Japan Post Tracking Status Guide

Understanding Japan Post Tracking: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide is designed to demystify Japan Post's tracking system, decoding the various delivery statuses to offer a clearer understanding of each stage.

Please note that once your package departs from Japan, we cannot intervene in its delivery. We strongly advise patience as your package makes its way to your country and is processed. Once the parcel is processed in your country, the package will undergo registration, triggering an automatic update in tracking.

"Posting/Collection": This status indicates that we have delivered your parcel to the Japan Post customer service counter for processing and shipment.
"Arrival at Outward Office of Exchange": Upon reaching the corresponding airport in Japan, your package awaits its next flight. For "surface" parcels, it means your parcel has been manifested and placed in a shipping container.
"Dispatch from Outward Office of Exchange":

ECONOMY AIRMAIL, AIRMAIL, EMS: Your package is now airborne and en route to your country. Expect the next tracking update upon its arrival in your destination country. (It's important to note that some countries lack direct flights from Japan, causing your package to transit through multiple countries or states before reaching its final destination). During this stage, the tracking might not update for several days to several weeks, which depends on days of the week or holidays, flight schedules, customs processing, etc. Please note that some countries (including Canada and Australia) may not scan and update tracking for "ECONOMY AIRMAIL" parcels. Please be patient and give to postal workers time to process and deliver your parcel. (If more than 3 weeks have passed, you might want to contact your local post office and ask if there are any parcel being held for you).

SURFACE: parcels it means your parcel has been loaded on a ship destined for your country. There will be no updates for 2-3 months until the shipping container is offloaded, passes through customs and is turned over to postal authorities for delivery. The tracking is usually updated about 5 or 7 days before final delivery.

"Arrival at Inward Office of Exchange": Your package has reached your country and has been received and registered by the inward office. (At this stage, all inquiries about your package should be directed to your local post office).
"Item Presented to Import Customs": Customs processes vary by country, and we lack detailed information about each. When your package enters customs, they might attempt to contact you via the provided phone number especially if there are VAT/GST or import fees imposed by your country. If customs decides to open and inspect your parcel, delivery could be delayed for several more days.
"Item Returned from Import Customs": Your package has cleared customs successfully and is en route to your nearest post office. (If at this point your shipping status indicates "Retention", promptly contact your local post office. Its is likely that information is needed from you by the customs office to clear your parcel.
"Departure from the Inward Office of Exchange" or "Departure from the Internal Delivery Office": This status signifies that your package is on its way to the nearest post office. Sometimes, sorting for shipment may cause a slight delay
"Processing at Delivery Post Office" or "Processing at the Shipping Post Office": Your local post office is preparing to deliver your package. The duration of this process varies based on your country's postal service speed.
"Item out for physical delivery": Your parcel is in the hands of the mail carrier and delivery will be made soon.
"Retention": Delivery was attempted and you were not home. A notice should have been left with instructions to arrange re-delivery or to pick up your parcel. (Sometimes the notice can be "lost" or "overlooked" so it is important to watch the tracking of your parcel carefully and contact your local post office even if you did not receieve a notice). If you do not pick up your parcel it will be "Returned to Sender". "Retention" means the post office is holding your parcel and is awaiting instructions from you.
"Returned to Sender": Your parcel was held, but not claimed by you and is now being returned to us. Unfortunately, we do not refund shipping fees. When we receive the returned parcel we will contact you, and you will have to pay the shipping fee again to have us re-send the parcel back to you.
"Final Delivery": Your package has arrived at the address you provided (or has been returned to us and received).

Important Notes: If the tracking indicates "Final Delivery" but you haven't received the package, follow these steps:

Check for any pick-up notices left by the post office and visit the specified address to retrieve your package.
Inquire with family members or housemates regarding package collection while you were away.
Thoroughly check areas like the mailbox, front/back doors, or consult building security/concierge for package collection. If unsuccessful, contact your local post office for assistance to obtain a copy of the signed receipt.