Buying 2016 Macbook Pro with US keyboard in Japan

[Hexley]

Hi!

I am visiting Tokyo in late November and by that time I expect the 2016 MBP to become available through retail.

I want to buy it there as it is $100 cheaper than the US Apple Store and visitors/tourists can buy it tax-free.

Is it possible to buy them with a US keyboard and have it BTO for 16GB of RAM?

 

[Denumerable]

It is. I live in Japan and you can pretty much get any US model here. Just pre-purchase your BTO and ship to your address here in Japan.

 

[cavs28]

It is. I live in Japan and you can pretty much get any US model here. Just pre-purchase your BTO and ship to your address here in Japan.

Quick question, I'm also going to be heading to Japan and hope to grab one while I'm there. What do you mean by BTO? I have no clue what it is.

 

[MechaSpanky]

BTO - Built to Order. With Apple, BTO options are things like adding more RAM or a bigger hard drive, etc. Things that are optional for a price.

Mecha

 

[Denumerable]

FYI - the branch nearest to me carries base models right now. I think you'll have almost no trouble picking up a base model.

Check http://www.istocknow.com to track inventory of base machines.

 

[Hanasshe]

FYI - the branch nearest to me carries base models right now. I think you'll have almost no trouble picking up a base model.

Check http://www.istocknow.com to track inventory of base machines.

Hi I’m visiting japan from UK and would like to buy a refurbished MacBook Pro with western keyboard- best place to look?
Thanks

 

[Denumerable]

Hi I’m visiting japan from UK and would like to buy a refurbished MacBook Pro with western keyboard- best place to look?
Thanks

Mercari or Yahoo auctions

 

[SaSaSushi]

I recommend Bic Camera for great deals on previous model Macbook Pro with US keyboards.

I'm not sure if these models are available at their brick and mortar stores in Akihabara or if they will ship to hotels though.

 

[DragonJade]

Sofmap in Shinjuku almost always has second hand US keyboard Apple laptops. There are loads of Sofmaps you could try looking at.
https://www.sofmap.com/

 

[Louis-9876]

FYI - the branch nearest to me carries base models right now. I think you'll have almost no trouble picking up a base model.

Check http://www.istocknow.com to track inventory of base machines.

Hi, do you think it’s possible To buy a MacBook pro With UK keyboard in a Tokyo Apple store? Or just US keyboard.

 

[DragonJade]

Hi, do you think it’s possible To buy a MacBook pro With UK keyboard in a Tokyo Apple store? Or just US keyboard.

The last time I was there and asked, which was quite a few years ago, they didn't have the UK keyboard in stock, only US. However, if you're going to be in Tokyo a while, you could ask them to order it in. Failing that, you could always try ordering online/on the phone and see if they'll deliver to where you're staying.

I just had a quick look online. Delivery for a UK keyboard Macbook Pro is estimated to be six to eight days.

 

[Louis-9876]

The last time I was there and asked, which was quite a few years ago, they didn't have the UK keyboard in stock, only US. However, if you're going to be in Tokyo a while, you could ask them to order it in. Failing that, you could always try ordering online/on the phone and see if they'll deliver to where you're staying.

I just had a quick look online. Delivery for a UK keyboard Macbook Pro is estimated to be six to eight days.

Thanks for your reply! I will be in Tokyo/Japan for 6 weeks, so i will order a MBP the first week in an Apple store and pick it up there.

 

[DragonJade]

Thanks for your reply! I will be in Tokyo/Japan for 6 weeks, so i will order a MBP the first week in an Apple store and pick it up there.

No problem. Don't forget you can get 8% sales tax back. If they don't do it in-store, then you should be able to get it back at the airport. I'd recommend ditching the box before you get on the plane as if Customs see it in the UK, they'll likely add duty and tax on it. You won't need to take the box with you to the airport. They'll just look at the serial number on the machine, if they bother checking at all.

EDIT
*Tax refunds can no longer be done at airports in Japan

 

[Louis-9876]

No problem. Don't forget you can get 8% sales tax back. If they don't do it in-store, then you should be able to get it back at the airport. I'd recommend ditching the box before you get on the plane as if Customs see it in the UK, they'll likely add duty and tax on it. You won't need to take the box with you to the airport. They'll just look at the serial number on the machine, if they bother checking at all.

Ok good to know. Hopefully there will be a mbp2018 in june, but the 2017 15” is also perfect for the next 3 years...

 

[Mic89]

I hope this thread is not dead. In few weeks I'm going to Japan for couple of days and I'm also thinking about buying MBP15" with UK or US keyboard. Becouse it's just couple of days. I'm going to order it before I even go to Japan to the Apple Store in Tokyo and pick it up when I arrive. From what I know you can get the sales tax return (the stamp in your passport) only on the same day you purchase the item. In this case which day would that be, the day I place an order and pay for an item or the day when I pick it up ?
Thanks for your help guys.

 

[SaSaSushi]

So far as I can tell, pickup is just another form of delivery and the purchase date is when you complete the order online. I'm fairly sure they're not going to refund the tax to you just for picking it up in person.

There are some details here.

 

[DragonJade]

From what I know you can get the sales tax return (the stamp in your passport) only on the same day you purchase the item. In this case which day would that be, the day I place an order and pay for an item or the day when I pick it up ?
Thanks for your help guys.

There's no physical stamp in your passport.

If you buy something in a store which offers tax back they will either:
a) calculate the cost of the goods before tax, and charge you for that
b) charge you the full price, and then you have to take your goods and receipt to another counter to reclaim the tax

In either case, what the store is supposed to do is staple/attach the receipt to the passport. When you leave the country, you are supposed to submit the receipts to prove that you are actually taking the goods you bought tax free with you out of the country and haven't passed them off to someone in Japan. However, speaking of myself (a resident) and friends and relatives, we've never been asked for them or been checked.

I think you're confused about the meaning of stamp. Perhaps you mean entry stamp in your passport to prove that you're a visitor and not a resident.
https://tax-freeshop.jnto.go.jp/docs/Taxfree-Shopping-Guide.pdf

It's not uncommon for people to buy things like snack food tax free in Japan and then consume the lot whilst in Japan. If you ever get asked about the food if you have to present your receipts, you could always say they're in your checked luggage if you get asked after checking in. I have never had to open up a suitcase before check in.

If you're worried, give one of the Apple stores in Tokyo a call and explain your situation. They have English speakers.
Alternatively, instead of buying from an Apple Store, go to one of the big electrical stores, like Yodobashi or Biccamera. They have official Apple concessions there, and will usually have stock of machines with US keyboards, as do the Apple Stores. If you want a UK keyboard or custom configuration, then it's best to get in contact with an Apple Store in advance so they can order one in. I asked once years ago and I think they said it would take a week or so.

*Tax refunds can no longer be done at airports in Japan