How shipping works
Sellers are responsible for shipping. When a sale is confirmed, the seller has 3 days to ship the item with tracking. Tracking is mandatory โ no exceptions. Without it, buyer protection can't verify delivery and the seller has no proof of shipment.
Tracking requirement
Every shipment must have a valid tracking number entered in the order. This tracking number is used to detect delivery and start the 48-hour claim window. If tracking shows delivered, the clock starts. If there's no tracking, the seller is at risk.
Japan to North America
Our marketplace connects Japanese sellers with North American collectors. This is the core of what makes Tokyofishmarket different โ access to products that never make it to Western stores.
- Japanese sellers ship using familiar domestic services (Yamato, Japan Post, Sagawa)
- Cross-border logistics handled through established shipping partners
- Typical transit time: 7-14 business days for standard, 3-5 for express
- All shipments include tracking end-to-end
- Packaging standards follow Japanese collectibles culture โ meticulous wrapping, box protection, cushioning
Customs and import duties
International orders may be subject to customs duties and import taxes charged by your country. These are not included in the purchase price and are the buyer's responsibility. We declare accurate values on all customs forms. Refusing a package due to customs charges does not qualify for a refund.
Packaging standards
For collectible figures, packaging matters. Sellers are expected to:
- Use appropriate box sizes โ no oversized boxes with insufficient padding
- Wrap items individually with bubble wrap or equivalent protection
- Protect box art and packaging (many collectors value the box as much as the figure)
- Use fragile stickers where appropriate
- Double-box high-value items (inner box + outer shipping box)
Shipping timeline
- Seller confirms order: up to 3 days
- Seller ships with tracking: same day as confirmation (ideal)
- Domestic shipping: 3-10 business days
- International shipping: 7-21 business days
- Pre-orders: timeline shown on the product page, separate from standard shipping
Shipping issues
If your package is damaged, lost, or stolen during transit, file a claim through your order page within 48 hours of delivery (or contact support if it never arrives). We work with carriers to investigate and resolve. See our Disputes guide for the full process.