Frequently Asked Questions

International hand-carry, also known as on-board courier (OBC), is an urgent delivery service in which a courier travels with your cargo all the way to its destination. See our Service page for details.

Same-day delivery is possible in some cases. For example, cargo from Japan to Bangkok, Thailand can arrive the same day or the next day, with a flight time of about 7 to 8 hours. Timing depends on the pickup location, destination, and seat availability, so contact us and we'll propose the fastest plan.

Yes. LOTUS operates 24/7/365. Late at night, early in the morning, or on a public holiday, we start arranging your shipment as soon as you call. There is no pickup cut-off time.

Rates depend on the origin, destination, airline, season, and cargo, so we quote each shipment individually. Quotes are free.

We have carried a wide range of cargo, including automotive parts, electronic components, machine parts, and prototypes. Whether we can accept a shipment depends on the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, aviation laws, and each airline's rules. If you're unsure, please prepare an SDS (Safety Data Sheet, formerly MSDS) in advance, and we will check with the airline. Please note that the final decision rests with the airline.

Please let us know the cargo contents, size and weight, the pickup location, the delivery address, your required delivery date, and the contact details of the person in charge. If the cargo may contain dangerous goods, please also check whether product documentation or an SDS is available.

Yes. We can dispatch couriers from our offices in Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, so we also handle shipments from overseas to Japan and between overseas locations. Availability and transit times vary by route, so please call us first to discuss your shipment.

We have no cut-off time. Even at the last minute, we will do everything we can to accommodate you, so please contact us right away.

Please prepare a commercial invoice and a packing list. Additional documents may be required in some cases.

Yes. Drawing on the network we have built since our founding in 1998, we will introduce the partner customs broker best suited to your needs.

Yes. Although our offices are in Thailand, Hong Kong, and Japan, we receive many requests from other countries as well and provide hand-carry service from them. Please contact us to discuss your shipment.

It depends on the airline, aircraft, and booking status, and heavier shipments may need more than one courier. We have hand-carried a shipment totaling 2 tons (2,000 kg) from Bangkok to New York, and we do our best to accommodate every request. Please get in touch first.

You can bring the cargo to the airport, or we can pick it up from a location of your choice. At the destination, we can either hand it over at the airport or deliver it to the address you specify.
(Note) Pickup and delivery to a specified address are charged separately.

It depends on the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, aviation laws, and each airline's rules. Please prepare an SDS (Safety Data Sheet, formerly MSDS) in advance, and we will check with the airline based on it. Please note that the final decision rests with the airline.

Our service is dedicated to business clients, so we are unable to accept requests from individuals. We appreciate your understanding.

While your cargo is carried by the airline, either the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal Convention applies, depending on the countries of departure and destination. In some cases, the final decision may rest with the airline.
Please note that we accept no liability beyond the coverage provided under these conventions.