Parcel Forwarding Japan: Easy Guide To Receive Your Package

Need to shop from Japanese online stores that do not offer international shipping?

A Japan parcel forwarding service solves this by giving you a real Japanese shipping address at a warehouse in Japan. You shop online using that address, the warehouse receives your packages, and then ships them to your home country with a tracking number.

You can often consolidate multiple packages from different Japanese stores into one shipment to save money on shipping costs.

This guide covers how parcel forwarding works in Japan, the top forwarding services available in 2026, shipping methods, fees, and what to know about shipping from Japan to the USA.

What is parcel forwarding?

In Japan, parcel forwarding is a service in which a company receives your parcel on your behalf and then sends it to your desired address.

There are many parcel and package forwarding services through which you will receive a Japanese address for Japanese online stores. Once the item arrives at the company's location, you can request to have it shipped to an address abroad.

Shipping costs will vary depending on the company's fees.

Top 4 parcel forwarding Japan services to use

While Japan Post offers a forwarding service (their 転居届, tenkyo todoke), it usually only handles mail forwarding domestically. For international parcel forwarding, the services below are the recommended options.

If you are shipping to the United States, note that Japan Post suspended most parcel services to the US in August 2025 due to changes in US customs regulations.

As of April 14, 2026, Japan Post resumed EMS and standard services to the US, though shipments now require customs duties to be paid in advance through a certified US customs process.

If you are shipping to the USA using a parcel forwarding Japan service, confirm with your chosen provider which shipping methods are currently available and whether private couriers such as DHL, FedEx, or UPS may be more reliable options for your shipment.

Japan parcel forwarding services at a glance (2026)

Which Japan parcel forwarding service is right for you?

👉 If you live in Japan and want ongoing mail and package handling with a virtual address, MailMate is the best service for residents and businesses.

👉 If you shop frequently at Japanese online stores and want to ship multiple items internationally on a regular basis, Tenso's wide range of shipping methods and consolidation service helps you save money across large shipments.

👉 If you are an occasional shopper who wants a free Japanese shipping address with no monthly fee or commitment, Forward2me is the most flexible option, particularly for fast shipping via DHL.

👉 If you are an expatriate, collector, or someone who needs to receive both letters and packages at a Japanese address over the long term, DankeBox's private mailbox with a unique address suits this use case well.

1. MailMate: your reliable partner for your Japanese mail and packages

If you are a MailMate customer, you know that MailMate offers parcel forwarding if it receives a parcel on your behalf for personal or business purposes.

MailMate is a virtual mail and address provider that will receive your Japanese surface mail and other items on your behalf.

Virtual dashboard with a Japanese shipping address

When you use MailMate's virtual address for Japanese online stores, they will receive your parcel. Then, they'll take a photo of the outside content and notify you of its arrival.

Then, you can view the item on your dashboard to see which item arrived without needing to be in Japan.

International shipping and forwarding

You can receive your item anywhere by picking the domestic or the international package forwarding service.

They will handle all the logistics of forwarding from the label to the shipping method so that it will arrive at your earliest convenience with tracking. 

Just tell MailMate where you want it shipped. You will receive a tracking number to check on your parcel's status.

MailMate is a great option for residents in Japan who want to keep receiving their mail and packages. For a monthly fee, they can cancel at any time.

2. Tenso: your gateway to Japanese online shops

Tenso is one of the most widely used parcel forwarding services in Japan, with over one million customers per year shipping Japanese items to around 234 countries and regions.

When you sign up, you receive a unique Japanese shipping address to use at Japanese online stores. Once packages arrive at Tenso's warehouse, you choose your preferred shipping method and they ship internationally to you. You receive a tracking number so you can monitor your shipment at every stage.

Shipping fees are based on the weight of the package and the destination country. Tenso offers multiple shipping methods including EMS, airmail, SAL, and surface mail, as well as fast shipping options via DHL, FedEx, and SF Express for customers who need their items quickly. You can use their shipping cost calculator to estimate costs before committing to a shipment.

Additional services include package consolidation, which lets you buy multiple items from different Japanese online stores and combine them into one shipment to save money on shipping costs.

Tenso also provides Styrofoam packaging for wine and liquor bottles. Free insurance is included for EMS shipments with a declared value up to 100,000 yen. Note that Tenso does not offer domestic shipping within Japan, so it is designed specifically for international forwarding.

3. Forward2me: seamless package forwarding from Japan

Forward2me is an international parcel forwarding service with warehouse addresses in Japan, the UK, Germany, the USA, and Turkey. When you sign up for a free account, you receive a genuine Japanese postal address (not a PO Box) that you can use at Japanese online stores. Once items arrive at their Japan warehouse, Forward2me ships them to your address internationally via DHL, giving you a tracking number for every shipment.

Forward2me offers free storage for up to 30 days, which means you can shop at multiple Japanese stores over time and then combine everything into one shipment to save money on international shipping costs. Their Combine and Repack service consolidates multiple packages into one parcel. Registration is free and there is no monthly fee, making it a flexible option for occasional shoppers. Forward2me ships to over 190 countries and customer support is available in English.

Note that Forward2me's Japan warehouse does not ship alcohol or products classified as dangerous goods, so check their prohibited items list before ordering.

4. DankeBox: mail and parcel forwarding  from Japan to you

DankeBox is a Japan-based forwarding service established in 2004, specializing in overseas shipping for residents, expatriates, and collectors of Japanese items. When you register, you receive a private Japanese address with your own unique user ID.

DankeBox notifies you by email whenever a parcel arrives, and your mail information appears in your account within 24 hours of arrival on business days.

DankeBox charges a monthly fee of 1,575 yen (approximately 14 USD), paid automatically via PayPal, which covers your address and mail storage. Shipping fees are calculated automatically when you make a shipping request, based on the weight of the package and your chosen shipping method. Once you request a shipment and complete payment, DankeBox ships your parcel within 24 hours on business days.

Additional services include a repacking service that removes outer boxes and cushioning to reduce the size and weight of your shipment, which can help you save money on international shipping costs. DankeBox also offers a proxy shopping service if you need help purchasing from Japanese online stores directly. Payment is accepted via PayPal only.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get something shipped from Japan to the USA?

To ship a package from Japan to the USA using a parcel forwarding service, sign up with a provider such as MailMate, Tenso, Forward2me, or DankeBox to get a Japanese shipping address. Order your items from Japanese online stores using that address. Once your items arrive at the forwarding company's warehouse, request international shipping to your US address. Your parcel will be sent via your chosen shipping method, such as EMS, DHL, or FedEx, and you will receive a tracking number to monitor delivery. Note that as of April 2026, Japan Post resumed EMS services to the USA after a temporary suspension, though customs duties now apply. For the most reliable fast shipping to the US, private couriers such as DHL and FedEx are a dependable alternative.

How does parcel forwarding work in Japan?

When you sign up with a Japan parcel forwarding service, you receive a unique Japanese shipping address linked to the company's warehouse. You use that address when shopping at Japanese online stores, just as a local customer would. When your packages arrive at the warehouse, the company notifies you and you request international shipping to your home address. You choose your preferred shipping method, pay the shipping fee, and receive a tracking number. Some services also let you consolidate multiple packages from different Japanese stores into one shipment before forwarding, which can significantly reduce your total shipping costs.

What is package consolidation and how does it save money?

Package consolidation is an additional service offered by most Japan forwarding services that combines multiple packages from different Japanese online stores into one shipment before shipping internationally. Instead of paying a separate shipping fee for each individual parcel, you pay one combined shipping fee based on the total weight of all your items. This can save money significantly when you buy multiple items from different Japanese stores at the same time. Forward2me, Tenso, and DankeBox all offer consolidation services, though the fees and process differ between providers.

Can I use a parcel forwarding service for Amazon Japan?

Yes. Most Japan parcel forwarding services work with Amazon Japan and other major Japanese online stores including Rakuten, Yahoo Shopping Japan, Mercari, and Uniqlo. You simply enter your Japanese forwarding address at checkout instead of a home address abroad. Some Japanese online stores restrict shipping to forwarding addresses, so check the store's policy if you encounter an issue. Forward2me specifically lists Amazon Japan as a supported retailer, and Tenso supports most major Japanese shopping sites.

Is there a free parcel forwarding service in Japan?

Several Japan parcel forwarding services offer free registration with no monthly fee. Forward2me has no monthly fee and offers free account registration, free 30-day storage, and free consolidation. Tenso also has no monthly fee and charges only the shipping fee plus a small handling fee per parcel. MailMate and DankeBox charge a monthly fee but include broader services such as mail handling, a private Japanese address, and long-term storage. Free registration services are a good starting point for occasional shoppers, while monthly fee services offer more value for regular users who need ongoing Japanese mail and package handling.

What shipping methods are available for parcel forwarding from Japan?

Japan parcel forwarding services typically offer a range of shipping methods to suit different needs and budgets. Common options include EMS (Express Mail Service) for fast, tracked international delivery via Japan Post, airmail and SAL (Surface Air Lifted) for more affordable but slower delivery, surface mail for the lowest-cost option on heavy or bulky shipments, and private couriers such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS for fast shipping with reliable tracking. Shipping costs vary depending on the weight of the package, the destination country, and the delivery time you need. Using a shipping cost calculator before ordering can help you choose the most cost-effective shipping method for your parcel.

In closing

Using a parcel forwarding Japan service greatly reduces the headache of receiving packages from Japanese sites, especially if they don't offer international shipping.

With services like these, you can shop from Japan and have your items delivered anywhere in the world.