Missing items from a box shipped via sea

[J44xm]

When I left Japan to return to America, I shipped out two boxes via sea mail (due to lack of funds for something better). The first box arrived about two and a half weeks ago and had apparently ripped open along one side of it at some point (the hole was taped up) and had some items missing, maybe about third of them (some of the books and CDs, at the least). My second box arrived today with no apparent issues.

I'm pretty sure that I already know the answer to this, but just to be thorough: does anyone know of a way to try to recover the missing items? There's nothing really valuable, but it's all useful or sentimental, so if there's some lost-and-found office or some kind of way to at least check on the minuscule chance, it'd be nice to know. Thanks much.

 

[Ashikaga]

Did you insure your parcels? If you did, I am sure you can get compensated for the missing items.

 

[J44xm]

Did you insure your parcels? If you did, I am sure you can get compensated for the missing items.

I did not, actually. This obviously greatly hurts my odds, I realize. I just declared their value.

 

[epigene]

Unfortunately, I think they are lost for good.

My past experience, as well as the experience of my children and their university classmates (foreign students who studied in the US), tells me that they get stolen somewhere during the shipping process. My son's friend who refused to listen to advice of his classmates and sent hundreds of CDs via surface to Japan lost them all, with the box and the CD cases intact, but a side of the box slit open and later patched up with tape. (Of course, the customs authorities conduct random check of parcels for illicit goods, etc., so boxes are opened that way anyway.)

Whenever I mail or ship things that are irreplaceable, I use EMS no matter how expensive it will be.

 

[FrustratedDave]

Someone is reading and listening to some good books and CD's right now. Sorry for the loss, I hate it when things like this happen.

Whenever I mail or ship things that are irreplaceable, I use EMS no matter how expensive it will be.

EMS, can be cheaper on bigger items like parcels you are talking about. Go figure???

 

[J44xm]

Thank you for the replies. The burned discs were fortunately not important. The loss of the books is disappointing, naturally, but I'll just count myself fortunate that I didn't lose more.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

Hey!

If there's anything I can help you replace, you know where to find me!

Your stuff probably got lost because you're from the valley, and you have different customs there. Peace and tranquility, brother. (Inside joke)

 

[J44xm]

Thanks for the offer. And peace and tranquility to you as well, brother. ;-)