Japan Post Tracking: From Yu Pack Tracking To EMS And More

Japan Post tracking number offers a great insight into where your mail and other parcel items are in Japan.

Additionally, a special JP tracking number will be used for any international shipping. 

However, not all mail will have a Japan Post tracking number. 

Here is your Japan Post tracking guide on domestic and international shipping. 

What items can be tracked with Japan Post tracking number?

Most items sent through Japan Post can be tracked using their respective Japan Post tracking number. 

Japan Post can track these specific types of mail.

• Registered Mail

• Cash Registration Mail

• Simplified Registered Mail

• Acceptance-recorded Mail

• LETTER PACK

• LETAX

Here is a list of parcels that Japan Post can track:

• Yu-Pack

• Yu-Mail

• POST PACKET

• EXPACK

Here is a list of international mail items that can be tracked with Japan Post:

• EMS

• International Parcel

• Registered Mail

• Insured Mail

So the only items that Japan Post can not track are:

• Letters

• Postcards

• Printed Matters

• Small Packages

Where do I find my package tracking number?

There are several ways to find your package tracking number. However, it is important to write down the tracking number before sending the item or placing it in a Japanese post box.

JP Letter Pack tracking

Image via Japan Post

Both the JP Letter Pack Light and JP Letter Pack Plus have a small section that you pull off (labeled as はがして差し出し) to reveal the tracking number.

Have the JP Letter Pack Light and the JP Letter Pack Plus tracking number written down for you to track its postal progress later. 

JP Yu Pack tracking

A Japan Post parcel label. Image via Japan Post

When using Japan Post Yu-Pack, you will fill out the delivery label with a waybill. 

The JP Yu-Pack tracking number is at the top right corner of the bill. You will use that number to track your Yu-Pack item.

Once you have written down all the information, you will receive a sender's copy with the Yu-Pack tracking number for you to keep. 

JP EMS tracking

There are a couple of ways to find your EMS tracking number.

Your Japan Post EMS tracking number can be found on your International Mail My Page account.

Since you have to create an EMS label, you can find the exact EMS tracking number on your International Mail My Page account.

Once you log in, go to "Shipping History" and scroll down to see your EMS tracking number. 

Since you have to print an EMS label to send parcels abroad, that label and the sender's copy will have the EMS tracking number, also called the item number, for you to keep track of.

You will receive an EMS sender's copy to keep with the EMS tracking number at the bottom.

Where can I track my Japan Post package?

Japan Post can conveniently have an English Track and Track service to track any items that has a JP tracking number. 

Japan Post Track & Trace website

Click on “Item No. Search” and input your JP tracking number. When inputting multiple tracking numbers, it will show the latest status of each item.

What is Japan Post's delivery status report?

Japan Post tracking will list a status report of your mail or parcel from when it was accepted at the post office through the transit stages and the final delivery to the recipient. 

Each stage will be time-stamped so you can see where and when your item was. 

Of course, you will need to input a JP post-tracking number to track its progress.

What does each delivery status mean?

When you enter your JP tracking number, you'll receive something like this image below:

Example of Japan Post tracking international parcel status

Here, we explain what each delivery status means from Japan Post so you can understand where your parcel and package are. 

1. Item number

This number series is your tracking number to input into the Japan Post Track and Track service.

2. Class of goods

In my case, the class of goods is the shipping service, such as EMS. But you will also see SAL, registered or issued mail, Letter Pack, Yu-Pack, and others to reflect their respective mail delivery items.

3. Additional services

Any additional services that are part of your Japan Post delivery will be added here.

4. Posting/collection

At this stage, your item has been picked up or received by Japan Post. 

There are two ways to intercept this part.

1. The time and date, as well as the zip code, is the Japan Post office where you dropped off your item.

2. If you scheduled a Japan Post pick-up for delivery, the time, date, and zip code will be the nearest Japan Post office to receive your item.

Arriving at the posting and collection office should take less than 24 hours.

5. Arrival at outward office of exchange

Depending on the type of ship, such as EMS or air, your package will arrive at the corresponding location.

For my tracking case, it arrived at Shin-Fukuoka Japan Post. This larger Japan Post location handles international mail. 

Your item will arrive in 2-3 days, depending on the outward office location. In my case, it was delivered by the end of the day.

Of course, Japan Post delivers packages domestically and should reach its Japanese address within 1-3 days.

6. Dispatch from outward office of exchange

Your parcel is scheduled to depart from Japan and go to its destination country.

If there is no direct mode of transportation to the destination country, it might take several days, meaning your package might pass through different territories and countries before arriving. But this part will not be updated in your tracking status.

In my case, my package left Japan the morning after it arrived at the outward office. 

The next status will be updated when your item arrives at the destination. 

7. Arrival at inward office of exchange

Hurray! Your item has arrived at the destination country. 

The inward office will register your package.

In some cases, the inward office where your items will go through customs checks. 

At this point, you should receive an email status notification from the country's respective domestic shipping courier. In my case, it was USPS using the original JP tracking number.

8. Item presented to import customs

Once your package arrives in the destination country, it will go under customs checks. 

The custom checks may be in the same location as the inward office location. 

Additionally, different countries have different customs rules and strictness, meaning your parcel might be at the customs location for a few days.

9. Item returned from import customs

Your parcel or package has successfully gone through customs.

It's now going to the nearest post office for local delivery. 

10. Processing at delivery post office

The local post office has your package and is organizing the delivery of your item to its designated address. 

Sometimes, the package is given a new domestic tracking number. If not, your parcel will continue to use the original JP tracking number. Use that tracking number for the respective domestic delivery service. 

11. Item out for physical delivery

Your parcel is out for delivery at its destination address.

12. Final delivery

Your package has arrived! 🎉

Congratulations! You have successfully made an international delivery from Japan. 

Frequently asked questions

How to track my Japan Post package?

Japan Post package tracking is easy. Use their tracking services by copying and pasting the tracking number to see its status.

Who can track Japan Post packages?

Anyone can track a Japan Post package if they have the Japan Post tracking numbers to input into Japan Post's Track & Trace Service .

In closing

Now, you are the master of understanding Japan Post tracking services.

If you are worried about any of your mail items, you can see if Japan Post offers a registered version so that you can have a tracking number for them, especially for international delivery.

Check out the Japan Post website, Track & Trace Service, for more information.