Where Can You Sell a Hermès Birkin in Tokyo?

Selling a bag in Tokyo for the first time and not sure what type of shop to choose? For a Birkin, what kind of business is most suitable? Should you ask several shops? Can everything be completed on the same day, and what do you need to bring?

There are four types of channels where you can sell a Hermès Birkin in Tokyo: general secondhand chains, single-brand specialists, auction and consignment platforms, and personal transaction platforms. The most fundamental difference between these four channels is not the price, but whether there is a regulated business entity involved in the transaction.

What Options Are There for Selling Hermès in Tokyo?

This difference has a regulatory basis. In Japan, buying and selling secondhand goods for profit constitutes a secondhand goods business and requires a license issued by the Public Safety Commission, while individuals selling their own used belongings are not considered to be operating a secondhand goods business and do not require a license. They are therefore outside this regulatory framework (警察庁　古物営業・質屋営業について).

For a complete comparison of the four channels and which situations each is suitable for, see “What Types of Secondhand Hermès Shops Are There in Japan, and How Should You Choose?” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/japanese-reseller-types).

How Should You Choose a Shop for a Birkin?

Of the four factors that determine a quote, the first is whether the shop already has buyers looking for the specific model. This is something you can ask directly.

The four factors are: whether there are existing buyers for the specific model, inventory situation, sales channels, and authentication capability.

When visiting a shop or making an online inquiry, these three questions can help you understand how the shop actually handles this model:

1. Are you currently looking for buyers for a Birkin in this size and color?
2. How many identical bags do you currently have in stock?
3. Is authentication performed in-house or outsourced?

Birkin 25 and 30 are relatively liquid sizes; the same applies to Kelly 25 and 28. Colors with consistently strong demand include Black, Gold, Etoupe, and Craie.

The order of resale value and liquidity is Birkin 25 ＞ Mini Kelly ＞ Kelly 25 ＞ Picotin ＞ Constance.

These colors are also reflected in international auction market data. According to Sotheby’s sales statistics since 2021, Black accounted for 239 sales and Gold for 156, making them the two colors with the highest transaction volumes. Both had price ranges of approximately US10,000–35,000;Etoupehad80salesandCraie48,withpricerangesofaroundUS10,000–30,000 (Sotheby’s　The Most Valuable Hermès Bag Colors).

A rare color does not automatically mean a higher value. Black and Gold are two of the most common colors on the market, yet their transaction prices remain among the highest. This indicates that broad demand, rather than scarcity alone, supports their prices. Once you understand these factors, you can ask shops more informed questions and better assess whether their quote reflects the market or is simply an arbitrary figure.

For a complete explanation of each model, see “How Much Is My Hermès Worth Now?” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/how-much-my-hermes-worth).

Should You Ask Several Shops?

We recommend obtaining quotes from 3–5 shops on the same day and using the middle range as a reference.

The reason for getting quotes on the same day is that market conditions can change. Quotes obtained several days apart are not directly comparable. The reason for using the middle range rather than the highest quote is that a quote that significantly differs from the others is often adjusted after physical inspection.

Before comparing, make sure you are comparing the same type of price: once a buyout quote is confirmed, it is the amount you receive; for consignment, the amount you actually receive is the selling price after commissions and other fees are deducted. A higher consignment listing price does not necessarily mean that you will receive more.

How Can You Check Whether a Shop Is Legitimate?

Do not focus on size or marketing. Look at four things that you can verify yourself.

1. Whether you can find the secondhand dealer’s license number
2. Whether there is a physical store address that customers can visit
3. Whether the reasons for price deductions are provided in writing
4. Whether the payment timing is clearly explained

The first point can be checked online. Since April 1, 2024, Japanese secondhand dealers must publish their name, the name of the Public Safety Commission that issued their license, and their license number on a website they manage themselves; businesses operating through online transactions are not subject to the small-scale exemption (警視庁　古物営業法の一部改正について). If you cannot find the license number on the website, this check should not pass.

For the complete 10-point checklist and how to verify each item, see “How to Tell Whether a Secondhand Hermès Shop Is Legitimate” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/identify-legit-reseller).

Can Everything Be Completed on the Same Day? What Should You Bring?

When visiting the store, you need to bring valid identification and the bag itself.

The authentication process consists of three stages: checking the condition, checking authenticity, and checking the accessories. These three stages are usually completed within 10 to 20 minutes, and the process from authentication to signing the contract generally takes around 20 to 30 minutes. Rare models, exotic leathers, or items requiring further verification may require a longer evaluation period, generally completed within 24 hours.

Payment timing:

For consignment, the item is generally listed within 1–2 business days after the contract is completed. In cases where a large volume of items arrives at the same time, listing may take no more than 3 business days.

Obtaining an initial quote online before visiting can reduce the time spent at the store. XIAOMA’s online initial quote timing is 30 minutes to 2 hours for standard models and within 24 hours for rare models and exotic leathers.

One point should be clarified in advance: there is no statutory cooling-off period for transactions where you visit the store yourself or send the item yourself. Japan’s Act on Specified Commercial Transactions provides a cooling-off period for “door-to-door purchases” (訪問購入), meaning purchase contracts entered into by a purchasing business outside a store or similar location. The customer can cancel within 8 days of receiving the legally required written document (消費者庁　特定商取引法ガイド　訪問購入). A transaction where the customer visits the store themselves or sends the item themselves does not constitute a “door-to-door purchase,” so the eight-day period does not apply. Therefore, do not sign if you cannot agree on the price.

XIAOMA’s secondhand dealer license number is Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission No. 304381506931. Its stores are located in Japan (Ginza, Tokyo and Umeda, Osaka), Hong Kong, Singapore, France (Paris), and Dubai. Both buyout and consignment services are available.

What to Do Next

Before visiting the store, check each point that needs to be confirmed in order. See “What Should You Check Before Selling Your Hermès Bag?” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/selling-checklist).

For the complete process, see “The Complete Guide to Selling Your Hermès” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/guide-to-selling-your-hermes).

XIAOMA has specialized in Hermès for more than 10 years and has authenticated more than 2 million luxury items in total.

XIAOMA (Ginza Xiaoma) is operated by ASU BRAND Co., Ltd.

Not sure whether to choose a buyout or consignment? Contact XIAOMA for a free “Buyout Quote + Recommended Consignment Price” and see both options at a glance.

Last updated: October 2026