Diary: The “Impossible” Shipment from Hong Kong MTR to Tokyo

Date: December 2025
Route: Hong Kong Airport Express → Shenzhen → Tokyo, Japan
Mission: Retrieve lost electronics (with batteries) and bypass strict courier restrictions.

The Panic Email from Tokyo

It started with an email we received on a Thursday afternoon. Mr. Dofuku, a traveler who had just returned to Japan, realized he had left his most important gadgets on the Hong Kong Airport Express: a pair of AirPods Pro and a Sony RX0 II camera.

The good news? The MTR Lost Property Office had found them.
The bad news? They don’t ship internationally. They require someone to physically come to the counter, show an ID, and pick them up.

This is a classic scenario for our Lost Property Recovery Service. But this time, there was a twist that made standard shipping a nightmare.

The “Battery” Problem

After we confirmed we could act as Mr. Dofuku’s authorized representative to pick up the items, we hit a wall with logistics.

Both the AirPods and the Sony camera contain lithium batteries.
We called FedEx and DHL. The quotes were painful—around $150 to $200 USD just for shipping, due to “Dangerous Goods” surcharges. Even worse, many standard air mail channels simply reject used electronics with batteries entirely.

We didn’t want to charge our client more for shipping than the items were worth. We needed a smarter solution.

The Solution: Hand-Carry (The “Human” Courier)

Instead of fighting with courier regulations, we checked our network. We found a trusted traveler who was flying from Shenzhen to Tokyo just three days later.

We proposed a “Hand-Carry” plan to Mr. Dofuku:

1. We pick up the items from MTR Hong Kong.
2. We physically carry them across the border to Shenzhen using our Cross-Border Errand Service.
3. We hand them to the traveler, who flies them to Tokyo.
4. The traveler ships them via a local Japanese convenience store (Lawson/7-Eleven) to Mr. Dofuku’s door.

Mr. Dofuku loved the idea. It was faster, cheaper, and safer for the delicate camera.

Building Trust: The 50/50 Deal

Since this involved personal valuables, Mr. Dofuku was understandably nervous about paying upfront.
“I feel a bit uneasy,” he wrote honestly.

We completely understood. To make him comfortable, we proposed a 50% deposit model. He pays half to start the work, and the remaining 50% only after he receives the items in his hands in Tokyo.

This is how we operate. We aren’t just an agency; we are your Trusted Cross-Border Partner.

The Execution & The “Power Bank” Sacrifice

On pickup day, our staff went to the MTR station with the authorization letter. We successfully retrieved the AirPods, the Camera… and a black Anker Power Bank.

Here was a critical decision point.
The Power Bank was old, and the capacity markings had faded. Security at the airport would likely confiscate it, potentially risking the shipment of the expensive camera.
We emailed Mr. Dofuku immediately: “To ensure the camera gets to you safely, we suggest leaving the power bank behind.”
He agreed instantly. Sometimes, solving cross-border problems means knowing what not to ship.

Mission Accomplished

On December 17th, our traveler landed in Tokyo. That same night, she dropped the package off at a convenience store.
Two days later, we received the best email possible:

“I am happy to let you know that I have safely received the items today… Everything arrived in good condition.”

Mr. Dofuku promptly paid the remaining 50% via Alipay.

Why Choose Zerrand?

This case wasn’t just about “shipping a box.” It was about:

• Navigating Bureaucracy: Handling the MTR authorization paperwork.
• Solving Logistics: Bypassing strict battery restrictions.
• Human Trust: Offering flexible payment terms to reassure a worried client.

Whether you need to verify a supplier in China, or consolidate product samples, we act as your problem solvers on the ground.

Lost something in China or Hong Kong? Contact us today. We handle the problems that apps and algorithms can’t.