Job Discussion Forums

[Willy_In_Japan]

Today, I got a nasty surprise when visiting my local post office.

I was one of the people worried that postal reforms were going to mean cuts in service and increases in costs. However, I didn't think I would see it so soon.

I was handed this in English.

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Notice of changes in handling of international remittance

Beginning Monday April 3, 2006, Japan Post will implement changes to some area (sic) of International remittance services as follows.

1. Post offices where international remittance service is provided.

In the past, International remittance services have been provided at all post offices where postal saving services are provided (with (sic) exception of postal agencies.) However the service will be provided only at those post offices which are so designated. These post offices can be recognized by "International remittance" sign (sic), or you may search nearest (sic) post office providing the service on Japan Post's site (http://www.japanpost.jp) or inquire toll free at (0120-085-0420)

2. Other changes to the service

- As shown in the tariff tables in the next section Out-payment money order, Telegraphic in-payment money order and Ordinary transfer will no longer be available for any country.
- Remittance in Japanese currency to UK, Austria, Nehterland, Switzerland, Spain, Germany and Licechtenstein will no longer be provided.
- Remittances from account to account (telegraphic transfer) will still be possible by use of "Pa-lu-lu" at all post offices providing international remittance services. However, when using ordinary postal giro account the services are provided only at the 'account holders' out-payment post office" designated. If the post office designated does not provide International remittance services, please change your "account holders' out-payment post office" to a post office that handles this service.
- In case of remittances to addresses in the United States, the amount that can be remitted in one transaction is limited to US$69,300 Max. amount per money order US$700x99)

3 Revision of fees

The feels are revised as follows

- Remittance to the Payee's address

Amount remitted up to 100,000 Yen (before revision 1000 Yen) After Revision (2500 Yen)

and so on......


The 'good news' is that it is a flat 2500 Yen fee up to 1 million Yen and beyond. you actually 'save money' if sending more than 1.5 million yen at one time. Otherwise, the costs have increased quite a bit. Other fees all go up to 2500 Yen a transaction too. PLUS, various requests (inquiries, rectification of irregularites, cancellation, and reissue of money order) all cost 1000 yen.

So, anyone have any other ideas for sending money home at a decent rate?

[JimDunlop2]

Other than carrying cash home on a visit, Lloyds is the only other reasonable option. If there were any other, it would have been brought up by someone already in the past 9x10^15 times we've talked about it.

Um.. One method which you COULD try -- and I'm not convinced it would get your money home CHEAPER would be to get a Japanese credit card that ties into your bank account, and send YOURSELF a Paypal payment which is tied to your N. American credit card and bank account... Then just deposit the cash you've paid yourself into your N. American bank.

Unfortunately I just don't have the time to research the costs involved, but the only cost that I can see is the percentage that Paypal charges you -- whatever that percentage is.

I've done the INVERSE of that once -- when I couldn't use my Canadian credit card in Japan for some reason... I paid myself in Paypal, transferred the money to my CDN bank account and then used my CDN bank card at the postal savings machine to pull out the cash. Worked.... But forgot how much that cost me.