Japan Post tracking

Enter your Japan Post tracking number on Ship24 to check the latest available status for your parcel. You can track Japan Post EMS, international parcels, registered mail, Yu-Pack, Letter Pack, and cross-border parcels handled by postal partners after handover. Ship24 also lets you follow several parcels in one place, including shipments that move between Japan Post and local postal operators such as USPS, Royal Mail, Taiwan Post, and more.

What is Japan Post?

Japan Post, also known as 日本郵便, is Japan’s national postal operator. It handles domestic mail, parcels, registered mail, Yu-Pack, Letter Pack, EMS, and international postal services for documents and goods sent from Japan.

For international shipping, Japan Post usually works with the postal operator in the destination country. This means a parcel may be accepted by Japan Post in Japan, exported through an international exchange office, checked by customs, then delivered by the local postal carrier in the destination country.

How do I track a Japan Post package?

You can track a Japan Post package through Ship24, the official Japan Post Track & Trace page, the destination country’s postal website, or by using the item number shown on a delivery notice or receipt.

Track your Japan Post package on Ship24

1. Enter your Japan Post tracking number in the search field at the top of this page.
2. Click the search button to start tracking.

Ship24 is useful for international Japan Post tracking because the same parcel may be scanned by more than one postal operator. If your parcel leaves Japan and is later handled by another carrier, Ship24 can help you check new updates from the next postal network when they become available.

Track your package on the Japan Post website

1. Open the official Japan Post Track & Trace page.
2. Enter your tracking number or item number.
3. Click on "Tracking".

Japan Post states that tracking is usually available for around 100 days from the posting date. Ordinary letters and postcards cannot be traced, so you need a tracked service such as EMS, International Parcel Post, registered mail, insured mail, Yu-Pack, or Letter Pack.

Track after handover to another postal operator

International tracking may pause after “Dispatch from outward office of exchange.” This usually means the parcel has left Japan or is waiting for processing in the destination country. New updates may appear only after customs or the local postal operator scans the item.

You can enter the same tracking number on Ship24 to check if another postal operator has received the parcel. For example, you can also check related couriers such as USPS tracking or China Post tracking.

Track using a delivery notice in Japan

If delivery was attempted in Japan, Japan Post may leave a delivery notice. The notice can show the item number, redelivery instructions, and pickup deadline. Use the item number to check the status or request redelivery through Japan Post.

Japan Post tracking number format

Most international Japan Post tracking numbers follow the 13-character postal format: two letters, nine digits, and two final letters. For parcels posted through Japan Post, the number often ends in “JP.”

Example	Format	What it usually means
EN204531013JP	2 letters + 9 digits + JP	Japan-origin EMS or express-style international postal item.
CN124882594JP	2 letters + 9 digits + JP	Japan-origin international parcel. The “CN” at the start is part of the service code, while “JP” shows the origin postal country.
LP199188602CN	2 letters + 9 digits + CN	China-origin postal item. It may involve China Post first, then another postal operator later.
LL200752615TW	2 letters + 9 digits + TW	Taiwan-origin postal item. It may appear in Japan Post tracking if handled in Japan.

The final two letters are important. They usually show the postal country where the tracking number was issued, not always the country where the parcel is currently located. For example, a number ending in “JP” was issued through Japan Post, while numbers ending in “CN” or “TW” were issued through postal operators in China or Taiwan.

Some barcode numbers are not tracking numbers. Japan Post notes that barcode numbers starting with “U,” such as numbers attached to ordinary small packets or customs declaration forms, may not be traceable. For more details, see our full guide to Japan Post tracking numbers.

Which Japan Post services include tracking?

Tracking depends on the service used by the sender. EMS, International Parcel Post, registered mail for eligible countries, insured mail, Yu-Pack, and Letter Pack usually include tracking. Ordinary letters and postcards do not include tracking.

Japan Post also states that the handling of small packets as registered mail was discontinued from December 31, 2025. If you are sending a small item internationally and need tracking, check the available tracked service before posting.

Common Japan Post tracking statuses

Japan Post tracking statuses show the main points in the delivery process. Some wording may vary by destination country, customs authority, or final-mile postal operator.

Status	What it means
Posting/Collection	Japan Post accepted the parcel or mail item and recorded it in the postal system.
Arrival at outward office of exchange	The parcel arrived at an international exchange office in Japan before export processing.
Dispatch from outward office of exchange	The parcel has left, or is being prepared to leave, Japan for the destination country.
Arrival at inward office of exchange	The parcel reached the destination country’s international mail facility.
Item presented to import Customs	The parcel has been sent to customs for import review.
In Customs	Customs is checking the item, declared value, documents, duties, or import restrictions.
Item returned from import Customs	Customs has released the item back to the postal operator. This does not mean the parcel is returned to the sender.
Departure from inward office of exchange	The parcel left the international import facility and is moving to the local delivery network.
Item into sorting centre	The parcel arrived at a sorting facility before being routed to the delivery area.
Processing at delivery Post Office	The parcel is at the local delivery post office before final delivery.
Item out for physical delivery	The parcel is with the delivery staff and should be delivered soon.
Final delivery	The parcel was delivered to the recipient or released according to the local delivery process.
Returned to Sender	The parcel is being sent back, or has already been sent back, to the sender.

Typical Japan Post tracking status progression

1. Posting/Collection
2. Arrival at outward office of exchange
3. Dispatch from outward office of exchange
4. Arrival at inward office of exchange
5. Item presented to import Customs
6. Item returned from import Customs
7. Departure from inward office of exchange
8. Processing at delivery Post Office
9. Item out for physical delivery
10. Final delivery

Not every parcel follows the exact same order. International shipments may include extra sorting, customs, retention, failed delivery, or return events.

Why is my Japan Post tracking not updating?

Japan Post tracking can stop updating for several reasons. This does not always mean the parcel is lost.

• The first scan has not appeared yet: A newly posted item may need time before tracking results appear.
• The parcel is between countries: After export from Japan, the next update may only appear when the destination country scans the item.
• The parcel is in customs: Import checks can delay new events, especially if duties, documents, or product details need review.
• The route is affected: Japan Post says international mail can be delayed by reduced transport capacity or route disruptions.
• The item is not traceable: Ordinary letters, postcards, and some ordinary small packets do not include tracking.
• The number is not a tracking number: Some barcode or customs numbers cannot be used for tracking.

If there is still no result, check the number again, try Ship24 and the official Japan Post tracker, then contact the sender. For more troubleshooting steps, see our help article on parcel tracking results that cannot be found.

Japan Post tracking updates and delays in 2026

Several Japan Post updates can affect international tracking in 2026. These updates mainly relate to customs data, service availability, and destination-country rules.

United States mail acceptance and customs requirements

Japan Post resumed acceptance of all postal items to the United States from April 14, 2026. Some U.S.-bound items require duty prepayment through a CBP-approved Qualified Party recommended by Japan Post, and some items must be posted at designated offices.

If duty or customs information is incomplete, a parcel may be delayed before normal international processing continues. Senders should check the latest Japan Post conditions before posting goods to the United States.

Electronic Advance Data for international shipments

Japan Post requires Electronic Advance Data, also called EAD, for many international mail items that contain goods. Since March 1, 2024, handwritten labels for those items are not accepted because they do not transmit the required customs data.

Senders should create labels through Japan Post’s International Mail My Page Service. Missing or inaccurate customs data can lead to customs delays, return to sender, or other delivery issues in the destination country.

Destination-specific delays

Japan Post service availability can vary by country. Transport capacity, airline cargo volume, public holidays, weather, customs workload, and local postal operations can all affect tracking updates. If your parcel is delayed, check the latest Japan Post service notices and the destination country’s postal updates.

Japan Post delivery times

Delivery time depends on the service, destination country, customs processing, and final-mile postal network. Japan Post lists EMS as the fastest international option, with many international deliveries taking around 2 to 4 days. Airmail can take around 3 to 6 days, Economy Air (SAL) around 6 to 13 days where available, and Surface Mail around 1 to 3 months.

These are general estimates, not fixed guarantees. Surface Mail can stay unchanged for several weeks while traveling by sea or land. Customs checks and destination-country delays can also extend the delivery time.

Japan Post tracking issues and what to do

No tracking result found

Check that the tracking number is complete and entered without spaces. International postal numbers usually have 13 characters. If the parcel was posted recently, wait for the first scan and try again later.

Tracking stuck on “Dispatch from outward office of exchange”

This usually means the parcel has left Japan or is waiting for international transport. The next update may appear only after the destination country receives and scans the parcel.

Tracking stuck in customs

Customs processing can take longer if the item needs inspection, duties need to be paid, or customs data is incomplete. The recipient may need to check for a message from the destination postal operator or customs authority.

Status says “Final delivery,” but the parcel was not received

Check with household members, building reception, a mailroom, or a pickup point. If the parcel is still missing, contact the final-mile postal operator with your tracking number and the delivery date shown in tracking.

Status says “Returned to Sender”

A parcel may be returned because of an address issue, customs problem, missed pickup deadline, restricted item, or destination-country disruption. Contact the sender or postal operator with the tracking number and receipt details.

Contacting Japan Post about a shipment

If your Japan Post parcel is delayed, missing, returned, or showing an unclear status, prepare these details before asking for help:

• Your tracking number or item number.
• The posting date and post office location, if available.
• The sender and recipient names.
• The destination country and postal code.
• A copy of the receipt, delivery notice, or order confirmation.
• A short description of the tracking issue.

If the parcel is still in Japan, contact Japan Post or visit the post office where the item was posted. If the parcel has arrived in the destination country, the local postal operator may have more detail about customs, pickup, or final delivery.

Why use Ship24 for Japan Post tracking?

Japan Post tracking is helpful, but international parcels often move through more than one postal network. Ship24 helps you check Japan Post updates and possible final-mile carrier updates from one search field.

• Multi-courier tracking: Track Japan Post parcels after postal handover when data is available.
• Several parcels in one place: Enter multiple tracking numbers and follow them together.
• No account needed: Check your parcel status without signing in.
• Useful for cross-border orders: Follow parcels sent from Japan or delivered through Japan Post after international handover.

Ship24 Tracking API for Japan Post

For businesses, marketplaces, and eCommerce platforms, the Ship24 Japan Post Tracking API provides shipment tracking data for Japan Post and many other couriers through one integration.

The API helps teams follow international parcels, detect courier handovers, receive updates through webhooks, and reduce “Where is my order?” requests. You can also learn more about broader Tracking API solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are common questions about Japan Post tracking.

Can I track ordinary Japan Post letters or postcards?

No. Japan Post states that ordinary letters and postcards cannot be traced. If tracking is required, the sender should use a tracked service such as EMS, International Parcel Post, eligible registered mail, Yu-Pack, or Letter Pack.

How long does Japan Post tracking stay available?

Japan Post tracking is usually available for around 100 days from the posting date. If the item was posted more than 100 days ago, the tracking record may no longer appear in Japan Post tracking.

What does “Item returned from import Customs” mean?

This usually means customs has finished checking the parcel and returned it to the postal operator for the next delivery step. It does not mean the parcel is being returned to the sender.

What does “Returned to Sender” mean?

This means the parcel is being sent back, or has already been sent back, to the sender. Common reasons include address problems, failed delivery, customs refusal, restricted items, or a missed pickup deadline.

Does Japan Post tracking continue after the package leaves Japan?

In many cases, yes. Tracking may continue when the destination postal operator receives and scans the parcel. The number and detail of updates depend on the destination country and the local postal service.