A friend needs to have a piece of mail sent directly to Japan because it won’t arrive in time in the US before their flight.
According to
they can send something and simply pick it up at the appropriate post office by showing them their passport. Is this service still available? Do they need to register for the service in any way? Or is it really as simple as having the mail sent to the post office and just showing up with ID to claim the mail?
I understand the article covers those questions, but this is such a foreign idea in the US that I’m wondering if we’re missing something important.
PS. They’re visiting a different region from where I am, so I can’t help them receive the mail
3 comments
I did this a few months ago. I had my ID, and they asked for my birthday and address.
I haven’t sent something to myself quite like that, but I frequently pick up Amazon packages from Japan Post (日本郵便).
When I see that an order has had a delivery attempt, I head out to pick it up.
I write my name, tracking number, and phone number on a post-it note, and take that to the post office. They take the note and match it to my package(s), then confirm with my ID.
I have only picked up my own packages though, I haven’t tried to get anyone else’s stuff.
Your friend can’t use FedEx express? They overnight a ton of stuff, and it’s pricey, but the fastest option guarantees morning delivery to the recipient.
This is a standard service, called *poste restante* in French (the typical international term) and *general delivery* in English; have them write 局留め (*kyokudome*; ‘held at post office’) and *POSTE RESTANTE* along with the recipient’s name and it will be held there for him to pick up.