CD Japan Shipping Prices/What Happened?!?

I was going to finally order the SHM-SACD set of "Let It Bleed" until I got to the shipping portion of the order. They've deleted their cheaper shipping methods and only allow Airmail at almost $25 for the lowest priced option. Wow!

When this this take place? At the beginning of the pandemic?

I'll pass for now.

 

More recently than that. I put in an order late 2020 and had options. Bummer, probably my last order with them then.

-s1m0n-

 

It's available from Import Cd's for $22.07. Shipping is $2.99.

 

The Rolling Stones Let it Bleed (50th Anniversary Edition) (Japanese SACD in 7 Packaging) [Import] Deluxe Edition, Special Packaging, Japan - Import on ImportCDs
This is one I'm looking for. But the shipping is still $2.99. Thanks.

 

I don’t believe it was their decision to delete the cheaper shipping options...it’s that Japan Post and EMS deleted them due to Covid delays.

 

I'm hoping that things change back in the future because I won't be paying those shipping prices.

 

Me either.

 

25 is rip city.

 

International shipping rates have been getting ridiculous everywhere. I do very little ordering internationally any more. In the specific case of Japan, I've heard that their cheapest international rates were suspended because of the pandemic. So those rates may eventually come back. I don't know whether or not that's true, though.

 

There are hardly any planes in the air worldwide, it is bound to affect "shipping" costs.

 

I just received this email from CD Japan:

Japan Post announced to resume shipping with EMS for the U.S.from June 1, 2021.

Due to rising transportation costs, Japan Post will introduce additional fees for EMS addressed to the U.S. effective of June 1. These additional shipping fees will take effect with CDJapan's shipping fees as well.

Note that a large increase in EMS items are expected immediately upon resuming its service and delivery may be subject to delays for the time being.

Following this update, these additional EMS fees will also apply to packages addressed to Zone 2.

[Zone 2]
North America
Oceania
Europe
Central America
Middle East

See here for Japan Post's Announcement
News - Japan Post

We thank you for your support, and hope for your understanding with this matter.

CDJapan
https://www.cdjapan.co.jp

 

The shipping rates and new "fees" for EMS.
1st page for Oceania, North America, Central America, Middle East. 2nd page is for Europe.

https://www.post.japanpost.jp/notification/pressrelease/2021/00_honsha/0415_01_02.pdf

 

It would be nice if we could all be clear that there's no "rip off" here and that CD Japan, as noted in one comment above, did not choose to delete shipping methods. As noted above, EMS from Japan to the U.S. was eliminate - and it was eliminated early in the pandemic. It is possible, I suppose, that it was temporarily re-enabled in late 2020 when Japan was in a lull with their pandemic waves, but it's not surprise it might have been disabled again based on Japan's last pandemic wave.

At any rate, this is all beyond CD Japan's control.

Also, while the more expensive options are, well, more expensive, they're not bad if you are ordering 3 or more items from them, especially if they're tough to find outside of Japan (in which case CD Japan's core price for the item is likely to be a bit lower than, say, eBay sellers, partially offsetting the shipping cost). But yes, if you're just looking for one item, or you're seeking items that can be had from places like ImportCDs, then CD Japan is unlikely to be the most cost-effective source for U.S. buyers.

 

It's the same thing with smaller scale artists, labels, and sellers based in Japan. I had an order from an independent label in Japan earlier this year and they apologized about the costs but there was nothing they could do to control them. The info is very plainly stated on the Japan Post website. Agreed that it doesn't make sense for one CD but for 3 items the shipping cost really isn't that bad when you take into account everything that's going on. I should also mention that I received my package fairly quickly from Japan also, even with all the mail delays and everything.

 

When will they resume regular airmail shipping? Do we have to keep paying FedEx pricing indefinitely?