Shipping policy

SHIPPING AND DELIVERY


SECTION 1.  DOMESTIC SHIPPING

After the order is processed, most packages are dispatched within two to three (2/3) business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation email after your order leaves our Kyoto shop, which includes information such as a tracking number and estimated delivery day.

Remember that our flatpacks are free shipping! We also offer domestic Free Shipping on orders of 5,000¥!

All products are shipped by Japan Post and have tracking service.

Please check the link below to know where your box is!

https://trackings.post.japanpost.jp/services/srv/search/

Please note that « working days » do not include weekends or holidays.

 

SECTION 2. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

After the order is processed, most packages are dispatched within two to three (2/3) business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation email after your order leaves our Kyoto shop, which includes information such as a tracking number (if applicable).

All products are shipped by air from Japan to your house by Japan Post.

https://www.post.japanpost.jp/index_en.html

Please use this link to check the Japan Post « Shipping and Tracking  service» section and the « international mail> check rates and delivery days » session, to see more informations about countries we ship to, as well as the estimated delivery days for each country. 

We offer the following shipping options:

・Surface mail service (by boat without tracking): estimated delivery within 30 to 90 working days in many regions

・Small packet service (without tracking) : estimated delivery 9-20 business days to many areas

・Epacket light service (registered / tracked) : estimated delivery 9-20 business days to many areas

・Express EMS service (tracked / insured): estimated delivery within 2 to 5 working days to many regions

Please note that « working days » do not include weekends or holidays.


SECTION 3. SHIPPING COST

International shipping cost vary depending on where you live, the weight of your package and the shipping method you choose. The total shipping cost is automatically calculated by our system. Exact shipping rates will be displayed during the checkout process. We also offer Free Shipping on orders of $100 USD or more to many countries!

Flatpack products are shipped by Japan Post in Economy service (without tracking, without insurance) for FREE. However, to keep our environnemental impact as small as possible, if you order a box with your flatpack we may sent it along at your charge (box weight only will be charged).

Note that for high-volume and/or professional orders, actual shipping fees may differ from these estimates.

 

SECTION 4. CUSTOMS

Please be aware that the customer is responsible for paying any customs fees applied to their order and for providing any and all documents required by customs in the country of receipt.

These costs include the sales tax in the country of receipt (applied to the total value of the order), duties on the cost of products (around 6% for the European Union) and any handling fees applied by the shipping provider. For order from USA: since you are ordering a small and cheap packages there is a big chance will be cleared without any fee.  In any case, please refer to your country customs website for more details.

We understand that custom fees are annoying and worrying but you really are ordering directly from Japan and this could be the price to pay to get authentic, tasty and original Japanese spices that are not easily found anywhere else.

Note that even with our Free Shipping option, you may have to pay any customs fees and/or taxes from buying goods from abroad. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.






SECTION 5. DELIVERY ISSUES

If you have selected « Economy » or « Epacket light » shipments and have not received your order by 30 business days, first check with your local post office. Please contact us only after 45 working days, at which time we can file a missing package claim.
If you have selected « Express » shipments (by EMS): customers are responsible for their order's online tracking (the tracking number is included in the shipping confirmation mail). Sometimes, carriers cannot deliver a package (for instance, due to the size of the mailbox). In this case, customers may have to contact carriers directly. 
THE SPICE BOX will not be responsible for the return of parcels that couldn't be delivered. We are able to reship returned packages, but the reshipping cost will be at the customer's expense.
For more information about shipping fees, taxes and delivery, please read our FAQ’S section.