 |
| Parcel Post
Using Parcel Post (¬•ï—X•Ö kozutsumi yuubin) through the post office is a good option if you have a smaller volume of belongings to send home that are easily packed in boxes. You can generally send parcels up to 30kg, but size limitations vary according to destination. For parcel post rate, see your JET diary or http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/fee/intel/parcel.html To compare mailing prices, see: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-charge/index.php?lang=_en The post office may want to inspect the contents of your items, so take the box to the post office unsealed to allow for inspection. For all items, you will need to fill out an international parcel label, which is a combination invoice, customs declaration, and address label. Bring a list of the parcel contents with you, for filling out the customs information. If youfre worried about having to pay duty on your belongings, label your items as gUSEDh when you declare them. Basic mailing options Surface Mail: This is the cheapest way (about 1/3 the cost of airmail) but may take a considerable amount of time to reach the destination (e.g. 2-3 months to the USA). Economy Air (SAL): These packages go by air, but not by express. The rates are more expensive than surface mail (but less than airmail), but travel time is considerably shorter. It takes roughly 3-7 days longer than normal airmail. Airmail: This service is expensive but fast. Parcels arrive within about a week. Size restrictions (varies depending upon destination) -Either the sum of all dimensions must not exceed 3 meters, and the length must not exceed 1.5m. (30kg weight limit) -Or the sum of all dimensions must not exceed 2m and the length must not exceed 1.05m. (30kg weight limit). Large quantity discount You receive a 10% discount if you mail ten or more packages at a time. (If sending 50 packages or more, you receive a 20% discount.) And, instead of lugging all of your packages to the post office, you can call and set up a time with the post office for them to pick up packages from your apartment. Parcels in the same shipment going to different destinations are eligible for the discount as well. Send your things at the same time as a friend and save! Sending books home Sending a box of books as printed matter (ˆóü•¨insatsubutsu) is the most economical way to send books home. Keep in mind when packing that the post office may open or x-ray your box to verify that the contents contain books alone. If your box contains non-book items you will be charged the prices for regular mail, which is much more expensive. Therefore, take your box unopened to the post office and seal it after the postal clerk has checked the contents. Mark your box of books as gPRINTED MATTERh or gIMPRIMEh. Itfs a good idea to pack your books properly as they can be handled roughly. Printed Matter can be sent by airmail, SAL, or surface mail. Packages of up to 5 kg can be sent from your local post office (varies per post office): Airmail rates: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/fee/intel/airmail.html SAL rates: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/fee/intel/sal.html Surface rates: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/fee/intel/surface.html Packages between 5 kg and 30 kg can be sent in special book bags (“Á•Ê—X‘܈óü•¨tokubetsu yuutai insatsubutsu) available only at the Sendai Central Post Office (å‘ä’†‰›—X•Ö‹Ç Sendai Chuo yuubin kyoku), near Itsutsubashi Subway Station. Pack your parcel of printed matter, but again donft seal it. Once you take it to the post office they will ask whether you want to send it surface or airmail. Surface takes up to two months, but is roughly half the price of airmail, which takes about ten days. Your box of books will be sealed and put in a canvas mail bag for shipping. For book bag rates, see: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/service/s_printed_matter_en.html Insurance Air, economy and surface parcels may be insured against loss or damage upon request at larger post offices. Ask for insured mail (•ÛŒ¯•thokentsuki). Costs vary according to destination. For insurance rates, please see: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/service/option/insurance_en.html For parcels, the first 20,000 yen (value of the goods in the package) costs 400 yen to insure; each additional 20,000 yen costs 50 yen. Items that cannot be mailed It is illegal to send firearms, explosives, fireworks, fresh food, drugs, soil/plants, uncensored materials, ammunition, or goods for resale. For more information on international postal services, please refer to: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/index.html |
 |