Shipping policy

📦 Shipping & Customs Policy

Last updated: July 2026

🌏 Free Worldwide Shipping from Japan

We offer complimentary international shipping on all orders.

Currently Shipping To:

🇺🇸 USA｜🇬🇧 UK｜🇨🇦 Canada｜🇦🇺 Australia｜🇫🇷 France｜🇮🇹 Italy｜🇨🇭 Switzerland｜🇧🇪 Belgium｜🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia｜🇸🇬 Singapore｜🇲🇾 Malaysia｜🇮🇪 Ireland｜🇧🇷 Brazil｜🇪🇸 Spain｜🇧🇬 Bulgaria｜🇯🇵 Japan

If your country is not listed, please contact us — we may be able to arrange shipping.

Note: Due to customs restrictions and risks, we do not currently ship to Russia, India, or African countries.

🚚 Shipping Information

Orders placed before 8:00 AM JST usually ship within 2–3 business days.
No shipments on weekends or Japanese national holidays. (View Japan Shipping Holidays For 2026)
International orders ship via DHL Express with tracking.
Delivery usually takes 1–2 weeks, depending on location and customs processing.
Domestic orders within Japan ship via Japan Post.
Hotel delivery (Kyoto and Osaka only): Please provide hotel name, reservation name, and check-in date at checkout.

Important: If your package arrives visibly damaged, do not accept it. Request a damage report from the delivery carrier.

Note: Returns due to incorrect/incomplete addresses, hotel refusal, or failed delivery attempts will be at the buyer's expense.

🌍 Duties, Taxes & Import Fees

We ship under DAP (Delivered At Place) terms:

Item prices do not include VAT, import duties, taxes or customs fees.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
We do not offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping.
This means that we do not pre-pay, collect, or cover any import duties, taxes, or customs clearance fees on behalf of the customer.
All shipments declare the full product value. We cannot mark items as gifts or under-declare.

🎁 Note for Gift Shipments:
Even if marked as a gift, your country may still apply import taxes.

We will ship your order directly to the recipient's address as entered at checkout.
If any import duties or taxes apply, DHL will email all payment notifications to you, the buyer, prior to delivery.
If the buyer does not pay the import duties or taxes by the deadline, DHL may contact the recipient directly to proceed with clearance and delivery. Kindly keep this in mind when placing a gift order.

🔁 Customs Clearance Process with DHL

Here's what happens when your order reaches your country:

Notification: If duties, taxes, or customs fees apply, DHL will send you a secure payment link via email or SMS before delivery.
Payment: You can pay online using your credit card.
Delivery: Once everything is cleared, your order will be on its way.

For more details:
👉 How to Pay DHL Shipment Duties in Advance

Note:

For higher-value orders, your local customs office may also request ID or other documentation at the same time. If this occurs, feel free to email us at info@isono-revitalizing-office.jp — we'll promptly provide any necessary documents.
For smooth delivery, please respond by the designated date, as customs clearance must be completed within a limited period.

🇺🇸 Special Notice for U.S. Customers

U.S. Import Duty Update (as of July 24, 2026):
An import duty of up to 12.5% currently applies to U.S.-bound shipments from Japan, regardless of order value.

This rate is applied under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974, effective July 24, 2026. It replaced the 10% Section 122 surcharge that expired on the same date.

For goods originating in Japan, the rate is set so that the standard MFN tariff and the additional Section 301 duty combined do not exceed 12.5%. Because ornamental ceramic works generally enter the United States at a zero MFN rate, kintsugi artworks are expected to be assessed at 12.5% of the declared value.

The previous $800 duty-free threshold (de minimis) remains suspended since August 29, 2025, so all orders are subject to import duty regardless of value.

Note: This is a newly introduced measure and remains subject to legal challenge and policy revision. We will update this page as any change takes effect.
Clearance with DHL Express: The customs process is the same as outlined above. DHL will guide you through the payment process and help complete any necessary documentation to ensure smooth delivery.

🇪🇺 Notice for EU Customers

In effect since July 1, 2026:
The European Union has removed the EUR 150 customs duty exemption. A transitional flat EUR 3 customs duty per item now applies to parcels valued at EUR 150 or below. For parcels above EUR 150, standard customs duty rates continue to apply.

As most of our artworks are valued above EUR 150, orders are generally assessed at the standard customs duty rate rather than the EUR 3 flat duty.

VAT continues to apply at each country's standard rate (20–23%) on all imports, as before.

This applies to all EU member states, including France, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, and Bulgaria.

📦 Customs Return Policy

If import fees go unpaid or customs requirements are not completed in time, your item may be returned to Japan.
Return shipping and customs-related costs will be deducted from any refund.
We are unable to cover or reimburse these costs.

📄 Classification & Estimated Duties

Kintsugi pieces: Typically classified as Ornamental Ceramics (HS Code: 6913.10).
Other lacquer artworks: May be classified as lacquerware or mixed media, depending on the materials.

Estimated Duties: View 2026 Customs & Duties Guide (PDF) →

🌐 Helpful Customs Resources

⚠️ Disclaimer

The information provided here is for general reference only and does not constitute official customs advice.
Import laws, tax rates, and documentation requirements vary by country and can change at any time.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult your local customs office before placing an order.
We ship under DAP (Delivered at Place) terms. This means that all import charges, including duties, VAT/GST, regulatory fees, and processing fees, are the buyer's responsibility.
Decisions regarding the classification, valuation, and documentation of goods are made solely by your country's authorities. We are not liable for any customs delays, charges, or returns.
If applicable, DHL or the local customs office will email or text you a secure link to pay all duties and fees before delivery.
Notable policy changes (subject to government policy):
- 🇺🇸 USA: A Section 301 duty of up to 12.5% has applied to shipments from Japan since July 24, 2026, replacing the expired 10% Section 122 tariff.
- 🇪🇺 EU: The EUR 150 customs duty exemption was removed on July 1, 2026.
- 🇬🇧 UK: The GBP 135 Low Value Import (LVI) relief is planned to be removed by March 2029.

📬 Contact Us

If you have any questions about shipping or customs, please contact us.

If you don't receive a reply within 2–3 business days, your message may not have reached us. Kindly resend your inquiry via our contact form.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring smooth global delivery.