Shipping & Delivery

At Japanese Taste, we understand the importance of timely and reliable delivery. We partner with a vast network of reputable couriers to ensure your orders reach you as expected. Please review the following information regarding our shipping services.

1. Market Specific Websites

At Japanese Taste, we are committed to providing a tailored and localized shopping experience for our customers across the globe. To achieve this, we operate distinct online stores, each catering to a specific market. Please ensure you are shopping on the correct website for your location to ensure accurate pricing, shipping, and product availability.

• United States: For customers in the United States, please visit: japanesetaste.com
• Canada: For customers in Canada, please visit: japanesetaste.ca
• Australia: For customers in Australia, please visit: japanesetaste.com.au
• United Kingdom: For customers in the United Kingdom, please visit: japanesetaste.co.uk
• Netherlands: For customers in the Netherlands, please visit: japanesetaste.nl
• Switzerland: For customers in Switzerland, please visit: japanesetaste.ch
• Germany: For customers in Germany, please visit: japanesetaste.de
• Rest of the World: For all other countries not listed above, please visit: int.japanesetaste.com

2. Shipping Destinations and Estimated Delivery Times

• We ship to a wide range of international destinations.
  
• Please refer to the table above for a comprehensive list of countries we ship to, along with estimated shipping times and rates.
  
• Estimated delivery times are also displayed during the checkout process and are included in your order confirmation email.
• Each market-specific website utilizes shipping and delivery services tailored to its respective region. Shipping costs, delivery times, and available shipping options may vary.

3. Shipping Methods

• We utilize both expedited shipping couriers and standard shipping services.
• The most suitable shipping method will be selected based on factors such as:
• Order weight
• Order value
• Destination country
• All our logistics partners offer fast and secure international mail shipping services.
• Every shipment includes a tracking number, allowing you to monitor your order's progress.

4. Delivery Time Disclaimer

• While we provide estimated delivery times, please be aware that these are estimates and not guarantees.
• Actual delivery times may vary due to factors beyond our control, including:
• Final destination.
• Customs clearance procedures in the destination country.
• Unexpected logistical delays.

5. Address and Delivery Responsibilities

• To ensure successful delivery, please use a physical street address. We're unable to ship to PO Boxes in some regions.
• Japanese Taste assumes no liability for delivery failures resulting from: 
  • Incorrect or incomplete addresses provided by the customer.
  • Repeated absence of the recipient during delivery attempts.
  • Failure to pay applicable customs duties and taxes in the destination country.
    
  • Loss of parcel due to theft at the delivery point.

6. Combining Orders (Default Combination)

Japanese Taste prioritizes efficient shipping and environmental responsibility. We may combine your unshipped orders with the same address into one package, giving you the option to request separate shipments if preferred.

6.1. Default Order Combination:

• Automatic Consideration: Our system is designed to automatically identify and combine orders that meet specific criteria. Unless you explicitly request otherwise, we will assume you are comfortable with your eligible orders being combined.
• Efficiency and Sustainability: Combining orders helps us reduce packaging waste and streamline delivery, contributing to a more efficient and sustainable process.

6.2. Opting Out of Order Combination:

• Clear Instructions Required: If you do not want your unshipped orders to be combined, you must provide clear and explicit instructions at the time of placing each order.
• How to Provide Instructions:
  
  • Contact Customer Service: Immediately after placing each order, contact our customer service team to explicitly request separate shipments.
  • Responsibility for Communication: It is your responsibility to ensure your instructions are clear and received by our team.

7. Customs and Import Duties

At Japanese Taste, we strive to provide a seamless and transparent shopping experience. For international orders, this includes clearly communicating and, where possible, collecting applicable duties and taxes at checkout. This policy outlines our approach to handling these charges. Please review the following information carefully.

7.1. What are Duties and Taxes?

• Duties (Customs Duties): These are taxes imposed by a country's customs authorities on imported goods. The amount varies depending on the product's value, type, and the importing country's regulations.
• Taxes (VAT, GST, Sales Tax, etc.): These are taxes levied on the consumption of goods and services. The specific tax and rate depend on the destination country's regulations.
  

7.2. Delivery Duties Unpaid (DDU) - Default Option

• Customer Responsibility: By default, all international orders are shipped Delivery Duties Unpaid (DDU). This means that you, the customer, are responsible for paying any and all applicable customs duties, taxes, import fees, and brokerage fees levied by your country's customs authorities.
• Payment at Delivery: These fees will be collected by the shipping carrier or customs authorities upon delivery of your order.
• Non-Payment Consequences: Failure to pay these fees may result in delivery delays, storage fees, return of the shipment to our warehouse (with associated return shipping costs borne by you), or confiscation/disposal of the shipment by customs.
• We will not be held responsible for any losses, delays, or additional costs incurred due to your failure to pay applicable customs duties and taxes under the DDU option.

7.3. Delivery Duties Paid (DDP) - Available for Select Countries

• Advance Payment: For select countries, we offer the option to ship Delivery Duties Paid (DDP). This means that we will collect an estimated amount of customs duties and taxes at checkout.
• Guaranteed Landed Cost: By choosing DDP, you will have a guaranteed landed cost, and you will not be required to pay any additional fees upon delivery.
• Countries Offering DDP: DDP is currently available for the following countries: Romania.
• Estimate Accuracy: While we strive to provide accurate DDP estimates, these are still estimates. In rare cases, minor adjustments might be required. We will handle those adjustments.
• Clear Indication at Checkout: The checkout process will clearly indicate if DDP is available for your selected destination.

7.4. What Happens if Duties and Taxes Are Not Collected at Checkout

• If your destination country is not on our list, or if we are unable to calculate duties and taxes at checkout for any reason, you will be responsible for paying any applicable duties and taxes upon delivery.
• These charges will be collected by the shipping carrier or customs authorities.
• Japanese Taste is not responsible for any delays or additional fees caused by unpaid duties and taxes.

7.5. General Customs Information

• It is the importer's responsibility to understand and comply with their country's import regulations.
• We recommend checking with your local customs office for specific information about duties and taxes.
• You may be required to provide additional documentation for customs clearance.

8. Tracking Your Order

• You will receive a tracking number via email once your order has been shipped.
• You can track your order's progress using the tracking number provided on our dedicated tracking page or the courier's website.
• If your orders are combined, you will receive a single tracking number for the consolidated shipment.

9. Returns

We strive for your complete satisfaction. However, we understand that returns may be necessary. Please review our returns policy carefully, as international returns have specific considerations.

10. Our Logistics Partners

We partner with a network of global logistics companies to deliver our products fast, safely and efficiently. We have also been featured on JAPAN POST Online shopping website links page as a recommended site for Japanese products.