What is shipping method SAL?

Japan Post SAL Shipping Question?

• On December 17th I ordered a registered mail package from the Hokkaido prefecture in Japan using SAL shipping. It was collected on the 19th, and arrived in Tokyo on the 21st. It left later that day. The status of the order hasn't been changed since then. What are the chances it has been lost? If it HASN'T been lost, any idea on when it might arrive at my house? I live in North Carolina. Please help! I'm very anxious and I can't stop thinking about it.

• Answer:

  There was a post on here the other day that said that SAL is notorious for slow service. As in the time required stated is not the same as the actual time required. Your package probably isn't lost. Just keep waiting. I sent my sister a package about a week before you, using SAL, and it still hasn't arrived at her Virginia address. NOTE: Just checked. Sent my package on the 12th. Just got a message from my sister in VA saying it arrived today, so 1/6 her time. So 25 days in this case. Now, my package was posted in Nara. Not a clue the path it traveled, maybe through Tokyo, maybe straight out. But if it left on the 21st, and the trend follows my package, you should get it in a week or so. That was probably the last time I'll use SAL. Japan airmail is a bit more expensive, but it sure is faster.