Fanbook adoption part 3: shipping info
I’m using Printed Matter for the shipping on these since it’s the cheap option. Packages for printed matter can be up to 5 kg - anything over, they put stuff in a BAG and I don’t really rec that, your books will get all bent, I’ll be breaking packages up into smaller bundles if it’s over 5 kg.
Surface - the package goes by truck and ship. Yes, Japan Post still does Surface shipping, so suck on that USPS. This shipping takes weeks, FYI. CHEAP. As it should be, it’s the Slow Boat of Shipping Stuff.
SAL - Surface/Air - the package goes by truck, then air to your country, than back on a truck. Usually about 2-3 weeks depending on post in your country, it gets out of Japan pretty fast. MEDIUM-LOW PRICE.
Airmail - what it says. It’ll fly most of the way to you. MEDIUM PRICE RANGE. 2 weeks is what it usually is for time.
EMS - 3-5 Business days to arrive, gets the tracking number so you can follow the package’s progress. EXPENSIVE but not deathly so, I find.
You can register a non-EMS package for an extra 420 yen with Japan Post. Registered mail does NOT have a tracking number where you can follow a package’s progress - rather, it’s for the case when the package gets totally lost and after a month or so you go, ‘Hey, where is that package?’ and I use this number to harangue the postal service into looking for it.
You can also insure a package. Personally, since many people are just using cheaper forms of shipping to save money, if you want insurance, you may as well pay for the premium EMS shipping at that point. You get their fancy tracking number too. I forget how much insurance is.
Customs forms - I have to fill out a little card stating the package’s contents (comics!) and their relative value. I am planning to state the value of the books as 100 yen for small ones, 200 for big ones, or similar. I have to put SOMETHING, even if I check the box stating the package is a gift.
Customs fees/Duty fees/etc: for the most part, the value of the packages should be low enough that customs fees won’t be charged to you. You’ll hear from your local post if you need to pay anything.
Checking Contents: some countries are more vigilant than others about checking to see if the pornz is in a package of books. Some countries don’t give a toss. If you think your country is likely to bounce a package because of this, let me know to sort books that aren’t explicit into your package, because it would suck to waste the shipping fee.
There won’t be any note or letter inside. I love Japan Post dearly but one of their quirks is the metaphorical weight of a letter - postal charges for letters are DIFFERENT from packages, and if there’s a letter inside they will actually charge me for that! No joke. So, no notes, Post-Its or letters will be in packages. Just books.
You can check prices on the Japan Post site yourself, HERE. Check for Printed Matter, put in the weight, I live in the prefecture SAITAMA, you put in your country, and ta da.
That’s about it! I am starting to contact the first people on the list for addresses as I pack books, and after that it’s just a matter of getting the final shipping estimate and Paypal-ing me the shipping cost.
gummygunk
romaincrisis
ellievsbear
gamechangershow
