just did a package recently. 2 VHDs. I went with Fed EX but since there was polar nonsense and stuff I might not get it for awhile. But not being in Texas anymore I should have it soon I would think but who knows. I should have waited for a few more VHDs but that would have made things heavier.

Edit its been shipped and have the tracking so hopefully this goes alright.

Yes I did that right away.

And after getting all explanations, the buyer got reasonable and we found a mid-point where he paid for upgrading shipping and I covered some of the cost to just break even.

The remaining 11 remotes will wait for better days.

Julien

Finally some good news!

Japan -> USA EMS to resume operations from June 1st.

Resumption of EMS Service to the United States
https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2021/0513_01_en.html

Double-edged sword though!

We will also introduce additional fees.

Julien

Very good news for me. While I like DHL and will continue to use them in some instances, FEDEX absolutely BLOWS. They claimed to deliver a package from Japan yesterday and did not. I managed to find it (delivered to another house on the same street) but who knows what would have happened if I wasn't vigilant about it. This is of course, far from my first negative experience with Fedex. Far more than USPS or UPS, it's really a brutal percentage of problems too..

Japan Post still won't ship via air to here though
Last time I checked JP site anyway, which was like a week ago.

Most Japanese sellers won't use JP surface option (which is the only way to send packages cheaply to here atm).
That leaves DHL and the like, which really adds a bit to price, and you can't really order a load of stuff to make the shipping cost trivial like when you use surface shipping.

For ages now I keep seeing stuff I'd like to get, I message seller to verify the shipping arrangements and end up being kinda depressed.
I don't mind so much that JP doesn't do air to here right now, it's completely understandable given that flights are limited.
But sellers not using JP surface really sucks.

And some bad news: https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2021/0518_01_en.html

All shipments (air or sea) are suspended from Japan to Canada. Shipped items pending surface dispatch might take up to 6 or 7 months to reach.



Julien

i ordered from HOBBY SEARCH about a month back, -sent Surface- and it has been sitting at "Origin Post is Preparing Shipment" ever since.

i suppose i'm looking at a multi-month wait here?!?

Yes. It won't scan either. Maybe when it gets into the US but I never bother checking with surface packages, they just show up whenever.

thanks. i'm merely a Spoiled Brat, quite used to the comparative white-glove service of middle-to semi-upper-tier shipping services
and their comparatively superb tracking systems.

to put it simply; Surface SUCKS...

Did the company not give you an option? I avoid surface unless it is a very big/heavy package. Stuff like multiple game consoles, a large amount of LDs etc

DHL would have been fantastic, but i wasn't prepared to pay the $60 or so they would have asked...

New EMS prices to USA are in and they're roughly 20~35% increased up to 2Kg and 35~45% increased between 2 and 5Kg.



Expect some quick news from your favorite proxy services soon!

Update: the new price table is available in Japanese only here.

Julien

Looks like the changes in shipping rates to Europe will be marginal. That's something at least.

The increase is about half (in %) of the one applied for North America.



Julien

First Japan -> USA EMS in 14 months and... It still rocks!

06/03/2021 14:18 Posting/Collection TOKYO
06/07/2021 11:02 Final delivery UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Julien

And they posted a notice/explanation as well:

https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/2021fee_change/ems_en.html

Julien