Amazon.co.jp reduced international shipping ‘flagfall’ charge

[A Smug Dill]

… at least for orders with Australian delivery addresses. (I haven't been keeping an eye out for or keeping tabs on shipping charges to the UK, Canada, etc.)

 

As recently as last week, there was effectively a ‘flagfall’ of approximately ¥2,400 for each order containing (only) items sold by Amazon.co.jp, onto which (very reasonable) incremental weight-based charges for each item is added. It's hefty, but considering that Amazon Japan ships everything to Australian customers by DHL, that was a hurdle or disincentive when it comes to biting the bullet, but no cause for complaint and not at all indicative of profiteering.

 

(Two weeks ago, I had to return just one new pen to Amazon Japan, which insisted on my using DHL service with insurance for the package contents, and has reimbursed me in full for the shipping charges — which amounted to approximately ¥17,300 for the 0.5kg consignment.)

 

Some time during the past 24 to 48 hours, the ‘flagfall’ seems to have been reduced to approximately ¥1,700 per order. Of course, that had to come just after I placed an order on Saturday (and was too late to cancel and place anew, not that I would risk the discounted item price I secured anyway).

 

Looking at the expected delivery dates on in-stock items, it does not appear the reduction is on account of any change in shipping method Amazon.co.jp may elect to use.

[lascosas]

Thank you for that information.  I've had several items in my Amazon jp cart and yes, the shipping cost just went down about a third.  And at least to the US, the pricing is based on what is shipped by Amazon jp, not just sold by them.

[A Smug Dill]

4 hours ago, lascosas said:

the pricing is based on what is shipped by Amazon jp, not just sold by them.

 

I guess I've made a habit of filtering out what isn't sold by Amazon.co.jp, because if there are items from different “sold by” parties, then I get charged multiple lots of the flagfall even if all of the items are shipped by Amazon.co.jp. Since the flagfall is so high, I always order many items at once to make the apportioned shipping charge for each item more palatable.

 

Whereas, now, I may just reconsider my approach.