OT: US International Mail Fail

[kiss-o-matic]

I've posted this on all the sites I frequent where I think people may be ordering stuff abroad. I live in Tokyo, and have a small side biz where I mail tons of crap all over the world. The staff shared with me today that the US made some announcement that they will not accept packages over 16oz (453g) shipped any method other than surface. So, if you guys in the US were thinking of picking up something abroad.. think again.

Now, I don't know if this covers DHL, UPS, or other 3rd party carriers but these are traditionally prohibitively expensive unless a high volume company is using them.

I personally think this is bullshit to get the handful of expats living abroad to buy all Xmas presents online in America (which is how we usually do it anyway).

[Ashigari]

uhm is that some kind of overreaction to the parcel bombs?

[Mikeyw]

uhm is that some kind of overreaction to the parcel bombs?

Unlikely, seeing as a 453g "bomb" could still do some damage

[kiss-o-matic]

My guess is that yes, it is. I've still not heard of anyone else attempting to send a parcel. There is the small chance that Japan Post misread the warning. They seem quite sure though.

[theory28]

....could this be why i havnt gotten those dicers i won from pro audio star a week and a half ago?

[photojojo]

That's pretty big news, but I couldn't confirm it searching several news sites. I did find a USPS press release from November 2nd about new products and price changes for 2011 and it didn't mention this.

Here's the news page from the USPS site and it doesn't mention any restrictions to international shipping weights.
http://www.usps.com/communications/n...&page=morenews

[midifidler]

I would be extremely suprised if this was for real - are you sure they are not confusing restrictions for say 1 type of shipping for restrictions on all shipping?