Japan Post (日本郵便 / Japan Post Co., Ltd.), founded in 1871 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's most admired national postal and logistics networks. Operating through its flagship international air express service—Japan Post EMS (Express Mail Service)—Japan Post provides ultra-fast, high-precision air delivery to over 120 countries worldwide, renowned for exceptional Japanese handling standards, rapid Tokyo/Osaka international airport clearance, and end-to-end global tracking.
How to Track Your Japan Post EMS Shipment Online
Tracking your Japan Post EMS package is fast, transparent, and accessible 24/7. Follow these simple steps to monitor your shipment from dispatch to delivery:
- Locate Your 13-Character EMS Tracking Number: Find your 13-character tracking number (starts with letter E and ends with JP, e.g., EN123456789JP) on your official Japan Post EMS dispatch receipt or merchant confirmation.
- Enter Code in Search Box: Type your 13-character EMS tracking code into the search box above without spaces or hyphens.
- Click Track: Submit the query to query Japan Post’s real-time international postal telemetry network.
- Review Global Milestones: Track post office acceptance in Japan, Tokyo/Osaka international exchange center processing, flight departure, destination customs clearance, and delivery.
Japan Post EMS Tracking Number Format & Where to Find It
Japan Post EMS tracking numbers follow the Universal Postal Union (UPU) standard format: **2 letters starting with E, followed by 9 digits, and ending with JP** (for example: EN123456789JP or EJ987654321JP).
- Printed under the barcode on your physical Japan Post EMS receipt (EMS伝票).
- In your order dispatch email sent by Japanese online merchants (e.g. Amazon Japan, Rakuten, Buyee, AmiAmi).
- On your international customs declaration (CN22 / CN23) form.
Understanding Japan Post EMS Shipment Statuses
As your consignment moves through sorting facilities and linehaul transit, its status is scanned into the central network. Here is what each milestone checkpoint indicates:
| Status Milestone | Detailed Explanation | Next Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Posting / Collection (引受) | Item physically accepted, weighed, and scanned at local Japan Post office branch. | Staged for dispatch to regional international postal exchange. |
| Arrival at Inward Office of Exchange (国際交換局に到着) | Item received at Tokyo International (Tokyo Int) or Osaka International postal exchange center. | Undergoing export security X-ray screening and customs inspection. |
| Departure from Outward Office of Exchange (国際交換局から発送) | Item cleared Japan export customs; consolidated into airmail bag and tendered to airline. | Awaiting scheduled international air cargo flight departure. |
| In Flight Transit (航空機に搭載) | Airmail consignment in transit aboard international commercial flight toward destination country. | International air transit underway. |
| Arrival at Inward Office of Exchange (Destination) | Flight landed; item checked into destination national postal exchange gateway (e.g. JFK, LHR, SYD). | Transferred to destination customs authority for import inspection. |
| Item Held by Customs (通関手続中) | Item undergoing destination national customs inspection, agricultural review, or duty assessment. | Broker/recipient must pay applicable VAT/customs duties if assessed. |
| Departure from Inward Office of Exchange | Item cleared customs and handed over to destination national post (e.g. USPS, Royal Mail, Australia Post). | Dispatched to local destination delivery post office. |
| Final Delivery / Delivered (お届け先にお届け済み) | Item successfully delivered to recipient with electronic signature or photo proof. | International EMS delivery completed. |
Japan Post EMS Shipping Services & Delivery Timelines
Japan Post EMS offers specialized delivery tiers engineered for domestic and commercial logistics needs:
- Japan Post EMS (Express Mail Service): Top-priority international air express delivering to major worldwide cities within 2 to 4 business days.
- Japan Post Airmail (Koku-bin): Standard international airmail parcel and small packet service delivering within 6 to 10 business days.
- Japan Post Surface / SAL (Funa-bin): Cost-effective sea freight and economy airmail shipping for heavy non-urgent merchandise.
- Cool EMS Temperature-Controlled: Refrigerated and frozen international EMS delivery preserving fresh Japanese foods and confectionery.
Troubleshooting Japan Post EMS Delivery Delays & Non-Delivery (NDR)
International EMS delays typically occur during destination national customs inspections (assessing import VAT, customs tariffs, or prohibited agricultural items), international flight schedule changes during typhoon seasons in East Asia, or holiday postal surges in destination countries. If your tracking shows "Item Held by Customs," contact your local national postal authority with your tracking number.
Official Japan Post EMS Customer Support Directory
For parcel tracking escalations, address modifications, or delivery claims, reach out to Japan Post EMS customer support:
- Helpline / Phone: +81 570 046 666 (Japan Post English Helpline) / +81 3 5460 1450
- Email Support: customer.service@japanpost.jp
- Official Website: https://www.post.japanpost.jp
- Headquarters: 3-2, Kasumigaseki 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8792, Japan
- Major Transit Hubs: Tokyo International Post Office (Koto-ku, Tokyo), Osaka International Post Office (Senshu, Osaka), Narita Airport Hub, Haneda Airport Hub
Frequently Asked Questions about Japan Post EMS Tracking
How do I track my Japan Post EMS package?
Enter your 13-character EMS tracking code (starts with letter E and ends with JP, e.g. EN123456789JP) into the tracking tool above to view live airport scans, flight transit, and destination customs clearance.
How fast is Japan Post EMS to the United States and Europe?
Japan Post EMS typically delivers to major metropolitan areas in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe within 3 to 5 business days from dispatch.
Who delivers Japan Post EMS packages in my country?
EMS items are delivered by destination national postal operators—such as the United States Postal Service (USPS) in the USA, Royal Mail in the UK, Canada Post in Canada, and Australia Post in Australia.
What should I do if my EMS package status says "Item Held by Customs"?
When packages arrive internationally, customs inspects them before releasing them to the local post. If duties are payable, your local postal operator will send a notification with payment instructions.