Buying guide · US, by BMS and label
Where to buy Wagyu and premium steak online in the US
Wagyu can be bought online in the United States from importers of Japanese A5 and from American Wagyu ranches and online butchers, nine of which are compared below. What is sold as “Wagyu” ranges from certified Japanese A5 imports, including a small amount of registered Kobe beef, to domestic crossbreds with partial Japanese genetics, so the grade, the marbling score (BMS 1–12) and the origin papers say more than the word. Most sellers ship it frozen on dry ice, overnight or in two days.
Buying guides written to the same standard as the rest of Steakpedia: tested or sourced, never ranked by payment. Some links may earn a commission; it never changes what we recommend.
At a glance
- Market
- United States
- Labels covered
- Japanese A5, Kobe, American Wagyu, USDA Prime, grass-fed
- Typical shipping
- frozen, dry ice, 1–3 days
- Free-shipping thresholds seen
- US$149–300
- Prices checked
- October 2026
What the labels mean
Japanese Wagyu (A5, A4…) is beef born, raised and graded in Japan from the four native breeds described in Wagyu. A serious listing states the grade (for example A5), the Beef Marbling Standard number (BMS 1–12; A5 requires BMS 8–12), the prefecture and often the farm or brand (Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Kagawa’s Olive Wagyu and so on). The grade itself is explained in Grading systems.
American Wagyu usually means a cross between Wagyu and another breed, most often Angus. One large producer defines it as purebred Wagyu crossed with non-Wagyu cattle; another describes its product as Wagyu crossed with Angus. No US federal rule sets a minimum share of Wagyu genetics for the word on a retail label; voluntary USDA programs such as the AMS “Authentic Wagyu” specification (G-162) add genetic and marbling requirements for products that carry their shield. “Wagyu-style” and “Kobe-style” are marketing terms with no grading behind them.
USDA Prime and Choice are US quality grades based mainly on marbling and maturity; Prime is the top grade. They apply to any breed (see Angus). Some American Wagyu sellers use their own marbling labels instead of, or on top of, the USDA grade.
Grass-fed claims vary: “grass-fed” alone does not always mean grass-finished, and pasture-raised beef may still receive grain. The trade-offs are covered in Grass-fed vs grain-fed.
What “Kobe” means in the US
Real Kobe beef is Tajima-strain Japanese Black from Hyōgo Prefecture that passes the criteria of the Kobe Beef Marketing & Distribution Promotion Association (see Kobe beef). Imports to the US resumed in 2012. The association keeps a public register of licensed sellers and restaurants; in 2026 press reports counted fewer than 40 US restaurants on it, and only a handful of retailers.
Outside that register, “Kobe” on a US menu or website does not by itself prove origin. A buyer can ask for the certificate, which carries the animal’s 10-digit individual identification number; under Japan’s beef traceability system that number can be looked up to see the animal’s birth date, farm and slaughter date. Japanese registry certificates also carry a nose print, the cattle equivalent of a fingerprint. A seller that cannot provide these documents is selling something else.
Frozen, on dry ice, in one or two days
Most online sellers ship vacuum-packed, frozen steaks in an insulated cooler with dry ice, by overnight or two-day courier. Several deliver only to the contiguous 48 states; others reach Alaska and Hawaii for a surcharge. Free shipping usually starts at an order minimum (US$149 to US$300 among the sellers below), and some ship only early in the week so boxes do not sit in a depot over the weekend.
On arrival the meat should still be frozen or at most 4 °C / 40 °F with ice crystals; it can then go straight back into a freezer at −18 °C / 0 °F. Thaw in the refrigerator, about 24 hours for a 2.5 cm / 1 in steak, and handle dry ice with gloves. Highly marbled A5 is usually cut thin and cooked briefly; see Reverse sear for thicker American Wagyu or Prime.
What a complete listing states
Signals that a Japanese Wagyu listing is complete: grade and BMS stated per item, prefecture and farm or brand named, certificate or identification number offered, net weight per piece, and a clear policy for thawed or late boxes. For American Wagyu: the share of Wagyu genetics or the cross used, where the cattle are raised, any USDA grade or marbling score, and whether the beef is wet- or dry-aged. For grass-fed: country of origin and whether the cattle are grass-finished.
Price ranges (approx., October 2026)
Prices move with exchange rates and import tariffs, and vary widely by cut; tenderloin and striploin cost more than chuck cuts. Only figures backed by a published listing or report are given; for the other categories prices vary too much by seller and grade to state a range, and the seller’s current page is the reference.
| Category | Approx. price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Kobe beef (certified) | about US$300/lb (US$660/kg) | 8 oz Kobe A5 strip listed at US$149 by one seller |
| Japanese A5, other prefectures | — | varies by seller, prefecture, cut and BMS |
| American Wagyu steaks | — | varies by seller and marbling label |
| USDA Prime steaks online | — | varies by seller and cut |
| Supermarket ribeye (reference) | US$12–19/lb (US$27–43/kg) | USDA AMS retail feature reports, July–August 2026 |
Sellers (alphabetical)
Facts below come from each seller’s own website or trade press, as checked in October 2026; “—” means the seller does not state it. Steakpedia may earn a commission from some sellers; the order is alphabetical and does not rank them.
| Seller | What they sell | Origin stated | Ships to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ButcherBox | Grass-fed beef (subscription) | Grass-fed beef largely from Australia and New Zealand, plus US and Canadian suppliers | US (subscription boxes) | Separate Canadian service |
| Chicago Steak Company | USDA Prime (Angus), American Wagyu, Australian Wagyu | — | US; Alaska, Hawaii and Canada for a surcharge | Wet- or dry-aged 28–40 days; ships frozen overnight with dry ice |
| Costco (online) | Japanese A5 | Kagoshima Prefecture | US; Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico for an extra fee | Ships frozen, two-day courier |
| Crowd Cow | Japanese A5, Olive Wagyu, American Wagyu, Australian Wagyu | Kagoshima; Shōdoshima, Kagawa (Olive Wagyu); Margaret River, Australia | Most ZIP codes in the lower 48 states | Free shipping from US$149; dry ice; publishes how to read nose-print certificates |
| Holy Grail Steak Co. | Kobe, other Japanese A5 (e.g. Takamori, Ozaki) | Hyōgo (Kobe) and other prefectures | US, not Alaska, Hawaii or PO boxes | States it is a Kobe licensee; ships frozen, Mon–Tue only; free shipping from US$300 |
| Omaha Steaks | American Wagyu (Private Reserve), other beef | Wagyu crossed with Angus | — | Wagyu aged 28 days |
| Porter Road | Pasture-raised beef | Small family farms in the US | Contiguous US only | All beef dry-aged; most items ship fresh, some frozen |
| Rastelli's | Prime, Black Angus, grass-fed, dry-aged beef, American Wagyu | Family company based in New Jersey | — | Antibiotic-free, no added hormones (company claim) |
| Snake River Farms | American Wagyu (SRF Black, SRF Gold), USDA Choice and Prime | Ranches in the US Northwest; Wagyu crossed with other breeds | — | Family-owned since 1968; free shipping from US$199 |
Frequently asked questions
Is American Wagyu the same as Japanese Wagyu?
No. American Wagyu is usually a Wagyu × Angus cross raised in the US; Japanese Wagyu is purebred native cattle raised and graded in Japan. American Wagyu is typically less marbled than Japanese A5 and is cut and cooked more like a rich USDA Prime steak.
How can I tell if Kobe beef sold online is real?
Check that the seller appears on the Kobe Beef Marketing & Distribution Promotion Association’s register, and ask for the certificate with the animal’s 10-digit identification number, which can be traced in Japan’s beef traceability system.
Does Wagyu arrive frozen?
Usually yes: most US sellers ship vacuum-packed steaks frozen with dry ice. If a box arrives with the meat still cold (4 °C / 40 °F or below) and ice crystals present, it can be refrozen.
What does BMS mean on a Wagyu listing?
BMS is the Beef Marbling Standard, a 1–12 scale used in Japan. A5 beef must score 8 to 12; a listing that states the exact number tells the buyer more than “A5” alone.
Sources
14
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Authentic Wagyu Beef Program (official listing G-162). Washington, D.C. ams.prod.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/G162AuthenticWagyuBeefProgram.pdf
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. National Retail Report – Beef (weekly). Washington, D.C., July–August 2026. www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/LSWBFRTL.PDF
- Hoodline. Fort Worth steakhouse holds one of only 38 U.S. Kobe beef licenses. September 2026. hoodline.com/2026/09/fort-worth-steakhouse-holds-one-of-only-38-u-s-kobe-beef-licenses
- Meatingplace. Kobe beef: the real thing on its way to U.S. meatingplace.com/kobe-beef-the-real-thing-on-its-way-to-u-s
- Crowd Cow. What’s written on a Japanese Wagyu cattle nose print certificate? (seller’s guide). www.crowdcow.com/blog/whats-written-on-a-japanese-wagyu-cattle-nose-print-certificate
- Crowd Cow. FAQ (shipping and delivery). Checked October 2026. www.crowdcow.com/faq
- Snake River Farms. What is American Wagyu beef? Checked October 2026. snakeriverfarms.com/pages/what-is-american-wagyu-beef
- Porter Road. FAQ. Checked October 2026. porterroad.com/pages/faq
- Holy Grail Steak Co. Kobe Japanese A5 Wagyu Hibachi Strip (product and shipping terms). Checked October 2026. holygrailsteak.com/products/kobe-beef-hibachi-steaks
- Chicago Steak Company. Customer Support – Shipping FAQ. Checked October 2026. www.mychicagosteak.com/customer-support-shipping-faq
- Omaha Steaks. Private Reserve Wagyu Beef. Checked October 2026. www.omahasteaks.com/buy/Private-Reserve/Wagyu-Beef
- Costco Wholesale. Japanese A5 Wagyu Ribeye Steaks (product and delivery terms). Checked October 2026. www.costco.com/japanese-a5-wagyu-ribeye-steaks,-316-oz.-steaks,-3-total-packs,-3-lbs.-total.product.100856864.html
- Beef Central. How ButcherBox is driving grassfed beef growth in the US. www.beefcentral.com/trade/how-butcherbox-is-driving-grassfed-beef-growth-in-the-us
- Meat+Poultry. Rastelli Foods Group launches retail website. www.meatpoultry.com/articles/14694-rastelli-foods-group-launches-retail-website
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