We are also able to offer store-pickups in our shops in Odawara City.
Air Mail
Max Shipping Weight: | 2kg |
Tracking: | No |
Insurance: | No |
Delivery Time: | ~14 days |
This shipping method is fast and cheap but does not include tracking or insurance. Our responsibility ends when we successfully hand-over your parcel to Japan Post. The risk of loss is with the buyer.
Registered Mail
Max Shipping Weight: | 2kg |
Tracking: | Yes |
Insurance: | Yes |
Delivery Time: | ~14 days |
Please be aware that certain countries have limitations with regards to the use of PO boxes as a signature is required upon delivery (e.g. Packstation in Germany).
Express Mail Service (EMS)
Max Shipping Weight: | 120kg |
Tracking: | Yes |
Insurance: | Yes |
Delivery Time: | 4-5 days |
Express Mail Service is a very reliable and fast service of Japan Post. You can track the progress of delivery and we insure parcels up to an amount of 2 million Japanese Yen.
SURFACE Mail
Max Shipping Weight: | 120kg |
Tracking: | Yes |
Insurance: | Yes |
Delivery Time: | 2-3 months |
The parcel is transported by land and sea and it takes 2 to 3 months until delivery. This shipping method is ideal for large parcel that are not urgent. Tracking is only available on land, not while on sea. Please note: not recommended for perishable food items.
DHL Express
Max Shipping Weight: | - |
Tracking: | Yes |
Insurance: | Yes |
Delivery Time: | 3-7 days |
DHL handles the shipment from door-to-door. You can contact them directly with your tracking details for address changes or inquiries. They are reliable and quick and we recommend them as standard shipping service in our shop.
Each product page includes a shipping rate estimator that allows to calculate the shipping costs for the available shipping methods for each country.
You find this estimator under the "Estimate Shipping Rates" tab below the product description.
Handling time: We display an average handling time on each product page: this indicates the time it takes before we can ship your order; for example if we order fresh food items from our supplier. Please note that since the pandemic, handling times may be longer than indicated, as production, raw materials and staff availability have been impacted. In order to avoid damages, our dispatching team takes the greatest care to protect your order. We have ample experience in shipping even fragile items all over the world.
Delays: If we expect a big delay in the handling time (time it takes before we can ship your order), we will notify you as soon as possible and you can decide to wait for- or cancel your order. If we receive no response to our notification, we will proceed to ship the order at the earliest possibility. If you have a strict deadline, please contact our Support team at the time of your order so that we can make sure we can respond to your timeline, or offer an alternative.
Shipping: As soon as your parcel is picked up by the selected shipping company, you will receive a shipping confirmation e-mail. Once the order has shipped, we can no longer cancel the order and the only option would be a return. You can track your order with Japan Post here, as well as with your local services. For DHL orders please see here.
Please be aware that delays in shipping and customs may occur. Unfortunately, we cannot influence or avoid these delays. Please actively track the status of your delivery and contact the postal services or your local post office first in case of delays as they may be able to assist you sooner than we can from Japan.
In case the postal service cannot assist you, please contact us and we can initiate a search request on your behalf. (note: this is only possible up to 6 months after the parcel was sent by us!). If the search request has no results after 8 weeks, we will offer a suitable solution (refund or reshipment).
We take great care in our packaging and successfully delivery fragile items for many years. However, we cannot control international postal services and sometimes when an order is handled roughly, items may arrive damaged.
If your order was damaged during shipping,
please e-mail us within 5 days after receiving it and include your order number and a picture of your damaged order.
In case your order is severely delayed, please contact us. For shipments with insurance (Registered Mail, EMS Express, DHL Express, Surface Mail) we can issue a search request with the postal services. If the parcel is not located after 8 weeks, we can issue a refund or reshipment. Air Mail does NOT include tracking and insurance and is not eligible for a search request.
Please note all inquiries must be made within 6 months after the order was shipped. After this, the postal services are no longer able to start an investigation and we cannot offer a solution.
If you believe there has been a mistake with your order, we will do all we can to remedy the problem.
Please e-mail us within 5 days after receiving your order and include your order number and what the problem is (e.g. wrong order, item missing, etc.).
Please note that if you ordered from the "mottainai" category food items may be expired- or close to expiry date; and non-food items may have imperfections if noted in the product description.
International shopping can be subject to custom fees and other taxes in the country of delivery. This means that we do not charge Japanese tax when you place your order, but you may receive a request to pay taxes by your local customs office.
These fees are the responsibility of the buyer, and we can in no way avoid or influence these.
Please contact your country's customs to confirm which products and from what amount such fees apply.
*From July 1, 2021 all imports to the EU will be subject to import VAT, regardless of the order amount.
We supply all documents required for customs clearance with the parcel.
We are fully aware of your concerns about custom fees. Please understand that NIHON ICHIBAN ships products often available in Japan only at Japanese retail prices - giving you good value for money including all related costs.