Learn about the different shipping methods available on Otsukai so that you can choose the method that best suits you. 


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What are the different shipping methods?

There are few different possible shipping methods that a Friend can use, and each of them differ in speed and price. Read about each method below.


NOTE: Due to the current situation with COVID-19, many shipping methods are experiencing severe delays. Please check the Information at the bottom of otsukai.com to read more updates.


Japan Post EMS

+ Very fast

+ Large size / weight limits

+ Includes a tracking number and insurance as standard

- Most expensive method


EMS stands for Express Mail Service and is the fastest way to send items internationally. 


Japan Post International ePacket

+ Very reasonable costs

+ Includes tracking number and insurance as standard

+ Faster than economy airmail

- Has a weight and size limit (up to 90 cm and 2 kg)

- Takes longer to arrive compared to EMS

- Requires the Friend to create and print out the label at home

- Can only be insured for up to 6,000 yen


International ePacket is a relatively new service that is much cheaper than EMS but takes longer to arrive. The sender is required to create and print the label at home and place it into a special plastic pouch which they must order online before sending the package. The sender cannot get these pouches from a post office, and they cannot fill out the label by hand. This means that there may be some Friends who prefer to send items via a different method instead. 

  • The price of shipping depends on the weight of the package and the destination.
  • Click here to find out more about ePacket, including size/weight limits, prices and delivery times: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/service/epacket_en.html
  • Anything that exceeds the limits will be sent via EMS or regular air mail.
  • The delivery time depends on many factors, such as the location of the Friend in Japan, the country of destination, whether or not you live in a remote area and whether or not the items are inspected by customs after arrving in your country
  • ePacket includes insurance of up to 6,000 yen. If the item you buy is worth much more than this, the Friend may decide to use a different method.
  • Items shipped via ePacket do not require a signature on delivery. If the package is small enough to fit in your postbox / mailbox, it will be marked as delivered.
  • Items can be tracked via the following page: http://tracking.post.japanpost.jp/services/sp/srv/search/?locale=en



Japan Post International ePacket Light

+ Very reasonable costs and cheaper than ePacket

+ Includes tracking number

+ Faster than economy airmail

- Has a weight and size limit

- Takes longer to arrive compared to regular ePacket

- Requires the Friend to create and print out the label at home

- Does not come with an insurance


International ePacket light is the same as ePacket, but costs a little less in exchange for a slightly longer shipping time. 

  • The price of the shipping depends on the weight of the package and the destination.
  • Click here to find out more about International ePacket Light, including size/weight limits, prices and delivery times: https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/service/epacketlight_en.html
  • The delivery time depends on many factors, such as the location of the Friend in Japan, the country of destination, whether or not you live in a remote area and whether or not the items are inspected by customs after arriving in your country
  • Items shipped via ePacket Light do not require a signature on delivery. If the package is small enough to fit in your postbox / mailbox, it will be marked as delivered.
  • Items can be tracked via the following page: http://tracking.post.japanpost.jp/services/sp/srv/search/?locale=en


Japan Post - Other

+ Does not require the Friend to create and print the label at home

+ Can be cheaper than other methods (not in all cases)

- Tracking and insurance has to be added on separately

- Depending on the method, the item may take a while to arrive


This means that the Friend will send the package using a different shipping method.

  • This method will usually be SAL (economy airmail) plus an additional charge to insure the package and add a tracking number to it. There are also cases where the destination country cannot handle certain shipping methods, and the Friend will use an applicable shipping method.
  • Items can be tracked via the following page: http://tracking.post.japanpost.jp/services/sp/srv/search/?locale=en


If you want the Friend to use a specific shipping method, please make sure you mention it in your description.


Please DO NOT request that your item be sent without tracking number. This is to protect both you and the Friend in Japan.


Note: Surface mail has been added as a shipping option due to the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

In the majority of cases you will NOT receive a tracking number if you choose surface mail as a shipping method. Please understand that purchases are made entirely at the buyer's own risk.



What is Otsukai Shipping?


Otsukai shipping is a method that allows the Friend to ship your item to the Otsukai center. The Otsukai staff will ship your order out via DHL.


This shipping method opens up Otsukai for Friends who may struggle to get your item shipped to you otherwise. It also opens up the courier service DHL to more of our users.


As the Friend will need to get your item to the Otsukai center, they may need to charge you a small domestic shipping fee. This will already be calculated into your offer price and you won't be asked to pay anything extra after accepting an offer.

The Estimated Time Until Shipping is the estimated time until the Otsukai center can get your item shipped via DHL. However please understand that this is an estimate only, and there may be small delays if the domestic delivery takes longer than expected.


Once your item has been shipped, and Otsukai member of staff will mark your order as 'shipped' on Otsukai.


Read more about DHL here: https://www.dhl.com/en.html


The option for Friends to offer Otsukai Shipping has ended as of 22 June 2020. Any offers accepted with this option will still be shipped as expected with Otsukai Shipping.



Other - International Courier Services


The Friend may also choose to send your item via an international Courier if they are able to. Please understand that these services often cost more than JP Post, but your package will arrive within a few days.
Couriers with options on Otsukai are as follows:

- DHL

- FedEx

-Yamato International TA-Q-BIN

- UPS

Please read more on the website for each courier.


What are the estimated shipping rates for my country?

Estimated prices vary widely depending on both the size/weight of the item and the shipping method. You can estimate the shipping rates by inserting the required information into this form http://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-charge/index.php?lang=_en


What are the estimated shipping times for my country?

You can look up the estimated shipping times for JP Post by inserting required information into this form http://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-charge/index.php?lang=_en.


How long does the buyer have to ship my requested items?

The buyer can choose a range of days which will be shown in the offer you receive. Please note that you may receive offers including items which can only be pre-ordered, meaning you will also have to wait for the item to be released as well as for the Friend to ship the item to you. Please also be aware that once preorders have been made it is usually not possible for the Friend to alter or cancel their order. Please be mindful of this.

Some items offered by your Friends in Japan are items that they found on online stores or marketplaces (including flea market sites) etc. Therefore it takes time for the item to be delivered to the Friend's home in order for them to ship it to you and provide you a tracking number.


Can I track my order?

Each order you make on Otsukai will include a tracking number provided by the Friend. You can track this number here: http://tracking.post.japanpost.jp/services/sp/srv/search/?locale=en
(Please also note that you may be able to enter the tracking number into the postal service of your own country. In some cases, you will not be able to do this until the item has landed in your country.)


I entered the tracking number into the tracking service, but it says the tracking number is not found

It may take a few hours before the status of the item will display on the tracking website, so if you enter the tracking number and nothing is displayed, we suggest checking again in 24 hours. If you still find that nothing is displayed, please create a support ticket here.


My order hasn’t arrived yet.

Your patience is greatly appreciated. First try to track the order if you received a tracking number from the sender. Depending on season and country your parcel might need a little bit longer to arrive. If your package is coming via ePacket Light or SAL (economy airmail), it is sometimes the case that the postal service hasn't yet found some free space on an airplane to ship your package.

It could also be that your parcel is being held back by customs for investigations.

My package has been returned to the sender


There are some cases where the package may be returned to the Friend in Japan.

If you notice that the tracking number says that your package is being returned to sender and it is still in your country, it is vital that you contact your country’s postal service as soon as possible. If you do this it may be possible to get the package redirected.

If the package has already landed in Japan, or if your country’s postal service cannot help you, please contact the Otsukai support team as soon as possible.


In the case that a package is returned due to you registering an incorrect shipping address to Otsukai, you will be liable to pay the fee to have the item reshipped. You will not be eligible for a refund.

In the case that a package is returned due to the Friend incorrectly inputting your address onto the shipping label, the Friend will be liable to pay the fee to have the item reshipped.

All other instances will be decided on a case-by-case basis, but we urge all users on Otsukai to consider using a shipping method which includes insurance against loss (such as ePacket and EMS). Please see above for more details on each available shipping method.


Note: Many packages are currently being returned to the Friends due to the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Although there are cases where you may be offered an alternative shipping method, you may find that the Friend keeps hold of the package until the situation has improved. In this case you may find that the estimated time until shipping on your order has been changed to ‘pre-order’. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.