Dear God, someone tried to import Fire Convoy again!!!
An incredibly frustrating column was posted today at The Japan Times Online. Apparently due to anti-terrorism efforts by the United States of America, Japan Post Services Co. will instigate a weight limit to all US-bound packages. This means that any package that is typically sent EMS, which is a favorite for individual Japanese toy enthusiasts in the United States, must now weigh under 1 pound or 453 grams.
FedEx apparently will still allow US-bound mail to be whatever weight it wants, but the international shipping charges for FedEx are through the roof and not something most toy enthusiasts and Transformers collectors will be willing to pay on a regular or consistent basis. This could really limit the options for obtaining new Japan-only figures except for via large retailers such as TFsource or Big Bad Toy Store.
Probably the most infuriating thing of all is that this kind of setback is created by my own government under the guise of national security. Collecticon is not meant to be a political soundboard so I’ll just grumble to myself..
Check out this quote from the article:
The Transportation Security Administration of the U.S. has informed air carriers of the 453-gram rule, and carriers notified Japan Post Services, the spokesman said. The rule applies not only to packages from Japan but from other countries
So I hope the implications of this are clear to everyone: you will no longer be able to receive large packages from Japan. This means no Fort Max, no grouping large quantities of figures into one package to ‘save on shipping’, no Predaking 2010, and no Rodimus! Just about the only way you’ll be able to get your hands on these upcoming large figures is by purchasing from a current Japanese toy importer stationed in the US. They will not be affected because the quantities they purchase are large and sent through alternate methods than the Japan Post Services Co. This doesn’t only affect Japan either: The US imposing these limits on many countries around the world. Pretty soon we’ll be living behind a giant wall, never to see the rest of the world again. Le sigh…’
Special thanks to Professor Smooth for the tip on this article