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Important News Update 11 Nov 10:
U.S. Bureaucratic Snafu blocks mail from Japan (and most other countries) !
Passing-Fancy regrets to inform our valued customers, that we are temporarily experiencing problems shipping orders
to the USA. The Japan Post is not currently shipping packages to the USA if they weigh over 453g (16 ounces/1pound).
This is a result of changes in TSA policy at USA airports. The USA is restricting mail from Japan (and other countries)!
The TSA and Homeland Security have lost their collective minds, and now see 'Terrorist Plots' everywhere they look,
including international postal mail from trusted, friendly nations like Japan and Europe! As we understand it, the
problem developed several months ago when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified a possible
"terrorist threat". Most international mail arrives in America by riding down in the cargo hold of passenger airlines.
Apparently, commercial cargo (including mail) isn't inspected the same as passengers and their personal baggage. The
theory is, that a mail-bomb could be shipped aboard a passenger plane, without being caught by a proper inspection.
The TSA (airport security) was given authority to refuse any commercial cargo (including mail) which they felt posed a
potential threat to passengers. Rather than inspecting the mail for bombs, the TSA simply chose to "Deny Entry" to
all mail over 16 ounces, clearly over-stepping their authority with this "throw-back to 1920's isolationist policy".
The TSA began refusing all international mail which weighed over '16 ounces' without cause, suspicion, or inspection.
Japan Post has stated that "Many Thousands" of packages, which were mailed from Japan to the USA, have been
REFUSED and "Returned to Sender" by the TSA and USPS, without any attempts to inspect or deliver the packages.
In response to this flood of "Returned Mail", the Japan Post has temporarily stopped accepting mail to the USA which
weighs more than 453g (16 ounces). I understand several European countries have also restricted mail to the USA.
In effect, there is a world-wide 453-gram limit on U.S.-bound mail.
This has affected some of Passing-Fancy's mail as well. Several recent orders from the USA have been REFUSED by
the TSA on behalf of the USPS, and the USPS Returned the packages to us without any delivery or explanation.
More information will be posted as we get it!
U.S. Bureaucratic Snafu blocks mail from Japan (and most other countries) !
Passing-Fancy regrets to inform our valued customers, that we are temporarily experiencing problems shipping orders
to the USA. The Japan Post is not currently shipping packages to the USA if they weigh over 453g (16 ounces/1pound).
This is a result of changes in TSA policy at USA airports. The USA is restricting mail from Japan (and other countries)!
The TSA and Homeland Security have lost their collective minds, and now see 'Terrorist Plots' everywhere they look,
including international postal mail from trusted, friendly nations like Japan and Europe! As we understand it, the
problem developed several months ago when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified a possible
"terrorist threat". Most international mail arrives in America by riding down in the cargo hold of passenger airlines.
Apparently, commercial cargo (including mail) isn't inspected the same as passengers and their personal baggage. The
theory is, that a mail-bomb could be shipped aboard a passenger plane, without being caught by a proper inspection.
The TSA (airport security) was given authority to refuse any commercial cargo (including mail) which they felt posed a
potential threat to passengers. Rather than inspecting the mail for bombs, the TSA simply chose to "Deny Entry" to
all mail over 16 ounces, clearly over-stepping their authority with this "throw-back to 1920's isolationist policy".
The TSA began refusing all international mail which weighed over '16 ounces' without cause, suspicion, or inspection.
Japan Post has stated that "Many Thousands" of packages, which were mailed from Japan to the USA, have been
REFUSED and "Returned to Sender" by the TSA and USPS, without any attempts to inspect or deliver the packages.
In response to this flood of "Returned Mail", the Japan Post has temporarily stopped accepting mail to the USA which
weighs more than 453g (16 ounces). I understand several European countries have also restricted mail to the USA.
In effect, there is a world-wide 453-gram limit on U.S.-bound mail.
This has affected some of Passing-Fancy's mail as well. Several recent orders from the USA have been REFUSED by
the TSA on behalf of the USPS, and the USPS Returned the packages to us without any delivery or explanation.
More information will be posted as we get it!
| U.S. Post Office is blocking International Mail |
Update 20 November 2010:
Passing-Fancy.com will continue to serve our customers World-Wide !
Passing-Fancy will continue to ship our orders world-wide! However, if you are in the USA, and your order will exceed
one (1) pound in weight, then we will promptly refund your money with our apologies for the inconvenience.
We see this as a temporary problem, and hope mail deliveries to the USA can return to normal quickly!
As soon as the TSA and Homeland Security work through their fears and arrive at a solution, Japan Post will resume
shipping packages to the USA. This only affects USA orders larger than 1 pound! We can break orders into multiple
smaller packages if you are willing to pay the extra postage. We have even shipped shoes with one shoe per package to
stay under the 16 ounce limit! Books can also be shipped one per envelope as well. This is just a temporary break
down in US Homeland Security policy and should be resolved soon. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
We have posted a few links for more information and news on this topic:
More information will be posted as we get it!
Passing-Fancy.com will continue to serve our customers World-Wide !
Passing-Fancy will continue to ship our orders world-wide! However, if you are in the USA, and your order will exceed
one (1) pound in weight, then we will promptly refund your money with our apologies for the inconvenience.
We see this as a temporary problem, and hope mail deliveries to the USA can return to normal quickly!
As soon as the TSA and Homeland Security work through their fears and arrive at a solution, Japan Post will resume
shipping packages to the USA. This only affects USA orders larger than 1 pound! We can break orders into multiple
smaller packages if you are willing to pay the extra postage. We have even shipped shoes with one shoe per package to
stay under the 16 ounce limit! Books can also be shipped one per envelope as well. This is just a temporary break
down in US Homeland Security policy and should be resolved soon. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
We have posted a few links for more information and news on this topic:
- JapanTimes Reports on US Mail Limits.
- eBay forums discuss U.S. Mail blocks.
- Security Ripples To Japan (www.TheAtlantic.com)
- Mojirox News Blogs about the new mail blocks
More information will be posted as we get it!
Update 17 November 2010:
Translation of the following Japan-Post Press Release:
Starting November 17th, until further notice, air shipments to the United States and Unites States territories are
limited to 16 ounces (453 grams), due to strengthened anti-terrorism measures that make delivering heavier packages
to the U.S. impossible.
Air shipments include:
-Air mail
-Air mail small packet
-SAL
-SAL small packet
-EMS express mail
More information will be posted as we get it!
Translation of the following Japan-Post Press Release:
Starting November 17th, until further notice, air shipments to the United States and Unites States territories are
limited to 16 ounces (453 grams), due to strengthened anti-terrorism measures that make delivering heavier packages
to the U.S. impossible.
Air shipments include:
-Air mail
-Air mail small packet
-SAL
-SAL small packet
-EMS express mail
More information will be posted as we get it!
Update 8 Dec 2010
Mail from Japan to the USA has finally resumed!
Over 40% of international business is done through various mail and package delivery systems, with the Japan-USA
exchange accounting for over 14% of all international trade! Japan was extremely anxious to get the mail moving
again. Mail from Japan to the USA may take a few days longer than normal, but is finally moving again!
After heated discussions with the US Department of Homeland Security, the Government of Japan has finally agreed
to charter special cargo planes to deliver mail to the U.S.A. and by-pass the new TSA airport problems entirely. The
extra cost of this new air service has been passed on to the Japanese business community, and the Japanese
Tax-payers, in the form of new fees and taxes. Other countries in Europe are likely to follow suit in the near future.
A few countries like New Zealand and Australia have clung to current International Mail standards, and refuse to pass
any additional unnecessary costs to their own tax-payers,.. so mail from down-under may still be delayed or refused by
the US Postal service, or U.S. TSA inspectors. At least for now, Fear of possible terrorism has caused the U.S.
inspectors to remain in defiance of international law.
More information will be posted as we get it!
Mail from Japan to the USA has finally resumed!
Over 40% of international business is done through various mail and package delivery systems, with the Japan-USA
exchange accounting for over 14% of all international trade! Japan was extremely anxious to get the mail moving
again. Mail from Japan to the USA may take a few days longer than normal, but is finally moving again!
After heated discussions with the US Department of Homeland Security, the Government of Japan has finally agreed
to charter special cargo planes to deliver mail to the U.S.A. and by-pass the new TSA airport problems entirely. The
extra cost of this new air service has been passed on to the Japanese business community, and the Japanese
Tax-payers, in the form of new fees and taxes. Other countries in Europe are likely to follow suit in the near future.
A few countries like New Zealand and Australia have clung to current International Mail standards, and refuse to pass
any additional unnecessary costs to their own tax-payers,.. so mail from down-under may still be delayed or refused by
the US Postal service, or U.S. TSA inspectors. At least for now, Fear of possible terrorism has caused the U.S.
inspectors to remain in defiance of international law.
More information will be posted as we get it!
Update 28 Dec 2010
Mail from Japan to the USA has resumed, however a few delays remain!
Mail is now flowing smoothly from Japan to the USA, however, after entering the USA, there are still delays within the
USPS mail stream. These delays are caused by extra security, scanning, and checks, including entry into a new address
TO-FROM database being built by the US Government.
Other Country delays are now posted at the Japan Post Website here:
More information will be posted as we get it!
Mail from Japan to the USA has resumed, however a few delays remain!
Mail is now flowing smoothly from Japan to the USA, however, after entering the USA, there are still delays within the
USPS mail stream. These delays are caused by extra security, scanning, and checks, including entry into a new address
TO-FROM database being built by the US Government.
Other Country delays are now posted at the Japan Post Website here:
More information will be posted as we get it!
Update 12 Jan 2011
Most mail from Japan to the USA is smooth, however a few areas have snags!
Mail is now flowing smoothly from Japan to the USA, however, a few areas still have unusual delays, in particular the
mid-west. International mail that flows through the Chicago hub has still had some recent localized delays. These
delays probably have nothing to do with the recent TSA troubles, and may be more directly related to weather and
recent postal union disputes. There are reports of postal workers simply not delivering mail to certain neighborhoods,
and even postal workers caught hoarding mail in their own garage until weather improves. Bizarre!
More information will be posted as we get it!
Most mail from Japan to the USA is smooth, however a few areas have snags!
Mail is now flowing smoothly from Japan to the USA, however, a few areas still have unusual delays, in particular the
mid-west. International mail that flows through the Chicago hub has still had some recent localized delays. These
delays probably have nothing to do with the recent TSA troubles, and may be more directly related to weather and
recent postal union disputes. There are reports of postal workers simply not delivering mail to certain neighborhoods,
and even postal workers caught hoarding mail in their own garage until weather improves. Bizarre!
More information will be posted as we get it!
Update 13 Mar 2011
Most mail from Japan to the USA is smooth, however a few delays are still occurring!
We are still getting very occasional returned orders from the USA. Also there are still occasional delays and
unnecessary inspections at US Air Ports. Some items have sat in customs for a week or more. I have no idea why the
TSA or Homeland Security would be afraid of a pair of Loose Socks, Uwabaki Shoes, or Manga comics, but apparently
they are sometimes (smile). If your order is delayed, please let us know, and we will help solve it right away!
More information will be posted as we get it!
Most mail from Japan to the USA is smooth, however a few delays are still occurring!
We are still getting very occasional returned orders from the USA. Also there are still occasional delays and
unnecessary inspections at US Air Ports. Some items have sat in customs for a week or more. I have no idea why the
TSA or Homeland Security would be afraid of a pair of Loose Socks, Uwabaki Shoes, or Manga comics, but apparently
they are sometimes (smile). If your order is delayed, please let us know, and we will help solve it right away!
More information will be posted as we get it!