UPDATE | September 6, 2023
If you are studying in Japan, you must have found many interesting things in various shops. When I first came to Japan, I used to think, "Oh, I want my mother to eat this snack!" Ta.
However, I was surprised to learn that in order to send packages overseas from Japan, it is not possible to send them in the same way as in my home country. If it's a postcard or a book, you can send it as is, but what should I do if the package contains several items?
This article explains how to send packages overseas using international mail.
First, check what you want to send. There are two things to note.
・Is it okay to send from Japan?
・Whether it can be sent to the destination country
First, common examples of items that cannot be shipped worldwide include spray cans, alcoholic beverages (with an alcohol concentration of over 24%), perfumes, and valuables (coins, banknotes, jewelry, etc.). Also, sunscreen, nail polish, mobile batteries, disposable body warmers, etc. seem to be items that should not be sent, which surprised me.
Also, some items cannot be shipped depending on the country. For example, in countries where beef is prohibited, cup ramen and consommé cannot be sent, so you have to be careful when sending sweets and snacks.
All of this information can be confirmed at the post office. You can also check it on the Japan Post website, so be sure to check it out before sending.
Once you have decided what you want to send, you have to think about how to pack it.
The first thing that comes to mind is a cardboard box. Cardboard boxes can be purchased not only at post offices, but also at 100-yen shops, home centers, and online stores. You can also get cardboard boxes for free at supermarkets and other places, so one way to go is to ask at a nearby store, "Do you have any free cardboard boxes?" (However, avoid boxes with pictures of meat, vegetables, home appliances, etc. They may be considered to contain prohibited items and may not be shipped.)
When you put things in a cardboard box, depending on the item, there may be gaps between the boxes. Use a cushioning material such as an air cap (bubble wrap) to fill the gap. These can also be purchased at 100-yen shops and home centers. Also, if you want to use something eco-friendly, you can use newspaper or waste paper.
Finally, you will need tape to close the cardboard box. In Japan, there are various types of tape such as packing tape, cloth tape, and OPP tape. Tapes can be purchased at 100-yen shops, department stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores. When sending packages by international mail, it is a good idea to use packing tape to hold the package securely so that the box does not open or get damaged.
After packing the package, measure the size and weight of the cardboard. You can check the cost and number of days for each destination and shipping method on the Japan Post website.
By the way, if your package weighs less than 2kg, you can choose a cheaper shipping method and save money if you have a suitable size box. If the "length does not exceed 60 cm" plus the "width" and "thickness" add up to a total of 90 cm or less, it can be sent as a small parcel at a lower cost.
After packing the package, the next step is to create a shipping label.
Invoices are created online. First, register with Japan Post's "International Mail My Page Service". My Page Service can be viewed in Japanese, English, and Chinese. If you register once, you can send it smoothly and easily from the next time without entering your Street address etc. On top of that, you can save the shipping Street address when you create the invoice. This is a convenient system for Street address that you send frequently.
There is an easy-to-understand video (STEP 03 Prepare documents such as invoices) on the Japan Post website about how to use My Page and how to create an invoice, so be sure to check it out!
You will need to print the invoice that you have created. If you do not have a printer at home, you can print at a convenience store. Also, if you use the smartphone version of My Page Service, you can print from the post office's dedicated terminal (Yu-pri touch), or have the post office staff print it for you.
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Go to the post office with the package and the printed shipping label.
Post offices are divided into "postal counters" (for sending letters and parcels, selling stamps, etc.) and "insurance counters/savings counters" (for financial services such as insurance and savings). Line up at the post office to ship your package. At some post offices, you may have to wait for your turn after taking a numbered ticket from the ticket machine. If you are unsure, ask the staff, "Excuse me, I would like to send a package. What should I do?"
If you take a numbered ticket, you will be called in numerical order, so when the number of the numbered ticket you have is called, go to the counter, hand the package and invoice to the clerk, and pay the shipping fee.
After the procedure is completed successfully, the staff will give you a document with a tracking number (same as the number under the bar code on the top right of the invoice). Enter your tracking number into the postal tracking service page to see where your package is now.
The mailing process is now complete. Hooray!
The above steps may seem complicated, but once you do it you will get used to it quickly.
Also, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask at the post office. If there are any mistakes in the invoice, please rest assured that the staff will correct them properly.
Send a souvenir that your family and friends overseas will love!
An employee of ACCESS NEXTAGE Co., Ltd. Career Support Division for Foreigners. Originally from Belarus. She will come to Japan in June 2021 and will participate in the government-sponsored research student program at Ochanomizu University until March 2023. His hobbies are PC games, drawing, and international exchange.
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