Lost Wallet in Japan? When You Can and Can’t Ship It Overseas
You finally receive the message you’ve been waiting for:
“We found your wallet.”
It’s a huge relief — until you hear:
“But we can’t ship it overseas.”
You’re not alone.
Thousands of travelers face the same problem after leaving Japan.
The good news?
In many cases, your wallet can still be shipped — or safely retrieved by our local team.
Here’s how it works.
Step 1: What’s Inside Your Wallet Matters
If your wallet contained cash, credit cards, or ID cards
the shipping rules differ — but here’s the good news:
in many cases, both can still be shipped, depending on the destination country.
| Contents | Shippable? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | △ Conditionally allowed (Registered / Insured Mail only) | Up to ¥2,000,000 can be sent. Availability depends on the destination country’s postal rules. |
| Cards (credit, bank, or ID) | △ Conditionally allowed | Acceptance varies by country and local post office judgment. |
In short, your wallet isn’t automatically “unshippable.”
However, whether it can actually be mailed depends entirely on the destination country and postal regulations.
Step 2: Check Before You Try to Ship
“Can my country receive it?” “Which method is safest?”
These are common questions — and the answers depend on local laws and postal agreements.
- Some countries prohibit receiving cash by mail entirely
- Others allow registered or insured mail within certain limits
- Rules for credit cards or IDs also vary
- Even within Japan, acceptance may differ between post offices
Whether your wallet (cash and cards) can be shipped depends on the destination country’s rules.We’ll confirm the latest postal restrictions and tell you whether shipping is possible, saving you time and effort.
Step 3: If Shipping Isn’t Possible, We’ll Retrieve Your Wallet and Keep It Safe
If international shipping isn’t accepted,
we can step in and act as your official representative in Japan —
retrieving your wallet locally and keeping it safe until you decide the next step.
What We Do for You
- 🏢 Contact airports, hotels, and other Lost & Found facilities in Japanese
- 🪪 Provide identification and collect your wallet on your behalf
- 📦 Store it securely (for several months) or deliver it within Japan
- 🗑️ Safely dispose of sensitive cards or IDs upon request
Even if it can’t be shipped internationally, there’s always a safe solution.We’ll make sure your wallet is recovered and securely handled in Japan.
Step 4: Summary — Your Wallet Might Be Shippable (Depending on the Country)
| Contents | Ship It Yourself | Our Service |
|---|---|---|
| Cash & Cards | △ Conditionally allowed (country-dependent) | ✅ We check the rules, retrieve, and handle safely |
Don’t assume it’s impossible — many countries allow conditional shipping.And even if it can’t be shipped, we’ll retrieve and safeguard your wallet until it’s safely back in your hands.
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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.