Japan Post announces EMS and SAL temporarily suspended for some places.

Cool- thank you, Robert! I'm just nervous because the thing I have coming is soft vinyl but covered in long spikes, which could get a little brittle in the ice-cold hold of a FedEx plane, and then not be able to withstand a hard bump or (I shouldn't even say it) a partial crush. I think I will take my chances... here's hoping!

 

I forgot to mention that my last package from Buyee came via FedEx. About 1,300 yen cheaper than DHL, took a couple of days longer but I was okay with that. Buyee threw everything into a big paper envelope which I was totally fine with.

 

I have got to convince Buyee to repack items. This box is ridiculous.

 

We need to see the contents to understand the ridiculousness.

 

It's four more cats.

 

@blakewest, when you add "protective packaging" they theoretically unbox all of your stuff and bubble wrap it. They then discard any extra packaging / boxes. Should downsize your shipping box and cost.

 

Scene from 10 minutes ago. Granted, he's a smaller cat, but he's standing. I forgot to choose/pay up for the protective packaging, as has been recommended.

Buyee has packed 2 books, 2 Amapro-size figures, a Popy and a Bullmark mini repro in this thing. The Fedex person was maybe psychologically responsive to the size, too, as they couldn't carry it down the sidewalk and gave up in the driveway.

 

My buyee order shipped on April 4th and arrived today! (2 days)
The FedEx option is definitely a game changer in terms of price and time.

Again, add "protective packaging" and they'll remove any boxes and just wrap the contents individually with bubble wrap.
Downsized the box to around a shoebox size. Cat and chairs for scale.

 

Box Flex : )

The colours on that Uamou though.

 

Yeah, those packages come quick! Can confirm, adding protective packaging can bring down the size (and cost) of the parcel.

 

looks like EMS is coming back in June with a price increase (this was expected)

https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/2...Ekdq_qHXP4Mibf6Ddu45U-sFptHmEPajVBF-UvaHQUFsc

 

This is great news. Even with the price hike it'll likely be cheaper than Kuroneko. Kuroneko has been great in a pinch, but the handwritten labels and overall strictness ( having to take the boxes unsealed to prove the safe contents, boxes returned if you forget to write the product country of origin etc.), combined with the staff's apparent lack of experience in sending parcels internationally, and trying to cram everything into a 60 size box ... everything just seems that little more stressful.

Still feel bad for Canadians though. I think their only recourse is going unregistered or 3 months on a boat.

 

This is good news. CJ Mart will finally ship me the thing I ordered last May.

 

I did not think it would work for me, because I tend to screw things up, but picked "Inspection Only" when bidding on each item and "Add protective packaging" when I consolidated, and Buyee came through with a much smaller box, really well packed. Thanks for the encouragement @nicholasfung

Spoiler

 

So I’ve got 3 items I’ve purchased through buyee in their warehouse storage- where and when during the process of having them ship to me is the consolidate packages option exactly?

 

Due to COVID, they lifted the 30 day limit. It's practically infinite at this point.

At any point, you can check 2, or all 3 items to be consolidated, which will be a separate fee. Once it's consolidated, you can then select the shipping option.

 

The ongoing Buyee conslidation saga... I guess the results aren't that consistent. I remembered 'add protective packaging' along with consolidation this time, and in fact needed it. A built (small) resin kit, a standard-size Marmit, and two digest-size books. What arrived was the usual giganto box, filled with (very, very, very safe) items, and what seemed like 300 yards of bubble wrap. The packing was intense. Shipping total was about the same, given the added consolidation fee vs. lesser weight.

 

Hahaha. My dumb ass thought it was a bug or something.

 

Okay so, since my last package, the FedEx and DHL option is gone, and they have a new option called "Buyee Air Delivery". The only info / experience I could find was from a Reddit post, but I figured I'd inquire here too. Anyone use that option here on the board?

EDIT:
Found this tidbit of info on their site:
Delivery is fast because it is transported by air.
Depending on the weight, it can be used cheaper than EMS.
Delivery will be made by Fedex or DHL.
Please note that we can specify the delivery method that can be loaded in the shortest time so that we can deliver your package promptly, and you cannot specify the delivery company.
We will contact you by e-mail when the shipment is completed for the actual delivery company.

 

Yeah. I just got a buyee package a week or two ago and that was my option. It ended up being dhl. I assume they just go with the cheaper method. I didn’t have any issues with it at all.

 

Perfect! Thank you!

 

EMS is back at HLJ:

https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=f60cb1eee37a8df2b5c8e588c&id=98b41e4b98&e=1fff7f9858

 

Back at Mandarake and Buyee/Tenso as well. Seems like Buyee's air delivery service is still the cheaper option for packages both small and large. Tenso's calculator shows significant breaks using DHL over EMS, at least up to 3.5kg. DHL has been consistently fast and reliable for me. Unless their rates come back down I probably won't be utilizing EMS anytime soon.

 

Re: trying to get multiple buyee items in a single box.

Have a package from Buyee on its way to me. Its a total of 4 toys (3 standard, 1 large) with consolidation and protecting packaging. The shipping still came out rather expensive, so it looks like I may still end up getting a huge box at my doorstep in the next few days. We'll see

 

Current rates provided by Tenso for a 2,240g package containing 5 bagged figures 24-26cm in height.

ATTENTION: These values include handling and consolidation fees—subtract 1,650yen for the actual postage price.



If you want insurance, EMS is the way to go. Otherwise, DHL is the cheapest option if you don't want to wait 2-3 months (and, if you're like me, be paranoid your stuff has been lost in transit up until it reaches your doorstep).