Job Discussion Forums

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Hi Guys!

I finally made a decision to go home. I've been thinking about it for a long time but now seems the right time.

My question... What's the cheapest and easiest way to send things home (to Australia)? I don't have much to send just some books and clothes.

I want to send my computer. It's an iMac G5... How do I go about that?

Thanks for any help.

AS

JL · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Las Vegas, NV USA

Hi. You have three basic options:

1) Using a freight forwarder to ship by sea,

2) a freight forwarder to ship by air,

3) or using the the Japanese post office.

If you only have a few boxes of clothes and your Apple laptop, I recommend the post office. Opt for surface parcel post (by ship --takes about one month), or if it still exists, the "SAL" option. It's been discontinued to the U.S., but may still be available to Australia. Basically, it's by air, but on a standby basis. So for a considerable discount, you get almost first class delivery times.

For the freight forwarders, they're a dime a dozen, but you have to know where to look. I suppose trying an internet search will find you one. I used to be in the biz, but shipped from the U.S., Hong Kong and Thailand INTO Japan. Not FROM Japan. When I left Japan, I did use a 40 ft. container to ship my furniture and car to California --but that hardly is relevant to what you want to do!

You can also try Nippon Express (in Japanese, 日本通運）. They'll ship packages to your door in Australia, but they're on the pricey side. Again, try your neighborhood post office first. Get weight and dimension limits for boxes they'll accept, and find out pricing. It'll probably be your best bet.

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Thanks for the reply. It's all a bit daunting!
I'll give the post office a shot.

AS

JL · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Las Vegas, NV USA

Sorry about the info. overload. If the post office route doesn't work out, just put up a comment here. We'll break it down and take it from there. It'll be easier than you think. Wink

onesentiment · Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 45

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

In the process myself, to Oz also
This thread came up http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=64383 awhile ago.
shipmates.jp was recommended but my query went unanswered but that maybe my fault.

I'll pass on any tips I come across.

JL · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 241 Location: Las Vegas, NV USA

One Sentiment:
I know that from California to Tokyo, in the mid-'90's, I would pay roughly US$ 200 for a 50 lb. box. Couldn't say what Tokyo to Aus. will be in early 2009, though. When you figure in extra packing to secure your computer, dimension-wise at least, your box will be about the same as mine used to be, though a little less in weight.

Maybe you already know this, but any PC with the XP operating system or higher, which you may have (or buy) back home, comes with settings that can be enabled for a multitude of international fonts. I bought my own desktop at my local Walmart, here in Las Vegas, enabled the Asian fonts, and have been reading and typing in Japanese without a hitch. No issues (that I'm aware of,so far) with the standard Western keyboard. I am going to show my ignorance here, but just now I plugged my old Japanese keyboard into my Walmart-bought desktop, and it seemed to work fine. Could switch back and forth between English input and roman character-to-Japanese input, just fine. I completely forgot how to switch to the direct hiragana input mode, though. Couldn't test that. I never used it anyway.

In any event, might you: a) backup the files you want to save to some other medium, b) put some bubble wrap around your keyboard and through it into your suitcase, and thus save yourself the trouble of schlepping all the rest back home??

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Thanks everyone!

Markle... I found that company too. I'm about to get in contact with them. There was no info on the website about cost.

azarashi sushi · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 562 Location: Shinjuku

Hi everyone again!

Hey... does anyone have any idea of the cost of sending stuff with DHL?

I went to the PO today and I think I'll send some books surface mail with the PO.

But I'm a bit concerned about my PC... It's an iMac G5 (not laptop) ... I couldn't find any price on the DHL website.

Sorry for being such a moron. Any and all advice appreciated.

AS

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

Wow!

Cornishmuppet, Azarashi Sushi, and markle...

I think you guys have been in Japan about the same length of time as I have (came in early 2004). Weird to see you all getting ready to go in a short amount of time.

Well, anyway, good luck with all the preparations.