Im letting go some of my figures.

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4505708

I would say Native figures are the easiest to get past customs.
The box is very discreet, no windows, no illustrations, nothing. It looks like a pretty gift box with anything possible inside - a japanese tea set? a wooden sculpture? an antique clock? Something like that. A nice-looking gift box with only the figure/character's name on it. My Native Nurse Momoi has a huge red cross on it only while the entire box is pink (deluxe version; standard version is white).

This. Kastam dont really intentionally open parcels to check for lewd stuff. They are often accidental discovery, when they open big boxes to check for items matching description for tax purposes.

This is why i tend to buy 18sx figures from taobao nowadays. There are genuine figure dealers there too. Parcels coming in from taobao almost never gets any screening from kastam. I went over rm2k including helping friend get 2 Skytube figures also nothing. The entire combined shipping package including my own stuff was like 1 cubic meter in size. Contents mostly haram. I no longer preorder ecchi figures, i stalk Taobao after release. In fact you can also preorder there.

This one i buy from taobao one, for about RM830 equivalent (NSFW)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B7Y...aHdZNDJCOVRlUXM

This post has been edited by EXkurogane: Jan 22 2018, 10:08 PM

To be honest, Taobao sellers are quite honest. It all depends on your ability to carefully read and understand item description (which many Malaysians fail at. I mean, sometimes price already mentioned still comment "pm price", common in facebook )

I shall post the guide again, below. Maybe i should add it on the home page on this thread?

This post has been edited by EXkurogane: Jan 23 2018, 10:34 PM

Guide to buying figures on Taobao

Differentiating genuine and bootlegs. The sellers are quite honest about them, it's up to you to read and understand item description.



Certificate of Authenticity



Taobao seller ranking system



This post has been edited by EXkurogane: Jan 24 2018, 08:05 AM

I see, thanks for the info.
I have my own ways of determining genuine vs bootleg, i even check the entire store to see their inventory (which means everything is more expensive when compared to prices you normally see on bootlegs), and i also compare prices to official MSRP in Japan. So far every seller with that certificate i come across definitely so genuine stuff, so i can confidently say that ppl can feel safe to buy from sellers such those certs.

The exact answer is, it depends. From experience,
1. For new/unreleased figures, If you can get 20%+ discounts upon early preorder in Japan sites, I'd rather preorder in Japanese sites. In this case, even with a more expensive shipping rate, often Japan is still slightly cheaper but not by much.

2. For figures already released, there are 2 main factors to consider. If that figure fell into the bargain bin territory, it's cheaper to get from japan. If that figure's value has risen, China side is cheaper - if u put in effort finding you might find that rare/high value figure at MSRP release prices. This is especially true for xxx figures by Native, Skytube, Daiki Kougyou, Dragon Toy, etc. That's where u save a lot. However taobao sellers are not stupid, some of them are known to fry the prices of rare figures too.

3. Shipping from China is definitely cheaper. A lot cheaper. But do take volumetric calculation into account, if it gets too big you will still pay a lot. There are 3 main options for shipping.

- Combine & Courier: You may buy a few items from different sellers across the entire country, all sellers will ship it to a warehouse in Guangzhou. Once all items arrive at warehouse you can combine ship all items as one single parcel. You get to choose 4 couriers, what i remember is Skynet, Abx, Lazada, and i forgot what's the 4th one. Average 7-14 days arrival.

- By sea/ship. Cheapest, RM10 or so to ship 30kg but 1 month wait.

- Direct Postage. Most expensive option especially if u request seller for EMS, but might be the fastest. Seller ships directly to u, bypassing the warehouse step.

For combine and courier, after u add items to cart and checkout for payment, during checkout process itself they will ask u what shipment method do u want and what courier you want. There are 2 payments, the first payment is for the item + domestic shipping within China to warehouse (usually under 20 yuan, sometimes seller provides free shipping). After the first payment you keep track on tracking results.

Once all your items reach warehouse u can combine, where u pay the second time for international shipping straight to your doorstep. 1st kg is about 25 yuan, but can get very expensive if you don't keep the parcel size in check. Usually u can still get decent pricing for combining as much as 3 or 4 scale figures, but definitely a lot cheaper compared to the same shipment size from Japan. Even when I only buy one item i still prefer to go through this 2-step shipping method. Good price and decent speed. Of course, this method is more complex, so being able to read Chinese will help.

Once item has entered Malaysia site you can track it on Skynet or Abx's site depending which courier u chose. They don't pass through kastam most of the time, but I'd advise caution during festive periods if u wanna import xxx figures.

4. One last point, do not expect the parcel packing quality to be as good as Japan. Definitely not Amiami level of packing in terms of strength. Depending on seller there are chances you might receive the figure with a slightly dented box, damaged during shipping process. Im totally OK with this if i could find a rare or high risk figure (xxx stuff) at normal prices. But i would totally order new safe figures from Japan.

Yes, i use taobao only for ecchi figures and hunting grail stuff, and, PRIZE FIGURES!
Those banpresto/Sega prizes to for an average RM55-65 each only. And because they are small and light in packaging you pay like only rm20-30 to ship a truckload of them. In Malaysia one prize figure also need rm90, 100 ady.

This post has been edited by EXkurogane: Jan 24 2018, 12:14 PM

正版 means genuine. Yeah u can include that term into your search for a figure. figure ＝ 手办

Overlord in Chinese eh. It's a challenge in the aspect, to find Chinese names of some anime. Overlord is literally 霸王 in Chinese but this term is also in reference to certain street fighter characters, and that's also the name of the dinosaur T rex. You u might get irrelevant results sometimes.

For characters with certain Japanese names u can type in the 'Chinese part' of the Japanese name directly which can be partial or the entire full name. For example, Megumi Kato figure u can search 加藤恵 手办 directly.



This post has been edited by EXkurogane: Jan 24 2018, 12:35 PM

The problem with Chinese as a language, one single word or phrase can have multiple meanings. Sometimes the translation from English is also weird or doesn't make sense.

Later when I'm free I'll probably list figure company names in Chinese too. Not all figure companies have a Chinese name. For example Banpresto is 眼镜厂 in Chinese. Literally "Eyeglasses factory" maybe because the logo looks like eyeglasses (see? The problem with Chinese translations or names). This made it very easy for me to look for prize figures, for example.

This post has been edited by EXkurogane: Jan 24 2018, 12:39 PM

It does work but if you put Chinese name u will get even more search results.

Those pricing only 50 yuan are most likely preorders (预定). That's the deposit amount not final price. Final price should be in item description as u scroll down

This post has been edited by EXkurogane: Jan 24 2018, 12:42 PM

Wait, i thought TOM doesnt ship to malaysia?

In the past I did ask them they said they dont ship to Malaysia, but that was like... 1.5 or 2 years ago? haha
Maybe things have changed, I dont know.

By the way, I have updated the first post of this thread.

Taobao purchase guide added.
Hottest figures of 2018 (at the moment) added. I made sure to put in expensive ones for the first three.

Ah, too early. She's due release in April (possibly with additional delays)

That's Saber from Fate Grand Order. Yup, Saber This specific version is based on an illustration by Huke
Real name is Attila

Yes lol
There are many sabers, and there's even one Saber class servant, Caesar, it's actually a fat guy xD

Unregistered SAL is for
1. Masochists
2. Generous people who wants to donate the stuff they bought to postmen

Because Ruler is supposed to be a Saint. A pure lady.
You know, slowly corrupting a pure girl is always better than a girl that's already corrupted and horny from the very beginning

Ordered liao

This one is actually "cheap" compared to that exclusive blond drillhead, because she's huge (ems is over 4k). I do think her wingspan is going to be as wide as 35 to 40cm.

Yes, i ordered one But unlikely to be able to shoot her photos until i buy a wide angle lens due to her size. I'm planning to get one in the coming months.

This post has been edited by EXkurogane: Feb 3 2018, 12:02 AM

Alter 1/7 Violet Evergarden Master Artoria. Pantai Bersih, Butterworth. Juz practice stuff. My diorama projects still work in progress.

https://myfigurecollection.net/picture/1918566



This post has been edited by EXkurogane: Feb 9 2018, 06:33 PM