Shipping policy
Shipping & Delivery Policy
This policy explains how Japan Knife Shop processes and ships international orders, including delivery estimates, shipping charges, customs requirements, and delivery issues.
Important – Import Duties, Taxes, and Customs Charges: International orders are shipped on a Delivered at Place (DAP) basis. Import duties, VAT, customs clearance charges, and carrier handling fees are not included in the product price or shipping charges and are the responsibility of the recipient, unless expressly stated otherwise at checkout or confirmed in writing by Japan Knife Shop. Please see Section 6 for details.
Nothing in this policy limits mandatory consumer rights under applicable law, including statutory rights of withdrawal or cancellation available to eligible consumers in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and United Kingdom (UK). Where applicable mandatory law provides greater protection, that law takes precedence.
1) Shipping Origin
All orders are shipped from Japan to the destination specified in the customer's shipping address.
2) Order Processing Time (Handling Time)
Orders are typically processed and dispatched within 1–5 business days after payment is confirmed, excluding weekends and Japanese public holidays.
Some items may require additional processing time due to stock availability or sourcing from our suppliers.
If we anticipate a significant delay in dispatching your order, we will contact you with an update and discuss available options, including cancellation and a refund where applicable. If Japan Knife Shop is unable to fulfill an order, we will refund the amounts paid for the unfulfilled order or items, including applicable shipping charges, without charging our general cancellation fee.
Processing time does not include international transit time. Estimated delivery times after dispatch are provided in Section 4.
3) Shipping Methods
Our primary shipping method is DHL Express, which provides international delivery and shipment tracking.
For destinations where DHL Express delivery is unavailable, we may use Japan Post EMS as an alternative, subject to service availability.
Both services provide shipment tracking. Available shipping methods depend on the destination, delivery address, and carrier service conditions.
If a change in shipping method is necessary after an order has been placed, we will contact you before dispatch. Any additional shipping charges will be communicated in advance and will require your agreement.
4) Delivery Time Estimates
Estimated delivery times after dispatch are as follows:
- DHL Express: approximately 2–9 business days
- Japan Post EMS: approximately 5–15 business days
These are estimates, not guaranteed delivery dates. Actual transit times may vary due to destination, customs clearance, weather, peak shipping periods, and other transportation conditions.
These estimates exclude the order processing time described in Section 2.
After dispatch, we will send a shipment confirmation with tracking information.
5) Address Requirements
Please provide a complete and accurate shipping address and contact information, including the recipient's full name, street address, postal code, and telephone number.
DHL Express generally requires a physical delivery address and may not accept P.O. Box addresses.
If we identify an incomplete or incorrect address before dispatch, we may contact you for clarification. Dispatch may be delayed until the required information is confirmed.
If an incorrect or incomplete address provided by the customer results in additional carrier charges or the return of a shipment, the customer may be responsible for reasonable additional costs actually incurred, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to correct your shipping address. Address changes may not be possible after dispatch.
Nothing in this Section limits mandatory consumer rights under applicable law.
6) Duties, Taxes & Customs Fees
Import Duties, Taxes, and Customs Charges
International orders are shipped on a Delivered at Place (DAP) basis. Unless expressly stated otherwise at checkout or confirmed in writing by Japan Knife Shop, import duties, VAT, sales taxes, customs clearance charges, and carrier handling fees are not included in the product price or shipping charges and are the responsibility of the recipient.
Import charges depend on the destination country, product classification, customs valuation, and applicable regulations. We cannot guarantee the amount of charges assessed by customs authorities or carriers. Please consult your local customs authority for further information.
Charges paid directly to customs authorities, DHL, or other third parties are generally not refundable by Japan Knife Shop because they were not collected by us. Any potential reimbursement should be discussed with the relevant customs authority, carrier, or tax authority. Where import-related charges were collected by Japan Knife Shop, their refund treatment will depend on the circumstances and applicable law.
United States – Important Notice
Orders shipped from Japan to the United States may be subject to import duties, taxes, customs clearance charges, and carrier processing fees, regardless of order value. Unless expressly stated otherwise at checkout or confirmed in writing by Japan Knife Shop, these charges are the responsibility of the recipient.
China – Import Regulations & Personal Use
Certain products, including kitchen knives, may be subject to customs review, inspection, or import restrictions when shipped to China.
Orders intended for personal use must comply with applicable Chinese customs requirements. Commercial resale, bulk importation, or distribution may require additional import procedures, permits, or licenses.
Customers may be required to provide information or documentation requested by customs authorities. Shipments may be delayed, refused, returned, or confiscated where applicable import requirements are not met.
Unclaimed, Refused, or Returned Shipments
If a shipment is refused, remains unclaimed, or is returned because the recipient fails to pay applicable import charges or provide required customs information, that refusal or failure does not, by itself, constitute a valid return request or exercise of a statutory right of withdrawal or cancellation.
Under our general return policy, where a shipment is returned to Japan due to circumstances attributable to the recipient, Japan Knife Shop may deduct reasonable costs actually incurred as a direct result, including return shipping charges, carrier fees, storage charges, and customs-related expenses, from any refund otherwise due, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
If a shipment is not returned to us, or is lost, abandoned, or disposed of following a refusal or customs issue, any refund request will be assessed based on the circumstances, shipment status, and applicable law.
If reshipment is requested, any additional shipping charges will be communicated in advance and will require your agreement.
Exceptions and Statutory Rights
Where customs or delivery issues arise from an error attributable to Japan Knife Shop, we will review the circumstances and provide an appropriate remedy in accordance with applicable law.
Nothing in this Section limits mandatory statutory rights of withdrawal, cancellation, refund, or other consumer protections. Eligible consumers in the EU/EEA and UK may exercise applicable statutory withdrawal or cancellation rights by clearly notifying us in accordance with the applicable legal requirements. Further details are provided in our Return & Refund Policy.
7) United Kingdom – Age Verification Requirement
Certain kitchen knives and other bladed products are subject to age restrictions under United Kingdom law and must not be sold to persons under the age of 18.
Customers purchasing age-restricted products for delivery to the United Kingdom must be at least 18 years old.
For shipments to the United Kingdom, Japan Knife Shop uses DHL Express with the Adult Signature Required service to help ensure that age-restricted products are delivered to an adult recipient.
The recipient may be required to present valid proof of age or identity at delivery.
If applicable delivery requirements cannot be satisfied, delivery may be delayed, refused, or returned.
Any additional shipping or return costs arising from circumstances attributable to the recipient will be handled in accordance with Section 6 and our Return & Refund Policy, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
8) Shipping Restrictions & Compliance
Certain products or destinations may be subject to import restrictions, customs regulations, or carrier shipping limitations.
Customers are responsible for checking applicable import restrictions, permits, and documentation requirements in their destination country. This does not remove any obligations Japan Knife Shop has under applicable law.
Japan Knife Shop may decline or cancel orders that cannot lawfully or practically be shipped due to applicable laws, customs restrictions, or carrier policies.
If we cannot ship an order, we will contact you to discuss available options, including an alternative shipping method where possible. If the order cannot be fulfilled, we will refund the amounts paid for the affected order or items, including applicable shipping charges, without charging our general cancellation fee.
We cannot falsely declare merchandise as a gift, understate its value, or provide inaccurate product descriptions or customs documentation.
Nothing in this Section limits mandatory consumer rights under applicable law.
9) Insurance, Loss & Damage
Shipment Tracking and Insurance
All orders are shipped with tracking information. Shipping insurance or carrier liability coverage may vary depending on the shipping method and service used. The scope of carrier coverage does not determine or limit any mandatory rights you may have against Japan Knife Shop.
Lost or Missing Shipments
If your shipment appears to be lost or has not arrived within a reasonable period after the estimated delivery date, please contact us at support@japan-knifeshop.com.
We will investigate the shipment status with the carrier and work with you to determine an appropriate resolution. Where a shipment is lost before delivery, we will provide an appropriate remedy, such as replacement or refund, in accordance with applicable law. Carrier investigations will not be used to unreasonably delay remedies required by law.
Damaged Shipments
If your order arrives damaged, please contact us as soon as possible, preferably with your order number and photographs of the product, packaging, and shipping label where available.
Please retain the product and packaging until we have reviewed the issue, where reasonably possible. These requests do not limit statutory rights if photographs or packaging are unavailable.
If the damage occurred during shipping for which we are responsible, we will provide an appropriate remedy, which may include replacement, repair, or refund, in accordance with our Return & Refund Policy and applicable law. Where appropriate, reasonable return shipping costs will be covered or waived.
Customs Inspections
International shipments may be opened or inspected by customs authorities. Such inspections may cause delays or damage to packaging or contents. If your shipment arrives damaged following a customs inspection, please contact us so that we can review the circumstances and assist with an appropriate resolution.
Nothing in this Section limits mandatory consumer rights or remedies under applicable law.
10) Delays Outside Our Control
International deliveries may be delayed by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including adverse weather, customs inspections or clearance procedures, transportation disruptions, carrier service interruptions, natural disasters, and other unforeseen events.
The delivery times in Section 4 are estimates and are not guaranteed delivery dates.
If a significant delivery delay occurs, please contact us at support@japan-knifeshop.com. We will review the shipment status, contact the carrier where appropriate, and assist in resolving the issue. Where we become aware of a significant delay, we will make reasonable efforts to keep you informed.
If an order is not delivered within a timeframe required by applicable law, you may be entitled to cancel the order and receive a refund under your statutory rights. Nothing in this Section limits mandatory consumer rights or remedies under applicable law.
11) Shipping Cost Calculation
Shipping costs are determined by the destination country or region.
A flat shipping rate applies to each destination, regardless of the number of items ordered, their weight, or the total order value.
The applicable shipping cost will be displayed at checkout before you complete your purchase.
As described in Section 6, international orders are shipped on a Delivered at Place (DAP) basis. Import duties, VAT, customs clearance charges, and carrier handling fees are not included in the shipping cost and are generally the responsibility of the recipient, unless expressly stated otherwise at checkout or confirmed in writing by Japan Knife Shop.