![\"\"](\"https:\/\/hi-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/domestic-shipping-fee-2.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAmong delivery companies in Japan, Yamato Transport, Sagawa Express, and Japan Post are the big three, ordered by shipment volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Yamato Transport handling just over 40%, Sagawa Express just under 30%, and Japan Post slightly over 20%, approximately 95% of all parcel deliveries in Japan are handled by these three companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, when comparing rates for individual parcels, one of these three companies will almost certainly offer the lowest price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which of the Three Companies is the Cheapest?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When comparing prices among the three companies, Japan Post’s Yu-Pack will probably give you the lowest rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, to be honest, there is not a huge difference, so for small lots, there is no problem using any delivery company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, our company has contracts with all three companies, and we regularly receive shipping fee estimates, but the details are mostly the same across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding quality, while there are slight variations in strengths and weaknesses such as delivery speed and damage rates, the services are of almost the same quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Track Record and Relationships are the Keys to Lowering Shipping Fees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Under these circumstances, getting a discount on shipping fees is actually very simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While obtaining competitive quotes from these three companies is one way to get a slight discount, the most effective factor is nothing other than your track record of how many packages you ship per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, if someone ships only 10 packages a month, no matter how much they negotiate shipping rates, they will likely only be able to secure a discount of a few yen per package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a rough estimate, the relationship between volume and price (for all sizes, based on the national average) is as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- No Contract<\/div><\/dt>
- Around 800 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n\n\n\n
- Up to 10,000 packages annually<\/div><\/dt>
- Around 600 to 700 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n\n\n\n
- Up to 50,000 packages annually<\/div><\/dt>
- Around 500 to 600 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n\n\n\n
- Up to 100,000 packages annually<\/div><\/dt>
- Around 450 to 500 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n\n\n\n
- Up to 1,000,000 packages annually<\/div><\/dt>
- Around 400 to 450 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n\n\n\n
- Up to 5,000,000 packages annually<\/div><\/dt>
- Around 350 to 400 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Based on our experience, the threshold for a significant reduction in shipping fees is whether or not you exceed 50,000 packages per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For reference, the lowest rate per package our company received in past contracts was 325 yen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We have heard stories of companies that managed to secure a contract for 280 yen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, in recent years, it seems that almost no company provides an estimate below 350 yen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, a standard shipping fee of around 800 yen dropping to about 350 yen with a cheap company contract is considered the absolute limit for shipping rates!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a Fulfillment Company if You Want Lower Shipping Fees Even for a Single Package<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Exceeding an annual shipping volume of 50,000 packages is actually quite a high hurdle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, the method we recommend for reducing shipping fees is to use a fulfillment company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since fulfillment companies manage products from various businesses together, they hold shipping contracts based on volumes of over 50,000 packages in most cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result, you can ship your products using rates based on a 50,000-package volume, even for a single shipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you were to ship products yourself, you would incur an 800 yen shipping fee, plus the costs for creating shipping labels and delivery slips, cardboard boxes, cushioning materials, and labor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a fulfillment company, the logic is that it will be considerably cheaper than doing it yourself, as it only costs a heavily discounted shipping fee plus a handling fee of about 100 yen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, the fulfillment service provided by our company starts from 500 yen per shipment, including all expenses such as shipping fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In conclusion, if your volume is under 10,000 packages per year, it is highly likely that using a forwarding fulfillment company will be more cost-effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Palette Shipping and Chartered Shipping Options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/hi-japan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/domestic-shipping-fee-3.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you have a certain volume of goods, and your main focus is business-to-business rather than business-to-consumer, there are options different from individual parcel delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These methods include using a consolidated truck service where rates are based on pallets or weight rather than the number of packages, and chartering a single truck exclusively for your transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Palette Shipping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Palette shipping is handled by mid-sized transport companies rather than the three major companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although pricing is generally calculated per kilogram, there are also flat rates per pallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A single pallet costs around 8,000 yen, so if you are loading 20 or more small boxes onto a pallet, this method will likely offer better cost performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chartered Shipping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Chartered shipping is supported by a large number of small and medium-sized transport companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can choose the vehicle size according to the volume, such as an Akabou truck for up to 350 kg, or a 1-ton, 2-ton, or 4-ton truck. It is possible to charter a vehicle and driver starting from a few thousand yen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cost depends on the distance, but even for long distances, it usually stays under 100,000 yen, making it the most cost-effective shipping method!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Services Related to This Article<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- Around 350 to 400 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
- Around 400 to 450 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n\n\n\n
- Around 450 to 500 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n\n\n\n
- Around 500 to 600 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n\n\n\n
- Around 600 to 700 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n\n\n\n
- Around 800 yen<\/dd><\/dl>\n\n\n\n