Japan Post Delays 2025 Christmas Holiday Shipping Issues, Slow Tracking Updates, and USPS Impact – NEWS

The holiday season is approaching, and many customers have already begun noticing Japan Post delays 2025, slower tracking updates, and longer delivery times—especially for Christmas and New Year shipments. These issues are also affecting USPS and other international carriers as global shipping volumes surge.
In this NEWS update, we explain why delays occur every year, what to expect from Japan Post during the Christmas and holiday period, and how to receive your package as quickly as possible.

If you are planning to order holiday gifts, collectibles, or limited-edition items, please read this guide carefully. Early preparation can help you avoid long delays and ensure your package arrives on time.

*If your order has been placed but not shipped yet, you can still upgrade the shipping method.
Please message us in chat for options and pricing based on your region.

Major Japan Post Delays in December–January: Holiday & Christmas Shipping Slowdowns in 2025

Every year, Japan Post experiences significant shipping delays from mid-December through late January, and 2025 will be no exception.
Because of Black Friday and holiday sales, major delays are expected to begin as early as November 28, 2025.

During the Christmas and New Year period—when Japan Post, USPS, and other international carriers handle unusually high volumes—delivery times can be much longer than usual. Many shipments take 2–4 weeks longer, depending on the destination country.

If you plan to purchase holiday gifts or collectibles in December or January, we strongly recommend placing your order as early as possible. Demand increases sharply during these months, and Japan Post holiday delays are unavoidable every year.

How to Avoid Delays: Faster Shipping Options and Tips for 2025

If you need your package to arrive faster or want to avoid Japan Post holiday delays, here are the most effective options:

1. Use an address closer to a major city

Some regions—especially rural areas—can take up to 1 month during the peak holiday period.
If possible, use an address closer to a large metropolitan area for faster delivery and smoother USPS or local-post processing.

2. Upgrade to EMS (Fastest Japan Post service)

We officially introduced an EMS upgrade option on November 20.
EMS typically delivers within about one week, although the exact speed varies by country.

If you want a faster service than standard airmail, please choose “EMS Express Option” at checkout. Tracking updates are also more reliable and update faster.

3. For countries outside the U.S., FedEx / DHL / UPS are available

For destinations other than the United States, you can upgrade to FedEx, DHL, or UPS for an additional fee.
Shipping costs vary widely depending on package size and weight, so feel free to contact us via chat for a personalized quote.

These couriers offer the fastest delivery, but please note:

Customs duties and processing fees may be slightly higher than Japan Post

Delivery speed is significantly faster, especially during holiday congestion

If you need guaranteed fast delivery, we recommend ordering as early as possible or selecting EMS.


4. Use a personal name and keep item quantity low.

Based on our experience, packages are delivered more smoothly when the recipient name is personal, not a company name. This is especially important for the US and EU, where customs can be strict. In some countries, shipments addressed to a business may take longer to clear.
If your order has not been shipped yet, we can still update the name—please feel free to contact us.

When the package contains many items, customs may treat it as commercial use, which can also delay delivery.
To avoid this, please consider splitting your order into multiple smaller orders. If you contact us, we can also ship your items in separate packages.
Feel free to reach out anytime.

Japan Post Tracking Updating Delays for “Tamagotchi” and “Pokémon” Orders

Recently, tracking numbers for Tamagotchi Paradise and Pokémon (Eevee Collection) shipments have been updating more slowly than usual.
This is because Japan Post staff must manually enter tracking information item by item, and demand for these products has increased dramatically.

As a result, Japan Post tracking updates may take 2–3 days before appearing online.
This is normal during peak seasons and does not mean your package has not been shipped.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this holiday rush.

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