The 8 Biggest Sale Events of the Year for International Shopping Enthusiasts

International shopping is not only about selecting the right product, but also about buying at the right time. Throughout the year, global brands and international e-commerce platforms have fixed sale seasons, offering much deeper discounts compared to regular days. If you understand this sale calendar, you can save 20% to 70%, or even more in certain categories.

In this article, Micafi summarizes the biggest international sales of the year, along with commonly discounted product categories and typical discount levels, helping you plan your shopping more effectively.

The Biggest International Sales of the Year for Global Shopping Enthusiasts

If you love buying products from overseas, these are the major sale events you should never miss.

Black Friday – The Biggest Sale of the Year (Late November)

Black Friday takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving in the U.S., usually in late November. It is considered the largest discount event of the year in the U.S. and Europe.

Product categories with the biggest discounts:

• Electronics & technology: smartphones, headphones, laptops, tablets

• Fashion: clothing, footwear, accessories

• Cosmetics, perfumes, skincare

• Home appliances, kitchenware, household items

Cyber Monday – Major Online Shopping Discounts (After Black Friday)

Cyber Monday happens on the Monday immediately following Black Friday and focuses entirely on online shopping.

Common discounted categories:

• Tech devices and electronic accessories

• Software and smart devices

• Online-exclusive products

Christmas Sale & After Christmas Sale (December)

From mid-December until after December 25th, brands enter the year-end clearance period.

Common discounted categories:

• Winter fashion

• Gifts, accessories, decorations

• Cosmetics and Christmas gift sets

11.11 – Singles’ Day (November 11)

11.11 is the largest sale day in China and is widely adopted by international websites.

Common discounted categories:

• Household and kitchen items

• Fashion and accessories

• Consumer goods and daily essentials

12.12 – Year-End Clearance Sale

12.12 follows 11.11 and focuses on clearing inventory at the end of the year.

Common discounted categories:

• Personal care products

• Basic fashion items

• Consumer goods and daily essentials

Typical discount levels:
(as advertised by retailers)

Easter Sale (March – April)

Easter is a major holiday in the U.S. and Europe, accompanied by many promotional campaigns.

Common discounted categories:

• Spring–summer fashion

• Children’s products and household goods

• Cosmetics and personal care products

Summer Sale (June – July)

This is the biggest mid-year sale season, especially in Europe, Japan, and South Korea.

Common discounted categories:

• Summer clothing and footwear

• Fashion accessories

• Sports and outdoor products

Seasonal Sales in Japan

Japan has a very clear and consistent sale calendar.

Key sale periods include:

• Hatsuuri (New Year Sale): Major discounts on fashion and household goods

• Golden Week: Promotions on many domestic products

• Summer/Winter Sales: Fashion and daily essentials

Tips for Shopping International Sales Effectively

International sale shopping is not just about clicking “buy” when you see a discounted price. To fully take advantage of major promotions, preparation and strategy are essential. Below are practical tips to help you shop smarter, save time, and reduce costs.

Create a Wishlist

Build a wishlist or favorites list to track products and prices. When an item on your wishlist goes on sale, you’ll receive notifications quickly and won’t miss good deals.

Follow Emails and Notifications

Subscribe to newsletters and promotional emails from brands and e-commerce platforms. Flash sales and limited-time deals are often announced via email first. Some websites also provide exclusive discount codes for subscribers, helping you save an extra 5%–10%.

Emails are also useful for restock alerts, which is especially important for popular items that sell out quickly.

Monitor Sale Launch Times

Many deals are time-limited or quantity-limited, especially:

• Flash sales on platforms like Amazon, Taobao, Tmall, and JD

• Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals that run for 24 hours or specific time slots

• Holiday sales like 11.11, 12.12, and Easter Sale, where popular items sell out fast

Use a Shopping Agent Service for Easier Sale Hunting

Not everyone can make international payments or arrange overseas shipping. A shopping agent service is an effective solution:

• Fast purchasing: Simply send the product link; the service handles ordering and payment

• Safe delivery: Items are shipped to your country with correct products and transparent pricing

• All-in-one support: From sale consultation and shipping cost calculation to customs clearance

With a shopping agent, you can focus on finding the best deals while everything else is handled for you.

Micafi – Your Trusted Partner for International Sale Shopping

Knowing the sale dates is one thing, but buying at the right price, quickly, and safely is another. Micafi provides a full-service shopping agent solution from the U.S., Japan, South Korea, the U.K., Germany, Australia, China, and more — helping you access major international sales easily and affordably.

• All-in-one shopping agent service: ordering, payment, rare and limited items

• Safe international shipping: careful packaging, 24/7 tracking, customs clearance support

• Time & cost savings: maximize big sales without worrying about payment or logistics

Successful international sale shopping requires careful preparation and a smart strategy. From creating accounts and tracking notifications to using a shopping agent, monitoring sale times, and comparing prices — every step helps you save more and buy better products. With a professional shopping agent service, you no longer need to worry about international payments or shipping — just choose your favorite items and let everything else be handled for you.

Hopefully, this guide helps you understand the biggest international sales of the year so you can confidently shop your favorite items at the best prices.

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