Mail and delivery services
- The public mail system
- Sending mail
Put a stamp on the envelope and insert the letter into one of the red mail boxes or take your mail to a local post office.
- Other convenient postal system services
- Special delivery
This service will get your letter to its destination faster than the regular mail. Draw a red line above the place on the envelope where the postal code (zip code) is written. The special delivery charge is 270 yen (250g) in addition to the normal postal charge.
- Registered mail
This service includes a guarantee to pay compensation for direct damages if the mail is not delivered or is damaged in transit. In a case where cash is being sent through the mail, the limit on compensation is up to 500,000 yen. For cases other than cash, the limit is 5 million yen. In addition to the regular postage, there is an additional registered mail service charge.
*Regardless of the size of the amount, the regulations require that cash be sent by registered mail.
- International mail
When sending mail or packages overseas, both surface and airmail are available. In addition, there are SAL and EMS (International business mail) services that are fast and economical. For sending simple letters, there are airmail postcards and Aerogrammes available.
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Commercial home delivery services
Commercial home delivery services are convenient for sending packages and other items. Most of these services offer next-day delivery to any destination in Japan (There may be exceptions, depending on the service used). The major companies include Kuro-Neko, Sagawa Kyubin and Pelikan.
In many cases, packages can be left at convenient and some other types of stores for pick-up, making this system convenient when speed is necessary. There are also destinations where the time for delivery can be specified. These services can also handle items requiring refrigeration (food, etc.) and have ski and golf bag delivery services.
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Time required for delivery of international mail
| EMS |
1 to 3 days |
| Regular airmail |
3 to 6 days |
| SAL (Economy air mail) |
Requires about 3 to 7 days longer than regular airmail.
There may be additional handling delays depending on the destination country. |
| Surface (Sea mail) |
1 to 2 months |
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* The number of days indicated are estimates.
- Aerogrammes
- Airmail forms that fold into an envelope and can be sent to any country in the world for 90 yen. They are on sale at all post offices.
- International postcards
- Are treated as airmail and can be sent to any country in the world for 70 yen.
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