Shipping and customs
Read this page before your first order. Customs handling is the single most common source of misunderstanding in cross-border trade, and our terms are stated plainly so there are no surprises on delivery.
Where your goods ship from
Orders are dispatched directly from Japan. There is no European warehouse in the chain, which is what allows us to price below re-exported stock. It also means every shipment is an import into your country.
Incoterms: DAP
All shipments are made DAP, Delivered at Place (Incoterms 2020). In practice:
- We arrange and pay for transport to the delivery address you give us.
- You are the importer of record. Import duties, import VAT and any customs clearance or handling fees charged by the carrier are payable by you on arrival.
- The price shown on our site and on your invoice covers the goods and the transport only. It never includes duties or import taxes.
Your carrier will normally invoice you for duties and import VAT before or at delivery. As a VAT-registered business you will usually be able to recover the import VAT through your national procedure. Check the treatment in your own country before ordering.
Documentation
Each shipment carries a commercial invoice stating the goods, the declared value, the country of origin and the customs tariff heading. We declare the real transaction value. We do not under-declare shipments, and we cannot mark commercial goods as gifts or samples.
Transit times
Transit from Japan is typically a few working days by express carrier, plus customs clearance in the destination country. Clearance time is outside our control and can add several days. Transit times are indicative and never contractual.
Packaging
Sealed product is shipped in its original packaging inside a rigid outer carton with protection at the corners and edges. Full master cartons are shipped as supplied by the manufacturer.
Damage and shortages
Inspect every shipment on arrival, before signing where the carrier allows it. Photograph the outer carton before opening it if there is any visible damage. Claims must reach us within seven calendar days of delivery, with photographs of the packaging and the contents. Without that evidence, carriers reject damage claims and we cannot pursue them on your behalf.