Mercari is looking to expanding cross border trade from it’s Japan business as new Stripe partnership enables global expansion to Taiwan, Hong Kong and beyond.
The company has launched the Mercari Global App, aiming to improve the experience for both buyers overseas and businesses in Japan, and create an environment where global transactions can be conducted easily and safely.
To expand global transactions, Mercari will strategically focus on the popular Japanese Entertainment & Hobby sector, gradually introducing features tailored to these categories, such as pre-order sales and auction features, as well as collaborating with content licensors.
The Mercari Global App will enable overseas buyers to browse and purchase items from Mercari and Mercari Shops in Japan, solving problems related to language, payments, and transaction procedures, currently available in Taiwan and Hong Kong with gradual expansion to over 50 more countries and regions in the next 3 years – including the US in Spring 2026.
Features of the Mercari Global App:
1. Immersive discovery experience through access to Japan’s largest marketplace inventoryMercari is Japan’s largest marketplace app with a cumulative total of 4 billion listings. With its vast inventory, easy-to-use UI and UX, and safe transaction environment, Mercari provides an enjoyable treasure hunt-like shopping experience.2. Seamless shopping experience that breaks down barriers of language and currencyIn addition to real-time translation by AI, the Global App supports major payment services in each country and region. Overseas buyers can make purchases easily the same way they would from their own countries’ online shopping sites without having to worry about language or currency differences.3. A safe and secure system where Mercari takes care of all transaction concerns (Releasing after January 2026)Mercari will resolve concerns that often arise in crossborder transactions, such as whether the item will arrive and whether the quality will be assured. Before shipping, Mercari will inspect each item individually to ensure quality, and deliver it safely and securely using a delivery method optimized for the destination country or region. Users will be able to complete all processes from making payments to tracking delivery status within the app, ensuring the same standard of comfort and convenience, even across borders.
Previously, if buyers outside of Japan wanted to purchase from Mercari, they had to rely on third party proxy services like Buyee or the US marketplace’s partnership with Beenos introduced last year.
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Now, the Mercari Global App will allow those buyers to access inventory from Japan directly, offering a more secure and convenient shopping experience.
Sellers on the Mercari US site have long been requesting to have international shipping options opened up to them as well, but so far at least it does not appear that is on the roadmap for the Mercari Global App any time soon.
Instead, CEO Shintaro Yamada says he intends to continue the work Mercari is doing to improve the user experience and increase trust and safety on the US marketplace to achieve GMV growth.
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When recently asked by shareholders what he plans to do to reverse falling monthly average users in the US and whether spending more money on marketing will factor into their strategy, Yamada said:
In order to bring users back to the platform, it’s vital for us to strengthen our core user experience by eliminating fraudulent users and improving the UI/UX of our products, so rather than investing in marketing, we are focused on improving our products.
Since I assumed the position of US CEO in January 2025, I’ve become doubly aware that the increase of fraudulent use is directly linked to poor user experiences and churning, and have been working on eliminating both fraudulent buyers and sellers to prioritize safety and security.
In addition, re-examining the procedures for listing, shipping, and buying, which are the core experiences of the product, will link to users continuing to use the platform and at the same time contribute to the return of inactive users.
By strengthening our measures against fraud and simplifying our UI/UX, we will reduce negative user experiences and promote the improvement of our retention rate.
Several of those user experience updated have recently gone from beta testing to full roll out, including Time-Limited Sales, Auto-Offers To Likers, and Adjusted Bundle Shipping.
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AloJapan.com