Japanese Used Luxury Condition Grades Explained: What S, A, AB and B Mean

S, A, AB and B are condition labels used by some Japanese resale stores. They are not interchangeable ratings across every seller. To understand a listing, read that store’s grading guide, the item-specific damage notes and the photographs together.

A letter can help you narrow a search. It cannot answer every question about smell, repairs, missing accessories, authenticity or a watch’s mechanical condition. This guide explains official examples and gives you a practical way to decide what to ask before buying.

Official grading examples checked October 1, 2026. This is a buying guide based on published information, not a professional authentication service or a report of test purchases.

What do S, A, AB and B mean?

The table below paraphrases selected labels from ALLU’s global grading guide. These are ALLU examples, not a universal Japanese scale.

ALLU grade	Meaning in its guide
N	Unused, with supporting signs such as protective seals.
S	Like new, without signs of use.
SA	Nearly new, with limited evidence of use.
A	Good overall condition with some use evident.
AB	No particularly prominent flaws.
B	Wear and imperfections from use.
BC	Externally visible wear or deterioration.

ALLU notes that packaging and accompanying documents may fall outside the item grade; vintage pieces may also fall outside its guidelines.

Why the seller’s own definition matters

Imagine comparing two bags on different websites. One has a higher-looking letter but unclear photographs. The other has a lower-looking letter, detailed images and a clearly disclosed corner scuff. You do not yet have enough information to declare the first bag better.

Ask what the seller actually found. Is the issue a small mark you would accept, or something that affects your intended use? A grading symbol becomes useful only when connected to specific observations.

KOMEHYO: a different set of descriptions

KOMEHYO’s official 2026 rank descriptions distinguish S as close to unused, A as clean with little evidence of use, B as showing use, and C as showing substantial use. New and unused items appear separately. That page is cited for its grading explanations, not as an active sale offer.

Do not invent an AB category for a listing that does not use one, or automatically convert a KOMEHYO letter into another retailer’s grade.

Brandear: some channels use numbers

Brandear’s Japanese auction-store condition guide uses a numerical system. Examples include level 8 for a well-kept item, level 7 for a relatively clean item and level 6 for one suitable for ordinary use. The guide tells buyers to read the condition remarks for specific damage.

This is an example from its Japanese sales channel. Check the actual listing if buying through another marketplace; do not translate a number into an ALLU or KOMEHYO letter.

Separate these four questions before buying

Question	What to investigate
What condition is it in?	Wear, stains, odor, deterioration, damage and repairs.
Is it authentic?	The seller’s authentication process and written remedy for a disputed item.
What is included?	Straps, pouches, keys, spare links, boxes and documents.
What protection do I have?	Return terms, claim deadlines and warranty coverage for this purchasing route.

Do not let an attractive condition grade stand in for the other three answers. Likewise, a missing box is a separate question from whether the bag itself has damaged leather.

For overseas ordering, our guide to buying pre-owned luxury goods from Japan explains store routes, shipping, import charges and returns.

Japanese condition words worth recognizing

These are plain-language translations to help you read a listing. A seller may define a term more narrowly, and the surrounding sentence matters.

Japanese	Reading	Practical meaning
中古品	Chūkohin	Used or pre-owned item.
未使用品	Mishiyōhin	Unused item; check storage condition and included accessories.
新品同様	Shinpin dōyō	Like new; do not silently change this to “brand new.”
使用感	Shiyōkan	Evidence of use.
角擦れ	Kadosure	Wear or rubbing at the corners.
傷・キズ	Kizu	Scratches or marks.
汚れ	Yogore	Dirt or soiling.
シミ	Shimi	Stains or spots.
ベタつき	Betatsuki	Stickiness or tackiness.
剥がれ	Hagare	Peeling or flaking.
におい・臭い	Nioi	Smell or odor.
型崩れ	Kata-kuzure	Loss of shape or deformation.
補修・修理	Hoshū / shūri	Repair or restoration.
付属品	Fuzokuhin	Included accessories.
社外品	Shagaihin	An aftermarket or third-party component.

Pay attention to negatives: “においあり” indicates odor is present, while “においなし” indicates none is reported. If an automatic translation is unclear, ask the seller to explain the original wording rather than guessing.

How to check a pre-owned handbag

1. Examine the areas hidden in the main photo

Request views of all four bottom corners, the base, handles, strap attachments, lining and pocket interiors. Ask for the exact item rather than a reference photograph of the same model.

Look at whether a mark is on a surface you will regularly see or touch. A scuff underneath a bag and a sticky handle may matter very differently to you, even if both appear under the same overall grade.

2. Ask about odor and sticky surfaces directly

Photographs cannot tell you how an item smells or feels. Ask whether the seller has noticed smoke, perfume, mustiness, tackiness or flaking inside the pockets.

If a listing already discloses one of these issues, do not plan your purchase around the assumption that a quick cleaning will solve it. Get appropriate advice and an estimate before treating repair as part of the bargain.

3. Clarify repairs and replacement parts

Ask whether the bag has been recolored, repainted, relined or repaired, and whether any strap, handle or hardware has been replaced. If the seller does not know, record that uncertainty rather than treating it as confirmation that no work was done.

Repair is not automatically a reason to reject a bag. It is information you need when deciding what condition and originality you want.

4. Confirm what comes with it

Read the accessories field separately. Ask about the shoulder strap, detachable pouch, keys, lock and dust bag where relevant. Do not assume that an accessory shown in a brand’s original advertising accompanies the resale item.

Check dimensions, too. A bag can be beautifully preserved and still be too small for your phone, too heavy for your plans or uncomfortable on your shoulder.

Watches: appearance and mechanical condition need separate checks

For a watch, ask what has been checked beyond visible scratches. Useful questions include:

• When was it last serviced, and is there documentation?
• Has its accuracy been measured, and under what conditions?
• Is there a recent water-resistance test?
• Have the dial, hands, crown, bracelet or other components been replaced?
• Has the case been polished?
• What is the bracelet length, and are spare links included?
• Who provides the warranty, and can it be used from my country?

Rolex’s official service description, for example, treats pressure testing, rate and function checks, and aesthetic checks as separate steps. That illustrates why a cosmetic description alone cannot establish every aspect of a used watch’s condition. It does not mean every resale watch has received that service.

Do not plan to swim with a pre-owned watch merely because a model specification lists water resistance. Ask what has been tested on this particular watch and what the seller supports in writing.

Jewelry and small accessories: check fit and completeness

For jewelry, ask about ring size, chain length, clasp operation, engraving, resizing, replaced stones and repairs. If a report or certificate is advertised, confirm exactly which document is included and what it covers.

For wallets and small leather goods, request photographs of coin pockets, folds and closures. Think about how you will use the item: attractive exterior photos do not answer whether the interior arrangement works for your cards and cash.

If buying a gift, confirm the box and packaging separately, along with any return exclusions that apply to the item. A higher grade does not answer those questions for you.

Is a lower-grade item worth buying?

Sometimes—but judge the disclosed issue, not the letter alone. Consider this hypothetical comparison:

• Bag one: clear photographs of minor corner rubbing, confirmed clean interior and the strap you need.
• Bag two: a more attractive grade, limited interior photographs and no answer about odor.

This example does not prove that the first bag is better. It shows why the second needs more information before you compare value.

Write down your own deal-breakers before browsing. You might accept scratches but reject odor, require an original strap, or want documented watch servicing. A shortlist based on those requirements is more useful than repeatedly moving your budget upward for a better-looking letter.

Compare the same model, size, material, accessories and purchasing terms. Include shipping and applicable import charges if ordering from abroad. Avoid inventing a fixed discount between grades: two different models or sales channels are not a controlled comparison.

Questions you can copy and send to the seller

Include the item number and ask only the questions relevant to your purchase.

Hello, I am interested in item [item number]. Could you confirm whether it has any noticeable odor, sticky surfaces, peeling or repairs? Please also confirm the included accessories and whether the photographs show the exact item for sale. Could you provide close-up photographs of [specific area]? Thank you.

For a watch, add:

Could you confirm the known service history, any replacement parts, the most recent water-resistance test, bracelet length and warranty terms for an overseas buyer?

If shopping in person, these short Japanese questions may help:

• においはありますか？ — Does it have any noticeable odor?
• 内側にベタつきはありますか？ — Is there any stickiness inside?
• 修理や補修の履歴は分かりますか？ — Do you know its repair history?
• 付属品は何がありますか？ — What accessories are included?

Before paying: a short condition checklist

1. Read the grading guide for this seller and sales channel.
2. Read every item-specific damage note, including translated text.
3. Check the exact item’s photographs, dimensions and accessories.
4. Ask about anything pictures cannot establish.
5. Clarify repairs, modifications and any unknown history.
6. Read authentication, warranty and return terms separately.
7. Save the listing and the seller’s answers.

On delivery, inspect the item before removing tags, wearing it or arranging repairs. Keep the packaging and follow the seller’s reporting procedure promptly if something differs from the description.

Frequently asked questions

Does S rank mean brand new?

Do not substitute “brand new” for a resale grade. Read the seller’s exact definition and whether the item is categorized separately as new, unused or pre-owned.

What does AB rank mean?

Use the grading guide attached to the listing. ALLU’s example appears above, but another seller’s AB label should be read against that seller’s own explanation.

Does a high grade prove authenticity?

Treat condition and authentication as separate checks. Ask about the seller’s process and remedy rather than using the grade as proof.

Does “unused” guarantee perfect condition?

Ask about storage marks, deterioration, included accessories and the seller’s definition. You still need to inspect the description and photographs.

Can I return an item if I dislike its condition?

Check the applicable terms before paying. Change-of-mind returns and claims that an item differs from its description can follow different procedures. A buying agent or marketplace may add another set of conditions.

Related guides

• Buying pre-owned luxury goods from Japan: international shipping, duties and returns
• Buying luxury goods in Japan and bringing them back to the United States

The first guide covers overseas shopping routes. The second covers the travel context. Use this condition guide alongside the one that matches how you are buying.

Official references

• ALLU Global: condition-rank guide
• KOMEHYO: published 2026 rank descriptions
• Brandear: Japanese auction-store condition guide
• Rolex: official servicing process