Japan Post adjusting shipping rates

Japan Post will reportedly be reducing shipping rates on small parcels for retail customers by up to 30% in October. According to a report published by Nikkei Asian Review yesterday (31 July), the new rates will apply to packages whose dimensions add up to no more than 60cm and weigh up to 1kg. E-retailers will pay 250 yen ($2.45) to ship packages up to 1cm thick, 300 yen for those up to 2cm thick, and 350 yen for up to 3cm thick.

It now currently costs 360 yen to send packages up to 3.5cm thick. However, the Nikkei Asian Review report suggested that Japan Post is offering the new rates partly to incentivise the retailers to use package of 3cm or less, because they fit through letterboxes more easily and therefore reduce the likelihood of non-deliveries.