenue is generated through multiple transaction-fee streams — forwarding fees starting at JPY 30, proxy purchase handling of JPY 280 plus commissions from JPY 200, and shipping margin across multiple carriers — supplemented by recurring subscription revenue from Safety Guarantee Plus insurance/after-sales plans and tiered Home Appliance Repair Support Plans (1-year and 3-year), plus a points loyalty program integrated with the JSHOPPERS platform (1 point per JPY 200 spent).

Go-to-market is digital-first and self-serve, relying on multi-language SEO content, email campaigns, and affiliate partnerships with Amazon Japan, Rakuten Ichiba, JDirectItems, and other shopping platforms. The customer base is approximately 1 million individual users per year across 234 countries, supplemented by a smaller corporate expatriate welfare segment where Japanese employers pay forwarding fees on behalf of foreign employees. Strategic channel partners include SF Express (China-specific delivery), FedEx (primary US carrier following Japan Post's EMS suspension), and the three largest Japanese e-commerce platforms.

Name

Tenso

Legal name

Navibird, Inc.

Website

https://tensojapan.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Tenso JAPAN is a Japanese package forwarding and proxy purchase service operated by Navibird, Inc. that enables approximately 1 million international consumers per year across 234 countries to shop at Japanese online retailers and auctions by providing a local warehouse address, multi-carrier international shipping, and proxy buying/bidding capabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Package Forwarding Services

NAICS

Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42384)

SIC

Wholesale-Durable Goods (5000)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Supplies & MRO Marketplaces (CRAFAHAA)

Keywords

• Package forwarding services
• International shipping logistics
• Proxy purchase service
• Parcel consolidation service
• Japanese e-commerce shopping

Headquarters

HQ city

Osaka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Forwarding Fees: Base fee for handling packages forwarded internationally. Fee ranges from JPY 30 to JPY 550 depending on service level.
2. International Shipping Fees: Revenue from marking up international shipping rates through carriers like EMS, DHL, FedEx, SF Express, Yamato, Sagawa, Seino. EMS shipping available with 1.25%-10% discounts.
3. Proxy Purchase/Proxy Bidding Commissions: Purchase handling fee at flat JPY 280 per transaction. Commission fee starts from JPY 200. Applied when Tenso purchases items on behalf of customers or bids at auctions.
4. Safety Guarantee Plus Membership: Optional insurance and after-sales service subscription. JPY 300 per package for items under JPY 20,000 retail value, or 1.5% of item retail price for items over JPY 20,000. Includes initial defect warranty, genuine item exchange support, and home appliance repair service.
5. Home Appliance Repair Support Plan: Annual or 3-year subscription plans for home appliance repairs. Ranges from JPY 1,000-17,500 depending on item price and plan duration. Provides multilingual repair request support and extended warranty.
6. Points Program: Customers earn 1 point per JPY 200 spent (excluding shipping fees). Points can be redeemed at 100 points = JPY 100. Points valid for 1 year from last purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Tenso JAPAN provides international package forwarding, proxy purchase, and proxy auction bidding services for Japanese online retailers. Customers ship purchases to Tenso's warehouse in Japan using a personal JT number; Tenso then consolidates packages and forwards them internationally using carriers such as EMS, DHL, FedEx, SF Express, Yamato, Sagawa, and Seino. Optional add-ons include Safety Guarantee Plus, home appliance repair plans, and goods damage insurance.

Product overview

Tenso JAPAN operates as a unified logistics and proxy service platform that enables international customers to shop from Japanese online retailers. The core offering consists of three integrated services: Forwarding Service (the main product that receives and ships packages internationally), Proxy Purchase Service (for shops requiring Japanese payment/shipping), and Proxy Bidding Service (for Japanese auctions). These core services are supported by add-on modules including Safety Guarantee Plus (insurance and after-sales support), Home Appliance Repair Service, basic Insurance Service, and Combining Service for bundled shipping. The platform also features a proprietary marketplace (TENSOJAPAN's STORE) and a points loyalty program through JSHOPPERS integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Forwarding Service Core service that receives packages at Tenso's warehouse in Japan using a customer's JT number and ships them internationally via EMS, DHL, FedEx, SF Express, Yamato, Sagawa, or Seino. For individual international online shoppers who buy from Japanese e-commerce sites.
• Proxy Purchase Service Tenso purchases items on behalf of international customers from Japanese online shops that do not accept foreign payment methods or non-Japanese shipping addresses. Flat JPY 280 handling fee plus commission from JPY 200 per transaction.
• Proxy Bidding Service (Auction) Enables international customers to bid on and win items at JDirectItems Auction (Yahoo Japan Auctions). Full integration with watchlist, current bids, and won auctions; purchases are then forwarded through the customer's forwarding account.
• Safety Guarantee Plus Optional subscription providing initial defect warranty, genuine item exchange support, multilingual after-sales service, and home appliance repair assistance for forwarded items. JPY 300 per package for items under JPY 20,000 retail, or 1.5% of retail price for items above JPY 20,000.
• Home Appliance Repair Support Plan Annual or 3-year subscription plans that coordinate multilingual repair requests for home appliances purchased through Tenso's forwarding service, with repairs handled at Japanese manufacturer facilities. Pricing ranges from JPY 1,000 to JPY 17,500 depending on item value and plan duration.
• Goods Damage Insurance Standalone insurance product for forwarded packages. EMS includes free insurance up to JPY 20,000; additional coverage available up to JPY 200,000 with fees starting at JPY 100 plus a JPY 50 administrative fee.
• TENSOJAPAN's STORE Official direct e-commerce shop operated by Tenso that offers curated Japanese products to international customers, with shipping handled through Tenso's forwarding infrastructure.
• Welfare Service for Expatriates Corporate billing program for Japanese employers of foreign expatriates, where the company pays the expatriate employee's forwarding fees, commission fees, and other Tenso charges as a welfare benefit.

Quantifiable outcome

• EMS shipping fee discounts of 1.25% to 10% off standard rates
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SF ExpresscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with SF Express for speedy and reliable international home delivery service specifically for China. SF Express provides dedicated delivery to China with reliable tracking and faster transit times.
• Japan Post (EMS)coreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary shipping partner through EMS (Express Mail Service). Provides standard international shipping with insurance coverage. Note: Japan Post has suspended US-bound shipments due to regulatory uncertainty.
• DHLcoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational express shipping partner for worldwide deliveries. Offers faster transit times compared to standard post services.
• FedExcoreTechnology or IntegrationCurrently the primary carrier for US-bound shipments due to Japan Post suspension. Handles all US shipments on DDP (Deferred Payment of Duties) basis following discontinuation of de minimis duty-free threshold.
• Rakuten IchibacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapan's largest online shopping mall. Tenso integrates with Rakuten for proxy purchasing and auction services. Joint promotional campaigns offered (e.g., shopping coupons and shipping discounts).
• JDirectItems (Yahoo Japan Auctions)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapan's largest auction platform. Tenso provides proxy bidding services for international users to participate in Yahoo Japan Auctions. Full integration for watchlist, current bids, and won auctions.
• Amazon JapancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon's e-commerce platform in Japan. Tenso offers proxy purchase service for Amazon Japan products, enabling international customers to buy from Amazon Japan.
• Navibird, Inc.coreOthersParent company and operator of Tenso JAPAN service. Provides corporate governance, technology infrastructure, and operational support. Address: 1-6 Minamikyuhojimachi 2 chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0058, Japan.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Rakuten Global Express: Owned by Rakuten Group, which is also one of Tenso's largest platform partners. Rakuten Global Express offers direct international shipping from Japanese merchants, potentially disintermediating Tenso by capturing forwarding demand at the merchant side.
• Japan Post EMS: National postal operator and Tenso's primary shipping partner; offers direct international parcel services that compete with Tenso's bundled forwarding in certain corridors, particularly China and Southeast Asia.

Direct peers

• Borderlinx: Switzerland-headquartered package forwarding service offering tax-free shopping consolidation from global retailers. Overlaps with Tenso on the address-based forwarding and consolidation mechanic, particularly for cross-border e-commerce shipments.
• Buy&Ship: Asia-based cross-border parcel forwarding service that provides overseas customers with a Japan (and other Asia) warehouse address and consolidated international shipping. Directly competes with Tenso on the same proxy-purchase + forwarding value proposition.
• JSHOPPERS: Japanese global forwarding and shopping service using the same point system and corporate group (Navibird, Inc./JSHOPPERS brand family) as Tenso. Overlaps on the forwarding, proxy purchase, and JPY 1=1 point loyalty mechanic.
• Black Ship: Korean-headquartered Japan-focused forwarding and proxy purchase service that ships Korean-purchased Japanese goods from a Japan warehouse. Closely aligned with Tenso on the Korea-to-Japan retail proxy niche.
• ECMS Shopper: Asia-focused forwarding and proxy purchasing service with Japan warehouse operations offering consolidated international shipping and auction bidding—near-identical product set to Tenso's forwarding, proxy purchase, and proxy bidding.
• ComGateway: Singapore-based parcel forwarding and logistics service providing consolidated international shipping from Japan, US, and UK hubs. Direct overlap with Tenso on Japan-origin forwarding for Asian and global consumers.

Others

• Sagawa Express: Major Japanese domestic and international logistics carrier that is one of Tenso's upstream suppliers. As an ecosystem participant, it could choose to launch its own consumer forwarding product, reshaping the competitive landscape.

Regional players

• JTB Shopping (Japan Shopping Service): Japan-targeted shopping forwarding run by JTB Corp offering consolidated shipping and proxy purchase for Japan-domestic destinations. Comparable service model to Tenso but oriented to inbound Japan residents rather than outbound international customers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tenso