How much does it cost to send a package to Japan?

A modest parcel of 5 kg shipped from Vancouver to Tokyo could cost upwards of $494 with FedEx’s International Priority service. Granted, that’s for the quickest delivery possible. But as this blog shows, you don’t have to pay anywhere near that amount for packages shipped from Canada to Japan. And that’s thanks to Secureship - a Canadian broker whose agreements with FedEx, UPS, and Purolator can bring you great savings. However, in spite of Secureship working on your behalf, shipping may incur other charges, such as for additional handling, delivery to remote locations, and domestic services. But the good news is there are ways to mitigate those costs. Finally, rates vary depending how quickly you want the parcel to arrive and on when during the year you ship.

Table of Contents

• Shipping Rates to Japan
• Shipping’s Extra Fees
• Shipping’s Other Rate Factors
• Conclusion

Shipping Rates to Japan

A package’s shipping rate to Japan can vary based on numerous factors. However, for a relatively small parcel of 5 kg, it could be as much as $494 with FedEx’s International Priority service.

The good news is there are other options, as shown in the table below. And the best news is Secureship, and how it can slash your shipping rates.

When you look closely at the numbers above, the ones in bold are Secureship’s prices, and they could be as much as 65% lower than a carrier’s walk-in price.

Shipping’s Extra Fees

Shipping may involve extra fees beyond the quoted prices by the carrier for additional handling, delivery to remote locations, and domestic services.

Additional handling

This fee arises when the goods are shipped in something other than a cardboard box, for example, plastic, metal, or wood. So, unless the goods require transport in a special container, most people can usually avoid this extra cost.

Deliveries to remote locations

As most people live in cities, carriers ensure they can meet consumer demands with a large fleet of delivery vehicles and personnel. However, for rural locations, particularly many kilometres from a major town or city, an extra fee may be tacked on to compensate for the extra time required for a delivery.

Domestic deliveries and pick-ups

Typically, carriers deliver to businesses and work places without an extra fee; but for domestic pick-ups and deliveries, there is an added charge.

This may even apply when someone has their business at home. One way to side step this fee is to pick-up the parcel at the carrier’s local outlet.

Shipping’s Other Rate Factors

You may have noticed with the pricing chart above that shorter delivery times are invariably more expensive than longer ones. But extending a delivery by only a day or two could save you a lot of money.

Another significant price saving strategy to consider is shipping by boat; however, that could extend delivery to Japan from Canada by up to three months.

High shipping season

Shipping’s high season starts in early November and extends into mid-January of the new year, and with it rates noticeably increase.

To save money, the best option is to ship parcels before or after this season.

Conclusion

Even a small, light parcel shipped to Japan from Canada may cost several hundred dollars for rapid service. Though if you live in Canada, you are lucky because Secureship can find substantially reduced rates with FedEx, UPS, and Purolator. But be advised some other charges may catch you by surprise. They include: additional handling for non-cardboard box packages; deliveries to small centres far away from a major city; and pick-ups from and deliveries to residential addresses. As well, rates fluctuate during the year, rising a lot during the Christmas season, which starts in early November and goes till two weeks after New Year’s day.