Lost Your Phone or Laptop in Japan? Why It Can’t Be Shipped and How to Get It Back
You get a message from your hotel or the airport:
“We found your lost item!”
Relief turns quickly into confusion when you hear:
“But we can’t ship it overseas.”
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
In Japan, airports, hotels, and even the police rarely ship lost items overseas due to strict rules and safety restrictions.
And unfortunately, arranging it on your own through EMS or FedEx is rarely possible.
This guide explains why shipping a lost item from Japan is so difficult — and how you can actually get your device back safely.
Step 1: Why Japan’s Airports and Hotels Won’t Ship Lost Items Overseas
🚫 It’s to Avoid Trouble — Not Because It’s Illegal
There’s no law in Japan that prohibits shipping lost property overseas.
However, facilities refuse to do it to prevent potential issues such as:
- Inability to verify the recipient’s identity
- Disputes if the package is lost or damaged
- Risk of sending restricted or hazardous items
To avoid these problems, most airports and hotels follow a simple policy:
“We cannot handle international shipping for lost items.”
Step 2: Why You Can’t Easily Ship It Yourself
Even if the staff says, “You can send it yourself,” most travelers soon discover that it’s much harder than it sounds — especially from outside Japan.
✉️ EMS (Japan Post)
Technically, EMS allows packages that contain built-in lithium batteries under 100 Wh.
But in reality, airports and hotels will not pack or send the item for you.
Even if it’s theoretically allowed, there’s still no one in Japan who can ship it on your behalf.
✈️ FedEx / DHL
Shipping via FedEx or DHL is possible,
but you’ll need to contact the manufacturer to obtain or confirm the following information:
- MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) — a document describing the battery’s safety characteristics.
- Battery details, including:
- The battery’s watt-hour rating (Wh)
- Whether it’s a single cell or a battery pack
- The weight of the battery itself
These details are required for air-transport safety checks used by carriers like FedEx and DHL.
However, this information is only available from the manufacturer or an authorized distributor,
so it’s very difficult for individual travelers to arrange on their own.
🚚 Yamato (Kuroneko) International Shipping
Yamato Transport strictly prohibits any devices containing lithium batteries
including smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
Step 3: The Reality — You Can’t Complete the Process from Abroad
In Japan, in-person verification is required when claiming or shipping a lost item.
Even with a letter of authorization, the pickup must still be completed by someone physically present in Japan — facilities cannot release items based on email or phone confirmation alone.
For travelers who have already left Japan, this becomes the biggest obstacle — you simply can’t complete the process from abroad.
That’s why having someone local in Japan makes all the difference — and that’s exactly where our retrieval service comes in.
Step 4: That’s Where We Come In
We act locally in Japan on your behalf — handling everything from pickup to delivery, so you can recover your device without stress or confusion.
✅ What We Do for You
- Communicate directly with airports and facilities in Japanese
- Receive your item in person (including ID and paperwork verification)
- Arrange shipping via EMS or FedEx
- Handle packing and shipment preparation
- Provide progress updates in English
- If shipping is impossible, store the item safely and suggest alternative solutions (e.g., domestic storage or hand delivery)
Step 5: Real Case Example
✈️ A Real Example: A Tablet Found at Narita Airport — Safely Shipped to South Korea
A traveler living in South Korea contacted us after leaving a tablet behind at Narita Airport.
The airport could not ship it overseas, and in-person pickup was not possible.
We contacted the airport directly, retrieved the tablet through official procedures,
and safely shipped it to South Korea via EMS (Japan Post).
The customer later told us:
“I had already given up, but I was amazed when it actually arrived safely. Thank you so much.”
Step 6: Shipping Restrictions in Reality — and the Only Practical Solution
| Shipping Method | Smartphone / Laptop | Practical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EMS (Japan Post) | Conditionally allowed (built-in battery ≤ 100 Wh) | Facilities won’t assist; self-shipping impractical |
| Yamato (Kuroneko) | Not allowed | Lithium-battery items completely prohibited |
| FedEx / DHL | Conditionally allowed (MSDS or battery info required) | Must contact manufacturer for details |
| Our Retrieval Service | ✅ Verification, pickup & shipping handled entirely | The only realistic solution |
Summary: Finding It Isn’t the End — Getting It Back Is the Real Challenge
| Issue | Doing It Yourself | Our Service |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas shipping | ✖️ Nearly impossible | ✅ We check conditions and ship safely |
| Japanese communication | ✖️ Difficult | ✅ We handle everything locally |
| On-site pickup | ✖️ Requires someone in Japan | ✅ We receive it directly |
| Packing & documents | ✖️ Complicated | ✅ We prepare and pack everything |
| If shipping is impossible | ✖️ No option | ✅ We store it safely and suggest alternatives |
“It was found but couldn’t be shipped.” —We hear that all the time. And every time, we make sure the item finds its way home.
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About the Author
Yusuke Baba — Founder, Japan Lost and Found Service
I myself have had the experience of losing my MacBook while on my honeymoon, so I deeply understand the anxiety that comes with it. This experience gave me a strong desire to help those who are truly in trouble and facing language and cultural barriers, which is why I started this service.
I hope this guide can help ease your worries and provide a clear path to getting your lost item back. If you are struggling with a lost item, please feel free to contact us.