Have a couple packages seemingly held up in Japan and the UK, even experiencing major delays with the USPS. I think at this point its just something we have to deal with and show our support to those in the mail industry for working extra hard during these trying times!
Two of my SAL orders were from the 17th and 19th of March and has not had any movement since the initial pickup by the post office. I wonder how Mandarake (and other sellers) is going to deal with packages if the post office is returning to sender anything it can’t ship out. I have to imagine the individual stores process a significant number of orders on a daily basis. And having been to several of Mandarake’s locations, I wonder where they could possibly store the undeliverable packages in the interim.
Anecdotally, I have 2 EMS packages (usually from Tokyo to JFK NYC) both currently stuck. So even if EMS service is not terminated, it's safe to say you can expect a delay. I would normally receive an ems box in 48-72 hours after acceptance. It's been a week and I haven't even seen the departure. To be clear, the acceptance is the only movement on the tracking. I will update once it is moving again or received. I have no problem being patient, I just hope some items aren't returned to sender, as I believe they suggested was the case with SAL.
AFAIK, Mandarake shops do have separate, albeit small facility, used for logistics and shipping and it makes sense that's where the backflow RTS will get sorted out. That's if RTS is the case, versus extra time of ongoing pandemic logistics delays. I wouldn't worry because your and other folks information is on the packages, and likely inside box in some cases with packing slips. Yesterday in local Post Office, a customer screamed at the clerk about a package being delayed. I never understood why folks blame the last link, whom would likely help any possible way, yet knows nothing more than the customer. As for the toys, they really do give us comfort, they really are our companions. I have very small collection but each is a little more meaningful as this ongoing pandemic situation goes on. Thank you Japan.
Anecdotally and off topic, I've got a Europe-bound consignment with USPS currently "moving within the USPS network" a.k.a. stuck in limbo within the Chicago intl distribution center for a week. I have no problem being patient either - just concerned about the effects of long-time exposure to deep-dish pizza, what it might have to say for parcel girth - customs better not smack me with that oversize charge!
Just noticed an EMS package was sitting for 8 days in Osaka, was finally dispatched from there on the 7th. Don't see any reasons for shipments being completely suspended, I guess alot of the delays are simply caused by Covid-related impairments...
DHL is normally pretty quick - just got a notice that an order I placed this week won't arrive until 22nd of April. I'm guessing at every distribution point they are letting packages rest 3 days or something before handling? Maybe it's a way to avoid and legal trouble if someone gets sick along the line.. from the sounds of it people still don't know shit but I've heard a few times that this fucking virus lingers on packaging (it's a real fuckhead ain't it) so maybe that's causing delays.
To anyone worried about packages sent from Japan, remember many flights have been canceled. Postal workers and delivery people in every country are risking their lives to deliver toys to you. Don't pressure any person or company who has sent you something. Number one, there's nothing a seller can do once the package has been sent. Number two, they probably have bigger things to worry about - like keeping their families safe. The virus is on a major upswing in Japan, and people are nervous and afraid, as they are in most countries. The Japanese postal system is the best in the world, and they bend over backwards to deliver top service. That said, please spare some sympathy for those affected, and be patient. Getting toys in a speedy manner, though nice, is not very important in the grand scheme of things.
Got one package blocked in Australia (TNT) since a week and one in Japan (EMS) since the second of this month (for the US). On the other hand, Amazon is constantly delivering things faster than predicted here. I think having all the time in the world to keep checking my orders status really doesn't help.
Just saw that a Mandarake order posted on 23 March where the tracking hadn’t updated since posting was returned to sender today. I was hoping it might have snuck out of Tokyo before EMS to Aus was stopped. Ahhh well.
Just got a DHL delivered from Mandarake up to where I live in Northern California. Took 2 days from when I got tracking and only cost around $10. I'll be going with DHL from here on out. Getting toys quickly in the time of the second plague is far from important but it sure is nice when it happens.
I ordered at exactly the wrong time. Requested SAL on March 21. No idea where it is now. No tracking updates at all. I feel so bad for Japan post right now.
Bought something from Instinctoy. Seems to be stuck in Osaka as far as I know. Feeling bad for their postal service right now. I’m also kinda glad I’m not the only one whom’s package is kinda...stagnant.
Heads up, this is getting worse, and the post office is *not* updating the list of countries as it blocks more. On April 10, more blocked countries were added, including Denmark, Sweden, and Australia. No EMS, no airmail, no SAL to those places. I only found this out since some care packages I tried sending to Australia were returned to me.
Thanks for the update, @andy Mandarake's page appears to be up to date. Here is the link again for reference: https://earth.mandarake.co.jp/help/shipping_suspensions.html
I had a quick look at that Mandarake link someone posted, and the list appears to be more on point and up to date.
My packages which were shipped around April first made it to me a few days ago. The mail is getting to USA, just slowly.