Mail and Shipping from Japan — Complete Guide and Quick Answer to Japan Post, Yamato, Sagawa International Rates
⚡ 30-second answer: International shipping from Japan = (1) EMS (fastest, 3-7 days, ¥3,000-15,000) (2) International e-Packet (5-14 days, ¥800-3,500) (3) Yamato International Takkyubin (5-10 days, ¥3,000-12,000) (4) DHL (2-4 days, ¥5,000-30,000) (5) FedEx (2-4 days, ¥5,000-30,000). For 1-5kg souvenir shipments, EMS is the go-to. For urgent shipments, use DHL/FedEx.
Quick reference
Value
EMS
¥3K-15K (3-7 days)
e-Packet
¥800-3.5K (5-14 days)
Yamato International
¥3K-12K
DHL/FedEx
¥5K-30K (2-4 days)
Souvenir shipping
EMS is standard
Last verified
June 2026
📖5 min read
Photo: Yen Finder Editorial
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Contents📖 ~4 min read
30-second answer
Even if tourists buy souvenirs in bulk in Japan, shipping them internationally before heading home is a smart cost strategy. EMS is convenient and safe, and DHL/FedEx are best when speed matters.
📮 5 major shipping methods
1️⃣ EMS (Express Mail Service)
Time: 3-7 days
Weight: Up to 30kg
Features: Tracking + insurance
Sample rates (5kg):
USA: ¥8,500
Europe: ¥9,000
Asia: ¥3,500-5,500
China / Korea: ¥3,500-5,000
2️⃣ International e-Packet
Time: 5-14 days
Weight: Up to 2kg
Features: Inexpensive
Sample rates (1kg):
USA: ¥2,150
Europe: ¥2,500
Asia: ¥800-1,500
3️⃣ Yamato International Takkyubin
Time: 5-10 days
Weight: Up to 25kg
Features: Some regions not supported
Sample rates (5kg):
USA: ¥6,000
Asia: ¥4,000
4️⃣ DHL Express
Time: 2-4 days
Weight: Up to 70kg
Features: Fastest + premium pricing
Sample rates (5kg):
USA: ¥15,000-25,000
Europe: ¥18,000-28,000
Asia: ¥6,000-12,000
5️⃣ FedEx International
Time: 2-4 days
Weight: Up to 68kg
Features: Similar to DHL
Sample rates: Comparable to DHL
📦 Service selection flowchart
Light (under 2kg) + flexible (5+ days)
→ International e-Packet ¥800-2,500
Standard (2-5kg) + flexible (5+ days)
→ EMS ¥3,000-9,000
Heavy (5-15kg) + flexible
→ EMS ¥6,000-15,000
Urgent (2-4 days)
→ DHL or FedEx ¥10,000-30,000
Bulk (15kg+)
→ EMS + multiple boxes
🏛 How to use the post office
What to bring
Items to ship
Packing materials (free envelopes available)
Passport
Destination address in English
Steps
Fill out the label at the counter
Pack
Choose shipping method
Pay + receive receipt
Hours
Weekdays: 9:00-17:00 (some)
Weekends: 9:00-17:00 (many)
24h: Some large branches
🌐 Essential info for tourists
Destination address in English
Country → City → Street → Block + ZIP
Alphabet only
Japan Post official site has translation help
Required documents
Customs declaration (auto-attached)
Invoice: For high-value items
Customs
Over ¥10,000: invoice required
Cosmetic / food restrictions
Verify against scams
📊 EMS rate examples by country
USA (5kg)
¥8,500
3-5 business days
UK (5kg)
¥9,000
3-5 business days
China (5kg)
¥3,500
2-3 business days
Korea (5kg)
¥3,500
2-3 business days
Thailand (5kg)
¥4,500
3-5 business days
Australia (5kg)
¥6,500
3-5 business days
🛂 Import limits and customs
Destination country limits
USA: Up to $800 duty-free
UK: Up to £390 duty-free
EU: Up to €150 duty-free
China: Up to ¥3,000 duty-free
Declaration required
¥10,000+: Universal
Food: Restrictions by country
Plants: Often prohibited
📦 Packing tips
Light items
Bubble wrap
Newspaper
Ziploc bags
Heavy items
Cardboard boxes: Available at 100-yen shops
Packing tape
Clear label sleeves
Fragile items
"FRAGILE" stickers
Double wrapping
Pack with bubble wrap
🎁 Souvenir shipping patterns for tourists
Value-focused (light)
International e-Packet 1kg: ¥800-2,500
Cosmetics + snacks
Standard (medium)
EMS 5kg: ¥4,000-9,000
Cosmetics + souvenir bundle
Heavy (bulk)
EMS 15kg: ¥10,000-20,000
Electronics + furniture
Urgent
DHL 5kg: ¥15,000-25,000
Emergencies
📋 Sample budgets for tourists
Souvenirs 3kg for 4 people (USA)
EMS: ¥6,000
Avoids airline baggage overage
Souvenirs 10kg (UK)
EMS: ¥12,000
Can be 2 months delayed in rare cases
Urgent documents (USA)
DHL Doc: ¥4,000-8,000
🏪 Post office access by tourist area
Tokyo
Tokyo Central Post Office: 24h
Shinjuku Post Office: Large
Shibuya Post Office: Tourist-friendly
Osaka
Osaka Central Post Office: 24h
Umeda: Tourist-friendly
Kyoto
Kyoto Central Post Office: 24h
Tourist area: Dedicated counters
Fukuoka
Hakata Post Office: 24h
Tenjin Post Office: Large
🌐 Online options
Japan Post Official Online
Multilingual
Online label creation
Pickup request
Yamato Online
Same
Convenience store pickup
DHL / FedEx Online
Multilingual
Pickup booking
Credit card payment
⚠️ Notes
Important documents
Passport: keep in your carry-on
Credit cards: keep in your carry-on
Valuables: carry yourself
Hazardous items
Batteries: Restricted
Liquids: Restricted
Food: Restricted
Compensation
EMS: Up to ¥6,000 auto-included
Extra insurance: ¥1,000-3,000
💳 Payment methods
Post office
Cash
Credit cards
Some e-money
Online
Credit cards
PayPay
5 common tourist mistakes
Miscalculating weight → Suitcase overage fees
Picking the wrong service → Urgent items on a slow service
English address errors → Delivery delays / failure
No customs paperwork ready → Customs trouble
Losing tracking number → Can't confirm delivery
Pre-departure and in-stay checklist
Pre-departure
Choose a shipping method
Prepare English address
Have a credit card ready
Calculate carry-back weight
During stay
Bulk-buy souvenirs
Prep packaging
Confirm post office locations
Before leaving
Confirm shipment is sent
Save tracking number
FAQ
Q: How long does EMS take?
A: 3-5 business days for USA / Europe, 2-3 business days for Asia.
Q: How to avoid weight overages from bulk buying?
A: Use EMS 15kg at ¥10,000-20,000 — often cheaper than airline overage fees.
Q: What about customs duties?
A: Varies by country — roughly 5-30% duty on shipments worth ¥10,000-30,000.
Q: Insurance and tracking?
A: EMS includes ¥6,000 auto-coverage, extra insurance available. All carriers offer tracking.
Q: Urgent documents?
A: DHL Doc: ¥4,000-8,000 in 2-4 days.
About: Yen Finder Editorial / Last verified June 2026. Rates change — confirm with Japan Post (https://www.post.japanpost.jp) and each carrier's official site for the latest.
