Regulation has changed in Japan

[Tomoe N]

I just sent 3 mails to USA. Due to the regulation changes they stopped using a green label for package (things rather than letters) so it costed me to send badges.

郵便局の規則が変わって、小さい手紙でも物が入っていたら手書きのラベルでは送れなくなり、タブレットなどでラベルを作成して送らないといけなくなりました。そのため小さくてもEMSとかで送って値段も高くなりました。

Which means it has become more expensive to send stuff other than letter (written documents) I always say any paper objects as “letter” but some bulky stuff like budges (bottoms) or templates, I have to say honestly they are “things”. “Goods” 
Cost more than ¥3000-4000 yen (US $30-40). 
Not sure if they changed for security reason or economy reason? 

[Tomoe N]

Hi Katerina 

As I wrote below, anything that made of paper, collage, printed drawing, folded origami, postage stamp, trashpo (from snack) etc I just say to them “letter” don’t need to write. 
just like this time pin budges, or before to my gift to Picasso a large template for an envelope are obviously don’t look like “letter” so I have to tell them that there are “goods” inside.

If letter they just charge with weight and size and the regular size price is ¥110 = $0.76 

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

Mail art as cards and collages inside an envelope can be marked "printed matter" and go as "letter".

Surely in Japan you might be able to send  "greeting card" (mail art :-) as a letter in an envelope?

I often write along the edge of my mail art in envelopes: " card Do Not Bend" and if it is just under 20 grams it goes as "letter rate", and "B" second class of course. Still, the postage rates have become very expensive.

[Tomoe N]

Documentation is ok but I hope there is a way to send cheaper. Maybe only by ship. 

[William M]

ah, i see.

[Tomoe N]

After making label they have me check on documents that if the contents are not dangerous object, animal, framable etc.

[Tomoe N]

Hi William 

it is not about wether it is a gift or merchant but it is about letter or other goods.

They used to use what it is called “green label” to just let us write the contents, price (if gift zero) and sign but they abolished the label and let us make label by pc or tablet and print out from their format. I can pretend some non letter paper objects or tiny stuff but if it is obvious I have to tell them honestly. Otherwise I should avoid sending goods. 

[William M]

does it make a difference if you say it's a gift or is that not an option?