Rakuten tracking

What is Rakuten?

Rakuten is one of Japan's largest e-commerce companies and the operator of Rakuten Ichiba, an online marketplace that functions more like a digital shopping mall than a conventional retailer. Rather than selling products directly, the company provides infrastructure through which individual merchants list and manage their own goods, collecting platform fees and commissions in exchange. This merchant-centric model has made Rakuten a central platform for small and medium-sized businesses across Japan, and the company is frequently described as the Amazon of Japan for the dominant role it has played in the country's online retail market since the late 1990s.

The company was founded on February 7, 1997, under the original name MDM, Inc., by Hiroshi Mikitani, a former banker who held an MBA from Harvard Business School. Mikitani has stated that the economic devastation caused by the 1995 Kobe earthquake motivated him to leave banking and use e-commerce to help revitalize Japan's regional economies. The Rakuten Ichiba marketplace launched on May 1, 1997, with just 6 employees and 13 merchant partners. The company renamed itself Rakuten, Inc. in 1999 and listed on the JASDAQ stock exchange in 2000, the same year it founded Rakuten University, an educational initiative to help merchant partners develop better e-commerce practices.

• Founded: February 7, 1997, originally as MDM, Inc.; the Rakuten Ichiba marketplace launched May 1, 1997, with 6 employees and 13 merchant partners
• Founder: Hiroshi Mikitani, Harvard Business School MBA (class of 1993) and former banker
• Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
• Stock exchange: Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market previously listed on JASDAQ from 2000
• Business segments: Internet Services, FinTech, and Mobile, with more than 70 services operating across all three
• Logistics joint venture: JP Rakuten Logistics, co-established July 1, 2021 with Japan Post Holdings (50.1% Japan Post, 49.9% Rakuten)
• Key international brands: Rakuten Kobo (Canada), Rakuten Rewards (United States), Rakuten Viber (Cyprus), and PriceMinister (France)
• Drone delivery brand: Rakuten Drone, launched 2016, with Japan's first commercial remote-island drone delivery completed in 2019

Beyond its marketplace origins, Rakuten has built a broad platform spanning Internet services, financial technology, and mobile communications. The Rakuten Points loyalty program sits at the center of this strategy, allowing customers to earn and spend points across all group services, from hotel bookings through Rakuten Travel to digital reading through Rakuten Kobo and contactless payments through Rakuten Pay. Internationally, the company has built commercial presence in North America and Europe through acquisitions including Ebates in the United States, since rebranded as Rakuten Rewards, and Kobo in Canada, one of the leading e-reading platforms in the world.

In 2018, Rakuten announced its "One Delivery" logistics initiative, a plan to build a proprietary end-to-end delivery network inside Japan. This program produced Rakuten Super Logistics fulfillment centers and the Rakuten EXPRESS service for domestic last-mile delivery. The joint venture formed with Japan Post Holdings in 2021 extended this further by integrating Japan Post's nationwide delivery network and post office infrastructure with Rakuten's fulfillment operations, giving enrolled merchants access to a wider distribution system than either company could offer independently.

Which countries does Rakuten deliver to?

Rakuten's primary market is Japan, where the company has built a network of fulfillment centers across the country's main metropolitan corridors. Confirmed warehouse locations include facilities in Ichikawa City and Nagareyama City in Chiba Prefecture, Kawanishi City and Amagasaki City in Hyogo Prefecture, and Hirakata City in Osaka Prefecture. These locations give the company strong coverage from Greater Tokyo in the east to the Kansai region in the west, with domestic delivery handled by Rakuten EXPRESS in supported areas or by partner carriers including Japan Post, Yamato Transport, and Sagawa Express.

Internationally, Rakuten operates Rakuten Global Express, a forwarding service that ships Japanese purchases to buyers in more than 80 countries and regions. The service is designed to allow customers outside Japan to shop on Rakuten Ichiba by directing their orders to a Rakuten warehouse in Japan, from which packages are then forwarded abroad. Demand is particularly strong from buyers in Asia and the United States, reflecting both geographic proximity and broad appetite for Japanese goods ranging from consumer electronics and fashion items to cosmetics and hobby products.

• Japan (domestic): Nationwide delivery via Rakuten EXPRESS and partner carriers, with fulfillment centers in Chiba, Hyogo, and Osaka Prefectures
• North America: United States and Canada
• Oceania: Australia
• Asia-Pacific: Singapore, Philippines, and Malaysia, among other destinations across the region
• Europe: United Kingdom and other European destinations
• Total international reach: More than 80 countries and regions served through Rakuten Global Express

International shipments handled through Rakuten Global Express rely on partner carriers for delivery inside the destination country. Parcels sent via FedEx or DHL are distributed through those carriers' international networks to the recipient's address. Shipments dispatched via Japan Post EMS or standard airmail are handed over to the national postal operator of the destination country for final delivery. A parcel destined for the United States via EMS will ultimately be distributed by USPS, while a parcel addressed to the United Kingdom will pass to Royal Mail or an equivalent local service.

Within Japan, Rakuten has been conducting drone delivery trials in Fukushima, Kanagawa, Mie, and Chiba Prefectures under the Rakuten Drone brand which launched in 2016. A notable milestone was reached in 2019 when Rakuten completed Japan's first commercial remote-island drone delivery, bringing goods to Sarushima in a project carried out in partnership with the supermarket chain Seiyu. These trials reflect the company's intent to extend reliable delivery access to areas where conventional ground-based transport presents practical difficulties.

What are the Rakuten services and delivery times?

Rakuten operates several distinct logistics and delivery services designed to serve both merchants and end consumers. The core marketplace, Rakuten Ichiba, leaves shipping decisions entirely to individual sellers, who manage their own inventory and outbound deliveries. Merchants who prefer to outsource fulfillment can enroll in Rakuten Super Logistics, a warehouse-based service that handles storage, pick-and-pack operations, and outbound shipment on the merchant's behalf. The service includes value-added options such as gift-wrapping and AI-driven inventory optimization, operated from fulfillment centers in the Chiba, Hyogo, and Osaka regions.

For international buyers wanting to purchase from Japanese merchants and ship overseas, Rakuten provides Rakuten Global Express, a forwarding service through which customers direct their orders to a Rakuten warehouse in Japan. Once packages arrive at the warehouse, the customer is notified and can log into an account portal to request consolidation of multiple orders into a single box, select a carrier, and initiate dispatch. Consolidation is provided at no charge and reduces total shipping costs when purchases from several different merchants are combined into one outbound shipment.

• Rakuten Ichiba: Core Japan marketplace where individual merchants manage their own inventory and shipping, with optional use of Rakuten logistics services
• Rakuten Super Logistics: Merchant fulfillment service covering warehouse storage, pick-and-pack operations, and outbound shipment, with gift-wrapping and AI-driven inventory tools available
• Rakuten EXPRESS: Proprietary domestic last-mile delivery service in Japan, supporting same-day delivery in select areas and providing real-time tracking notifications
• Rakuten Global Express: International forwarding service shipping to more than 80 countries via FedEx, DHL, Japan Post EMS, and standard airmail
• Free package consolidation: Multiple orders from different merchants can be combined into a single outbound box at no additional charge, including an "Auto Pack" option for automatic consolidation
• JP Rakuten Logistics: Joint distribution network with Japan Post, integrating Japan Post's Yu-Pack product with Rakuten fulfillment centers to expand pickup and collection point access across Japan
• Rakuten Drone: Unmanned drone delivery service launched in 2016, with Japan's first commercial remote-island drone delivery completed in 2019 on Sarushima

Delivery times for international shipments via Rakuten Global Express depend on the shipping method selected. Express courier shipments through FedEx or DHL reach most major destinations within 3 to 5 business days. Standard postal shipments sent via Japan Post EMS or airmail typically take between 1 and 3 weeks, not counting time spent in customs processing at the destination. For major countries receiving express courier shipments, a general working estimate of 5 to 7 days total is commonly cited, while postal options require considerably more flexibility in planning.

Within Japan, Rakuten EXPRESS supports same-day delivery in the areas where the service operates, with next-day delivery typical across major metropolitan regions including Greater Tokyo and the Kansai area. Delivery times for individual orders placed through Rakuten Ichiba can vary depending on the merchant's dispatch schedule and the carrier they have chosen, as sellers manage their own shipping unless enrolled in Rakuten Super Logistics. Delays related to customs clearance on international orders fall outside Rakuten's control and may extend delivery timelines beyond the carrier's standard estimates.

What are the Rakuten rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Shipping rates through Rakuten Global Express are calculated from a combination of the package weight, its outer dimensions, and the destination country. Express courier options through FedEx or DHL are faster but cost more than standard postal options sent via Japan Post EMS or airmail. When a customer consolidates multiple purchases from different merchants into a single box, the total shipping cost is generally lower than what would result from sending each parcel individually, making the free consolidation service particularly useful for buyers placing several orders within the same period.

• Small packet maximum weight: 2 kg
• Small packet maximum dimensions: Combined length, height, and depth must not exceed 90 cm
• Larger packages: Handled under EMS or express courier rules, with weight and dimension limits that vary by destination country
• Rate calculation basis: Package weight, outer dimensions, and the destination country
• Express courier options: FedEx and DHL, offering faster delivery at higher cost than postal services
• Standard postal options: Japan Post EMS and airmail, with lower costs and longer transit times
• Package consolidation: Multiple packages from different merchants combined into one box at no additional charge, reducing the total cost relative to separate dispatches

Rakuten Super Logistics pricing follows a separate structure aimed at commercial merchants rather than individual buyers. Costs under that service cover warehouse storage fees, pick-and-pack labor, and outbound shipping, with rates that vary by package size, storage volume, and the carrier used for delivery. Merchants enrolled in Rakuten Super Logistics have their outbound logistics managed centrally by Rakuten rather than arranging their own shipping independently.

What are the Rakuten delivery options?

Customers using Rakuten Global Express manage all aspects of their incoming packages and outbound shipments through an online account portal called Mypage. Through this interface, buyers can view packages that have arrived at the Rakuten warehouse in Japan, request consolidation of multiple orders, select a carrier and shipping method, and confirm international dispatch. Email notifications are sent each time a new package arrives at the warehouse, with notifications issued on the next business day when packages arrive outside standard operating hours.

• Rakuten Global Express portal (Mypage): Central account dashboard for viewing incoming packages, requesting consolidation, selecting carriers, and initiating international dispatch
• Email notifications: Automatic alerts sent when packages arrive at the Rakuten Japan warehouse, with next business day notification for arrivals outside standard hours
• Home delivery (domestic Japan): Time-slot selection, redelivery scheduling, and in-person delivery by Rakuten EXPRESS or partner carriers including Japan Post, Yamato Transport, and Sagawa Express
• Convenience store and carrier office pickup: Available through domestic carrier partners as an alternative to home delivery for buyers who prefer to collect their orders in person
• Japan Post post office pickup: Extended through the JP Rakuten Logistics joint venture, which connects Rakuten fulfillment infrastructure with Japan Post's post office network as authorized collection points

Within Japan, buyers receiving orders through Rakuten Ichiba can expect delivery by the merchant's chosen carrier, which may be Rakuten EXPRESS, Japan Post, Yamato Transport, or Sagawa Express depending on the seller's setup and the delivery address. Home delivery through these carriers supports time-slot selection, allowing recipients to specify a preferred delivery window during the day. If a first delivery attempt is unsuccessful, redelivery can be scheduled or the package collected from a convenience store or carrier office, depending on which carrier is handling the shipment.

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

Rakuten operates a Customer Protection Policy covering purchases made on Rakuten Ichiba. The policy applies to three situations. It covers orders that are never delivered, items received in a condition that differs significantly from the product description, and items that arrive in a damaged state. Before a claim can be filed directly with Rakuten, customers must first contact the merchant and allow up to 3 business days for a response. If the merchant does not reply within that period, or if the resolution offered is unsatisfactory, the customer may escalate the matter to Rakuten directly.

• Covered situations: Undelivered orders, items that differ significantly from the product description, and items received in a damaged condition
• First step: Contact the merchant directly and allow up to 3 business days for a response before escalating the claim to Rakuten
• Claim deadline: Claims must be submitted within 90 days of the original order date. Late claims are not accepted under any circumstances
• Return condition: Items being returned must be in their original condition with all original packaging, warranty cards, receipts, and included materials intact
• Refund as Rakuten Points: Store credit applied to the customer's account, usable across all Rakuten services
• Refund as cash transfer: Payment transferred to a Japanese personal bank account where the registered account name matches the purchaser's name exactly

Claims filed after the 90-day window are rejected regardless of the circumstances, so buyers should act without delay when a problem arises with an order. Returns submitted in an altered state or missing original components may be declined at Rakuten's discretion. For orders placed through Rakuten Global Express, customer support is handled via a contact and inquiry form on the Rakuten Global Express website, while most shipping management tasks are carried out directly through the online portal. Problems arising from the conduct of international carrier partners such as FedEx, DHL, or Japan Post EMS may require separate claims to be filed with those carriers depending on the nature of the issue.

Does Rakuten handle international shipments and customs formalities?

Rakuten Global Express ships to more than 80 countries and regions, with the strongest demand from buyers in Asia and the United States. International dispatch is handled through four main carrier options. Customers can choose between FedEx and DHL for express delivery, or Japan Post EMS and standard airmail for lower-cost postal shipping. The selection is made through the Rakuten Global Express online portal before the shipment leaves the Japanese warehouse, and the chosen carrier then handles onward delivery in the destination country through its own network or the relevant national postal operator.

Recipients are responsible for all customs duties, VAT, GST, and any other import charges imposed by the authorities of the destination country. Rakuten does not offer a delivered-duty-paid option, meaning buyers should research applicable import thresholds and tax rates before placing orders. Customs processing times vary widely by destination and are entirely outside Rakuten's control, and delays at the border can extend delivery timelines well beyond the carrier's standard transit estimates.

• Express carrier partners: FedEx and DHL, used for fast international delivery to major destinations worldwide
• Standard postal options: Japan Post EMS and airmail, offering lower-cost international shipping with longer transit times
• Customs liability: All duties, VAT, GST, and import charges imposed by the destination country are the recipient's responsibility
• Prohibited - power banks: Portable battery chargers and power banks are classified as battery units and are not permitted under international dangerous goods regulations for air transport
• Prohibited - gaming consoles: Devices such as the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 contain lithium batteries that exceed permitted international shipping quantities and cannot be dispatched
• Prohibited - standalone lithium batteries: Separate battery packs cannot be shipped. Batteries must be physically installed inside a device at the time of shipment. Laptops and phones with batteries stored separately may need to be unboxed and reassembled before dispatch is approved

The restrictions on lithium batteries in the prohibited items list reflect ICAO and IATA regulations governing the air transport of hazardous materials, which apply to both postal and courier shipments without exception. Products containing lithium batteries that fall within permitted thresholds, such as phones and laptops with batteries physically installed, may be accepted for dispatch, but customers should verify the specific rules applicable to their destination country before requesting shipment from the warehouse.

Understanding tracking statuses

When tracking a Rakuten Global Express parcel, different statuses appear in the account portal and in email notifications as the shipment moves through the handling and transport chain. Tracking details are sent by email upon dispatch and can also be viewed in the customer's Mypage portal at any time. For shipments sent via FedEx or DHL, customers can track progress directly using the tracking number provided on those carriers' own systems. For Japan Post EMS shipments, tracking is also available through Japan Post's own tracking service. Updates may be delayed at international transit points, so checking both the Rakuten portal and the underlying carrier's system will often give a more complete picture of where the parcel currently stands.

Tracking number formats vary by carrier. FedEx shipments use a 12-digit numeric tracking number. EMS shipments from Japan Post follow an alphanumeric format beginning with the letters EM and ending with JP, for example EM123456789JP. Domestic marketplace orders fulfilled by individual Rakuten Ichiba merchants may carry a tracking number from Japan Post, Yamato Transport, or Sagawa Express depending on which carrier the merchant has selected for that shipment.