International Shipping — Carriers, Limits, and Customs
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Takumo Pro supports three international carriers. This article covers which carrier to use for which destination, size and weight limits, and what staff need to know about customs declarations.
Choosing the Right International Carrier
Destination Region | Recommended Carrier | Alternative |
Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea | Yamato TA-Q-BIN International | Japan Post EMS |
Mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia | Yamato TA-Q-BIN International | Japan Post EMS |
Australia, New Zealand | Yamato TA-Q-BIN International | DHL Express |
Europe | DHL Express | Japan Post EMS |
USA, Canada | DHL Express | Japan Post EMS |
Rest of world | DHL Express | Japan Post EMS |
Light items anywhere | Japan Post EMS | — |
Carrier Profiles
Yamato TA-Q-BIN International (宅急便インターナショナル)
● Same size-banded system as domestic — 60 through 160 size bands
● Door-to-door service in core Asian destinations
● Destinations: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Australia, USA, Canada, major European countries
● Transit time: 2–5 business days to Asia, 5–10 days to US/Europe
Japan Post EMS (国際スピード郵便)
● Reaches 120+ countries — the widest international coverage
● Weight limit: 30kg per item
● Size limit: 300cm combined, no single dimension over 150cm
● Competitive pricing for lighter items (under 10kg)
● Transit time: 2–4 business days to Asia, 4–7 days to most other destinations
DHL Express
● 220+ countries and territories — true global coverage
● Fastest international transit times available
● Full end-to-end tracking with proactive notifications
● Best for European and American guests — strong brand recognition
● Transit time: 1–3 business days to most destinations
● Higher cost than EMS but significantly faster
Customs Declarations
All international shipments require a customs declaration. Takumo Pro generates this automatically based on the information entered in the booking. Staff need to ensure the following fields are completed accurately for international bookings:
● Contents — must describe the actual items, not just the bag type
● Declared value — the approximate monetary value of the contents in JPY
● Country of origin — Japan for items purchased in Japan
⚠ IMPORTANT Inaccurate or incomplete customs declarations can result in delays, additional duties for the recipient, or return of the shipment. Always confirm contents and approximate value with the guest for international bookings. |
International Prohibited Items — Key Rules
In addition to the standard domestic prohibited items, international shipments cannot contain:
● Items that require an export licence under Japanese export control law
● Currency of any country
● Duty-free goods in excess of destination country limits
● Lithium batteries exceeding airline transport regulations (standalone)
● Country-specific prohibited items — check the carrier's destination guide for specific rules
ℹ NOTE When in doubt about whether an item can be sent internationally, ask the guest to check the carrier's prohibited items list for their destination country, or contact Takumo support. |
Size and Weight Limits Summary
Carrier | Max Size | Max Weight | Notes |
Yamato TA-Q-BIN Int'l | 160 size band | 25kg | Same bands as domestic 60–160 |
Japan Post EMS | 300cm combined | 30kg | No single dimension over 150cm |
DHL Express | Varies by destination | 70kg per piece | Check DHL rate tool for specific limits |