It is quite common a parcel delivery from Japan Post visit your place while you are away, and you miss the parcel. Unlike other courier companies who redeliver without a request from customers, Japan Post wouldn’t redeliver missed parcels unless you tell them so. You might feel reluctant to contact the post office if you are not confident with your Japanese. But reality is, it is not that hard if you choose the right option. So, let’s see what option is available for foreigners to ask Japan Post for redelivery service.
Redelivery service of Japan Post
Among letters and parcels Japan Post handles, Yu-pack (parcels) which require the receiver’s signature, registered posts, Express Mail Service (EMS) and oversized letters or parcels must be directly handed to the receiver. If there is no one to receive the mail at the time of delivery, Japan Post staff will leave a delivery notice. There are a few options to request for redelivery that can be made by using information on the notice. You can also appoint preferred timeslot of redelivery, or redirect the letter or parcel to other address. Make sure to request Japan Post to redeliver missed mails as soon as possible, otherwise your parcel or letter will be returned to the sender after being kept at the post office in your area for 7days.
Understanding delivery notices
The format of a delivery notice slightly varies by areas, but the above is the most common example of those. It looks so much information written on this little piece of paper, but the important parts are not so many. Firstly, a letter or parcel with a tracking number.
A: Post code: Post code of addressee’s address
B: Type code: Indicates type of letter or parcel. E.g. registered post, Yu-pack
C: Tracking number: 11-13 digits number specific to the mail
D: Delivery date: Date of the first delivery
Information on a delivery notice may be hand written by carrier or printed on a strip of paper looks like receipts from shops.
Secondly, a letter or parcel with a notice number instead of tracking number.
A: Post code: Post code of addressee’s address
B: Type code: 2 digits code indicating type of letter or parcel
D: Delivery date: Date of first delivery
F: Notice number: 6-8 digits number specific to the mail
In either form, the date printed right under the delivery date indicates the deadline to pick up the mail.
Option 1. By telephone (English speaking operator available)
English speaking operators are available in Japan Post call center. If you need an assistance to understand a delivery notice or you don’t have an access to other options, talk to an operator over the phone during their trading hours. Make sure to have your delivery notice handy.
Ph: 0570-046-111
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:00～22:00, Weekends & public holidays: 9:00～22:00
Option 2. By internet
Redelivery of mail can be requested from Japan Post website. Unfortunately, this is Japanese only page, but English translations are added in each sections to make it easier for foreign people. The followings are step by step instruction to request for redelivery online. Apply A-F explained in the previous section “About delivery notice” to each step here.
A: Post code of addressee’s address.
C: If you have 11-13 digits tracking number, go left and enter the number without hyphen.
F: If you have 6-8 digits notice number, go right and enter the number without hyphen.
D: Choose the date of first delivery from the box. Do not enter redelivery date here.
B: See 2 digits type code next to the post code on a delivery notice, and see the characters next to your number in the box (boxed with yellow line below). Find the same characters on the computer screen, then tick.
Next, enter redelivery address.
1: Home address
2: Neighbor’s address
3: Work address
4: Pick up from delivering post office
5: Pick up from other post office
If you choose 1 or 2, you can redirect your letter or parcel to other address by entering a new address. If you prefer to pick up your letter or parcel in person from a post office, choose 4 or 5.
Now, you are almost there. Go to the bottom of the page and click “Next”, the left button of two red buttons. A new page turns up and you can select redelivery date, and enter receiver’s name, address and email address. This page has English translations. Fill up the page to complete a request for redelivery.
Option 3. By mail or FAX
Provide the required details on the delivery notice (boxed with light blue line) and send to the address or FAX number listed on the delivery notice to get the mail redelivered on your preferred date and time. See the followings.
①: Provide the receiver’s phone number.
②: Write your preferred redelivery date. Choose and tick timeslot from morning, afternoon, evening, late evening or no preference.
③: Fill in this section only if you request for redirection. To redirect to work place, tick the option on top of the pink box. To redirect to your neighbor’s address, tick the option in the middle of the pink box. In either way, provide a new address, name, and contact number next to the option you selected. To pick up from other post office, tick the option on the bottom in the pink box and fill in the name of post office.
④: Fill in this section if only you send the notice by FAX. Provide your name and tracking number here.
There will be knock, ring. Letters through your door♪
In some countries, parcel delivery by the national mailing system comes only once, and customers have to visit post office to pick up the parcel in person if they miss the delivery. Considering such inconvenience you might have to cope with in other countries, Japan Post offers a great advantage to its customers with the redelivery service which can be arranged from home via telephone or internet. A delivery notice may look a little complicated for the first look, but it is not very hard to understand. It is a great service with simple transactions once you get used to it.
