Japan Post: No Shipments to USA over 453g starting November 17th

[FG Lurker]

When we got ours it was a week or two until we met with our manager, an hour or two of talking about who we were, a bunch of caveats (if you go above 50 man a month there is a 50 man life of the account deposit required, ouch!), and a bunch of forms. Then a month or two later we got our card, so yeah what you said.. About par for the course for Japan I suppose.

I had an introduction through a neighbour which eased things a bit. Took less than two weeks to get the card and there really wasn't anything in the way of questions beyond having to fill out the application and give them the other paperwork they wanted. I also got some kick ass rates for domestic shipping.

Before the world economy imploded and the dollar collapsed I spent more than 500,000yen a month on EMS pretty much every month. These days... I'll get back there though, working on it.

[555]

"Proxy Shipping Service for eBay Sellers in Japan

Dear eBay Sellers in Japan,

Starting from Wednesday, November 17th, 2010, packages weighing over 453g / 16oz bound for the United States and its territories will not be accepted by the Japan Post unless you have established a deferred payment account which allows Japan Post to switch your packages to sea shipping service. At the moment there is no information indicating when this restriction will be lifted.

To save you from all the inconvenience caused by the new shipping restriction, we would like to introduce a proxy shipping service by eLADY Limited in Tokyo.


<EMS Proxy Shipping Service>
Service: EMS Proxy Shipping Service for packages bound for the US and its territories
Service provider: eLADY Limited
Details: http://www.elady.com/elady/ems/ems.asp
(English page will be ready soon)
Fees: EMS Charge + Service Fee of JPY1,050 (tax inclusive)

Note:

Please visit the URL above for details and enquiries.
Domestic shipping fees should be paid by the users of this service.
The service is provided by eLADY Limited. eBay does not take any responsibility for the service..
eBay is not obliged to involve in any discussion and/or communications between eLADY and its service users under any circumstances.
For any questions or enquiries, please contact eLADY Ltd directly."

[Mulboyne]

Twitter is suggesting this new policy has now been reversed. No links, though.

EDIT: Here you go:

http://www.post.japanpost.jp/whats_new/2010/1129_02_c01.pdf

[nikoneko]

[FG Lurker]

Yes this came by email yesterday:

I got that too but had completely ignored it, figured it was yet another EMS promotion of some sort or other.

Good that it's over though, I'm sure many people are relieved.