Regarding the transportation situation over the past month (2026-05).

This report details the shipping situation for the month of May 2026.

Due to the situation in the Middle East, Japan Post is unable to secure shipping routes, resulting in the return of parcels destined for the following countries:

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cyprus, Israel, Qatar

This situation is the same as in March and April.

No problems have been observed with shipments to other countries.

 

We frequently receive inquiries from Israeli customers regarding the resumption of transportation.

We do not have reliable information regarding the timing of the resumption of transportation.

Since April, Israeli domestic airlines (such as El Al) have resumed operations smoothly, but many foreign airlines, including European ones, have decided to suspend their Israeli routes until June, August, or December, and have not yet returned to normal operations.

When operations resume, cargo space tends to be insufficient to accommodate the backlogged cargo volume, so essential cargo such as pharmaceuticals will be prioritized.

Postal parcels are transported through the "postal network" and generally have a lower priority; their resumption is postponed until the final stage.

Even if there are planes operating on routes where parcels are expected to be transported, they will not be used if those planes are not designated for carrying postal parcels.

Furthermore, due to the high insurance costs associated with risk factors such as war, some cargo will not be transported until the rates stabilize at a reasonable level.

Private courier companies may resume transportation earlier by adding temporary surcharges commensurate with the risk.

For example, DHL is currently maintaining transportation by applying temporary charges such as an "Elevated Risk Surcharge" and an "Emergency Situation Surcharge" to all shipments destined for Israel.

In contrast, the postal service operates under a global framework governed by the Universal Postal Convention, making it inexpensive and convenient, but less flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.

We are also eagerly awaiting the resumption of service, but we have absolutely no information on when transportation will resume. We can only continue with a trial-and-error process of sending out shipments and receiving returns.

We are hoping for a resumption in June.