Last updated: August 2026
At Japan Importer, we specialise in authentic Japanese collectibles shipped directly from Japan to customers around the world.
This page explains how your order will be shipped, when you can expect to receive it and what happens if there is a problem with delivery.
1. Shipping Origin
All orders are shipped directly from Japan.
Products sold by Japan Importer are sourced in Japan and dispatched to the shipping address provided during checkout.
2. Shipping Destinations
Japan Importer offers international shipping to the countries available for selection during checkout.
Available shipping methods and costs may vary depending on the destination.
If your country is not available during checkout, we are currently unable to ship orders to that destination.
3. Shipping Methods
Depending on the destination, customers may choose between:
- EMS (Express Mail Service) — our faster shipping option, with estimated delivery within approximately 2 weeks from the date of purchase.
- Japan Post — our standard shipping option, with estimated delivery within approximately 3 weeks from the date of purchase.
The available options and their prices will be clearly displayed during checkout before you place your order.
4. Shipping Costs
Shipping costs depend on the destination and shipping method selected.
The total shipping cost will always be displayed during checkout before payment, so you can review it before completing your purchase.
5. Order Preparation
Orders require preparation in Japan before international dispatch.
You do not need to add a separate preparation period to our estimated delivery times. The approximately 2-week EMS and 3-week Japan Post estimates are calculated from the date of purchase and already include order preparation.
Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive shipping confirmation and tracking information.
6. Estimated Delivery Times
Estimated delivery times are:
- EMS (Express Mail Service): approximately 2 weeks from the date of purchase.
- Japan Post: approximately 3 weeks from the date of purchase.
These are estimated delivery times rather than guaranteed delivery dates. Occasionally, customs inspections, postal disruptions, public holidays, severe weather or other circumstances outside our reasonable control may cause delays.
If your order is taking significantly longer than expected, please contact support@japanimporter.com and we will check the shipment for you.
Your statutory rights regarding delivery are not affected.
7. Tracking
All international orders are shipped with tracking.
Once your order has been shipped from Japan, you will receive an email containing your tracking number and a link to track your shipment.
Your tracking information will also be available in My Account → Orders, where you can check it at any time.
Please note that tracking information may take some time to become available after the parcel has been accepted by the carrier.
8. Import Taxes and Customs Duties
We want international delivery to be as simple and predictable as possible.
Applicable import VAT and customs duties are included in the purchase price. You should therefore not normally be required to pay these taxes or duties when your order arrives.
In some countries, the local postal, customs or delivery operator may charge a small administrative, customs-clearance or handling fee. Where applicable, this is a local processing fee charged by the relevant operator and is separate from the import VAT and customs duties that have already been prepaid. Usually for most UE countries this fee ranges between 5-10 euro.
As the recipient of an international shipment from Japan, you may be considered the importer for customs purposes and may occasionally be asked to provide identification or other information required for customs clearance.
If you are unexpectedly asked to pay import VAT or customs duties that appear to have already been prepaid, please contact support@japanimporter.com before making payment whenever reasonably possible. We will check the shipment details for you.
9. Delivery Responsibility
Japan Importer remains responsible for the risk of loss or damage to your order during transportation until you, or a third party designated by you other than the carrier, receive the goods, except where applicable law provides otherwise.
The fact that the recipient may be considered the importer for customs purposes does not by itself transfer the transportation risk to the customer before delivery.
10. Delayed or Lost Shipments
International shipments can occasionally experience delays.
A delay or temporary lack of tracking updates does not necessarily mean that a parcel has been lost.
If your order appears to be significantly delayed, please contact support@japanimporter.com. We will review the tracking information and, where appropriate, investigate the shipment with the carrier.
If a shipment is confirmed as lost, your rights and remedies under applicable consumer protection law remain unaffected.
11. Damaged Shipments
If your order arrives damaged, please contact us as soon as reasonably possible.
Please keep the product, original shipping packaging, shipping labels and any documentation received with the parcel. We may also ask you to provide photographs of the package and product so that we can investigate the damage with the carrier.
Please contact support@japanimporter.com
Your statutory consumer rights are not affected.
12. Incorrect Addresses and Undeliverable Shipments
Please check your shipping information carefully before placing your order.
If you notice an error after completing your purchase, contact support@japanimporter.com as soon as possible.
We will do our best to correct the address before dispatch, although changes cannot be guaranteed once preparation or shipping has begun.
If a parcel cannot be delivered because the shipping information provided by the customer was incorrect or incomplete, we will contact the customer where reasonably possible to determine the appropriate next steps.
Any reasonable additional costs directly resulting from incorrect information provided by the customer will be handled in accordance with applicable consumer law.
13. Returns
Returns are governed by our separate Returns & Refunds Policy.
Please follow the return instructions provided by Japan Importer before sending any product back.
Products should not be returned to the original sender in Japan or to an address shown on the shipping parcel unless Japan Importer specifically instructs you to do so.
14. Contact Us
If you have any questions about customs, shipping, tracking or delivery, please contact us:
Japan Importer
Email: support@japanimporter.com