How to respond to a Yamato Transport (kuroneko / black cat) attempted delivery notice

Nov 27, 2023

If Yamato Transport (who have the logo of a black cat carrying its kitten) tries to deliver a package to you, but you're not there, they'll leave an "attempted delivery notice" in your mailbox.

This notice gives you a phone number to call, which connects you to an automated phone system. You can use this to request re-delivery. This guide explains how to use this system.

Preparation

Before calling you need to know:

• Your phone number
• The date you desire delivery, in MMDD format (e.g. 1st December would be 1201)
• The code for the desired delivery time (details below)

Sequence

1. Call the phone number listed on the notice. The first number is for if you're calling from a fixed-line phone, and is free. The second number (with "PHS" next to it) is if you're calling from a mobile. This guide is based on experience calling the PHS number.
2. Once the call connects, the system will start speaking.
3. At the end of the first prompt, you will hear: "denpyou bangou kudasai". Now you should enter the tracking number on the notice — this is the big number at the bottom of the sticker stuck onto the notice (ignore its dashes).
4. Next the system will speak the number you just entered, and then prompt you to confirm by pressing 1. Once it finishes talking, press 1.
5. The system will then ask something else. Once it finishes, press 1 again.
6. Next it will ask for the delivery day. This is in format MMDD. E.g. 0905 for 5th September. So now: input your desired delivery date in this MMDD format.
7. Next it will ask you for the code for the time of day you want the delivery to happen. To work out this number, look for the table on the notice, located under the "PHS". 1 means morning. The subsequent numbers are for afternoon/evening, and show the hours of the timeslot (in 24-hour time).
8. So now: press the number corresponding to your desired delivery time.
9. Next, the system will ask for confirmation. Press 1 to confirm.
10. Next the system will ask for your phone number ("denwa bango"). So now: enter your phone number.
11. The system will then thank you, and hang up.

If you completed those steps successfully, you can now expect your delivery to arrive at your requested date, in your requested time range.