Global shipping/customs ProbsMisc

Hi! I apologize for the stupidity, but I can't really find anything current regarding the safety of surface shipping.
I'm interested in buying a figure from Nin-Nin game, and obviously surface shipping is cheapest. I live in the EU, so VAT is likely nevertheless, however from my experience when I buy stuff from outside of the EU, I am rarely required to pay VAT, even for more expensive items. However, it is still a big possibility.

Is surface shipping safe? I don't want to throw a lot of money straight out of the window. :/ I've searched on the internet, and I can only find answers from years ago or regarding Amiami's surface shipping.

I've been in the hobby of importing items and this is the first time I completely lost a package after 5+ months. A while ago I ordered a fig from Suruga-ya via From Japan and it shipped on 4/18 it arrived in the USA but it's been missing for almost 2 months now.

I did contact USPS and FJ but they are waiting for Japan Post's investigation right now. Now I'm feeling a bit lost since I used Surface mail (Small Packet) for 2 other later orders with FJ. Damn my luck is pretty terrible the last few weeks orz.

akaisha0 • 3 months ago • #111002828I have a package that was shipped via Japan Post to the US and it got lost in the US. It hit a well known black hole in the US (the Jersey City distribution center) and disappeared three months ago. USPS has admitted it's likely lost. But Japan Post is dragging their feet on an insurance claim (3+ months). I really don't want to file a PayPal case against the seller because I use them a lot, still have other pre-orders from them that I would have to lose because of this, and don't want to lose my account on something that's not their fault but Japan Post isn't paying out the insurance despite the package being fully insured. Has anyone ever successfully won an insurance case with Japan Post on a lost parcel?

Yeah, this is the same exact problem I faced since NJ is a black hole for my package. Although I didn't lose quite a lot of money ...I'm still sad since limited funds and I had waited 4 months already.

8/15/22 I filed a Paypal dispute on item never received.

Sugar123 • 3 months ago • #111005703I see. Well, there's only so much you can do. Idk if you've been nagging the seller to go in turn nag at Japan post about this but there's nothing else that can be done. Maybe Japan post are waiting the maximum amount of days for an item to be considered lost for them to refund you? Idk what the policy for such matters from the store you bought is, but maybe they can offer you some kind of partial refund in case all else fails? The only other option is to burn that bridge entirely and file a PayPal claim.

Unfortunately you're right that there's nothing that can be done. I believe their time frame is 120 days which have passed which is what makes this so odd. Unfortunately, with little faith Japan Post or the company is going to pay this out and only one month left I can file a PayPal claim in..I kind of have to decide now if I wait it out and take my chances on either the company or Japan Post doing the right thing and losing my only opportunity to file with Paypal or burning the bridge down and going through PayPal. PayPal allows 6 months from the time of the transaction and the parcel took forever to even hit the US before the US lost it once it was in their care. I wish PayPal allowed more than 6 months, especially with international parcels but they don't.
That's why I was asking if anyone has ever actually had any success with a Japan Post claim because the other information I've seen has suggested no one has ever won a case even on a very provable missing mail claim. So I'm here hoping SOMEONE can shed a tiny ray of hope but I don't think it's terribly likely. But I can't be out $600 like this. But burning this bridge also means I lose all the other preorders I have with this company. It's a very lose-lose-lose situation.

akaisha0 • 3 months ago • #111003892Yes. They did file the claim. And Japan Post is just ignoring it.

I see. Well, there's only so much you can do. Idk if you've been nagging the seller to go in turn nag at Japan post about this but there's nothing else that can be done. Maybe Japan post are waiting the maximum amount of days for an item to be considered lost for them to refund you? Idk what the policy for such matters from the store you bought is, but maybe they can offer you some kind of partial refund in case all else fails? The only other option is to burn that bridge entirely and file a PayPal claim.

Sugar123 • 3 months ago • #111003296Have you contacted the store you bought it from about this? If there is a problem with the shipped item they need to file the claim on your behalf.

Yes. They did file the claim. And Japan Post is just ignoring it.

akaisha0 • 3 months ago • #111002828I have a package that was shipped via Japan Post to the US and it got lost in the US. It hit a well known black hole in the US (the Jersey City distribution center) and disappeared three months ago. USPS has admitted it's likely lost. But Japan Post is dragging their feet on an insurance claim (3+ months). I really don't want to file a PayPal case against the seller because I use them a lot, still have other pre-orders from them that I would have to lose because of this, and don't want to lose my account on something that's not their fault but Japan Post isn't paying out the insurance despite the package being fully insured. Has anyone ever successfully won an insurance case with Japan Post on a lost parcel?

Have you contacted the store you bought it from about this? If there is a problem with the shipped item they need to file the claim on your behalf.

I have a package that was shipped via Japan Post to the US and it got lost in the US. It hit a well known black hole in the US (the Jersey City distribution center) and disappeared three months ago. USPS has admitted it's likely lost. But Japan Post is dragging their feet on an insurance claim (3+ months). I really don't want to file a PayPal case against the seller because I use them a lot, still have other pre-orders from them that I would have to lose because of this, and don't want to lose my account on something that's not their fault but Japan Post isn't paying out the insurance despite the package being fully insured. Has anyone ever successfully won an insurance case with Japan Post on a lost parcel?

i have ordered package from amiami with SAL shipping. It was shipped on 04.11 and there was no change in status after it was send from japan. I had other package sent also on august and when i asked AMIAMI about status (around 2 months after it was shipped ) they said its too early to ask and i should wait and it can even take 6 months. Eventually i got package from august, but when i asked them in May about my November package they said it's too late and they wont contact japan office. Can i do anything about it now? I doubt i will get it after 8 months of waiting and there is no information in amiami Q&A about time limit (which is unfair, bc otherwise i'd contact them earlier). Can i ask visa for refund? SAL packages are supposed to be insured up to 10k yen...

4Arnd • 7 months ago • #107140254Depending on the shop, they usually send you an email with tracking information and a link to the Japan Post page.
Air small packet, to track in your country, enter the tracking number at a postoffice page. That should work too.
Also, you can use the tracking feature on the figure, if you add the it to your collection, there is one field, where you can enter the tracking number. Once saved, it redirects to the appropriate tracking page.
Tracking can take a couple days sometimes before it updates.Thank you! :D

Ninos_Thighs • 7 months ago • #107139265I need help with Air Small Packet tracking :(
Depending on the shop, they usually send you an email with tracking information and a link to the Japan Post page.
Air small packet, to track in your country, enter the tracking number at a postoffice page. That should work too.
Also, you can use the tracking feature on the figure, if you add the it to your collection, there is one field, where you can enter the tracking number. Once saved, it redirects to the appropriate tracking page.

Tracking can take a couple days sometimes before it updates.