Lost Phone in Japan - Hotel Found It - Can't Ship OS?

xdivino on 30/11/2023 - 11:51
Last edited 30/11/2023 - 12:43 by 1 other user

Helping a friend out, she's just hopped on plane back to Australia and iPhone was left behind at the hotel.

She turned on find my and pinged a few sounds and the hotel just confirmed they have it and found it, but they e-mailed to say they can't ship it because of the iPhone battery and can only deliver it to an address in Japan or come in to get it etc.

Naturally neither option really works.

Are there any other ideas suggestions? Like can I book a courier of sorts to collect it and ship it back that way, if so, any suggestions on who to use if anyone has done similar in the past etc.

Travel Asia Japan

Comments

  • djkelly69 on 30/11/2023 - 11:53
    +6

    Yeah I would just find your own courier who can carry it overseas, and then inform the hotel you have arranged for it be collected by XX on X date. The less detail the better.

    No real suggestions on transport companies, but I imagine DHL or other big international couriers would be fine.

    • xdivino on 30/11/2023 - 11:56

      Thanks..
      i'm concerned packaging wise and costing it etc.
      but will ask if I can arrange for courier to pick it up and details etc.
      they're kinda saying they can't cause the battery but if i fill out declartion etc that woudl cover it?

      • lgacb08 on 30/11/2023 - 12:58
        +16

        Are you concerned or your friend is? There's no need to get your friend to cover up your clumsiness and pay up for your own mistake.

        • thepigs on 30/11/2023 - 16:59
          +1

          hey! they could be trying to get their end in/on and trying to do it the most bargain price. respect.

  • CodeXD on 30/11/2023 - 11:53

    There are so many people going to Japan, does your friend know anyone going or already there who can pick it up for her?

    • xdivino on 30/11/2023 - 11:55

      they suggested this too but reached out to work/friends no one going for a while yet, new year snow trips etc.

      • Ughhh on 30/11/2023 - 13:58

        Maybe Airtasker?

      • Kouki on 30/11/2023 - 16:42

        could probably find someone on Japan travel planning FB group.

  • jv on 30/11/2023 - 11:58
    +1

    they can't ship it because of the iphone battery

    So Japan has now stopped exporting mobile phones?

    I guess that is why all the factories have moved to China.

    • pharkurnell on 30/11/2023 - 12:42
      +1

      Some new regulations We cop it now in AU shipping Laptops interstate, many companies wont ship them due to batteries…

      like you doesnt make sense as 10000s carry laptops on planes daily on business.

      • jv on 30/11/2023 - 12:43
        +1

        How do they ship all the powerbanks that we keep buying here on OzBargain?

        • pharkurnell on 30/11/2023 - 12:56

          I have no idea… 15yrs never had an issue shipping laptops etc.. Only stated being an issue not long ago… Its only a couple a month, but its a PITA….
          It maybe the cheap arse company we are using these days

      • lew380 on 01/12/2023 - 08:11

        Laptop batteries in the cargo hold catching fire will bring a plane down, planes and fire are an explosive mix. In the cabin is different, fires can be contained by passengers and crews. That's why they let you carry on batteries but ban them from the hold.

        Maybe larger dedicated cargo planes have the ability to extinguishe cargo hold fires so can allow batteries and shipments. Im just guessing, I don't have any insider knowledge.

  • TooSerious2 on 30/11/2023 - 11:58
    +4

    I lost my phone on an intercity train on the last day of our trip late last year. JR found it and posted it to Aus for about $25. I'll check on the carrier when I get home if you have no luck.

    • xdivino on 30/11/2023 - 12:02

      Wow sounds good, DHL and FedEx all like $120 unless i'm stuffing up the box dimensions etc.
      Would be good to know who was the carrier.

      • sonicentropy on 30/11/2023 - 12:05

        I had a hotel in Habuka this year mail me my switch for $44

      • Hirolol on 30/11/2023 - 12:26

        So they will ship it?
        $120 vs new phone??
        Just pay

      • Protractor on 30/11/2023 - 14:36
        -2

        Someone else's phone drama and a very smart viable bang for buck (mere) $120 option/solution. Why are you still here?

        • xdivino on 30/11/2023 - 14:52
          +1

          Seeing if there's any other options and if the price was right, others saying switches and other devices shipped back for half that.. the site is ozbargain not pay the first price you see.. smh

          • [Deactivated] on 30/11/2023 - 14:56

            @xdivino: lol leave that guy he doesn't post anything helpful

            • Protractor on 30/11/2023 - 15:07
              +1

              @[Deactivated]: Says the landlord who bags his tenants rights and responsibilities, and has to keep going back to fix stuff cos he has no idea what he's doing, and is a TA who refuses to get a tradie to do the work properly. (You could also pay half the rent cos so much time spent there, if your claims about always fixing stuff is correct.)

  • elusive on 30/11/2023 - 12:10

    It won't be cheap but a parcel forwarder might be your best bet. Keeps everything in the normal flow rather than trying to arrange a pickup between two different companies.

    Most will take batteries as long as they are inside equipment, but make sure to check first.

    • xdivino on 30/11/2023 - 12:15

      Can you suggest any or recommend?
      I'll have a google around as well

      • node modules on 30/11/2023 - 12:19

        Buyee, blackship.

        Blackship has high fees - 1.6 for receiving and 4.x for consolidation. In your case you don’t need to consolidate.

  • raz0r11 on 30/11/2023 - 12:19
    +8

    Only baffling thing here is a person was able to spend longer than a minute without their phone??

    • xdivino on 30/11/2023 - 12:21
      +2

      Haha i agree, any time i stand up i'm doing Phone Keys wallet check but now it's just phone and keys

  • node modules on 30/11/2023 - 12:20

    Perhaps sea mail can allow?

    • bargaino on 30/11/2023 - 13:16
      +1

      Wow, I am surprised to find that still exists for small packages in Japan.
      It is called "surface mail", costs ¥2500, and will take 1-3 months.

  • highon2str on 30/11/2023 - 12:21
    +3

    which hotel is the phone at?

    • akanub on 30/11/2023 - 12:50
      +1

      or which area? you may find a good samaritan who can help you bring it back

      • mini2 on 30/11/2023 - 13:32

        Or put a WTB ad on OzB, surely someone will be heading to Japan and wouldn't mind a bit of cash to help the OP out?

        • Hirolol on 30/11/2023 - 14:05

          Op doesn’t want to pay $120 to get it shipped

      • ginormousgiraffe on 30/11/2023 - 15:53

        No way I would be taking a random person's phone with who knows what on it through customs without having it wiped first.

        • xdivino on 30/11/2023 - 23:28

          valid point and with no way to unlock it having customs destroy it too would just be extra salt in the wound

  • resubaehtgnolhcs on 30/11/2023 - 13:39

    Airtasker?

  • Protractor on 30/11/2023 - 14:34

    Contact the Strayan Embassy in Japan and seek your options.

  • payless69 on 30/11/2023 - 14:36
    +1

    I can see the bargain:
    Hotelu got to do free or she will cry!

  • Mechz on 30/11/2023 - 15:10

    Check with your travel insurance for assistance.

  • cashless on 30/11/2023 - 15:15

    Put Classified on OzBargain. Next person going to that area in Japan can pick it up and return to you.
    We're (generally) an honest bunch on this site

  • Cyphar on 30/11/2023 - 15:39

    Its because the phone has a lithium battery and cant be delivered O/S on an unpressurized cargo hold. You'll need to either find somebody to bring it back for you, or arrange a courier to do so via sea mail, but it can take up to 6 months to get it back.

    Best speak to your travel insurance provider at the time to help you out.

    • xdivino on 30/11/2023 - 23:27

      Yeah will reach out to travel insurance to see if they can help ship it back or similar..
      The hotel can't sign for liability or something, makes sense but still annoying.. asked if i can arrange seperately and no reply..

  • 6079 Smith on 30/11/2023 - 22:20

    Where in Japan? I’m currently in Niseko if that helps

    • xdivino on 30/11/2023 - 23:26

      Shinjuku/Tokyo

  • Mara24 on 01/12/2023 - 07:52

    I’m in a bunch of travel groups as we are going to Japan next year. For sure you’ll find someone to help you out through those groups. Eg

    https://m.facebook.com/groups/jpntravel/?ref=sharehttps://m.…

  • DazMon on 01/12/2023 - 07:59

    Try Kuroneko.
    They take over where JP lets people down.

  • Jayblesz on 11/12/2023 - 20:28

    DHL will ship dangerous goods from Japan to Australia but it's likely around $350 and you'd obv have to have it ready for them to collect somehow, but it's an option I guess.

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