Sagawa tracking

What is Sagawa?

Sagawa Express Co., Ltd., also known as 佐川急便, is one of Japan's major transportation and logistics companies, operating as the core business unit of the SG Holdings Group. Headquartered in Minami-ku, Kyoto, the company competes directly with Yamato Transport, also known as Kuroneko, and Nippon Express within Japan's highly competitive domestic courier industry. Sagawa built its reputation on fast domestic delivery, detailed parcel tracking, and a network of approximately 400 or more sales offices distributed throughout Japan. It is a preferred logistics partner for businesses ranging from e-commerce retailers and manufacturers to individual consumers who regularly ship goods across the country.

The company traces its origins to 1957, when founder Kiyoshi Sagawa launched a courier business in Kyoto, initially running routes between Kyoto and Osaka. The business was formally registered as a company on November 24, 1965. The 1980s marked a turning point in Sagawa's development, as the company deliberately shifted its identity from a traditional transport business to a broader logistics company. By the second half of that decade, daily handled volume had exceeded one million items, a milestone driven by Japan's economic expansion and the company's growing national footprint.

A significant structural change came on March 21, 2006, when Sagawa Express established SG Holdings Co., Ltd. as a pure holding company and transferred its stock under it, becoming a subsidiary. This restructuring was designed to centralize management strategy and allow each business unit to operate with greater independence. In 2020, SG Holdings completed the acquisition of an additional 20% stake in Sagawa Express from Hitachi Transport System, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. In May 2025, SG Holdings acquired Morrison Express for nearly $900 million, marking a deliberate push into global freight forwarding operations beyond Japan.

• Date of creation: Operations began March 22, 1957; formally registered as a company on November 24, 1965, by founder Kiyoshi Sagawa in Kyoto
• Major restructuring: 2006, creation of SG Holdings Co., Ltd. as holding company; 2020, Sagawa Express became a wholly owned subsidiary of SG Holdings
• Parent company: SG Holdings Co., Ltd., listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange
• Headquarters: Minami-ku, Kyoto, Japan
• Japanese name: 佐川急便 (Sagawa Kyuubin)
• Network: Approximately 400 or more sales offices distributed throughout Japan
• International reach: Operations spanning more than 36 countries through the SG Holdings group
• Notable acquisition: Morrison Express, acquired in May 2025 for nearly $900 million, expanding global freight forwarding capacity

Sagawa's position in the Japanese market is defined by its particular strength in large-volume and corporate shipments, as well as a range of temperature-controlled delivery options serving Japan's food and pharmaceutical sectors. The company offers services well beyond standard parcel delivery, including refrigerated and frozen delivery, air express, large-size freight, same-day urban delivery, warehousing, and supply chain management. Through SG Holdings, it also provides international freight forwarding, customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery services across more than 36 countries.

Which countries does Sagawa deliver to?

Within Japan, Sagawa Express operates an extremely dense domestic network with approximately 400 or more sales offices and distribution centers across all prefectures. This national infrastructure enables delivery to virtually any address in Japan, including remote island locations, typically within one to two business days. The company runs sorting hubs, transfer centers, and local delivery depots that together handle millions of parcels daily, forming an integrated network covering the full breadth of Japanese territory.

Internationally, the SG Holdings group operates in more than 36 countries across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. International operations are managed primarily through SGH Global Japan Co., Ltd., the group's dedicated global logistics subsidiary, which handles freight forwarding, customs clearance, and cross-border logistics. The North American market is served by SG Sagawa USA, Inc. The May 2025 acquisition of Morrison Express has significantly extended the group's presence into transcontinental freight lanes across Europe, the Americas, and Africa.

Sagawa's strongest international footprint is in Asia, where the group has built a network of established subsidiaries and partnerships over several decades. The first overseas office was opened in Hong Kong in 1990. Since then, the group has expanded into Taiwan through Sagawa Express International Taiwan Corp., South Korea through Sagawa Logistics Korea Co., Ltd., and China through Shanghai Runbow Logistics and Technology Co., Ltd., in addition to confirmed operations across Southeast Asia and South Asia.

• Japan: Complete domestic coverage of all prefectures, including remote island locations
• East Asia: Hong Kong (first overseas office, established 1990), Taiwan, South Korea, and China through Shanghai Runbow Logistics and Technology Co., Ltd.
• Southeast Asia: Philippines, Thailand Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and Myanmar
• South Asia: India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh
• North America: United States and connected markets, served through SG Sagawa USA, Inc.
• Europe, Africa, and broader Americas: Expanded coverage through the 2025 acquisition of Morrison Express

For international parcel delivery from Japan, the primary branded services are Hikyaku Global Express and Hikyaku Global Post Express, both offering door-to-door delivery. Larger commercial shipments are handled by SGH Global Japan Co., Ltd., which provides air freight, sea freight, customs brokerage, and end-to-end supply chain management across the group's global network.

What are the Sagawa services and delivery times?

Sagawa Express offers a wide range of domestic and international shipping services covering standard parcels, time-sensitive deliveries, temperature-controlled shipments, and oversized freight. Each service is structured around specific size limits, transport modes, and delivery timelines to accommodate the differing needs of individual consumers and business customers. The company's domestic service portfolio has expanded significantly since its founding, with specialized offerings added progressively through the 1990s and 2000s to respond to changing market demands.

• Hikyaku Express (飛脚宅配便): The flagship domestic parcel service for standard packages. Accepts packages with total dimensions up to 140 cm (sum of length, width, and height) and a maximum weight of 30 kg. Includes both land and air transport modes with tracking across Japan.
• Hikyaku Air Express (飛脚航空便): A premium domestic service that prioritizes air transport to achieve next-day delivery anywhere in Japan. Accepts packages up to 160 cm in total dimensions and up to 30 kg. Delivery can be selected from 9 a.m. the day following shipment.
• Hikyaku Large Size Express (飛脚ラージサイズ宅配便): For oversized items that exceed standard parcel limits. Handles packages with total dimensions up to 260 cm and a maximum weight of 50 kg, covering items such as furniture, sporting equipment, and bulky merchandise.
• Hikyaku Cool (Chilled) Express: Temperature-controlled delivery for items that must remain chilled throughout transit. Accepts packages up to 140 cm in total dimensions and up to 30 kg. Launched nationwide in 1999, this service caters to food producers and pharmaceutical companies.
• Hikyaku Cool (Frozen) Express: A deep-frozen variant of the cool delivery service, launched in 2000. Maintains frozen temperatures throughout transit for frozen food products requiring unbroken cold chain delivery to consumers and businesses.
• Hikyaku Just Time Express (飛脚ジャストタイム便): A precision delivery service allowing senders to specify an exact delivery date and time. This is suited for business-to-business deliveries where recipients need to coordinate receiving operations around arrival times.
• Same-Day Delivery: Available in urban areas for parcels received in the morning, delivered the same day. Designed for local businesses requiring rapid same-day fulfillment.
• e-Collect Service: A cash-on-delivery option enabling recipients to pay for goods at the time of delivery, widely used in Japan's e-commerce sector.
• Hikyaku Global Express: Sagawa's international express courier service for outbound shipments from Japan. The service fee includes collection charges, air freight, and standard customs handling costs.
• Hikyaku Global Post Express: An economical international option designed for smaller or lighter outbound parcels from Japan.
• Super Rail Cargo: A service launched in 2004 that uses Japan's rail infrastructure for cargo transport on certain domestic routes.

For domestic shipments, standard Hikyaku Express delivers between neighboring prefectures in the same region the next business day in most cases. Longer-distance routes, such as Hokkaido to Kyushu, typically take two days. The Hikyaku Air Express service guarantees next-day delivery to anywhere in Japan by prioritizing air transport on all routes. Sagawa publishes region-to-region delivery time reference charts on its official website.

For international shipping via Hikyaku Global Express, typical delivery times are 3 to 7 days from Japan. Actual transit times can vary based on destination country, customs clearance processing times, seasonal factors, local public holidays, and conditions at the receiving carrier in the destination country. The same-day service is limited to urban areas and is structured around morning parcel acceptance, with delivery completed within the same calendar day.

What are the Sagawa rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Sagawa Express calculates domestic shipping fees based on three primary factors. The first is delivery distance, measured by the origin and destination prefecture. The second is package size, calculated as the sum of all three dimensions combined with the item's weight. The third is the chosen shipping service, whether standard land transport, air express, chilled, or frozen delivery. Pricing tables broken down by origin region and destination prefecture are published on Sagawa's official website for senders to consult before shipping.

For international shipping via Hikyaku Global Express, pricing is calculated based on the destination country zone, package dimensions, and weight. The base service fee includes collection charges, air freight, and standard customs handling. Any additional costs arising in the destination country due to special circumstances, such as customs inspections or unusual duty assessments, are the responsibility of the recipient rather than the sender.

• Hikyaku Express: Maximum total dimensions of 140 cm (sum of three sides), maximum weight of 30 kg per item
• Hikyaku Air Express: Maximum total dimensions of 160 cm, maximum weight of 30 kg per item
• Hikyaku Large Size Express: Maximum total dimensions of 260 cm, maximum weight of 50 kg per item
• Hikyaku Cool (Chilled) Express: Maximum total dimensions of 140 cm, maximum weight of 30 kg per item
• Hikyaku Cool (Frozen) Express: Maximum total dimensions of 140 cm, maximum weight of 30 kg per item
• Pricing basis (domestic): Distance between origin and destination prefecture, combined with package size category and chosen service type
• Pricing basis (international): Destination country zone, package dimensions, and weight, with collection, air freight, and standard customs handling included in the base fee

Packages exceeding the standard Hikyaku Express limits of 140 cm or 30 kg are automatically handled under the Large Size Express tier, which carries a separate pricing structure. The absolute upper limit for Sagawa domestic parcel services is 260 cm in total dimensions and 50 kg in weight. Items exceeding these thresholds fall outside the standard courier service range and would need to be handled as freight shipments through other channels within the SG Holdings group.

What are the Sagawa delivery options?

Sagawa Express provides several delivery and reception options designed to accommodate the realities of Japan's urban lifestyle, where many recipients are not home during standard working hours. The default option for all services is standard door-to-door delivery to the recipient's registered address. Beyond this, the company offers a range of alternatives for managing failed deliveries, scheduling redelivery, and collecting parcels at convenient locations.

When a delivery attempt fails because no one is at home, the Sagawa driver leaves a delivery notification slip, also known as 不在通知票, at the address. Recipients can then arrange redelivery through several channels. One option is to use the QR code printed directly on the notification slip, which links to an online redelivery request form. Recipients can also use the official Sagawa Express mobile app to manage redelivery requests and modify delivery time slots without needing to call. Redelivery can be requested for any available time window within one week of the original failed attempt.

• Home delivery: Standard door-to-door delivery to the recipient's registered address, the default for all Sagawa services
• Redelivery via notification slip: When no one is home, the driver leaves a slip; recipients scan the printed QR code or call to schedule a new delivery attempt
• Redelivery via mobile app: The official Sagawa Express app, available on the App Store and Google Play, allows redelivery requests and delivery time modifications
• Convenience store pickup: Packages can be collected at Lawson and Ministop convenience store locations across Japan for a small service fee of approximately $0.75, available 24 hours a day
• Delivery time selection: Senders can specify preferred delivery time windows at the time of shipment, and recipients can also modify their time slot for incoming parcels via the app or website
• Delivery date specification: Senders using Hikyaku Express and Cool services can specify the desired delivery date and time when arranging shipment

A practical limitation for non-Japanese speakers is that Sagawa's English-language support options are more limited compared to some other Japanese carriers. The redelivery phone service operates in Japanese only, and the Smart Club online portal requires prior user registration, which can present a barrier for foreign residents or visitors unfamiliar with Japanese. Recipients comfortable with the app interface may find that channel more accessible for managing redelivery without requiring Japanese-language phone interaction.

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

Sagawa Express handles claims for damaged or problematic shipments through its customer service network, with inquiries related to specific packages typically directed to the regional sales office responsible for the relevant delivery area. The primary customer support line is staffed by live operators from 8:00 to 18:00 and operates year-round. Outside those hours, an AI-powered chatbot is available on the website to handle routine inquiries and direct users to the appropriate contacts.

For damaged shipments, Sagawa instructs recipients to contact customer service as promptly as possible after discovering the damage. The company then guides the claimant through the steps required to file a formal claim. An English-language contact portal provides area-specific helpline numbers as well as an online logistics inquiry form for those who prefer written communication. For freight and supply chain related inquiries, SGH Global Japan Co., Ltd. maintains a separate dedicated English-language customer support channel.

• Report damage promptly: Contact Sagawa customer service as soon as possible after discovering damage to the shipment
• Live support hours: The primary support line is staffed from 8:00 to 18:00, year-round; outside these hours, an online chatbot handles routine questions
• Regional handling: Claims related to specific parcels are typically managed by the regional Sagawa office responsible for the delivery area
• English-language support: An English contact portal provides area-specific helpline numbers and an online logistics inquiry form
• Freight claims: For freight and supply chain inquiries, SGH Global Japan Co., Ltd. maintains a separate English-language customer support channel

For international shipments returned to the sender, whether due to recipient refusal, failure to pay applicable duties, or unsuccessful customs clearance, the cost of return delivery is borne by the original sender. Any special customs inspection costs incurred in the destination country are generally the responsibility of the recipient. These cost allocation rules apply across both Hikyaku Global Express and Hikyaku Global Post Express international services.

Does Sagawa handle international shipments and customs formalities?

Sagawa Express handles international shipments from Japan through two primary branded services. Hikyaku Global Express is the premium international courier option for outbound shipments and covers both smaller and larger packages with door-to-door delivery. Hikyaku Global Post Express is an economical alternative suited to lighter or smaller outbound parcels. For more complex or large-scale cross-border logistics, the SG Holdings group operates SGH Global Japan Co., Ltd., which manages air freight forwarding, ocean freight, customs brokerage, warehousing, and supply chain management across more than 36 countries.

The Hikyaku Global Express service fee includes collection charges, air freight costs, and standard customs handling fees as part of the base price. However, any additional costs arising in the destination country due to special circumstances, such as customs inspections or unusual duty assessments, are the responsibility of the recipient. If a package is returned to the sender because of recipient refusal, refusal to pay applicable duties, or failed customs clearance, the cost of return delivery falls entirely on the original sender.

The North American market is served through SG Sagawa USA, Inc., which offers international courier services for small shipments alongside broader global logistics solutions. The May 2025 acquisition of Morrison Express by SG Holdings has strengthened the group's capacity for transcontinental freight forwarding across Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Standard customs documentation requirements apply to all non-document international shipments, with commercial invoices and customs declarations required at the time of export from Japan.

• Outbound services: Hikyaku Global Express (premium, all sizes) and Hikyaku Global Post Express (economical, smaller packages), both offering door-to-door delivery
• Base fee inclusions: Collection charges, air freight, and standard customs handling are included in the Hikyaku Global Express service fee
• Recipient costs: Special customs inspection costs or unusual duty assessments in the destination country are the responsibility of the recipient
• Return costs: If a package is returned to the sender due to failed delivery or refused customs clearance, the return delivery cost is borne by the original sender
• Documentation required: Commercial invoices and customs declarations are required for all non-document international shipments
• Delivery times: Hikyaku Global Express typically delivers in 3 to 7 days, subject to destination country customs processing, local conditions, and public holidays
• Freight forwarding: Complex cross-border logistics including air and ocean freight are handled by SGH Global Japan Co., Ltd. across the SG Holdings group network

Understanding tracking statuses

When you track a Sagawa parcel online, different statuses appear as it moves through the delivery process. These updates reflect key scan points rather than every individual handling step, which means periods without new status updates are entirely normal and do not indicate a problem with the shipment. Sagawa scans parcels at pickup and upon arrival at delivery hubs, not at every intermediate stage. Tracking is accessible through the official Sagawa Express website and mobile app, as well as through third-party platforms . Sagawa tracking numbers consist of 12 numeric digits and can typically be found at the top of the shipping invoice or in the confirmation email from the sender.