anyone know about postal customs?

[monkey magic]

Hi,
I'm an exchange student at Ritsumeikan Daigaku doing a paper on Japanese mail customs procedures. There's a lot of good government sources about EMS and parcel delivery but I am having some difficulty with reliable info regarding international letters/envelopes and how they are processed. I've heard various stories such as a conveyer belt that sifts out all the overweight/sized envelopes and even X-ray stations (for letters!?)..

I know its a peculiar topic but its a key part of my desertation for an international relations major and if anyone has any knowledge or relevant links, your help would be very much appreciated.

Cheers,

Tara

[nice gaijin]

I'm afraid I don't know about the inner-workings of the postal system, but perhaps you could go to an office and ask them for some references or resources? There might be documentaries available, or people who know about the processes you're referring to. Either way, I think you meant "dissertation," and not "desertation." Good luck!

[monkey magic]

Hi,
Does anyone know if international cards and envelopes go through a screening process? (this is as opposed to parcels)

Cheers,

Tara

[KirinMan]

Hi,
Does anyone know if international cards and envelopes go through a screening process? (this is as opposed to parcels)
Cheers,
Tara
I've just erased an rather lengthly reply due in part to the reply that nicegaijin wrote below.

[nice gaijin]

http://www.jref.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30190
This would be the reason...

monkey magic, could you please refrain from creating multiple threads to ask nearly identical questions? Thanks.

[JerseyBoy]

Customs checks them randomly. If your name is on the black list or the commodity you declared on the paperwork triggers some interest from Customs (such as high value items), they will poke a hole in the package and take a peek inside. When I sent out packages several years ago to Japan during my overseas trip, some boxes were tampered by Customs. envelopes are low priority by Customs. If you are thinking about sending the cash, one of the options would be to ask your bank to issue you a cashier's check and cash it at one of the Japanese banks.

[monkey magic]

hey, thanks for the feedback guys. and sorry for the double threads, i thought the first one didnt go through for some reason. cheers.