Volks Int resumes international orders, temporary switch to DHL (UPDATED)

I actually messaged Volks about it, thank god I read the thread. I seriously hope that they will either hold my package or ship with EMS if they can, to me (I think we are still accepting packages from Japan...). I don't want to know how much DHL will charge me for customs clearance service. In Greece, you either have your own service to send who will charge you however much (thankfully my business does have one), or the couriers will charge you astronomical amounts... or you go waste a whole day at the airport trying to get your stuff, if you do. And last time this happened, they let me know a WEEK + later than they should have, so I even got charged for storage lmao... 😕 And the amount I paid for customs... oof! Thankfully my service guy said he wouldn't charge me his fee, so that was a blessing (I literally paid the amount of my order in custom and other fees...).

3 minutes ago, Shailara said:

I actually messaged Volks about it, thank god I read the thread. I seriously hope that they will either hold my package or ship with EMS if they can, to me (I think we are still accepting packages from Japan...). I don't want to know how much DHL will charge me for customs clearance service. In Greece, you either have your own service to send who will charge you however much (thankfully my business does have one), or the couriers will charge you astronomical amounts... or you go waste a whole day at the airport trying to get your stuff, if you do. And last time this happened, they let me know a WEEK + later than they should have, so I even got charged for storage lmao... 😕 And the amount I paid for customs... oof! Thankfully my service guy said he wouldn't charge me his fee, so that was a blessing (I literally paid the amount of my order in custom and other fees...).

Oh no, I remember now reading some of your customs problems here in the past.

Greece is one of the countries that Japan EMS stopped shipping to on April 2nd according to that document on the Japan Post website, so Volks won't be able to ship to you that way for now. I hope they will hold the package for you instead, and I hope EMS returns soon for both of us.

3 minutes ago, cfx said:

Oh no, I remember now reading some of your customs problems here in the past.

Greece is one of the countries that Japan EMS stopped shipping to on April 2nd according to that document on the Japan Post website, so Volks won't be able to ship to you that way for now. I hope they will hold the package for you instead, and I hope EMS returns soon for both of us.

Hehe, yeah, me and customs are... not very good friends 😂 And actually, even if I was fine with wasting a day trying to get my package myself from the airport (which I can't, cause I still work), I can't because we are under policed lockdown! 😄 We need to send a message to where we are going, and that only works for very specific reasons (although I could say the reason was exercise... HM! 🤔)
Well, I do hope Volks will be kind enough under these circumstances and hold my package then. Or I suppose, if they do ship it with DHL, I will let my guy know as soon as it is in Greece to go pick it up and hope it won't cost me an arm and a leg... 😬

On 4/14/2020 at 7:10 PM, growcian said:

I will use this as an opportunity to share my pain!

Oh, wait...

The dates correspond to the last time the package was scanned, followed by the shipping status and package location. All packages are going from Japan to the US.

• Mandarake package #1: 3/16, Registered SAL, Posting/collection, Nakano post office
• Mandarake package #2: 3/21, Registered SAL, Posting/collection, Nakano post office
• Mandarake package #3: 3/25, Registered SAL, Posting/collection, Nakano post office
• Hobby Search package: 4/8, EMS, Arrival at outward office of exchange, Tokyo International

(Not everyone reading this knows the following so I'll add it here: Nakano is in Tokyo.)

I received my EMS package today.

• 4/8: Posting/Collection, Asakusa (Tokyo) post office
• 4/8: Arrival at outward office of exchange, Tokyo International
• 4/21: Arrival at inward office of exchange, Los Angeles USA
• 4/21: Item presented to import Customs, Los Angeles USA
• 4/23: Item returned from import Customs, Los Angeles USA
• 4/24: Processing at delivery Post Office
• 4/24: Final Delivery

On 4/18/2020 at 5:54 PM, cfx said:

Anyway, I posted this info to show that for anyone waiting still for EMS packages to the US at least, it isn't hopeless, things are just slow.

Yes it is. 😅

About the RSAL packages: I was subsequently contacted by Mandarake concerning RSAL package #2. After the package was returned by Japan Post, it was sent by DHL and that also arrived today. I haven't been contacted yet concerning RSAL packages #1 and #3.

Sometime between when I last checked and now, Japan Post put up an update in English.

https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2020/0423_03_en.html

Quote

Although we have made every effort to secure speedy dispatch to the United States in cooperation with airline companies and the U.S. Postal Service, at present, we are unable to make any prospect for dispatching mail items to the United States because of the drastic decline in transportation performance due to the further significant reduction and suspension of flights.

Therefore, acceptance of various mail items destined to the United States will be temporarily suspended from April 24. For details, please see the chart below.

[...]

In addition, items which have already been accepted will be dispatched by remaining flights in order. Considering our present transportation performance, for example, it is estimated that up to four months or so will be needed for dispatching EMS. If you want items to be returned, please contact the post office where you mailed them.

There's also a new version of the country list PDF linked on this page:

https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2020/0423_01_en.html

From the portion I quoted, any EMS packages that are already in the system should hopefully be delivered and not returned to sender, it just is going to take a long time.

With how that reads, I believe stopping EMS to the US is not anything related to concerns about the virus itself, but just that they are so backed up with packages the cessation is to allow them to reduce the backlog. Remember what I posted on the last page--my package that was shipped on April 6 waited just 12 days before it got on a plane, and now they are saying that it may take 4 months, so clearly packages have piled up waiting in the time between April 6 and now.

If the flight situation doesn't improve, I would still expect them to reopen EMS once they have reduced this large backlog (and then have to alternate between closing and opening it), but based on that estimated timing I would also guess that would be a minimum of 4 months from now. And that's the thing I really wonder about--even if life returns to some kind of normalcy for everyone fairly soon, will the number of commercial airline flights increase to anywhere near what it was? Will people go back to normal vacations etc. that quickly, especially after suffering financial hardship for however many months? Overseas package delivery may not be anything like it was for a very long time.

*SIGH* Well, by now I'd be happy if my AmiAmi package got shuffled back to the company but as far as I can tell it's still sitting at the post office. And I'm totally confused as to how this affects the Volks USA Nier preorders. Last week we got an email saying that we would be getting payment requests and then never did. Delays are hard and unavoidable right now but lack of clarity on the situation is aggravating.

I'm grateful that this is pretty much the biggest disruption in my life that I know of right now but it is still stressful and frustrating. I've been in self-isolation for 3 years now because of my chronic illness but having things shipped from various places at least kept a lot more things accessible.

~JC

Based on what I've read on this forum, my understanding is the dolls get shipped to Volks USA from Volks Japan in bulk by freight containers on ships. That form of transportation hasn't really been interrupted, as far as I can tell.

23 minutes ago, cfx said:

my understanding is the dolls get shipped to Volks USA from Volks Japan in bulk by freight containers on ships.

That's a guess, at least it has been on my part.

Oh ok. You are who I got it from.

We do know the following:

1. Volks USA sent out those emails saying they would ask for payment on the Nier dolls last week; though they didn't follow though, which is more likely because the website isn't working. By sending that email I would think they either have the dolls, or they are far along enough in transit that they know they will be here very soon.
2. Volks USA was going to put up one of their periodic store restocks on April 24; they delayed it because the site isn't working according to the update they posted. So it seems they also were able to get this shipment in, somehow.

Euuugh. I had intended on ordering some things from Volks Int. and doing a Dream Choice run with my stimulus check, but seeing how EMS could possibly be backed up for months on end, I think I'll hold off on ordering things from Volks and overseas in general until things improve.

Edited April 28, 2020 by Selenae

Hey, so does anyone have any idea how long the wait times for DHL shipping will be? I doubt it’ll be the same as their usual EMS, so I figured I’d ask

55 minutes ago, cinnabunroll said:

Hey, so does anyone have any idea how long the wait times for DHL shipping will be? I doubt it’ll be the same as their usual EMS, so I figured I’d ask

I haven't ordered from Volks Japan lately but I have received DHL packages from Amazon Japan and Mandarake in the last month. My experience for both instances has been the packages arriving in a matter of days after shipping from the sellers. (Japan --> USA)

I ordered some stuff last Monday (4 May) and I got my shipping notification email last night (11 May), which seemed kinda normal for them. But according to the DHL tracking the estimated arrival isn’t until the 2nd of June which...surprised me given what I’ve heard about how speedy DHL has been even during the pandemic. (this IS auspost we’re talking about, though.....)  Not sure if it’s accurate or if they’re just giving a very wide estimate so there’s no disappointment.

because I had been led to believe the tan parts were Japan-only I didn’t include any in this order, so I was thinking of making another one later for them and knocking more stuff off my wishlist with it anyway. If it’s going to take that long I can time it so Future Me can get that seratonin hit too instead of all at once, so I’ll be able to find out if the wait time is even more or a lot less (or the same) for the second order.

Edited May 12, 2020 by Monty

7 minutes ago, Monty said:

because I had been led to believe the tan parts were Japan-only I didn’t include any in this order

I feel bad that I'm the one that pointed this out originally.

Speaking of things that may or may not be Japan only, orders over certain amounts in a certain period were eligible for discount coupons for future orders. The cutoff for orders was the 6th, so if it applies to overseas orders I would get one. I didn’t see any fine print about it being Japan only and I’m not particularly expecting it, but I’d welcome the 1000 yen off for the other order I want to make. 

I don’t suppose anyone else spent at least 10,000 yen (500 yen coupon) before the 6th...? I don’t know if everyone’s DHL order will be as slow as mine so if anyone does get one with their order I’d like to know.

On 5/12/2020 at 6:05 AM, Monty said:

Speaking of things that may or may not be Japan only, orders over certain amounts in a certain period were eligible for discount coupons for future orders. The cutoff for orders was the 6th, so if it applies to overseas orders I would get one. I didn’t see any fine print about it being Japan only and I’m not particularly expecting it, but I’d welcome the 1000 yen off for the other order I want to make. 

I don’t suppose anyone else spent at least 10,000 yen (500 yen coupon) before the 6th...? I don’t know if everyone’s DHL order will be as slow as mine so if anyone does get one with their order I’d like to know.

I made my order for a DWC 02 head and some Doll Point items on the 5th, and it just arrived today. I did receive a 500 yen coupon with this order that is good through 08/31/2020.

Edited May 13, 2020 by Jezrah

My heart hands shipped and should be here tomorrow as long as DHL doesn't mess it up.

4 hours ago, Jezrah said:

I made my order for a DWC 02 head and some Doll Point items on the 5th, and it just arrived today. I did receive a 500 yen coupon with this order that is good through 08/31/2020.

Good to know, then I should be getting a 1000 yen coupon I want to use immediately lol. I just hope they still have the tan stuff when it arrives. It arrived in the country yesterday, but DHL is still estimating June 😕

On 5/12/2020 at 12:39 PM, Monty said:

I ordered some stuff last Monday (4 May) and I got my shipping notification email last night (11 May), which seemed kinda normal for them. But according to the DHL tracking the estimated arrival isn’t until the 2nd of June which...surprised me given what I’ve heard about how speedy DHL has been even during the pandemic. (this IS auspost we’re talking about, though.....)  Not sure if it’s accurate or if they’re just giving a very wide estimate so there’s no disappointment.

because I had been led to believe the tan parts were Japan-only I didn’t include any in this order, so I was thinking of making another one later for them and knocking more stuff off my wishlist with it anyway. If it’s going to take that long I can time it so Future Me can get that seratonin hit too instead of all at once, so I’ll be able to find out if the wait time is even more or a lot less (or the same) for the second order.

If anyone else in Australia cares about shipping estimates right now, I got my package today (Monday 18th) despite the much later estimate of 2nd of June. I live in a pretty rural area though, and if I was in a city I would have had it by Friday or even Thursday according to the tracking. 

Also got my 1000 yen voucher, which I will be using pretty soon.

Unrelated to this thread but I like the seat stand so much I'm tempted to get another one, although I probably wont for a while, firstly cos I have to buy another base for one (I didnt for this one cos I could just use the base that came with 9S for the pod) and secondly because the box the seat stands come in are kinda big and ended up making the shipping box massive.

Posting in here for a DHL shipping time reference (From Japan to Michigan, US).

My Nier duo, I got a shipping notice on Saturday, today they're already in my state and my area's sorting center as of this morning. Est arrival is Wednesday, but looks like they might arrive tomorrow.
Extremely surprised at how quick they're arriving. I fully expected to have to wait a couple of weeks for shipping to work it's way here due to the pandemic shutting various places and flights down.

I filled out the signature release forms for both packages, but I'm home to sign either way.

1 hour ago, Distractus said:

Posting in here for a DHL shipping time reference (From Japan to Michigan, US).

My Nier duo, I got a shipping notice on Saturday, today they're already in my state and my area's sorting center as of this morning. Est arrival is Wednesday, but looks like they might arrive tomorrow.
Extremely surprised at how quick they're arriving. I fully expected to have to wait a couple of weeks for shipping to work it's way here due to the pandemic shutting various places and flights down.

I filled out the signature release forms for both packages, but I'm home to sign either way.

Though I have no experience with DHL shipping from VOLKS specifically, I had a package shipped from Mandarake on the 7th and arrived on the 11th (east coast USA).  It shipped DHL Express and for all I know that might be the only international option DHL has right now.

Also it was worth noting that, for me, the DHL driver dropped my package off without having me sign for it, and I didn't fill out the signature release form, so it could either be a regional/case-by-case thing, or as a whole they're just dropping everything off for safety reasons.  I would assume they'd have wanted me to sign for a $500+ package for liability reasons, but...

22 hours ago, OccultBeast said:

Though I have no experience with DHL shipping from VOLKS specifically, I had a package shipped from Mandarake on the 7th and arrived on the 11th (east coast USA).  It shipped DHL Express and for all I know that might be the only international option DHL has right now.

Also it was worth noting that, for me, the DHL driver dropped my package off without having me sign for it, and I didn't fill out the signature release form, so it could either be a regional/case-by-case thing, or as a whole they're just dropping everything off for safety reasons.  I would assume they'd have wanted me to sign for a $500+ package for liability reasons, but...

They duo actually arrived yesterday afternoon! They were in my hands within 3 days. That'd incredible due to everything being just locked down.
Very surprised at how quick everything moved.

I did opt in for signature release, so they could drop them off without having to interact with me if they so choose. They did ring the door bell and wait for me to come to the door though before leaving. 
They send you that link a few times in email and if you opt into the text alerts. 

4 minutes ago, Distractus said:

They duo actually arrived yesterday afternoon! They were in my hands within 3 days. That'd incredible due to everything being just locked down.
Very surprised at how quick everything moved.

Nice!  I have a feeling mine would have arrived just as quickly if it hadn't been over a weekend.  I don't mind paying the extra bit for DHL over EMS if it means it gets to me lightning fast!

Congrats on the new additions!

So my second Nine9Style order from May 1st arrived today, and my Volks order that shipped on April 8th is still stuck at the origin post office in Japan. Not Volks fault at all, and in the end I'll be happy as long as my stuff arrives intact. It's definitely for the best that Volks suspended EMS when they did.

9 minutes ago, BeyondTime said:

So my second Nine9Style order from May 1st arrived today, and my Volks order that shipped on April 8th is still stuck at the origin post office in Japan.

I feel really lucky then. I don't think I ever posted an update after I got my package, here was the history of Buyee's shipping of Chihaya via EMS as shown on the Japan Post website:

Quote

04/06/2020 15:30     Posting/Collection                             HINO                      TOKYO 191-8799
04/18/2020 06:19     Arrival at outward office of exchange          TOKYO INT                 TOKYO 138-8799
04/18/2020 06:20     Dispatch from outward office of exchange       TOKYO INT                 TOKYO 138-8799
04/18/2020 11:06     Arrival at inward office of exchange           ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)     UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
04/18/2020 11:06     Item presented to import Customs               ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)     UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
04/21/2020 09:05     Item returned from import Customs              ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)     UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
04/23/2020 08:16     Processing at delivery Post Office                                       UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
04/23/2020 09:06     Item arrival at collection point for pick-up                             UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
04/23/2020 15:34     Final delivery                                                           UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

So that was shipped just two days before your Volks order. For EMS it was slow, but I still got it in 2-1/2 weeks which in the current situation I didn't think was bad at all.