Shipping Policy

📦 Shipping Policy

At Tokyo Bridge, we are dedicated to delivering authentic Japanese products to customers around the world with care and transparency. Please read our shipping policy carefully before placing your order.

🕐 Processing Time

Orders are typically processed within 1 to 5 business days after payment confirmation.

🌍 Shipping Destinations

We ship internationally to most countries except the following:

Afghanistan, Anguilla, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, French Polynesia, Gambia, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, North Korea, Northern Mariana Islands, Paraguay, Russia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Note: This list may be updated according to shipping availability and carrier restrictions.

🚚 Shipping Methods & Carriers

We currently use Japan Post for most shipments, including EMS and Surface Mail. We plan to expand our shipping options to include DHL and FedEx in the near future.

📦 Estimated Delivery Times

Delivery time depends on the destination country and the selected shipping method:

EMS (Express Mail Service): approx. 4–10 business days
Registered Airmail: approx. 10–20 business days
Surface Mail (by boat): approx. 2–4 weeks or longer

Please note: shipping to remote or rural areas may take longer.

💰 Shipping Fees

Shipping costs are calculated based on the total weight of your order. Heavier items will incur higher shipping fees. Exact shipping cost is shown at checkout.

📦 Extra Packaging Option (Recommended)

For fragile or valuable items, we recommend selecting our Extra Packaging Option for an additional ¥1,000. This ensures a more cautious and protective packaging process.

🔍 Tracking

Tracking is included with EMS and available as an optional upgrade for other shipping methods. We strongly recommend choosing a tracked shipping option for peace of mind.

📦 Customs & Import Taxes

All orders are shipped from Japan. Depending on your country’s laws, you may be required to pay import taxes, customs duties, or VAT when your package arrives. These charges are not included in your order total and are the responsibility of the recipient.

🌍 General Notice

We do not collect or pay customs taxes on your behalf (unless specified). Any duties or fees applied by your country’s customs office are beyond our control.
If you decline to pay import fees and the parcel is returned to us, shipping fees will not be refunded.

European Union (EU)

-Orders under €150: VAT may be prepaid via IOSS if implemented (currently not active on our shop).
-Orders over €150: You are responsible for VAT + customs duties, payable directly to the shipping carrier upon arrival.
-You will likely receive an email with payment instructions from your local postal service or carrier.

We strongly advise checking your country’s import regulations before ordering.
Tokyo Bridge cannot cover or refund these fees.

📦 Important: Express shipping methods like EMS are more likely to be inspected by customs.

✅ Tip (no guarantee): To reduce the chances of import fees, consider choosing Registered Airmail and keeping your order total under €150 when possible.

United Kingdom (UK)

-All imports are subject to VAT (usually 20%) and customs duties for orders over £135.
-Additional handling fees may apply from Royal Mail or ParcelForce.
-You will be contacted for payment before delivery.

United States

-No import taxes for orders under $800 USD (thanks to the de minimis threshold).
-Orders above $800 may be subject to duties depending on product type.
-Most small personal orders are delivered without any fees.

Canada

-Most orders are subject to GST/HST (5–15%) and sometimes customs duties.
–Canada Post often adds a handling fee (approx. $10–15 CAD).
-Even small packages may be charged.

Australia

–10% GST applies to all imported items.
-You may be required to pay GST and customs fees before delivery.
-Large online shops are required to collect GST, but we currently do not.

Other Countries

–Customs rules vary greatly by country.
-Some regions (e.g., UAE, Singapore) have high thresholds or rarely charge.
-Others (e.g., Brazil, India) apply strict customs rules, higher taxes, and may request documentation from the buyer.
-If unsure, please check your local customs office before ordering.

🚨 Important Notes

We cannot mark packages as “gift” or undervalue items for customs declarations.
Import taxes are the customer’s responsibility and not refundable if you return an item.
Refusing to pay import duties will not qualify for a full refund (shipping and customs return fees will be deducted).
Delivery delays due to customs inspection are also outside our control.

❗ Lost, Delayed or Customs-Held Packages

Once your order is shipped, Tokyo Bridge is not responsible for delays, lost packages, or issues caused by customs. Customers are responsible for contacting their local postal/customs office in case of delivery problems or clearance delays.