How to Redeliver a Package in Japanese

Japan’s postal system is efficient, quick and affordable. Domestic deliveries only take two to three days, which makes sending and receiving mail a breeze. Since deliveries come almost immediately, it’s easy to miss out on receiving your package. If you find a sheet of paper with the courier’s logo in your mailbox, chances are you missed out on having your package arrive. Luckily, it’s just as easy to have your package redelivered.

There are several options for having your package redelivered, from phone calls to scheduling through the website. In this post, we’ll explain how to redeliver a package in Japanese using Japan Post. For a full breakdown of sending mail in Japan, check out our Japan101 page.

• Missed Delivery Notice
• Scheduling a Redelivery by Phone
• How to Schedule a Package Redelivery Online

Missed Delivery Notice

Photo: iStock/ Yusuke Ide

If you suspect that you’ve missed a delivery, check your mailbox for a sheet of paper with a variation of the following kanji (Chinese characters with Japanese meaning) on it. While it can look a bit overwhelming if you can’t read kanji, most of these slips offer English translations (to some extent). There are several ways how to redeliver a package in Japanese. This post will focus on using Japan Post. You can reschedule by calling the hotline, using an app, booking through the official website and sending a fax. Be sure to schedule your delivery within the time period stated on the form.

Scheduling a Redelivery by Phone

Photo: Japan Post

The missed delivery notice contains the details you can use to call the courier directly to reschedule your delivery. This number is free to call, but don’t expect any assistance in English. To get in touch with an English-speaking representative, call 0570-046-111 (Japan Post). Unlike the Japanese hotline, it isn’t toll-free and isn’t available 24 hours.

If you have a LINE account, you can opt to have your mail redelivered through the app. To do so, simply follow the QR code installation guide on the notification. English support might be lacking.

To schedule package redelivery by using the Japanese hotline, these are some of the kanji that can help you navigate the booking system.

Package Details

Your package will be listed under one of these types.

Calling the 24-Hour Automatic Reception Hotline

1.  Enter the last four digits of your postal code *See ア and type of package
2.  Input your contact number
3.  Add your notification/notice number *See イ
4.  Put when you want to receive your package. For example, March 5 would be 0305
5. Specify your desired redelivery time based on the timetable given.

How to Schedule a Package Redelivery Online

Photo: Japan Post

There’s an English website for Japan Post redelivery, but it can only send your package to your home address (more on other options later). If you want to try using the Japanese website, click here. Rescheduling through the website, whether in English or Japanese, is free. Here’s how to redeliver a package in Japanese using the Japan Post website.

Step 1: Tracking or Notification Number

Enter your tracking number or notice number. On your slip, this number will be 11 to 13 digits or 6 to 8 digits. Then click 次（つぎ）へ進（すす）む (Proceed to the next page).

Step 2: Zip Code, Delivery Date, Type of Package

Depending on the type of package, you might be asked to fill in the following items. Plug in your zip code and the delivery date listed on your notification slip. This will be divided into months (月) and days (日).

From there, you will be asked to specify what kind of package you’re receiving. Check the package details to see the different types. For mail from overseas, it is most likely “国（こく）際（さい）小（こ）包（ずつみ）/EMS” (A small package from overseas/ EMS).

Step 3: Delivery Destination

Select where you want to receive your mail.

Step 4: Redelivery Date and Contact Information

When you click through to the next screen, you are shown a table divided by dates from top to bottom and times running left to right. The only tricky time is 午（ご）前（ぜん）中（ちゅう） (Sometime in the morning), as the others are all written in Roman numerals.

Underneath the table, you’ll have to enter your contact details. You’ll be required to input your cellphone number, but your email address and name are optional. After confirming, you’ll be led to a page that confirms the details of your redelivery. Click 登（とう）録（ろく）する (subscribe). You should see 受（うけ）付（つけ）を完（かん）了（りょう）いたしました (official complete) at the end.

While we covered how to redeliver a package in Japanese using Japan Post, most couriers in Japan will have similar procedures and vocabulary.

This post was originally written by Matthew Coslett.

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• Rachel says:

  August 7, 2017 at 3:56 pm

  Hello! I’ve been having some difficulties with the first step, since the button on the right automatically opens up a second window. Although I can put in my address after going through a few steps, the information doesn’t transfer back to the main window. Perhaps there’s a “submit” button somewhere on the page, but my Japanese isn’t good enough to make sense of it. Any ideas?
  • Zeusir 1 says:

    August 9, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    Maybe you can try another Japan post tracking site, it’s simple:
    https://www.trackingmore.com/japan-post-tracking.html