What To Do With A Misdelivered Mail in Japan? An Easy Guide
Getting mail to your address but not yours?
Getting mail from the previous tenant?
If that is happening to you, you're not the only one. The address on the envelope is the same as yours, but the name differs.
This guide is created so you know how to deal with misdelivered mail in Japan.
Misdelivered mail with Japan Post
Since Japan Post handles the majority of people’s mail, here are the step-by-step instructions on handling any misdelivered mail from them.
1) Do not throw the mail item away.
The sender will think the item was received and keep sending mail, bills, notices, catalogs, etc., to your residence.
2) Do not open the envelope.
Always check if your name and address are correct on the envelope before opening it.
If any, especially the name on the mail item, differs, do not open it.
3) Write on the [受取人不在] on the envelope.
One piece of tape or on the envelope itself, you can write [受取人不在].
Others have said that you can also write [配達ミス] or [誤配達 ] on the envelope, too.
It'll let the post office know that the person and the address do not match.
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4) Drop off the envelope at a Japanese Post Box.
Drop off your mail item with the written note to your nearest Japanese post box.
Note: Others have experienced a postal worker coming by your residence to confirm that mail was delivered to the wrong person. They will also write down the people living in your household for future reference.
However, others have not experienced that. So your experience will vary.
Bonus option: take the mail to your nearest post office.
Alternatively, you can bring the piece of mail to your nearest post office.
Tell the staff that this person does not live at the location by saying: この人はここに住んでないです (kono hito wa koko ni sunde-nai desu).
It'll allow the Japan Post staff to be proactive on the spot.
Misdelivered mail with other delivery services
Kuroneko and Sagawa are the other two delivery services in Japan. Most of the time, if not always, they have you sign for the delivery to ensure the intended person receives the package.
However, if you are ever in a situation where there is a misdelivery for any of these couriers, here's what you can do.
Kuroneko (Yamato Transport)
For Kuroneko, the sales driver will recollect whether the package has been opened or not.
You can refuse the delivery item by この人はここに住んでないです (kono hito wa koko ni sunde-nai desu) if the name of the person is wrong.
For any package you received but then noticed it was a misdelivery, you'll need to use the provided chat box (Japanese). Here are the general steps:
Click on 回収手続きに進む (proceed to the collection procedure)
Click on お荷物（ポスト投函含む）の回収 (collection of parcels)
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Select one of three options:
住所はあっているが違う人の荷物がある (the address is correct, but there is a package for a different person)
別の住所宛の荷物が手元にある (I have a package addressed to a different address)
お届け先を変更したい (I want to change the delivery address)
Input the shopping number.
Input the delivered address.
You'll need to input the date and time for the sales driver to come by to recollect the item, so be sure to input a convenient time for you.
Additionally, you can call your nearest Kuroneko office and state the misdelivery issue.
Sagawa
If a Sagawa delivery arrives with a different address or name, you can refuse that delivery.
If you accidentally accepted a Sagawa delivery resulting in a misdelivered package, the easiest option for any misdelivered items for Sagawa is to fill out their contact form in Japanese and state the following:
An item you received was a misdelivery
The item's shipping number
The address for the item to be recollected
You may also want to state a recollection date and time. However, that depends on Sagawa's staff's availability.
You can also call the closest Sagawa office to schedule a time for someone to collect the item immediately.
In closing
Misdelivered mail items in Japan are rare, but they do happen, especially when the previous tenant of your residence doesn't submit a tenkyo todoke to Japan Post or forgets to update their shipping and billing information for different services.
Prevention is key, so it's best to check the address and the name on the package properly before signing off.
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