Important!: USA Bans Large Packages from Japan!

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11-16-2010, 03:14 AM
TrekkiesUnite118

Important!: USA Bans Large Packages from Japan!

This was just posted on the Sega forums but apparently the Department of Homeland Security in fear of receiving bombs set heavy restrictions on overseas packaging. Japan Post has responded by saying they will no longer accept any packages addressed to the US that are over 16 ounces.

So this pretty much sucks for Import gamers in the US. Some games can probably still get through, but importing consoles is going to turn into a nightmare.

Source:
http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1289237893803.shtm

Japan related article is on SankakuComplex, not sure if we are allowed to post that here or not.
11-16-2010, 03:19 AM
Joe Redifer

The terrorists have won so many times that I've lost count by now. Nobody has the balls to stand up to them.

Are you sure this is for EVERYTHING and not just for ink and toner?
11-16-2010, 03:44 AM
seismiczonk

That sucks! Oh well ....Air Trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11-16-2010, 04:01 AM
ItellYaHuat

Quote:

Originally Posted by seismiczonk

...Air Trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you... ya know... sneak me in?
11-16-2010, 04:12 AM
likestoplayinpuddles

where does japan appear in the article? this seems like passenger airplane carry on items like liquids i.e. ink cartridges, or toner (for printers).

I see it further down that packages are subject to search, like they usually are during the custom checks (both ends).
11-16-2010, 04:12 AM
KnightWarrior

Why now..how about stuff like HDTV's made in Japan...
11-16-2010, 04:18 AM
Iron Lizard

I didn't see anything in that article either. After navigating that site( god lord man! Thank good my wife was asleep or she would have thought I was a freak) I found this.

http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/inf...livery_en.html
11-16-2010, 08:08 AM
the.importer

Hope it doesn't affect Canada, I'm still waiting for 3 packages from Japan.
11-16-2010, 12:36 PM
TrekkiesUnite118

To clarify a bit. This isn't just for Japan, the new import guidelines for the US affect all incoming packages. However Japan Post (Japan's main mail service) has responded by saying they will no longer ship any packages to the US that are over 16 ounces. So if you want to send a package to the US from Japan that's over 16 ounces, you can no longer use EMS or Airmail. Sea shipping can still be used though.
11-16-2010, 12:44 PM
Lastcallhall

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrekkiesUnite118

To clarify a bit. This isn't just for Japan, the new import guidelines for the US affect all incoming packages. However Japan Post (Japan's main mail service) has responded by saying they will no longer ship any packages to the US that are over 16 ounces. So if you want to send a package to the US from Japan that's over 16 ounces, you can no longer use EMS or Airmail. Sea shipping can still be used though.

Great, so all imports will arrive in 6-8 months with a free case of avian bird flu.
11-16-2010, 12:51 PM
TrekkiesUnite118

To give even more information here is a quote from a member of SegaSaturn.co.uk who currently lives in Japan:

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdeadite@SegaSaturn.co.uk

It was a decision by Japan Post (private organization). The ban is only on EMS and Airmail. You can still ship by sea currently. It's estimated this ban will only last for a month or two. But we'll see.

Also this is only Japan Post. If you don't want to wait for the boat, Fedex and DHL are still available, they are quite expensive though.

After doing some research, I don't think "ban" is the right word. "Change" is something Japan is terrible at. More likely they need a month or 2 to adjust to the new USA import guidelines. Employee training in Japan is nothing like the rest of the world.
11-16-2010, 12:56 PM
csgx1

Damn, just when I basically order a console from Japan. So my only choice is surface shipping from Japan to US now?
11-16-2010, 01:02 PM
TrekkiesUnite118

Quote:

Originally Posted by csgx1

Damn, just when I basically order a console from Japan. So my only choice is surface shipping from Japan to US now?

There's still things like FedEx.
11-16-2010, 04:28 PM
pocketgamer

I need to read the article, but what about fedex and ups. Will they still ship I mean Ups deals with mainly packages so it seems logical, for them to ship to and from overseas.
11-16-2010, 06:47 PM
hashiriya1

Straight for the horse's mouth (scroll down):

http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/inf...livery_en.html
11-18-2010, 10:09 PM
David J.

ASS. I just purchased like five or six Saturn games from Japan earlier this week. :/

What about shipping to/from APO/FPO boxes? Since I am military and such....looking at getting some goodies.
11-20-2010, 03:42 AM
Kaijuboy

%^#@& Ridiculous!

Home of the "Free" my ass. Its bad enough that they TRIPLED outbound costs within the last year and a 1/2, and now we cant even get INBOUND items.

And since when was JAPAN a concern? NO terrorist packages have EVER come from there.
11-20-2010, 09:39 AM
PHANTOM2040

The government is just seeing what we will put up with. They constantly test us. Right now it's the packages, and the pat downs/body scans at the airport. No planes went down in the last nine years but these things are all of the sudden important now? Either that or they are setting the stage for the next 911. I'd say before the Obama Re-election.
11-20-2010, 03:16 PM
Leathco

Is this only Japan? I recently had to ship my GP2X Wiz to Korea for repair. Hoping I have no issues getting it back.
11-20-2010, 07:31 PM
synbiosfan

Quote:

453-gram limit on U.S.-bound mail
The Japan Times: Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010
By MINORU MATSUTANI

Staff writer
Japan Post Services Co. said it will stop accepting airmail packages bound for the United States weighing 453 grams (1 pound) or more starting Wednesday because airlines will stop such delivery at the request of U.S. aviation authorities as part of antiterrorism measures.

The postal services arm of Japan Post Holdings Co. handles 16 million letters and packages by air and sea to the U.S. annually, and "15 percent of that will be affected," a Japan Post spokesman said. That means about 200,000 packages a month will be affected.

The company said it will accept packages from senders that use a service enabling them to pay after delivery instead of beforehand, a service designated for regular customers, even if a package weighs 453 grams or more. The company will notify the public of any changes in the situation, the spokesman said.

The Transportation Security Administration of the U.S. has informed air carriers of the 453-gram rule, and carriers notified Japan Post Services, the spokesman said. The rule applies not only to packages from Japan but from other countries.

Packages containing explosives were found in Britain and Dubai on two cargo planes from Yemen bound for the U.S. in late October. The TSA heightened its aviation alert level since then.

The Japanese units of Fedex Corp., United Parcel Service of America Inc. and DHL International GmbH said they have no similar plans as Japan Post's. But DHL "will cooperate with the United States and other countries as they have raised (the) security level," spokeswoman Maho Takahashi said.

Overseas Courier Service Ltd. said it stopped accepting packages Friday to be delivered to the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Africa containing ink cartridges or toner cartridges weighing more than 450 grams.

Of course the expensive options are still available:(