With the rise of bots and scalpers in the GPU market, retailers are coming up with unique strategies to sell their stock. In Japan, one store has drawn attention for its unusual approach in limiting purchases of the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 graphics cards. The store explicitly states that these GPUs will only be sold for use within Japan.

A memo was observed beneath the display for a Zotac RTX 5090, translating roughly to: “RTX 5090/RTX 5080 is only sold to customers for use in Japan. If the purchased product is to be taken out of Japan, it will not be sold.”

This policy raises questions about enforceability, as it does not clearly indicate how the store intends to verify compliance. With many international buyers seeking products for better prices, this regulation might not significantly deter tourists from purchasing these high-demand graphics cards.

The price of the Zotac RTX 5090 in-store is ¥452,800, approximately $3,170, including sales tax. Foreign buyers may apply for tax exemption on purchases over ¥5,000, allowing for potential savings.

Historically, stores have attempted various methods to curb scalping, including lotteries and limiting sales to certain demographics. However, as this new policy demonstrates, the challenge of controlling sales in an international market continues to pose a dilemma for retailers.