Contact, Payment, Shipping Information

Contact

Via email (aikishugyo[at]gmail[dot]com) or message us on our Facebook page.

Payment

Paypal preferred:

• aikishugyo[at]gmail[dot]com
• Japanese Yen
• Use personal payment if possible (no Paypal surcharges)

Bank transfers accepted, details via email. Customers bear bank charges.

Shipping and Insurance

COVID-19 Notice

International postage is severely impaired.
This notice will be updated as new information becomes available.
As of 23rd April 2020, EMS and airmail parcel service to USA is stopped.
Surface mail is still available. Non-parcel mail un-affected.

Recommended Postage Methods

Printers preferentially shipped using end-to-end services, e.g., Federal Express, DHL, UPS.

Customers may request alternative shipping methods, e.g., EMS, surface mail, etc. Such methods involve 3^rd-party companies in destination country.

Inks and accessories preferentially shipped via EMS, international ePacket, or SAL (Surface Air Lift) to save cost. Can be changed at customer request.

Tracking: end-to-end shipping includes tracking, also EMS and international ePacket. SAL lacks tracking, and loss of parcel must be covered by insurance or borne by customer.

Customs declarations: details as approved by the customer.

Postage costs: vary by country and handling company. For end-to-end services, approximately 15000–25000 JPY for 9–10 kg parcel to the USA or Europe. EMS approximately 12000–18000 JPY.

Delivery to destination country customs by EMS or international ePacket approximately 2–4 days for continental USA or Europe. SAL approximately 4–7 days.

Parcel Weight and Dimensions

Parcel weight and size estimates:

• Weight:
  ~8–10 kg printer plus accessories
• Dimensions:
  Length ~50 cm
  Width ~40 cm
  Height ~40 cm
  (H+W+H<140 cm)

Inks and decal paper weights given in product pages.

Insurance and Shipping Invoices

Insurance value must be declared for customs. Applies to samples too.

Insurance may cost a small amount above standard postage cost.
For example, EMS insurance above 50000 JPY costs 150 JPY.

Customers may request lesser or no insurance at own risk.

Invoices or receipts for tax purposes not included unless required by destination country. Can be provided at customer request.

Further Considerations

Considerations for Choice of Shipping Method

Printers packaged in accordance with Elephant's Rocket recommendations to minimize shock to chassis. Printhead and other moving parts secured in place, require removal of packaging material before use.

3^rd-party companies used by the Japan post office and alternate postal agencies (e.g., Sagawa, Yamato/Kuroneko) for delivery in destination country.
These 3^rd-party companies can not be trusted to handle parcels carefully, insurance claims are inconvenient.

There are three main options for shipping:

1. For printers, dedicated end-to-end handling company with presence in destination country (e.g., Federal Express, UPS, DHL, TNT). Benefits include support for fragile items, and simplified insurance claims.
2. At customer request, EMS for printers, with slightly greater risk in exchange for lower cost. This is actually the most common delivery method chosen by customers, reliable to the USA and Europe.
3. For inks and accessories, standard postal services (EMS, International ePacket, SAL, etc.). SAL does not provide tracking, customers bear responsibility for loss or damage.
4. Another option is to use any standard postal service, with recipient arranging to collect parcel at destination country customs, before any 3^rd-party company becomes involved.

Notes on Insurance Coverage

Insurance value on declared purchases agreed in advance.

Dedicated handling companies with support for fragile item delivery can be held accountable fully and thus recommended.
For standard postal services, amount of insurance payout is dependent on outcome of an investigation. In such a case the customer assumes responsibility for any loss owing to lesser payout.

In the event of damage during shipping, a claim will be filed against the handling company. If insurance covering the full value of printer and shipping was not provided, any excess costs will be borne by the customer.

We will pursue any insurance claims, and attempt to effect repairs if possible.

If a customer desires a refund, this will be arranged after insurance payout is decided, less any costs arising through insufficient insurance at customer request.

Reference: Japan post office insurance