I have a sweatshirt I want to return to seller for a refund (bought on Amazon.com). It’s just way too big (L turns out to be more like XXL).
As per Japan post there are several options including surface and land (SAL), small packet, or international e-packet. These are reasonable options in my case (around 3000 JPY)- comparing to the shirt that was about 8000.
However when I go to register on Japan post international mail none of these options can be selected. Only EMS or postal parcel are possible. Either of these options are at least double the fee.
Japan post has other websites where the use of SAL and international e-packet are advised when you put your into and needs into a calculator. Obviously that calculator is out of date
Suffice to say at the price of EMS or postal parcel it no longer makes budget sense to send the shirt back.
Yes it’s not a bane breaking life changing issue and it’s a first world problem- but I’m just genuinely curious whether these missing services will be restored soon or if I should just chalk this up to crippled capitalism / recession situation and barter the shirt locally for potatoes or rice?
Thanks in advance for any recent inputs, experiences or wisdom that can be shared – and have a good new years celebration ahead!
4 comments
At the beginning of this year, I needed to receive some materials transported from Japan to Canada, and the service was not available so I got them mailed to Netherlands before friends there forwarded to Canada. A few months ago, I needed some documents mailed again, and the service was still grey out on JP post website; I switched to use Fedex for direct mail. Not really sure when things will change.
Last month, it took almost 3 weeks to send a package from Japan to the US via EMS.
The website says 2-3 days delivered but clearly that wasn’t the case.
Probably will take a while to return.
There is not enough airplanes leaving from Japan, so shipping outside Japan is very limited now.
EMS or Kuronoko only.
I still remember when I used to pay 750y for a small box + tracking back in 2019, now it’s 3000 for the same box or even more. 🙁
Honestly, try to sell it on Mercari! There aren’t that many shops selling that size in Japan and I’m sure someone will be interested in it.