AmiAmi Character and Hobby

[MrLinderman]

I think living in AU and NZ most of my life I have just become used to the fact that we cannot get anything locally without paying 30-60% more than buying it from overseas (if we can even get it from overseas)

 

Granted there are some great stores now popping up in my other hobbies that are able to sell for close to or close enough to international RRP to make a purchase locally and support the store worth it, but its few and far between and myself being one of those stores I know how much we need to compete with china direct or supplier direct if they don't restrict the importation of the item, so kind of see both sides here.

 

Saying that though I can see how having a restriction into your area due to having a local official store would be frustrating IF that store was unwilling or unable to get the items that the official stores in Japan sell, tbh I'd be also sending an email to Kato USA asking them to import the item you need and even pre-pay so it comes with their next shipment. if they decline then ask them for a letter stating that they give you permission to have the item imported from a Japanese store. Yes it probably wont do anything but I'm pretty sure Kato JP would be unaware that Kato USA is declining to import goods just because they don't sell too many. 

 

Most Supplier I have dealt with that have offered me "restricted" importation rights have a standard policy that:

a. I would buy X amount or turn over X amount of revenue per year

b. I would cater to ANY product in their range that a customer requires

 

(b) is one of the main reason I don't usually agree to a restricted importation right as my store is very specific in its product range and I want to keep it that way, and allowing people to buy form overseas for the other items has no effect on my overall sales, usually I find that those that buy from overseas end up coming to me for other items as they have issues buying overseas with no support.

[cteno4]

So got this from my query about why Kato items not shipping to Canada and USA.

 

Hello,
 
Unfortunately, this is decided by the maker and outside of our store's control. We do not know the reason shipping restrictions were set nor are we able to make exceptions.
 
We apologize for the inconvenience.

 

seems because of Kato but no details.

 

jeff

[MrLinderman]

Arrived in one piece, very well packed.

 

 

[disturbman]

I'm always surprised that Ami doesn't properly bubblewrap their items, but it never proved to be an issue.

 

  On 2/5/2025 at 6:54 AM, cteno4 said:

seems because of Kato but no details.

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Well, yeah. If you want details, you would have to hope that Kato give you a straight answer. Which is very unlikely.

[Section31]

AmiAmi is completely odd. Other sites in Japan will ship to Canada/US outside Japan Exclusive Products. I tried getting the Osaka 2025 Expo Trains. I ended up just ordering from Hong Kong side whenever they run preorders/get in inventory instead.

[disturbman]

The Osaka 2025 Expo trains are Japan exclusives. You won't be able to find them at big online retailers selling overseas.

Edited March 20 by disturbman

[Section31]

  On 3/20/2025 at 9:13 PM, disturbman said:

The Osaka 2025 Expo trains are Japan exclusives. You won't be able to find them at big online retailers selling overseas.

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I figured it and tried even at Tekkon Model Shop too.  Yet Khaho teases us even puts up listings at one point. If i am really desperate would have to pull connections to get one within japan.

Edited March 21 by Section31

[chadbag]

I don't think there is a blanket KATO Japan ban on sending Japanese train models to the USA.  I just whipped up an order for a basic N700S set and a DD51 and some other new set of old time cars that a DD51 would pull and set my US address and it's letting me check out.  I'm past the place in check out where it would say the items cannot be sent.  I was also add to add in a Rhätische Bahn item and get to checkout. But if I added a N American locomotive it told me that that item was not able to be shipped to the US...   (Note that on Amazon you generally have to choose stuff that is marked as the seller being Amazon.co.jp and not one of their third party sellers -- some third party ones will ship to the US. but most won't)

Either AmiAmi misunderstood something or they did something to get in trouble with KATO.

[chadbag]

Also regarding the Expo 2025 Osaka liveried trains.  Who is making what trains in n-scale?  I've not been paying attention...  And my google-fu is weak as I am not finding anything.

 

Edited March 22 by chadbag

[maihama eki]

Kato is making one.

https://www.katomodels.com/product/n/323_expo2025

 

[disturbman]

And Greenmax has announced two so far.

 

https://ngauge.jp/gm202506_info/

https://ngauge.jp/gm202508_expo/

 

  On 3/22/2025 at 4:00 AM, chadbag said:

Either AmiAmi misunderstood something or they did something to get in trouble with KATO.

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Obviously got in trouble with Kato for a reason or another.

[chadbag]

Thanks for the tips.  We’ll be there in 2 months and I also have my SisIL who stores stuff for me that’s not worth it or can’t be shipped l.  I don’t have any budget for trains at the moment but I can always look.  
 

wife is not enthused by the expo itself.  I’ll not comment due to it being political.  But I like the special liveried trains.