You can ship most personal purchases and souvenirs. Prohibited items vary by destination country, and our system automatically checks customs rules and lets you know about restricted or prohibited items in advance. Even before you buy, you can enter what you're thinking of purchasing in the app to instantly check whether it can be shipped to your destination — so you can shop with peace of mind.

How does pricing work?

There is nothing to pay when you book — creating a shipment is free. Once your package arrives at our facility, we weigh and measure it, then email you the exact price: domestic shipping, international shipping, and the service fee. You pay once in the app, and your package ships. You can review the breakdown anytime in the app — you never overpay.

When exactly do I pay?

After your package is weighed at our facility. We email you the exact price with a full breakdown — domestic shipping, international shipping, and the service fee — and you pay once in the app. Your package ships immediately after payment.

Who can use ShipMate?

ShipMate is for anyone physically in Japan who wants to send purchases home — tourists, business travelers, and foreign residents. You hand your package in at a Japanese post office in person, so you'll need to be in Japan to send. Planning ahead from abroad? You can set everything up before your trip and ship once you arrive. ShipMate is intended for individuals aged 18 and over.

Will you check the contents of my package?

As a rule, we do not inspect the contents of your package. We respect your privacy and ship your package overseas based on the details you provided at the time of booking. However, we may need to check the contents when necessary — for example, if the outer packaging is damaged, if there is a clear discrepancy with your declaration, or if prohibited items are suspected. Thank you for your understanding.

Are there size or weight limits?

Maximum weight per package is 20 kg, and the total of all three dimensions (length + width + height) must not exceed 160 cm. Packages exceeding these limits cannot be accepted.

Do I need to pack the items myself?

Yes. You'll need to pack and seal your package before bringing it to a drop-off location. We do not provide packing services. For fragile items, we recommend using a sturdy box with sufficient padding. We may add reinforcement tape at our facility if needed.

Where can I buy shipping boxes?

Shipping boxes are available at post offices, Yamato Transport locations, Tokyu Hands, DCM, and other home improvement stores.

What if my package is lost or damaged?

Loss or damage during international shipping is handled through the carrier's compensation program (Japan Post and other partner carriers). If something happens, please contact ShipMate support first — we'll guide you through filing a claim with the carrier. If anything happens while your package is being held at our facility, we'll take care of it on our end.

Can I track my shipment?

Yes. You can track your shipment in real-time from the dashboard at go.shipmate.jp.

How long does delivery take?

We use Japan Post's EMS (Express Mail Service) for express delivery. Delivery times are estimates and may vary depending on the destination country and customs processing.

Will I have to pay customs duties or import taxes?

Depending on the destination country, customs duties or import taxes may apply when receiving your package. These costs are the recipient's responsibility and are not included in our pricing. The final price we quote covers shipping and service fees only. We do not calculate customs duties.

Ship from Japan to Costa Rica

Send your souvenirs and purchases from any of 24,000+ post offices in Japan to Costa Rica. Just show a QR code on your phone — we handle everything else.

Ship to Costa Rica Now See How It Works

Not in Japan? We can still help

24,000+ post officesTracking includedOnline payment

Shipping Rates to Costa Rica

via Japan Post EMS

WeightPrice

500g or less￥6,720

1kg or less￥8,520

2kg or less￥12,120

5kg or less￥22,920

10kg or less￥38,040

15kg or less￥52,440

20kg or less￥66,840

Start Shipping

* Estimates. Final price confirmed after weighing at our facility.

How It Works

4 simple steps. Just show your QR code and drop it off.

1. Enter details in the app

9:41

Enter where you're shipping, your box size, and what's inside. Our smart input assistant makes filling in the details simple.

2. Find a nearby post office

9:41

Check the map for nearby post offices and select where to drop off your package.

3. Review & confirm

9:41

Review the estimated cost and confirm — your QR code for the post office will be ready. Nothing to pay yet.

4. Go to the post office

9:41

New Shipment

Booking Confirmed!Your shipment is booked — nothing to pay today.

Prepaid Shipping Label

Show this at the post office

JP0094572131

Drop-off Location

札幌南二条郵便局

Open in Google Maps

Done

Scan your QR code at the kiosk and hand over your package. No counter payment needed.

What happens after drop-off?

Your package is held temporarily at our facility, where it's weighed and the exact price is calculated — domestic shipping, international shipping, and service fee. We'll email it to you — pay once in the app and international shipping begins. Track your package anytime in the app.

Not in Japan right now?

ShipMate works from inside Japan today — but we can still help.

Planning a trip to Japan?

Shop freely when you visit — ship it all home to Costa Rica instead of carrying it. Get packing-free travel tips and destination updates before you land.

See how it works

Want it shipped to Costa Rica — without the trip?

We're building a service that buys from Japanese stores for you and ships it straight to Costa Rica. Join the waitlist — founding members get first access.

Drop-off Locations

Drop off at any of 24,000+ post offices

Visit any Japan Post office near you and show the QR code on your phone. No Japanese required — the staff will handle the rest.

24,000+

post offices

across all of Japan

No post offices in this area. Try zooming out or panning.

Click a pin on the map to see details, or search for a city or neighborhood.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions, answered — so your first international shipment feels simple and safe.

Ready to ship to Costa Rica?

Create your shipment in minutes. Drop off at any post office in Japan.

Start Shipping Now

24,000+ post officesTracking includedOnline payment

Ship from Japan to Costa Rica

4 simple steps. Just show your QR code and drop it off.

What happens after drop-off?

Not in Japan right now?

Planning a trip to Japan?

Want it shipped to Costa Rica — without the trip?

Drop off at any of 24,000+ post offices

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I ship?

How does pricing work?

When exactly do I pay?

Who can use ShipMate?

Will you check the contents of my package?

Are there size or weight limits?

Do I need to pack the items myself?

Where can I buy shipping boxes?

What if my package is lost or damaged?

Can I track my shipment?

How long does delivery take?

Will I have to pay customs duties or import taxes?

What payment methods are accepted?

How do I cancel my shipment?

Ready to ship to Costa Rica?

Shipping tips from Japan, once a month.