SMARI: The New Way to Ship Mercari Items

SMARI The New Way to Ship Mercari Items

Last month I wrote a “How-To” article about sending items from Mercari using Lawson’s “Loppi” machines. Not two weeks later, the procedure in some Lawson shops has changed. They now have a new machine called “SMARI”. Fear not, the complexity of what to do has been vastly reduced. Once you get to grips with the new method, you too will be happy that it has changed. 

From now on, using Loppi is not necessary. Now, if you use the Loppi machine, it may well bring up this error when you scan your QR code.

SMARI Machine
Here is a SMARI ‘in the field’.

How to use the new SMARI machines

SMARI Select Screen
Bonus tip: If the machine still cannot read your QR code, check that your phone has not gone onto its screensaver!

Select the Mercari option (left-hand side) and scan your QR code on the screen when prompted. It can be a bit tricky to line up the code with the pointer on the screen, but you will get there eventually.

Once the code has been read, you will get this Terms and Conditions screen. Make sure you check the box at the bottom or you will not be able to move on! 

SMARI Package Label

The machine should now dispense two slips of paper. The smaller one is your receipt. Take it home with you. The larger slip is a packaging sticker, which you peel off and put onto your package. All of the information is here, and not on three different sheets of paper! 

Once the packaging sticker has been added, all you have to do is post the package in the box on the left. 

It’s that easy! If you are someone who prefers as little interaction as possible or is getting fed up lining up behind dawdling school students at the register (Hello!), this method will take a lot of weight off your mind.

Keep in mind that some shops do still use Loppi and some may not have changed to the SMARI system even if the machine is there. Additionally, if you have a big parcel, you will have to use the Loppi machine. If in doubt, go to the SMARI first. It will know if your parcel is too big and direct you to Loppi if it is. To review how to use Loppi, you can read my previous article here.

Need help with figuring out living in Tokyo? Our Tokyo 101 guides take the stress out of navigating life in Japan.

Images by Jon Wilson

Jon Wilson
Having lived in Japan since 2014, Jon has made himself very much at home on Japan's railways and local trains. He aims to help anyone who wants to ease their commute, plan a unique holiday, or simply gain an advantage in a pub quiz! Enjoy!

2 Comments

  1. Sobia says:

    Hi! Thank you for explaining the whole process in detail. Could you also please tell about yamato and JP post pick ups? How do we do that? Call them up or do it online through mercari?

  2. […] that caught my eye was Smari. What is this? Another mystery white machine in Lawson? A quick search online informed me that this is a machine partnered with Mercari to simplify shipping packages. Everything […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *