Regularly updated reports on the events, regulations, and measures that affect the operation of Sazen Tea.
Contact us if you have any questions.
Last updated: 2022, APR 28
- 2022, APR 28
1. As the World is succesfully fighting back the virus, life is getting back to normal in Japan as well. Important tea events and festivals that were cancelled in past two years are held now and welcoming visitors. The famous annual Tea Harvest Festival in Uji is organized and open to the public, along with several tea workshops. Tea factories are opening up their gates in front of tea enthusiasts.
2. However we still have to face a few difficulties. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions in China, tea consignments still come to Japan, but they arrive with delays.
3. Due to the increased fuel prices, private shipping companies such as FedEx and DHL introduced emergency charges and fuel surcharges, thus their shipping fees grew more expensive. Despite all they still ensure the fastest delivery, without any delays. (The service might be slightly slower in remote areas.)
4. There is a hopeful aspect though. As online shopping is becoming popular, the competition for shipping companies is becoming tighter. The increasing number of new shipping companies may bring along a fall in prices. Until then let's cherish the fact that the best teas are arriving fresh, within a few days only.
- 2020, MAY 21
On May 16, the state of emergency was over in most regions of Japan. The number of new Covid19 cases is very small. Following government decisions, schools will be reopened on the 1st of June. Services come back to normal, and people are once again walking on the streets.
As experts believe the second wave is inevitable, the international services of Japan Post are not likely to become available yet. Sadly, we are still unable to deliver packages to Russia or Mexico for private customers - we continue to ask for your patience. We are only able to deliver to corporate users in these areas.
DHL delivery works, as usual, we don't see delays and don't receive complaints. On the other hand, we see more and more issues and delays with FedEx.We are unsure of the exact reasons but suspect overload. If delivery by FexEx instead of DHL is not especially necessary, we recommend going with DHL instead!
We wish all our customers good health and persistence in protection against the virus!
- 2020, APR 29
The tea harvest is now well underway in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, the home of Japanese green tea. The work is done in an orderly fashion, very disciplined because of the caution around the virus, but it is going at a good pace, according to plans. You can see a few short videos of this on our Facebook page.
Sadly, this year hand-picked tea will be a rarity, as most places only use harvesting machines to prevent any possibility for COVID-19 to contaminate. Hand-picking and recruiting hand workers is only allowed at tea fields where there is no other choice.
- 2020, APR 23
From midnight on April 24, Japan Post has stopped international services. EMS, E-packet, SAL services are no longer available at our webshop.
We can continue delivering packages with our courier partners ⇒ DHL and FedEx, that work as usual.
We are looking forward to your orders, as always!
We hope that the packages sent out in the past couple of days with EMS or ePacket will reach their destination. Still, we ask our customers who have chosen these services for delivery to pay extra attention to package tracking and if you find a problem, please contact us via e-mail and let us know as soon as possible!
Unfortunately, at the moment we are unable to provide any services to customers in RUSSIA or MEXICO. Our partner FedEx is able to deliver packages to Russia and Mexico, but only to business customers who have import permits.
The situation is the same for the Spanish Canary Islands, but we have found a way to deliver there with package forwarding through Hungary.
- 2020, APR 17
As of today, for safety reasons Japanese government has declared nationwide state of emergency.
The location of our business seems to be safe still. In our prefecture there are 51 active cases, 3 of those in our city.
Shipping packages still continues as normal. DHL and FedEx delivery services operate as usual, while postal services are slower and slower and the list of countries they deliver to is becoming shorter by the day. We strongly recommend choosing DHL or FedEx for delivery of your purchase.
- 2020, APR 17
The tea fields of Uji and Ohmi are constantly checked for the awakening of the tea trees, but due to cold morning temperatures, the process is slow. Tea harvest will definitely be later this year than in 2019. The virus crisis is expected to have no effect on the harvest and production of the tea, but the annual shincha market will definitely look different than usually; the buyers will be allowed to check out the market one at a time, strictly wearing masks and gloves, making it harder to smell and feel the teas, but fortunately, for blending masters with many decades of experience this is not a problem. :) All our partners are equal to the task!
- 2020, APR 13
90% of ANA and JAL international flights have been canceled. Visas for Japan are still held back or canceled. The end of the restrictions is May 15, but as the date gets closer they will revisit the question. Many small shops and businesses had to close down and are going bankrupt. People only leave their homes for work and grocery shopping. Businesses with online platforms are in advantage thanks to online shopping; these businesses can generate profits or even thrive in the current situation.
Our tea and artist partners are all well and active. We also try to order as much from them as we can and even bring forth bigger order projects to help them as much as we can in these difficult times.
- 2020, APR 9
Japan Post stops providing services to further countries:
- Shri Lanka - Nepal - Australia - Pitcairn Islands - Sweden - Denmark - Norway - Brasil - Eritrea - Buthan - Siria - Bahrain - Fiji Islands - Serbia - Zimbabwe - Botswana
We strongly recommend our customers to choose courier services for delivery: DHL or FedEx - they continue operating regularly without problem or delay.
- 2020, APR 9
Unfortunately, we have to give up on delivering to Russia, because in spite of all our efforts to find a solution, we have found no way to get our packages delivered. At the moment there are no delivery services that would take our packages to Russia.
The reason for the stoppage is the lack of resources for Japan Post and the rejection of all food-product import by the Russian government. As soon as there is a change in this situation we will inform our customers from Russia.
Until then, we wish you all health, peace, and hope that soon we will be over this crisis. We hope to have you back soon!
- 2020, APR 8
The first COVID19 case in our city has been registered. In the prefecture, there are 25 registered cases at the moment. The numbers are growing but at a very slow pace. Here it is still not a state of emergency, everything operates as normal.
The Sazen Team and our surroundings are safe and healthy. We take all the necessary steps to keep it this way.
We pray for health, peace and harmony while drinking our daily tea.
We wish our customers strength both mentally and physically! Take care of yourself!
We also take every necessary step to make sure we all stay healthy.
- 2020, APR 7
7 prefectures in Japan have been declared to be in a state of emergency: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka
This means all businesses in the catering industry (restaurants, cafes, bars, etc) and shopping centers, state institutes are closed. Prime Minister Abe asked all citizens of Japan to only leave their homes for work purposes and if absolutely necessary.
The center of Japanese tea, the Uji region, Kyoto Prefecture and the location of our warehouse with Sazen operating room, Shiga Prefecture has not reached a state of emergency yet. Everything operates as normal.
- 2020, APR 6
All tea-related events planned for spring and summer have been canceled. All museums are closed. According to current plans, many events will be held at a later date in autumn or canceled, e.g. Manpuku Daichakai and YoshidaYama Tea Festival
- 2020, APR 3
Dear Russian customers! We are working on a solution to sending packages to you. Please, hold off your order for a few days.
- 2020, APR 3
By government decision, Japanese airports no longer accept foreigners, not even with quarantine. All foreigners currently in Japan have been requested to leave the country immediately. All agreements of visa exemption have been revoked with partnering countries, e.g the Schengen countries.
International air traffic has been limited to parcel delivery. Only courier services with private planes are able to operate normally in this difficult situation. The postal services are constantly restrained, their resources are decreasing, as they do not have their own cargo and their operations depended greatly on passenger flights.
Fou the orders of our customers we strongly recommend courier services: DHL or FedEx. They operate as regular.
- 2020, APR 2
Due to the global situation with the virus, Japan Post has suspended its services to many countries. To check the status of your country, read the list of suspended countries here: https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2020/0401_02_01_en.pdf
In light of this, we recommend DHL or FedEx for the delivery of packages.
