QUOTE(shauno @ Mar 22 2018, 04:37 PM)
why not? The most standard discount you can get from MOST large retailers in Japan is approximately 20%. Coupled with tax refund and credit card discounts, you're looking at at least 30% off the retail. Of course, this is is assuming the retailers in KL don't mark up. I've not bought anything locally in the past year, but from what I recall, shops here normally sell at a slightly yen rate compared to exchange rate, so even more savings there.
As for tax, I've never had any problems with customs in all my trips, and I transport the kits in large boxes. Officer ask me what's in the box, I tell them Gundam kit. No problems so far..
That's why never assume that your experience = everybody else's experience.
In his case, he's planning to buy a normal release, big ass kit and bring it back on the plane during his trip to Japan. Unless his intention to Japan is solely to buy Gunpla, bringing that with other items and luggage, he might end up paying more for check in luggage, and risk being taxed at KLIA.
First time I did that was terribly inconvenient. On second trip, my friend was taxed for a watch that he could get here for relatively the same price. Unless it is for rare or P-Bandai kits, I'm advising him not to do that less he wants the inconvenience and risks to pay more.
Normal release kits are never sold at RRP here anyway and I would say they are still reasonable.