The per-order minimum went up a bit. This means that it is more expensive to make small orders with only a few items.
The per-item cost was scrapped. Amazon now charges a per-kg fee instead. Previously, the per-kg fee only applied to certain types of items, but now it applies to all items.
For example, B6 books are very light (about 120 g). At 750 yen/kg (to Europe), the shipping cost per item is now down to approximately 90 yen. On the other hand, a manga magazine (say, about 700 g) is now 525 yen per item. Previously, you paid 300 yen per item regardless of weight. This is good if you mainly buy light items but bad if you mainly buy heavy items.
Starting some time in March, Amazon suspended international shipping of items with unknown weight. The weight of a book becomes known to Amazon on the release date, sometimes up to a week earlier. Due to this new restriction, you can't pre-order books (earlier than say 1-2 days before the release date). Bad for me as I sometimes buy limited edition books which may sell out before the release date. You can't get these unless you pre-order them.
Amazon just revised the shipping cost (on 1 May).
The per-order minimum went up a bit. This means that it is more expensive to make small orders with only a few items.
The per-item cost was scrapped. Amazon now charges a per-kg fee instead. Previously, the per-kg fee only applied to certain types of items, but now it applies to all items.
For example, B6 books are very light (about 120 g). At 750 yen/kg (to Europe), the shipping cost per item is now down to approximately 90 yen. On the other hand, a manga magazine (say, about 700 g) is now 525 yen per item. Previously, you paid 300 yen per item regardless of weight. This is good if you mainly buy light items but bad if you mainly buy heavy items.
Starting some time in March, Amazon suspended international shipping of items with unknown weight. The weight of a book becomes known to Amazon on the release date, sometimes up to a week earlier. Due to this new restriction, you can't pre-order books (earlier than say 1-2 days before the release date). Bad for me as I sometimes buy limited edition books which may sell out before the release date. You can't get these unless you pre-order them.