Ordering collectibles from Japan is easier than most people expect. Here is exactly what happens between checkout and your doorstep, what customs does, and which costs you might see along the way, so there are no surprises.
- Every order ships from Japan by DHL Express or UPS Express, with tracking.
- Most in-stock orders ship within 1 to 3 business days; express delivery usually takes 2 to 5 business days after that.
- Import duties and taxes are set by your country and are usually paid to the carrier on delivery.
- US customers: the US import tariff is already included in the shipping rate at our checkout.
The journey of your order
- Order and payment. You pay in Japanese yen; shipping is calculated in your cart before you pay.
- Packing in Japan. Most in-stock orders are packed and handed to the carrier within 1 to 3 business days. Weekends, Japanese public holidays and big sales can add a day or two.
- Tracking email. When your order ships you receive a tracking number by email.
- Export and flight. The carrier clears export in Japan and flies the parcel to your country.
- Import customs. Customs in your country reviews the declaration and calculates any duties and taxes. Express carriers handle this for you.
- Delivery. If anything is owed, the carrier contacts you to pay before or at delivery.
DHL Express and UPS Express
We ship internationally with express couriers only. Compared with economy postal services, express shipping is faster, fully tracked door to door, and customs clearance is handled by the carrier acting as your customs broker.
| Step | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Packing | 1 to 3 business days | After payment is confirmed |
| Transit | 2 to 5 business days | Carrier estimate, not guaranteed |
| Customs | Usually same day to 2 days | Longer if customs requests information |
The services offered for your address, and their prices, appear at checkout. Orders within Japan ship with Sagawa Express.
How customs works
Every international parcel travels with a customs declaration listing what is inside, what it is made of, and the price you paid. Customs in your country uses it to decide whether duties or taxes apply.
- Duties are charged on certain goods depending on the product type and where they were made.
- Import taxes such as VAT, GST or sales tax are charged by many countries on most imports, often on the item price plus shipping.
- Brokerage or disbursement fees may be charged by the carrier for clearing the parcel and paying the duties on your behalf.
Who pays what
| Cost | Paid to | When |
|---|---|---|
| Items and shipping | Sakura Stash | At checkout |
| US import tariff | Included in your shipping rate | At checkout (US orders only) |
| Import duties and taxes | Your government, via the carrier | Before or at delivery |
| Brokerage or handling fees | The carrier | Before or at delivery |
Rules and thresholds differ by country and change from time to time, so check your national customs website before a large purchase. If you refuse a parcel because of import charges, return shipping and any charges incurred are not refundable.
United States: tariffs at checkout
The US no longer exempts low-value imports from duty, so collectibles shipped to the US are subject to import tariffs. To keep things simple, our DHL Express and UPS Express rates for US addresses already include the tariff, calculated at 12.5% of the order value in price brackets. You see the full cost before you pay. Details are in our shipping policy.
How to avoid delays
- Write your address in the Latin alphabet (A to Z), including apartment or unit numbers.
- Add a mobile phone number. Couriers and customs use it to contact you, and some countries require it.
- Watch for messages from DHL or UPS. If duties are due, paying online quickly keeps the parcel moving.
- Beware of fake delivery texts. Only pay through the official DHL or UPS website or app, reached by typing the address yourself or using your tracking number.
- Check import rules for your country before ordering anything unusual.
Quick answers
Can I combine orders to save on shipping?
Separate orders can't be merged, but everything in one cart ships together and shipping is calculated for the whole order.
My tracking hasn't moved for a few days.
Parcels often wait at customs without a new scan. If there is no update for more than 5 business days, contact the carrier, then email us at info@sakurastash.com and we will open an investigation.
My parcel arrived damaged.
Photograph the item, box and packing materials and email us within 7 days of delivery with your order number.
Do you ship to my country?
Enter your address at checkout to see the services available. If none appear, email us and we will check.