International Shipping and Virtual Warehouse Service to Bring Shopping in Japan Closer to Overseas Resident

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, has launched a new B-to-C business, “MOL CART” on the 20th of January. MOL CART provides an international delivery and forwarding service for overseas residents, also serves as a temporary storage of goods purchased from Japanese online shopping sites.

Outline of MOL CART

MOL CART is a delivery and forwarding service that delivers all kinds of Japanese products to overseas residents easily and safely and offers highly convenient warehousing and logistics services for a variety of situations by offering virtual warehousing functions that can be managed by customers themselves.

Experience our service in these scenes:

• For those who want to purchase Japanese products from Japanese online shopping sites, but they don’t offer international shipping.
  Our customers can have their purchases shipped to our warehouse at an address in Japan and manage them in　their own virtual warehouse. This new service enables delivery to your door overseas at your preferred timing, and we can even combine purchases from multiple sites into a single shipment for your convenience.
• For those who want to store their suitcases at a hotel in Japan, but don’t have enough storage space due to having too much luggage.
  Even If you do not have enough storage space for your luggage due to over tourism, this new service can deliver your suitcases smoothly to your home. Our customer can receive combined luggage shipped from different locations in Japan using our warehouse.
• For those who don’t have enough shopping time during their short stay in Japan.
  Our customer can purchase items online before their visit to Japan and store them securely in our warehouse for up to 8 months and pick up their purchases at their convenience during their stay in Japan.
• For those who want to send gifts from Japan to their family and friends overseas.
  Our customer can send gifts to loved ones overseas with ease. Our virtual warehouse and multilingual support simplify international shipping, even if the delivery date and method for international shipping are complex.

MOL CART offers each customer a dedicated virtual warehouse on the platform and provides the flexibility to use that for various needs.
Delivery service will begin in seven regions: China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, and Japan. We plan to expand our service to other regions in the future. Furthermore, MOL is also strategically expanding the range of products handled and continuously enhances the functionality of its virtual warehouses.

Key Features of MOL CART

• [Virtual Warehousing] Overseas residents can casually purchase Japanese products from online shopping sites and have them delivered to their home, hotel, or other desired locations. For added convenience, customers can store their purchases in a virtual warehouse for up to 8 months prior to delivery. Residents of Japan can also use the virtual warehouse as a personal storage facility for items such as golf bags, ensuring convenient access and delivery when needed.
• [Platform] In collaboration with a tech start-up founded by former SONY engineers with experience in PlayStation development, the MOL CART platform boasts an intuitive and easy-to-use design, leveraging expertise in user interface design. The platform is designed for easy mobile accessibility, with all operations conveniently performed through the “MOL CART” app, scheduled for release in the coming year.
• [Multilingual Support] With comprehensive customer support available in Japanese, English, and both simplified and traditional Chinese, MOL CART ensures a user-friendly experience for a wider global customer.

MOL CART originates from a business concept adopted under our “MOL Incubation Bridge” program launched in 2019 to foster innovative new business ventures. This new service was designed to address challenges faced by overseas customers in accessing a wide range of high-quality Japanese products. In the midst of a surge in inbound tourism and growing global demand for Japanese goods, MOL will promote Japan’s industrial development and contribute to economic growth by serving as a vital platform for international commerce.

Future Vision

In April 2023, MOL established the “Wellbeing & Lifestyle Business Division” to develop businesses that enhance the well-being and lifestyles of all stakeholders. This shift aims to create a robust business foundation centered on “people” complementing MOL’s cargo transportation services. The division encompasses diverse businesses, including real estate, cruise ships, and ferries, other than traditional scope of shipping. By expanding and growing these businesses, MOL is taking on the challenge of creating new value in response to the diverse needs of society. MOL CART as a prime example aims to maximize customer synergies.