Japan Post tracking

What is Japan Post?

Japan Post is Japan's national postal and logistics operator, providing mail delivery, parcel logistics, banking, and life insurance services to virtually every address in the country. The postal and logistics arm operates as Japan Post Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd., the parent holding company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The group operates across five business segments covering postal and logistics, financial window services, banking, life insurance, and others. Japan Post Bank and Japan Post Insurance are the other major operating subsidiaries within this holding structure.

The history of Japan Post stretches back to 1871, when Hisoka Maejima, drawing on his study of the British postal system, established a standardized national mail network during the Meiji era. Postal savings were incorporated in 1875 and postal life insurance followed in 1916, gradually transforming the postal service into a financial institution of considerable scale alongside its delivery operations. For most of the twentieth century, Japan Post functioned as a ministry-level government agency under direct state control. In April 2003, under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's administrative reform agenda, it was reorganized as a government-owned public corporation. The privatization debate became a defining political battle of the early 2000s. After the Upper House defeated the privatization bill, Koizumi dissolved parliament and called a snap election in September 2005 on the question of postal privatization, winning a decisive supermajority. Privatization was formally enacted on October 1, 2007, creating Japan Post Holdings and its operating subsidiaries. A landmark series of simultaneous IPOs in November 2015 raised approximately $11 to $12 billion, ranking among the largest public offerings globally that year. As of 2020, the Japanese government still held roughly 57% of shares in Japan Post Holdings, with full privatization targeted for completion in 2028.

• Full company name: Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd. (parent); Japan Post Co., Ltd. (postal and logistics operating subsidiary)
• Japanese name: 日本郵政株式会社 (Japan Post Holdings); 日本郵便株式会社 (Japan Post Co., Ltd.)
• Founded: 1871 (modern postal system established); April 2003 (reorganized as government public corporation); October 1, 2007 (privatized holding structure enacted)
• Headquarters: Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
• Stock listing: Japan Post Holdings, Japan Post Bank, and Japan Post Insurance are all listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange following simultaneous IPOs in November 2015
• Post offices: Approximately 23,520 as of April 30, 2024
• Delivery points: Approximately 31 million addresses nationwide
• Annual volume: Roughly 3.88 billion mail items and packages processed per year
• Customer service phone: 0570-046-111 (Japan; chargeable call; English support available)

Japan Post's domestic network is one of the most pervasive in the world, with its approximately 23,520 post offices reaching remote islands, mountain villages, and rural communities that no major private courier serves. This density of coverage is a point of national significance and distinguishes Japan Post from private logistics operators in terms of universal service reach. In the international market Japan Post is widely recognized for its EMS, or Express Mail Service, which has historically offered competitive pricing relative to private couriers such as FedEx or DHL, particularly on Asian and Pacific routes. The suspension of SAL, or Surface Air Lifted, service to most destinations following disruptions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the carrier's available options in the mid-range international pricing segment, narrowing the gap between EMS and surface mail for many destinations.

Which countries does Japan Post deliver to?

Domestically, Japan Post covers all 47 prefectures of Japan, including remote territories such as Okinawa, Hokkaido, the Ogasawara Islands, and other island communities far from the main islands. The network of approximately 23,520 post offices serves every residential and commercial address in the country, including small towns and villages where no other major carrier operates. Delivery also covers P.O. boxes maintained at post offices throughout the territory, and the approximately 31 million delivery points represent near-total geographic saturation of the Japanese archipelago.

Internationally, Japan Post participates in the Universal Postal Union, or UPU, system. EMS service is available to more than 120 countries and territories worldwide, making it the most widely accessible of Japan Post's international services. Availability of other service types such as airmail parcels and surface mail varies by destination. Pricing zones are divided into Asia, Oceania, North America, Central America, the Middle East, Europe, South America, and Africa, with separate rate tables applying to each zone and Japan Post documenting the specific services available per destination on its official service availability pages.

• Japan (domestic): All 47 prefectures, including Hokkaido, Okinawa, the Ogasawara Islands, and other remote island territories
• Asia: China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, and other Asian destinations
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand and Pacific island nations
• North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico
• Europe: All European Union member states, the United Kingdom, Switzerland Norway, Russia, and other European countries
• Central and South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and other destinations across the Americas
• Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, South Africa, and many additional destinations

International shipments operate through bilateral cooperation between national postal services. A parcel sent from Japan via Japan Post is handled by the Japanese operator until it exits the country, then transferred to the postal service of the destination country for final delivery. A parcel going to the United States will be distributed by USPS upon arrival, a shipment to Germany will be handed to Deutsche Post, and a parcel to the United Kingdom will be processed by Royal Mail. Tracking information may continue to update in the destination country's postal tracking system after the item leaves Japan Post's own network. Japan Post also maintains a commercial partnership with Rakuten that allows e-commerce shoppers to designate any of approximately 20,000 post offices as a pickup address for their purchases.

What are the Japan Post services and delivery times?

Japan Post's domestic service portfolio covers a wide range of parcel sizes, weights, and delivery requirements. Yu-Pack is the flagship domestic parcel service, accepting packages with total combined dimensions, length plus width plus height, of up to 170 cm and a weight of up to 25 kg, with a special variant available for items up to 30 kg. Drop-off is available at post offices or at participating convenience stores, where size is limited to 160 cm and 25 kg. Yu-Pack includes full parcel tracking, delivery date scheduling up to 10 days in advance, a choice of six delivery time windows, and default compensation up to $2,000. Specialized variants include Refrigerated Yu-Pack for temperature-controlled food delivery, Airport Yu-Pack for luggage delivery to and from airports, Golf Yu-Pack for sending golf bags to hotels or courses, and a Same-Day Delivery option available in geographically limited areas centered primarily on greater Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture.

Beyond Yu-Pack, Japan Post operates several additional domestic formats. Yu-Packet accepts smaller items with total dimensions up to 60 cm, a longest side of up to 34 cm, a depth of up to 3 cm, and a weight up to 1 kg, with delivery made to the addressee's mailbox. Yu-Mail is designed for printed materials and electromagnetic record media such as CDs and DVDs, up to 1 kg, without permitting personal correspondence to be included. Letter Pack is a flat-rate envelope service available in two tiers. Letter Pack Light, identified by its blue envelope, handles items up to 4 kg with A4-sized dimensions and up to 3 cm thick, with mailbox delivery and no signature required. Letter Pack Plus, identified by its red envelope, also handles items up to 4 kg but requires face-to-face delivery with a receipt seal or signature, making it appropriate for valuable documents. Both Letter Pack variants include tracking and are available every day including Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

• Yu-Pack: Domestic parcels up to 170 cm total dimensions and 25 kg; full tracking, date scheduling up to 10 days ahead, six time slot options, $2,000 default compensation
• Yu-Packet: Small domestic packages up to 60 cm total dimensions, 34 cm longest side, 3 cm depth, 1 kg; trackable; mailbox delivery
• Yu-Mail: Printed materials and media up to 1 kg; no correspondence permitted; economy untracked option
• Letter Pack Light: Flat-rate A4 blue envelope up to 4 kg and 3 cm thick; mailbox delivery; tracking included; available seven days a week
• Letter Pack Plus: Flat-rate A4 red envelope up to 4 kg; face-to-face delivery with signature; tracking included; available seven days a week
• EMS (Express Mail Service): Fastest international option; available to more than 120 countries and territories; up to 30 kg; tracking and compensation included
• Cool EMS: Refrigerated international express for perishable goods maintained between 0°C and -15°C for up to 80 hours; available to select destinations including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia
• International ePacket: Economy express service for small packets up to 2 kg; tracking and signature on delivery included
• International ePacket Light: Airmail small packet service up to 2 kg introduced January 1, 2026 as a replacement for Small Air Packet; tracking included; mailbox delivery without signature; no insurance coverage
• Surface Mail (Sea Mail): Slowest and cheapest international option; transported by sea; typically one to three months in transit
• SAL (Surface Air Lifted): Largely suspended as of 2025; available only to a limited number of destinations

For domestic deliveries, Yu-Pack typically achieves next-day delivery between major regional hubs. A package sent from Tokyo to Osaka generally arrives the following business day, while longer routes such as between Honshu and Hokkaido or Okinawa may take approximately two days. Yu-Packet and Yu-Mail carry no guaranteed delivery date but generally arrive within one to three days. Letter Pack services are typically delivered the next business day for nearby destinations and within two to three days for distant prefectures.

For international shipments, EMS typically delivers within 3 to 7 days from Japan to major destinations. East Asian neighbors such as China and South Korea tend to fall in the shorter range of 2 to 4 days, while shipments to North America and Europe typically take 5 to 10 days depending on customs processing in the destination country. International ePacket and ePacket Light take approximately 5 to 21 days. Surface mail by sea takes one to three months. All international delivery estimates are subject to destination country customs processing times, local postal service efficiency, and external disruptions. Tracking updates may pause for several days during the airborne international transit phase or while a shipment is held for customs inspection, which is a normal part of international routing and does not necessarily indicate a problem with the shipment.

What are the Japan Post rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Japan Post's domestic pricing for Yu-Pack is based primarily on the total combined dimensions of the package rather than weight alone. Rate tiers run from 60-size, total combined dimensions up to 60 cm, through 170-size, total combined dimensions up to 170 cm, with prices also varying depending on the origin and destination prefectures. Convenience store drop-offs typically offer a slight discount compared to post office counter rates. A domestic rate calculator is available through Japan Post's official services where shippers can input package size and origin and destination to obtain a specific figure.

For international shipments, EMS rates are determined by the destination zone and the package weight. The maximum weight is 30 kg for EMS, though individual country restrictions may impose lower limits. Since 2023, the maximum length for the longest single side has been reduced to 105 cm for certain destinations including Australia, Argentina, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates, while the general limit of 150 cm applies to other destinations. The combined dimension limit, length plus twice the width plus twice the height, must not exceed 300 cm for EMS. For international small packets sent via ePacket or ePacket Light, the longest side must be under 60 cm, total dimensions, length plus width plus height, must not exceed 90 cm, and weight must stay under 2 kg.

• Yu-Pack domestic tiers: Size-based pricing from 60-size to 170-size; price also varies by origin and destination prefecture; convenience store drop-off discounts apply
• Yu-Pack maximum weight: 25 kg standard; special variant available for up to 30 kg
• Yu-Pack maximum size: Total combined dimensions (length plus width plus height) not exceeding 170 cm; convenience store drop-offs capped at 160 cm total and 25 kg
• EMS pricing basis: Destination zone (Asia, Oceania, North America, Europe) combined with package weight; full rate schedule available from January 1, 2026
• EMS maximum weight: 30 kg; country-specific restrictions may apply
• EMS size limits: Longest side under 150 cm (or under 105 cm for destinations including Australia, Argentina, Spain, and UAE); combined dimensions (L + 2W + 2H) under 300 cm
• International small packet (ePacket / ePacket Light): Longest side under 60 cm; total dimensions (L + W + H) not exceeding 90 cm; weight under 2 kg
• International standard parcel post: Longest side under 150 cm; combined dimensions (L + 2W + 2H) under 300 cm; maximum weight 30 kg
• ePacket Light insurance: None; this service carries no coverage for loss or damage, unlike the Small Air Packet service it replaced, which included approximately $40 in insurance

Japan Post provides an online rate and delivery day calculator through its official portal where users can input the destination, service type, and weight to obtain a specific shipping price. International rates were updated effective January 1, 2026, and a full rate schedule is available for download from Japan Post's official materials. Shippers choosing between ePacket Light and EMS for small items should weigh the lower cost of ePacket Light against the absence of insurance coverage, particularly for items with significant monetary value.

What are the Japan Post delivery options?

When a delivery attempt fails because the recipient is not home, Japan Post leaves an Undeliverable Item Notice at the address, known in Japanese as the fuzai renrakuhyo. This document contains the tracking or inquiry number, typically 11 to 13 digits or 6 to 8 digits in length, a QR code, and instructions for arranging redelivery or post office pickup. The recipient can scan the QR code to open a mobile redelivery request form directly. Redelivery can also be arranged by calling 0570-046-111, where English-language support is available. For same-day redelivery, requests must be submitted before 5:00 PM.

• Redelivery (online): Requested by scanning the QR code on the delivery notice or through Japan Post's online redelivery page; same-day redelivery requires submission before 5:00 PM
• Redelivery (phone): Available by calling 0570-046-111; English-language support is offered on this line
• Post office counter pickup: The recipient can redirect the package to a nearby post office and collect it in person by presenting the delivery notice and a valid photo ID
• Parcel lockers: In urban apartment buildings equipped with automated parcel lockers, the carrier deposits the package and leaves a PIN code on the delivery slip, allowing collection at any time without the recipient needing to be present
• Convenience store pickup: Available at participating Lawson, Ministop, and FamilyMart locations
• Post office pickup for e-commerce: Under a partnership with Rakuten, recipients can designate any of approximately 20,000 post offices as their delivery address for online purchases
• Delivery time slots (Yu-Pack): Six delivery time windows are available; recipients can specify a preferred delivery date up to 10 days in advance
• Address forwarding: Redirection to a different address is available upon the recipient's request

The range of pickup and redelivery options reflects the reality of Japanese urban life, where recipients are frequently absent during standard daytime delivery hours. The combination of convenience store pickup locations, post office counter pickup, and building parcel lockers means most urban recipients can collect packages without waiting for a rescheduled delivery attempt. In rural areas and smaller communities, post office counter pickup is generally the primary practical alternative to redelivery, given the density of Japan Post's branch presence even in remote locations.

What should I do if my Japan Post parcel is lost or damaged?

When a shipment is lost, damaged, or delayed beyond expected windows, the appropriate first step is to submit a search or tracking inquiry to Japan Post and wait for the outcome of their internal investigation. The investigation process typically takes between 1 and 6 months to complete. If a compensation claim is applicable, the claimant must complete a Compensation Claim Form and satisfy the documentation requirements. For damage claims, this means presenting not only the damaged contents but also all original packaging materials including the envelope, box, and wrapping. Discarding the packaging before a claim is resolved will substantially complicate or invalidate the process.

For domestic Yu-Pack, standard compensation covers the actual value of the loss up to $2,000. An additional security service is available for items valued above that amount. For international EMS, compensation for damaged or partially missing contents covers the actual loss up to a maximum of approximately $13,000, while total-loss compensation follows the amounts listed in Japan Post's official compensation schedule. International ePacket Light, which replaced the Small Air Packet service effective January 1, 2026, carries no insurance coverage whatsoever, meaning there is no compensation available for loss or damage on that service. The older Small Air Packet service included approximately $40 in insurance, a feature absent in its replacement.

• Domestic Yu-Pack compensation: Actual loss covered up to $2,000; additional insurance available for higher-value items
• EMS international compensation: Actual loss for damaged or partially missing items covered up to approximately $13,000; total-loss compensation follows Japan Post's official schedule
• ePacket Light insurance: None; no compensation is available for loss or damage on this service
• Claim deadline for damaged or lost contents: Investigation applications must be submitted within 14 days from the shipping date
• Claim deadline for delivery delays: Claims must be submitted within 21 days from the date the package was received
• Claim deadline for lost or entirely disappeared packages: 120 days from the date the label was issued
• Claim deadline for EMS: Claims must be submitted within 6 months from the day of shipment
• Required documentation: Completed Compensation Claim Form plus all original packaging materials; damaged contents must also be presented for inspection
• Investigation duration: Japan Post's internal process typically takes between 1 and 6 months

Japan Post's customer support line at 0570-046-111 handles general inquiries, claims initiation, and redelivery arrangements, with English-language support available. This is the primary contact point for following up on an investigation or obtaining guidance on the compensation process. For international mail specifically, Japan Post maintains dedicated informational resources on its official channels covering documentation requirements and compensation schedules in detail.

Does Japan Post handle international shipments and customs formalities?

A significant procedural change took effect on March 1, 2024, when Japan Post discontinued acceptance of handwritten labels for any international mail to any destination worldwide. Since that date, all international mail labels must be created through Japan Post's "International Mail My Page Service," a free online tool. This requirement was introduced to enable Electronic Advance Data, or EAD, transmission to customs authorities in destination countries, aligning Japan Post's processes with global customs modernization standards. The online label generation system handles EAD transmission as part of the label-creation process, satisfying the electronic data requirements of most destination countries simultaneously with label printing.

Customs declaration forms are required for any shipment containing goods with monetary value. Japan Post uses the internationally standardized CN22 form for small-packet shipments up to 2 kg with a value below the applicable threshold, and the CN23 form for items over 2 kg or of higher value. The CN23 requires itemized content descriptions, unit values, and Harmonized System, or HS, tariff codes for each item in the shipment. Japan Post's online label generation system integrates both the CN22 or CN23 data and the EAD transmission into a single workflow. After acceptance at the post office, all outgoing international items pass through X-ray inspection, and any items found to contain prohibited materials may be returned to the sender before dispatch abroad.

Japan Post maintains a list of prohibited items that cannot be sent via international air mail. Explosives, flammable materials, and other hazardous goods covered by IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations are broadly prohibited regardless of service type. Narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and items restricted or prohibited under the laws of Japan, the destination country, or any transit country are also prohibited. Lithium batteries represent a major area of ongoing regulatory complexity. Loose lithium batteries not installed in any device, including portable power banks and mobile battery packs, are prohibited from international air mail entirely. Devices with lithium batteries installed may be accepted under specific conditions. As of November 15, 2024, parcels containing lithium batteries can no longer be sent to certain countries via EMS or Air Mail at all and may only be routed via surface mail or commercial couriers for those destinations. Japan Post does not collect import duties or taxes on behalf of destination countries. Those charges are managed by the destination country's customs authority and local delivery carrier after the item arrives in-country.

Understanding tracking statuses

When you track a Japan Post shipment online, different statuses appear as the parcel moves through the postal network from origin to destination. These updates reflect the physical location and processing state of the item at each stage of its journey, from initial acceptance in Japan through international transit, customs clearance, and final delivery in the destination country. The following table covers the main statuses and what each one indicates.