Japan Post to expand express mail service for China

Japan Post is expanding its mail operations for China, particularly Express Mail Service (EMS), in light of the increasing presence of U.S. and European rivals.

EMS handles 9.45 million units per year, and delivers documents and packages faster than standard mail service. About 20 per cent of EMS volume goes to China, and traffic to that country is increasing about 10 per cent annually.

Japan Post President Masaharu Ikuta will visit China’s state-run postal entity on Tuesday to sign a mutual cooperation agreement on expanding services as soon as within the year. The weight restriction on packages that can be sent by EMS will be relaxed, raising the maximum from 30kg to 50kg.

At present, EMS is used mainly for sending written documents weighing 1-2kg. But Japan Post anticipates use by Japanese manufacturers, among others , as a result of the relaxed weight restriction.