Local E-Commerce Platform Airfrov to Shut Down Its Website and Apps on 1 Apr 2021

I remember when I was in Japan and didn’t think I’d have much to buy. In an unexpected turn of events, I found my luggage being filled with things that weren’t even mine. 

No, I didn’t steal anything, my friend simply asked me to download the Airfrov app.

Sadly, it seems like Airfrov’s days are over, and I won’t be able to carry a stranger’s things home with me on the plane.

Airfrov Announces Shut-Down From 1 Apr 2021

Airfrov connects people who want to buy things from overseas with people travelling in that particular country. In other words, it matches Singaporean travellers who wish to fill up their luggage to locals who are looking to buy things from overseas.

Airfrov hosts a wide range of countries on the platform, including the United States, Japan and Korea. Travellers who help to purchase an item get a commission that is agreed upon by them and the buyer.

It’s a convenient way to buy foreign products, as well as to earn a little pocket money. I myself am no stranger to the platform and have used it to both buy and sell things multiple times.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international travel has come to a halt, making the platform mostly untouched. While buyers can still arrange for travellers to ship items over, sadly, such cases have become rare.

As such, Airfrov has decided to shut down the platform from 1 April onwards.

 

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With the closure of the platform, travellers have to complete their orders before April. Following that, any additional requests will be cancelled and refunded. Lastly, any outstanding disbursement will be carried out after April 1.

Alternative Platforms

Aiya, sian. How am I going to get my limited edition pink Starbucks insulated tumbler from Japan now? 

I’m sure questions like these plague the mind of those of you who use Airfrov often, myself included. Although there is no direct replacement for the Airfrov application, you can consider using other platforms like ezBuy or vPost.

I’m sure most of you know about ezBuy, the OG forwarder for Taobao. Did you know it now ships from the USA, South Korea, and Taiwan as well? Well, now you do, so just place an order and expect to see it soon.

The vPost website ships from Japan, UK, Thailand, and Australia among many others. Just ship your product to their warehouse and they do the rest. As long as the product you want can be bought online, vPost collects it and gets it to your doorstep.

Basically, just think of an ezBuy but with a greater international base. The folks at vPost consolidate your order in their warehouse before shipping it safely to you.

If these forwarders are not your cup of tea, maybe try Carousell (which is currently being used for pre-orders) as your go-to platform to buy overseas goods instead!

Okay, time to order some Gudetama stuff from Japan right now… hopefully boss doesn’t catch me.

Feature Image: Facebook (Airfrov)