Sending Mail from Japan to the United States

EDIT April 1, 2022: This how-to guide became out-of-date as of January 1, 2021. Please click here for the revised post.

Japan is a land of unique items. Whether it’s their world-famous KitKat flavors ranging from Apple to Sweet Potato to Wasabi, or whether it’s a nice fresh pair of Sappy Underwear from Don Quijote, you may want to ship some of these uniquely Japanese items back to the States. As for your reasons, I don’t know. Maybe you want to impress a special someone in your life (like I did) or maybe you’re a secret perv. I don’t know and I don’t care, but here’s how to ship and what to expect.

Recently, I sent back a box of special KitKat flavors I found at the KitKat Chocolatory in Ikebukuro. Once I received a shipping address, I took these KitKats to the nearest Japan Post office and requested Express Mail Service (EMS) to the United States. I chose EMS because it provided a tracking number and it was super easy to fill out. All I had to do was write down my Japanese address (click here for my post on Japanese addressing) and the address I was sending them to. Next, I checked off a little box declaring that my KitKats were a gift (don’t worry Hershey, I’m not selling them) and declared the value of my KitKats. Once I had properly filled out my EMS form, the postal worker peeled the back and stuck it on to the package. Once I paid, I (and my KitKats) was on my way.

Some notes from present me: EMS is the fastest and most expensive way to ship via Japan Post. While you are guaranteed a tracking number and delivery via Air Mail within less than a week, it cost ¥2000 (about $18.00) to ship these KitKats (No my friend, you don’t owe me anything). Looking back on this, I probably would have shipped with the slightly cheaper Air Mail option. I chose EMS because I was guaranteed a tracking number.

Since you are shipping to the United States, you are able to track your package on both the Japan Post’s website as well as the United States Postal Service’s website. Either website works. Since my KitKats were headed to Los Angeles, they arrived at the USPS’ International Service Center (ISC) at LAX. I have heard horror stories about this place essentially being a black hole for imports, but luckily my KitKats cleared Customs in about one day. I would expect about 3-10 days for most packages to clear customs at the ISC.

Once your package clears customs, it’s off to its final destination. Since I shipped via EMS, my KitKats are expected to arrive within three business days. In my case, this means they should arrive around February 17 in California.

This is just what I did. If you’re like me and you don’t want to worry about your precious KitKats, or even your nice fresh pair of Sappy Underwear, from getting stuck at Customs, you can ship your items via UPS, FedEx, or DHL to the United States. While it’s more expensive than shipping via Japan Post, these companies have people dealing with Customs forms, meaning the odds of your item getting sucked into the black hole of Customs gets drastically reduced. Remember, when importing items to the States, you are expected to know what you’re doing. If you don’t (or you’re shipping something more complicated than candy), then go with the private carrier (actually, Japan Post is privatized, but you know what I mean).

Overall, the service at the Japan Post is friendly, speedy, and highly efficient. It was also surprisingly cheap compared to shipping vice versa (as in from the US to Japan). Had I shipped a box of those “amazing” American KitKats to Japan, it would’ve cost me about $43 (¥5000).

And if you’re worried about not speaking enough Japanese, don’t worry. Odds are there is someone who can speak English. The forms are also written in English, so it’s really straightforward and foreigner friendly.