Job Discussion Forums

[greenwing]

Hello lovely Japan-based teachers! Hope you're having a splendid Saturday...

I'm hopefully heading out in June and am aware it's going to be hot, hot, hot! So I'm planning to pack up all my winter stuff for shipping when I need it - just wondering if there was a better way to do it (Fed Ex or similar?)

[snowdays]

You might want to look into slower methods of shipping, such as by boat. It takes a lot longer but it can save you a considerable amount of money off of the shipping cost. Air shipping to Japan is flipping expensive!!

[Apsara]

Don't bring only t-shirts- June is still rainy season and you can get some surprisingly cool days/nights. The real heat doesn't start until some time in July.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[greenwing]

Thanks Apsara, I'll take heed! I was planning to box up the real, deep winter stuff (big coat, boots, thick pullovers etc) and, since I suppose I won't need them til November I can do a slow ship as there won't be a rush - thanks also for the tip snowdays!

Shiori, I'm in Liverpool, scheduled to be leaving at the end of June - not sure if that's any use...

[Glenski]

Hot, hot, hot? Depends on where in Japan you are going. June is cool in Hokkaido where I am.

I wouldn't recommend shipping stuff by Fed Ex. Just have everything packed in advance, and entrust it to a friend/family member who can send it a month in advance of the season using seamail. (Americans, sorry. You no longer have that option.)

[projectrook]

I am heading back to Japan again sometime this summer and I have also been searching for the cheapest/safest method to ship also. As mentioned above, ship by boat isn't really an option out of the US anymore, kinda sucks. When I left Japan before, a lot of my fellow exchange student classmates had their textbooks and extra clothes shipped by boat back to the US and it was really cheap.

FedEx prices are really high from what I have learned thus far by visitiing one of their locations. If I recall correctly, a box weighing 20lbs and having total dimensions of 90 in would cost about $200.00.
Upon hearing this, I visited the USPS to see what options I had. They do have the flat-rate option, however the box sizes are just not big enough to ship things like clothing or books. So I got a quote on a 40lb box with total dimensions of 108 inches, and I was quoted a price of about $150.00. I guess that is about as cheap as it gets unless there are other options I am not aware of at this point.

I have decided the best choice for me is for boarding the plane to pack light on clothing and bring books because of their weight. Then have a family member stagger-ship pre-boxed packages of clothing and other items I want to have in Japan.

[lenoreelux]

[Glenski]

For Americans, how are the fees these days between airmailing a package and sending via UPS?

[greenwing]

Glenski, I'm going with Shane/Saxoncourt, so I'll be at a soon to be confirmed location somewhere in Kanto, I guess!

Have got some quotes for up to 10kg by sea from various places:

Yamato - �105
Intercargo - �126
Parcelflight - �66.99
Fastlane: via DHL �115 or TNT �137.83

So my next question is has anyone used any of those, and does anyone know why Parcelflight might be so much cheaper? It seems a bit too good to be true?

[ZigzagCatcher]

Hello Glenski....from what I have been researching (sending packages via UPS or USPS from the USA)...it seems that it is still cheaper to send via the USPS than UPS (the difference between the two was around 100 USD at least). UPS shipping to Japan is expensive and although using the US postal service is expensive too...it is the cheaper of the two...sad day!!!

The rates all depend on how large the package is and how much it weighs...although UPS doesn't seem to send anything to Japan under 160 USD if it is a box...the USPS depends on the size and weight of the package...the more compact and lite then it will cost less but the starting rate seems to start at 60 USD or so

I am in the same boat as the OP but I am leaving in less than a month...there is no way I can pack all of my clothes in 2 checked baggage (under 50 lbs) and 2 carry-ons...I will definitely have to send clothes for winter later on!!! I would love any additional advice on this subject

I have also considered taking it all with me by paying extra to bring an extra suitcase on the flight...it may be worth it in the long run if you were planning on sending a big box of winter clothes...just a thought

P.S. - what would you put on the customs slot....just clothes....would they charge for that and how much if so?

[greenwing]

Zigzag,

I was advised very definitely NOT to send extra suitcases via the airline, as collecting them involves a trip back out to Narita after you arrive (when you're supposed to be training) to the freight terminal, requires excellent Japanese skills plus fork-lift truck driving ability.

We were told not to risk it, but I appreciate that might be outdated advice. Happy to hear if anyone knows otherwise!

I'm also shipping winter clothes/boots/etc but other than that, just having to be ruthless with my wardrobe

[Apsara]

I can confirm that sending suitcases as unaccompanied baggage is not worth the trouble. When I first came to Japan my mother sent a bag for me that way- I had to make the trek out to Narita, locate the customs offices (not in the main building), fill out a lot of forms, go to another warehouse to get my bag (no forklift driving skills required), go back to customs to sign more forms, and finally go back to Saitama where I lived at the time. It took all day, and was a lot of aggravation, even though I had fairly decent Japanese skills at the time.

You can apparently pay a customs broker to do all of that for you, but it costs more than 10,000 yen, so you wouldn't be saving any money.

[Mr_Monkey]