Moving from Japan: how to ship possessions?

My wife just got immigration approval to come from Japan to the States, and we're faced with a logistical dilemma for which I'll bet there's great advice.

She doesn't have a lot of things to ship, but the minimum shipping charge she's finding for a small container (2 meters x 1 meter x 1 meter) to the States is about $1,500-$2,000. The alternative seems to be sea-mail through the post office. They're quoting her about $85 per box (up to 35 kilos), but they say they can't guarantee safe delivery - sometimes boxes or items get lost.

Anyone able to advise on this? Doesn't the post office have to say that just to cover themselves? Or is there a chance of loss - and long delay (just where would the boats go between Japan and Seattle, anyway?)? I'm open to any and all advice - as we want to make a smart but cost-effective decision.

Many thanks in advance!!!

I would guess that in rough weather, there is a chance a crate could come loose and fall into the great abyss.

Shipping can be expensive and if you find a cheap way then there is usually something that says it can't guarantee it to reach the destination.

Don't ship valuables

Hi,

When I moved from Japan to Europe (Austria), I sent my things via the post office (surface mail). Everything arrived intact and all in one piece. My friend did the same thing a year later and every thing also arrived intact. One thing though - the authorities opened the box and patched it back badly. So be sure to use a sturdy box.

If you are worried about things getting wet, pack them in those big plastic boxes with plastic lids and wrap them with brown paper. This was what I did. My things did not get wet but the box did crack a bit from the rough handling.

My other friend shipped her things by putting them in brown boxes but everything was ok and did not get get.

When my other friend moved out of Japan, she choose to ship her things with a shipping company who is supposingly reliable and so she paid alot of money to ship through them. However, everything arrived but her expensive box of kimonos (Only got minimal compensation from insurance agent, not even enough to buy one kimono).

So, I don't think it really matters whether you ship your things via the post office or a shipping company. I believe they will arrive intact except when your things get stolen.

All the best!

I used the post office sea mail. Luckily no search had been done. My things arrived shortly after about 2 months, in great condition. I've had worse happen to packages sent from one state to the next. I bought my boxes from the post office so the were sturdy, and I've reused them several times in past two years. I think it is o.k. to use the postal service. I only wish I had shipped my futon, I miss having it.