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Japan Post to temporarily stop accepting international mail due to coronavirus

55 Comments
By Jen Santelices, grape Japan

Japan Post has announced a temporary suspension of the acceptance of international mail from 126 countries for EMS and Air Mail, and for all types of mail from 27 countries. The change is due to a significant decline in flights to and from Japan, and various safety measures being put in place to counteract the coronavirus pandemic.

The temporary suspension also extends to Japan Post’s Economy Air (SAL) Service, and to all 86 countries where the service is available to.

The EMS and Air Mail suspension includes countries like Italy, Russia and Brazil. Meanwhile, countries like India, Indonesia and New Zealand are affected with a broader suspension of all types of mail. However, mail coming from the United States, France and the United Kingdom are unaffected.

According to a report by NHK, the suspension started Wednesday. International postal items that have already been received by April 1 from the aforementioned countries will be returned to their point of origin.

Japan Post has not announced when they will resume the acceptance of international mail from the affected countries.

A full list of the countries affected by the suspension can be found here.

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© grape Japan

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55 Comments
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It's now the end of August and there is still no air mail to the US, Australia and many other countries.

By now it's unacceptable that no other solution has been found to ensure air transport. Covid19 will not disappear anytime soon - how are companies who rely on air mail supposed to operate? Big companies who aren't affected as they mostly use private courier and cargo companies and have good deals with them. It's the small manufacturers and vendors who get hit disproportionately not only compared to the big companies, but also compared to their international competitors. Other countries' postal services can send to the USA, why not Japan? Also, the USPS can send to Japan as well!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

When do flights resume to Spain?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

When will this be lifted? Been trying to get my so his birthday gift since April. It is sitting in the USPS wear-house waiting to go. This is crazy!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I want to clarify the correctness of this news. It is here mentioned that JP post is not accepting mails from international countries. But please go to the actual link of JP post mentioned in this article. There it says "not accepting mails TO various international destinations" . Please clarify or check the correctness of this news. And please do not publish without verification.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The no-fly list will be further extended tomorrow the 10th.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And China is not on the list. Smh

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan is a dodgy country. I knew that. That's insane to stop all international mail services because of the "lack" of planes. Other countries don't do this crap as it is essential for people

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What about goods from China.....

goods from China are still accepted , but they're will still be delays due to the number of flights canceled

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Northernlife, if you read the comments you'll see that it is a stoppage of goods going OUT, not coming in.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is not correct. If the author of this article took a look at the Japan Post website in Japanese, she would notice it says ‘宛て’, which means TO. They will not be accepting packages being sent from Japan TO those countries. Inbound packages will still be accepted. It would not make sense for them to send packages back out of Japan if the reason is lack of flights. The author should have realized this. Irresponsible reporting. Source: https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2020/0401_02.html

That does appear to be correct. This article has it backwards. And the reason for not sending this mail is that the mail lines are down/disrupted with these countries, not because they are being discriminated against.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Of course! Suspending the acceptance of international mail, but not putting the country into a lockdown, will certainly sort out all of the problems! Abe and co have saved Japan!! HOORAY!!!!!!!

Not really..... But Japan has to pretend to be seen doing something.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And no stay at home order yet? Abe is completely missing what he should be doing now.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Oh well. looks like some people are gonna have to do without toilet paper longer than they thought.

actually no my local Welcia is stacked to the roof with toilet paper now.

If you want to ship it overseas that's fine also as long as you dont want to send it to the countries on the list, USA UK Australia, Canada China Germany Finland are still accepting and delivering mail from Japan,

yes I know as my good friend exports over 3000 items a month,not toilet paper, Fedex DHL UPS are also still operating as normal.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is not correct. If the author of this article took a look at the Japan Post website in Japanese, she would notice it says ‘宛て’, which means TO. They will not be accepting packages being sent from Japan TO those countries. Inbound packages will still be accepted. It would not make sense for them to send packages back out of Japan if the reason is lack of flights. The author should have realized this. Irresponsible reporting. Source: https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2020/0401_02.html

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Don’t tell me you believe in that fairytale too!?

well the scientist will tell you how long a virus can live on cardboard plastic steel etc

love to see your scientific proof that the coronavirus is spread by collecting parcels, if it was even remotely true the whole country would have the virus by now, all thos government letters bills etc etc

and like I stated just wash your hands after you've collected a parcel or been out shopping and you'll be fine

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What? This is getting ridiculous. How long does the virus live on surfaces? Id say by definition international mail is safer in that regard than domestic mail.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

More a problem of logistics than anything

0 ( +0 / -0 )

For me, it is more a problem of logistthan anything. That’s why some countries though affected are not on the list. There are still some flights, at list cargo flights that do not stop

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I guess buying stuff on Amazon won't be impacted ?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The article doesn't mention that J Post Offices have stopped sending international mail out from Japan today too.

I took a parcel to the PO this afternoon and they said flat "No!" They waved a printed list of countries at me.

Then they asked to where? Australia, I said. They showed me the list, ran their fingers up and down it, and despite doing double-takes on Austria, they could not actually find Australia mentioned anywhere. Hmmm....

"Yay", I quickly filled out their forms and sent it off. Phew! It's now or never, folks!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

A-holes! That's crazy! In the 21st century. Do we have to send it by ship like 300 years ago? I don't think that posts abroad act like that!

They already work like slowly like princesses for whatever is unrelated to NENGAJO and they do not even come bringing the mail a second time when you are not at home, like other services... you have to summon them...

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This is not about incoming mail to Japan. The restrictions are on outgoing international mail to the countries Japan Post specified. It’s about reduced flights, and various postal services around the world not be able to operate with full service right now.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

FizzBit - if you can switch to metric system, then you can pick up a measuring device at the local DIY...

3rensho

yeah I use both. Some things measure better depending on what it is. 2x4’s = (1-1/2" x 3-1/2"), 2x12’s for stairs, etc.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Only in Japan! Abe and his cronies have been dithering and deliberately trying to cone up with something uniquely Japanese to control the virus. I guess they have missed the report that states the virus can only live for 3-5 days on a surface. This is totally absurd and without a doubt stupidest thing I have ever heard of Japan doing.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I was glad to see Canada's not on the list. But the baby gift I bought for my friends who are proud first-time parents will stay with me until I know it's either safe to send or I return to Japan for another visit.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"but my inch/foot measuring tape I use on and off for my home remodeling broke last week"

FizzBit - if you can switch to metric system, then you can pick up a measuring device at the local DIY...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It’s not a big deal but my inch/foot measuring tape I use on and off for my home remodeling broke last week and am waiting for a new one from the States. Sure glad my R19 fiberglass insulation has already arrived.

invalid CSRF

0 ( +0 / -0 )

this info might be wrong and is confusing. They are stopping the service due a lack of flights but at same time THEY WILL RETURN THE PACKAGES TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES? If the packages are already in Japan they should be delivered. Makes no sense to send them back if there are no flights. I think the information from JAPAN POST is confusing and the fact is that there are some countries they are losing flight connections to. But I don’t get the deadline and rejection part. Please Japan Today contact the source and clarify this information.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Mail in yeah? Mail out is unaffected? The translation everywhere is so bad.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I am glad that all of the countries I mostly ship to for eBay are not listed.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Utter stupidity again.

There are no direct flights from Japan to Ireland so my guess the mail gets sent from Japan to the UK or a major hub such as Paris, and then gets sent on its merry way to Dublin.

I've been writing monthly letters to my parents for over 20 years and while I'm lucky enough to be able to chat to them on video there is something special for them about reading a hand written letter.

I understand that with the Corona virus things have changed but this strikes me as BS. I even have a 12 page one ready for posting on my kitchen table.

Thanks Japan post

1 ( +3 / -2 )

when receiving mail domestically while the risks are low

Don’t tell me you believe in that fairytale too!?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Oh well. looks like some people are gonna have to do without toilet paper longer than they thought.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

A few more points, then why are u not shutting out everything else ???. Who is at the top of japan post ???. His number one , two and three need to be fired.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

"The change is due to a significabt decline in flights to and from Japan, and various safety measures being put in place to counteract the coronavirus pandemic."

Air cargo flights have diminished. The temporary action is simply a necessity forced by the lack of flights.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The desperate desire to appear to be proactive rather than addressing any real issues.

smoke and mirror knee jerk reaction.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

wtfjapanToday 05:49 pm JST

its not a virus problem its a airfreight problem, some smaller countries post offices have been scaled back in staff because of the virus, countries not on the list have the highest level of air freight to and from Japan,

US UK Germany France Australia Canada China etc

Japan post simply doesnt have enough of their own planes to carry all the mail, companies like DHL Fedex UPS TNT etc are all flying flatout , trying to take up the surplus, but not even they can do it all, which is why theyve suspended certain countries. If it was a virus problem they would have blocked China USA France long ago

Today I learnt from Japan Today message board that Italy, Spain and Brazil are small countries

3 ( +3 / -0 )

service to Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxemburg suspended

among these countries there is one, which was saved by suspension : France

that's ridicolous

also USA, Canada, UK, Australia not suspended, clearly Japan Post loves english speaking countries....

service to UK is not suspended (and contagious are spreading over there) while Tristan da Cuhna, a small island in the south atlantic ocean is suspended. I wonder how corona virus can reach a small island which is more than 2500km far from the nearest inhabitat place.....

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Rite !

However, mail coming from the United States, France and the United Kingdom are unaffected.

People in the republic of Ireland can walk over the open border and post to Japan from the UK side of Ireland.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Makes No sense whatsoever! So what about the post coming from Tokyo will everyone else be protected and not allowed to receive mail that area since that’s ground zero for the virus? Jus sayin’........

when receiving mail domestically while the risks are low just treat it as normal after youve opened and handles the box and or signed the delivery guys label/ barcode reader, wear a mask, wash your hands inside.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

its not a virus problem its a airfreight problem, some smaller countries post offices have been scaled back in staff because of the virus, countries not on the list have the highest level of air freight to and from Japan,

US UK Germany France Australia Canada China etc

Japan post simply doesnt have enough of their own planes to carry all the mail, companies like DHL Fedex UPS TNT etc are all flying flatout , trying to take up the surplus, but not even they can do it all, which is why theyve suspended certain countries. If it was a virus problem they would have blocked China USA France long ago

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Much of air mail traffic is not on specialized aircraft, but on regularly scheduled passenger flights (how airlines make a little extra money on the side is by delivering mail). With air travel to certain places at almost a standstill it is quite difficult to continue paying and accepting mail delivery.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

If they really fear the virus coming in on international mail they could receive it, hold it in quarantine for 72 hours (to be on the safe side), then deliver it. The virus will probably be dead after 24 hours.

Or not accept mail from the country (USA! We’re No. 1!) with the biggest number of coronavirus sufferers.

But they’re doing neither which suggests some bureaucrat is trying to cover his or her nether regions.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Good thing my Social Security payments are direct deposit, if I had chosen to get paid by check, I wouldn't receive it.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

France is exempted but French Polynesia and New Caledonia are not!

And New Zealand?!

Whatever!

Institutional xenophobia (maybe not) or attention to post item handling practice?

if attention to levels of COVID, some surprises on the country list

Makes No sense whatsoever! So what about the post coming from Tokyo will everyone else be protected and not allowed to receive mail that area since that’s ground zero for the virus? Jus sayin’........

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Of all the many things they could of done , they choose stopping the mail. And then they exempt 3 of the countries with some of the largest infection rates. LOL!!

11 ( +13 / -2 )

France is exempted but French Polynesia and New Caledonia are not!

And New Zealand?!

Whatever!

Institutional xenophobia (maybe not) or attention to post item handling practice?

if attention to levels of COVID, some surprises on the country list.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The virus will not last long enough outside a person to survive the transit time. Paper and cardboard has the lowest time (up to 24 hours), and plastic and non-copper metals have the longest time (around 72 hours). Lack of flights seems reasonable enough, but a blanket suspension of all mail from the selected countries seems dubious, like manyof the politicians steps to address the virus.

The Post office should put more emphasis on the pen that the delivery person asks you to use. It has been circulating everywhere for three days potentially collecting and distributing the virus (not to mention other bugs). We don't touch "the pen" at our house. Instead, we just use our hanko.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

If people lick their stamps as I do, that could be an issue.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

What? Too much. They should have stopped the ones who brought the virus into the country in the first place not the mail.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

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