About TheFlyingPig.com

Reasonable prices on imported groceries and general merchandise in Japan? When pigs fly! But that was before Costco Wholesale opened its doors here. Afterwards, there were only two problems left: not everyone can get to a Costco warehouse very easily, and Internet ordering isn't available. In a nutshell, TheFlyingPig.Com was launched to overcome these issues. (Please note that TheFlyingPig.Com is an independent entity, and is not owned or controlled by Costco.)

Cheap, quick, and convenient

Shop the site, pay at the nearest bank or post office, and receive your order in just a few days. It's as simple as that.

Many retailers and Internet sites that source products from Costco charge a markup of 50~100%. At TheFlyingPig.com, we strive to hold our margin to within 20%. In fact, if you visit a Costco warehouse in Japan (and we definitely encourage you to do so), we think you'll be surprised at how close our prices are to theirs.

We normally have your order ready to go the next day after confirming payment. Depending on where you live, you can generally expect to receive your order 48 to 72 hours after you pay.

Even if you live within driving distance of a Costco warehouse, TheFlyingPig.Com can probably save you time and money. And if you don't have a car, you'll definitely appreciate low-cost home delivery of heavy and bulky items like soft drinks, canned foods, and paper towels.

Daily updates and useful notifications

Costco inventory shifts rapidly, as new items come into the store and old ones are cleared out to make room. We update TheFlyingPig.Com site almost every business day, so our users are among the first to know about new arrivals and clearance pricing.

Who we are

The co-founders of TheFlyingPig.com are:

Brendon Hanna
Brendon arrived in Japan in 1984 as an exchange student. And more than 20 years later he's still here! Along the way, he received a master's degree in business history from Kyoto University, where he spent several years learning all about why prices are so high in Japan. He has done a variety of work, with an emphasis on translation and international business communication. Brendon and his wife Hiroko have five children (and therefore REALLY appreciate Costco). They live in the countryside near Fukuoka, where they enjoy outdoor life (i.e., Brendon and Hiroko enjoy their life when the five kids are outdoors).

Robert Spann
Robert originally came to Japan in 1981 to get away from the crowds. (He was woefully misinformed.) Having received a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas, he stayed on anyway and has served as a technical consultant for Kurabo Industries and Sumitomo Metals, and has created software for a wide variety of clients, primarily in the Kansai region. Robert and his wife Masumi presently live in Colorado with their son.

Personal Import Operations

All operations and accounting relating to personal import items (those on the site accompanied by the "PI" icon) are under the auspices of TFP International LLC, a legally separate and independent entity conforming to the laws of the United States of America and the state of Hawaii.

TFP International LLC
94-1128 Ka Uka Blvd, Unit 4318
Waipahu, HI 96797 USA
Tel: (808) 343-5613
Fax: (808) 677-8642

TFP International LLC designates TFP Ltd. as its agent in Japan for local business services and consumer affairs. However, TFP International LLC operations, accounting and ownership are independent from those of TFP Ltd. Final responsibility for any issues arising from US products for personal import rest with TFP International LLC.