Shipping Methods Overview

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Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, please be advised that shipments may be taking longer than usual to reach their destinations. We ask for your patience and understanding during these troubling times. For more information regarding the current situation, please read our FAQ on the Coronavirus Situation.

* Measured in business days from the date your package ships. A business day is a week day, excluding Japanese national holidays. 30 business days is six weeks.
** Tracking and availability subject to country. See details for your country here.
*** Varies based on weight of package.
† Depending on shipping methods available in your country, your package may be sent by Air Small Packet or Air Parcel instead. See details for your country here.
†† Tracking will update infrequently and take some time.

Shipping Method Details

Surface Parcel

• Surface Parcel is the cheapest method available for overseas shipping of multiple items. Your package will take longer than if you use other methods and as your package will move by boat across the ocean, please understand that your box will arrive with some wear and tear. This method is best for when you aren't worried about your item boxes being in perfect condition, are looking to save some money, and you don't mind waiting awhile. 
• We cannot stress enough that patience is a virtue when it comes to this shipping method. We are unable to initiate a postal trace for Surface Parcel until four months have passed since it was shipped, as this is a notoriously slow shipping method.
• Track your Surface Parcel package here! Tracking is available but is extremely limited. Please understand that we are unable to provide updates about tracking beyond what is shown at this link.
• Box size and weight limitations vary per country. The maximum values available are listed in the chart above.

SAL/Air Small Packet

• SAL (Surface/Air Lift) Small Packet class is the default we offer. If SAL Small Packet class is not available to your country, Air Small Packet class will be used instead. Find details for your country here.
• Any items ordered with Small Packet class that exceed the restrictions described above will be shipped by a trackable method. In general, there will not even be a choice shown for Small Packet class during checkout or in the Private Warehouse if any of these limitations are exceeded.
• The exact method used to ship your order may vary by country, depending on service availability.
• This method does not have a tracking or registration number, and is not trackable.
  
• It is also not possible to print a phone number on the label for this shipping method - in order for your phone number to be printed, please select a tracked shipping method.
• If SAL is available to your country, it is not possible to select its Air equivalent for your order. Instead, we offer EMS class for trackable express air postal service.

Registered SAL/Air Small Packet

• Registered Small Packet is the same as Small Packet class, plus a 410-yen registration cost.
• Any items ordered with Registered Small Packet class that exceed the restrictions described above will be shipped by a trackable method. Registered Small Packet class is considered a registered shipping method, not a trackable shipping method. In general, Small Packet class will not be an available option during checkout or in Private Warehouse if any of these limitations are exceeded.
• The registration number has limited tracking capability. Real-time tracking is not provided, and up to 3 weeks may be required for the tracking record to become available.
• Track your Registered Small Packet package here!

SAL/Air Parcel

• SAL (Surface/Air Lift) Parcel class is the default we offer. If SAL Parcel class is not available to your country, Air Parcel class will be used instead. Find details for your country here.
• Depending on your location, the cost of Parcel class shipping may actually be higher than that of express EMS shipping, even though EMS is faster and has a tracking number.
• The tracking ability of the Parcel class registration number is minimal, sometimes not much more than a record of when the package leaves Japan, when it enters your country, and when it is delivered. For more robust tracking, please select a trackable method such as EMS, FedEx, or DHL.
• The exact method used to ship your order may vary by country, depending on service availability.
• If SAL is available to your country, it is not possible to select its Air equivalent for your order. Instead, we offer EMS class for trackable express air postal service.
• Track your Parcel class package here!

EMS

• EMS cannot ship to APO/FPO, or other military addresses.

DHL Express

• DHL shipping fees are calculated by volume, not weight. This makes them particularly reasonable for small, heavy packages, such as books, and for large, bulky shipments, compared to the postal service's rates. Be sure to compare estimates for the various available shipping methods!
• DHL cannot ship to PO Box, APO, FPO or other military addresses.
• Track your DHL shipment here!
• If you need to change your address on a DHL package that has already shipped, please contact us for assistance. A fee will apply as noted in the table above.
• CUSTOMERS IN EUROPE: Please be aware that for all shipping methods there may be fees charged by other organizations working with your country's post office. You are responsible for paying these fees.
• CUSTOMERS IN CANADA AND SOUTH AMERICA: Your country's Customs Office and/or your local DHL office may require special handling fees in addition to customs fees for imported items, which may be charged prior to or after delivery. You are responsible for paying these fees.
• CUSTOMERS IN THE USA: Please be aware that the US Customs Office may require a TSCA form or other documentation from you for shipments including ink or some non-toxic paints (such as Gundam Markers). Customs will supply the documents and instructions on how to fill them out, and there is no charge.

FedEx Economy

• Federal Express International Economy will become FedEx International Priority (which takes less time, 2-5 business days), if FedEx International Economy is not available in your country or if you select it at check-out.
• If FedEx service is not available to your country, DHL may be substituted.  
• FedEx shipping fees are calculated by volume, not weight. This makes them particularly reasonable for small, heavy packages, such as books, and for large, bulky shipments, compared to the postal service's rates. Be sure to compare estimates for the various available shipping methods!
• FedEx cannot ship to PO Box, APO, FPO or other military addresses.
• Track your FedEx shipment here!
• If you need to change your address on a FedEx package that has already shipped, please contact us for assistance. A fee will apply as noted in the table above.
• CUSTOMERS IN EUROPE: Please be aware that FedEx may charge a customs handling fee, and that your country's Customs Office will probably charge separate import fees and taxes. These may come as a bill arriving a week or more after you receive your package. For all shipping methods there may also be fees charged by other organizations working with your country's post office. You are responsible for paying these fees.
• CUSTOMERS IN CANADA AND SOUTH AMERICA: Your country's Customs Office and/or your local FedEx office may require special handling fees in addition to customs fees for imported items, which may be charged prior to or after delivery. You are responsible for paying these fees.
• CUSTOMERS IN THE USA: Please be aware that the US Customs Office may require a TSCA form or other documentation from you for shipments including ink or some non-toxic paints (such as Gundam Markers). Customs will supply the documents and instructions on how to fill them out, and there is no charge.

In all cases, you are responsible for paying customs fees and for providing any and all documents required by Customs. Failure to pay fees or provide documents may result in the package being sent back to us, and you will be responsible for paying the additional fees and charges for the return shipment (which are often much more expensive than the original shipping cost).