Postage costs

11 comments

1. You can’t, and it’s mostly because USA forcing JP post to do the electronic declaration stuff that caused the initial price raise, followed by covid.

2. Shipping cost is usually a function of size, weight, and speed.

   You can use [this page](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-charge/index.php?lang=_en) to see what shipping options are available via Japan Post.

   Fastest would be via EMS (about 2 business days), and a 700g package should cost you about 4,700 yen. Cheapest would be via surface small packet (about 2 months) and cost you about 1,000 yen if you can fit it within the dimensions (under 2kg, and within 90cm L+B+H, with no more than 60cm on any one side).

   Unfortunately, at this time, the more affordable airmail/SAL services to the US are not offered. I believe they were suspended during the pandemic, and it’s unclear when (if?) it will resume.

3. You can check the prices and conditions of various shipping methods on the Japan Post web site (reference: I did it two days ago). 5000 yen for 700g is certainly for EMS, meaning it’ll get there in 2~3 days and you have a tracking number. “Small packet” would take 2~3 months and cost about 1,100 yen. In between is something that takes a week and costs maybe 1,700 yen.

4. Rates went up drastically after the new international postage agreement. Also, Japan Post hasn’t brought back small packet. That would have cost ¥2000 or less small packet.

   My post office told me international rates are going up again in October.

5. Yup, that sounds about right. It is expensive to send a parcel to the US these days. I spent upwards of 10,000 JPY for a package that weighed a little less than a kilo. I guess I won’t be able to participate in the snack exchange.

6. Japan to UK is crazy cheap compared to UK to Japan. But it’s a lot more expensive than it was due to wars, Covid etc

7. I think shipping cost in general has become incredibly expensive. They got rid of some of the cheaper shipping options since covid. My cousin last month sent an EMS style envelope with some paperwork via US Postal to Japan and it was $40.

8. It was crazy expensive to send to Canada too, but also from there to here, so I just use the surface one that arrives in 3 months or less.

9. Before the pandemic, Japan Post was very cheap. [In 2019 you could have shipped that 700g package by EMS to the US for 2360yen](https://web.archive.org/web/20190304194627/https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/charge/list/ems_all.html).

   The previous US administration decided (perhaps fairly, perhaps unreasonably, I don’t know) that the USPS should charge a LOT more for the handling of incoming parcels from exporters like Japan and China.

   Then the pandemic happened and it wrecked havoc on a lot of things, including international air cargo costs.

   The combination of those two things has driven the cost of shipping from Japan to very high levels. [Today that 700g by EMS costs 4460yen](https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/charge/list/ems_all.html), effectively double what it cost a few years ago.

   The cost to other destinations has also increased, but not by as much as it has to the US.

   Edit: For what it’s worth, sending by USPS Priority Mail International to Japan for 700g would cost you $65.55 or about 9200yen at today’s exchange rates. EMS is generally a better service than USPS PMI, closer to USPS PMI Express which would cost US$84.20 for your package from the US to Japan, or almost 12,000yen.

   So….I guess Japan Post is still pretty reasonably priced.

10. Yep. It’s how much it cost nowadays.
    I had a business of shipping printers parts from Japan, paid around 1300yen for a box of 1KG back in 2019, now the same box would probably be 5000 or even more.

    I stopped my business because of that.

11. **Best Options for Shipping Parcels Internationally from Japan**

    When shipping parcels internationally from Japan, there are two primary options to consider: Japan Post and Kuro Neko (Yamato International).

    **1. Japan Post**

    Japan Post offers a convenient and affordable small packet option for shipments to most European countries and throughout most of the Asia Pacific, as long as the parcel weighs up to 2kg. This is a cost-effective choice for many destinations.

    However, it’s important to note that there is currently no small packet option available for shipping to the UK and the USA. In these cases, you must use EMS (Express Mail Service), which can be quite expensive. Most of the time, Yamato turns out to be a more affordable option for EMS shipments, except for small 500g packets heading to the UK. In this specific scenario, EMS charges 3100 yen, which is less than the roughly 4200 yen Yamato would charge. So, if you’re sending something small to the UK, EMS might be a better choice.

    **2. Yamato**

    For parcels weighing up to 2kg, Yamato charges around 4200 yen for shipping to the UK and about 3600 yen for shipping to the USA. In such cases, using Yamato instead of EMS is a cost-effective decision. However, the rates increase for larger and heavier parcels, so it’s essential to check their website for precise pricing details based on box sizes and weights.

    To make the best choice between Japan Post and Yamato, consider the following guidelines: use Japan Post when it is cheaper than Yamato, especially if you can use the small packet option or when EMS proves to be a more economical choice. As mentioned earlier, the only instance where EMS is cheaper than Yamato is for 500g packets heading to the UK. In all other situations, Yamato offers more competitive rates.

    To find the exact prices for different box and weight sizes to your destination country, visit Yamato’s website and input your relevant information.

    For more information and any further questions, you can check their site here: [https://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/ytc/en/send/services/oversea/](https://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/ytc/en/send/services/oversea/)

    Feel free to reach out if you have any queries; I’d be more than happy to assist you!