What's the best shipping carrier from Japan to the US?

[Condottiero Magno]

Will be ordering some $50+ of Plamokojo products from Plaza Japan and can't decide on which shipping carrier is better: DHL or FedEx. Japan Post's EMS I ruled out, as the postage is in the $50+ range, while DHL and FedEx is around $25+ and the difference being a Dollar or two between the carriers. In comparison with FedEx, haven't had much experience with DHL in the US, having received a handful of international orders, unlike when I lived in the UK and I saw them everywhere in the 90s.

 

[Stoof]

I have shipped a lot of stuff from the UK to the US in my time, and DHL was generally the better courier. DHL would only lose maybe one a year, FedEx would lose four or five. Speed wise they were about the same, both suffered occasional delays but typically DHL was better at keeping us informed. I can't comment on stuff going from Japan though, and it was all industrial rather than private purchases.

 

[Ardavion]

Based on my experience with FedEx, I'd go with DHL. FedEx stung me for a hefty delivery charge on a Kickstarter backed before Brexit that delivered after Brexit, but coming from Japan might be different.

 

[Condottiero Magno]

Based on my experience with FedEx, I'd go with DHL. FedEx stung me for a hefty delivery charge on a Kickstarter backed before Brexit that delivered after Brexit, but coming from Japan might be different.

I don't have to worry about delivery charges or customs fees on toy soldiers and books, so long as it's below a $1000+ IIRC. State Sales tax is another thing, but since the package is coming from overseas and around $50, no one's going to notice.

 

[Condottiero Magno]

I have shipped a lot of stuff from the UK to the US in my time, and DHL was generally the better courier. DHL would only lose maybe one a year, FedEx would lose four or five. Speed wise they were about the same, both suffered occasional delays but typically DHL was better at keeping us informed. I can't comment on stuff going from Japan though, and it was all industrial rather than private purchases.

IIRC, unless over a certain weight limit, DHL hands over the package to the USPS for the last mile, probably explaining why it's rare to see their trucks around here in comparison with FedEx or UPS, though the latter sometimes does the same. Haven't experienced any missing packages from any of the carriers yet, though I have had some bad experiences with delivery services. As long as I don't have to run downstairs to sign for something, I'm usually happy.