90-Day Returns - return or exchange items that don't fit

• Shipping Delay Updates
• How long will it take for my order to arrive?
• So what are my Shipping Options?
• Can I get Free Shipping?
• Do I have to pay Tax or Customs Duty?
• Do you ship to U.S. Military Addresses?
• Can I return or exchange my item(s)?

How long will it take for my order to arrive?

We understand that you want those tabi yesterday, but bear with us...You'll see estimated times for the various shipping options on the product pages and in your shopping cart. They will give you an idea of how long it will take after your order is dispatched. We do our best to dispatch orders within 1-3 days, though occasionally it can take longer (we'll let you know about any delays). In most cases you'll also be able to track your package online.

Japan Zone Store cannot be held responsible for delays caused by such factors as the weather or industrial action.

So what are my Shipping Options?

We have resumed shipping by international economy Airmail with Japan Post to most countries, so we can now offer a choice between Economy and Express shipping. We hope to add a Free Shipping option soon.

• Post Covid-19, there is still the possibility of delays with Airmail services from Japan Post. If your order is urgent or you need to be fairly sure of the delivery schedule, we recommend that you select Express (shipped by EMS or by courier  services such as  DHL, UPS, or Fedex).
• For orders that weigh more than 2kg, it is still more economical to ship by Express.
• If shipping costs are a concern, and you don't mind waiting several months for your delivery, please let us know and we can arrange to ship your order by Surface Mail.
• We may be able to ship to a PO box, but we take no responsibility for any packages lost or delayed as a result.

Can I get Free Shipping?

We hope to be able to resume free shipping to most countries soon. 

Do I have to pay Tax or Customs Duty?

Hey, we hate taxes too, but they are a fact of life. Our prices are inclusive of Japanese sales tax, but any applicable customs duties and fees are the responsibility of the customer. Should you refuse the package because of duty fees that may be associated with it, or for any other reason, you are responsible for the full order price and shipping costs for the order. Please contact your customs office for information about additional fees.

Currently (2024) customers in the U.S. do not have to pay import duty or tax on footwear orders less than $200.

Customers in the U.K. should see the Royal Mail website for information about customs charges and handling fees.

If you want to check the amount of duty you are likely to be charged, try this free online Duty Calculator.

Update for EU Customers
We have been advised by customers in the EU of stiff duty charges being applied on orders shipped by EMS. These charges often exceed the value of the items shipped. On request, we will do what we can to help you avoid these excessive charges, such as marking items as gifts. But this does not in any way overrule our policy on duty as described above.

Do you ship to U.S. Military Addresses?

No, due to Japan Post policy we cannot ship to U.S. military addresses (eg. APO, FPO, etc) outside Japan. If you are in the U.S. military, we recommend that you ship to a regular U.S. postal address and have it forwarded to you from there. It's more hassle and cost but far less risk.

Can I return or exchange my item(s)?

Yes, you can! Particularly when buying footwear, there is always a chance that you'll get the wrong size. If you do, please see the following:

• First of all contact us to let us know you want to exchange or return your order. Please include your order number.
• Once we have agreed to an exchange or refund, post your item(s) back to the address below within 90 days of the original order date. As long as it reaches us intact and in its original packaging, we'll send you a replacement, or a refund if a replacement isn't possible.
• If the returned item reaches us damaged or showing signs of wear, or if the packaging is damaged, the amount of any refund will be at our discretion, but there will be a minimum $15 re-stocking fee.
• If an item is returned to us due to an incorrect shipping address or failed delivery, we will resend the item but all further shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer.
• If an item does not fit but was shipped as ordered by the customer, we will exchange the item but all further shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer. Always double-check the sizes as noted on the site. For information on choosing a Japanese footwear size, see our size comparison charts.
• Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer. When we receive the returned item(s) for exchange we will let you know the shipping cost and ask you to pay this amount to our PayPal account. We can issue an invoice via PayPal if required. Once the payment has cleared we will ship the exchange item(s) to you.
• If the problem is due to an error on our part, we will of course issue a replacement where possible and refund your shipping cost. If a replacement is not possible, we will refund your payment in full.

Please send return or exchange items to this address:

Japan Store Returns
609-1 Hatanocho
Seto-shi
Aichi 489-0874
Japan

For further information on our Returns Policy please use our contact form.