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fan_services2011-08-25 08:22 pm
feikoi.livejournal.com) wrote in fan_services2011-08-25 08:22 pm
FAQ: Shipping
What shipping methods are available?
I use Japan Post, with three basic shipping methods (in order of speed): EMS, Airmail, and SAL. Airmail and SAL* may have a tracking service added for an additional Y410. EMS includes tracking and insurance up to Y20,000. In addition, non-EMS packages that follow certain guidelines are eligible for discounted rates under the Small Packet and Printed Matter programs.
My usual shipping method for personal packages is to use SAL Small Packet service. It's cheap (¥80 + ¥100/100g), it arrives to the US in about 2-3 weeks, and is applicable to all non-letter packages under 2kg in weight. For doujinshi-only packages, I can also use Printed Matter service, which is priced the same but with a 5kg limit instead. I am willing to split packages as well, in order to ensure more economical shipping prices.
Japan Post has an English-language online postal rate calculator if you'd like to compare rates. Please let me know which method you prefer, and the shipping destination, so I can calculate appropriate charges for your order.
Other carriers (FedEx, Yamato) are not available for international shipping.
Packaging
Doujinshi are wrapped in plastic bags, and then placed in a bubble envelope with cardboard to help prevent bending damage. Novelties such as pins are usually wrapped separately before being placed with the rest of the items. Flat oversized goods (paper fans, etc.) will typically be separately wrapped in plastic and packed with cardboard. Depending on the size of the shipment, these oversized items may need to be shipped separately.
Large orders of doujinshi may require a box, in which case they will be wrapped before placed inside the box and further padded.
Handling fee
I have been adding a Y200 per package handling fee to cover materials cost, though this may increase in cases of special packaging.
I try to ship items within two weeks of item arrival/final payment, but unfortunately scheduling conflicts do occur. Currently, I can only request weekend pick-up due to a shift in dayjob hours, sorry.
COUNTRY WARNINGS
The customs departments for some countries have become quite strict in processing any material with images. I've learned this the hard way with Vietnam...
As mentioned elsewhere, I cannot offer any sort of recompense for undeliverable packages, or items removed by customs/postal service, so please be aware of your import strictures. Here is some info I've learned, personally:
❀ Brazil: May have started charging more for imports of CDs, software and similar material at customs.
❀ Canada: Has started cracking down on explicit content in comics. Not sure if it's focused on underage or not. I haven't had any refused packages, so they're not likely checking them /that/ closely. Still, you have been informed.
❀ Germany: Apparently customs charges you a lot, and is picky about the paperwork. There are no refunds if you refuse a package in order to avoid fees, sorry guys.
❀ Italy: see Germany. (Not through personal experience, though.)
❀ Mexico: I've had EMS lose one package there due to a change of address (or possibly the client received it but never confirmed), but subsequent packages to the country have been fine.
❀ Thailand: Haven't had any shipping problems myself, but my friends have complained about arbitrarily high customs fees, 50-100% the value of the package.
❀ Vietnam: Will not accept packages with explicit content, and may not accept packages containing any BL content, dependent on the intake officer. Also, custom fees tend to be arbitrary.
* Registered SAL service is no longer available for Australia, Greenland, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Hungary, Finland, or Poland.
* SAL service is not available in South Korea.
As always, please read the pricing and event details closely before placing an order. Check the individual event pages for exact fees, and let me know if you have any questions. I will assume that you agree to the stated fees for the event when you order.
This post and my services are both a work in progress. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact me through LiveJournal, or email me at fanservices.sales at gmail dot com. Thank you!
I use Japan Post, with three basic shipping methods (in order of speed): EMS, Airmail, and SAL. Airmail and SAL* may have a tracking service added for an additional Y410. EMS includes tracking and insurance up to Y20,000. In addition, non-EMS packages that follow certain guidelines are eligible for discounted rates under the Small Packet and Printed Matter programs.
My usual shipping method for personal packages is to use SAL Small Packet service. It's cheap (¥80 + ¥100/100g), it arrives to the US in about 2-3 weeks, and is applicable to all non-letter packages under 2kg in weight. For doujinshi-only packages, I can also use Printed Matter service, which is priced the same but with a 5kg limit instead. I am willing to split packages as well, in order to ensure more economical shipping prices.
Japan Post has an English-language online postal rate calculator if you'd like to compare rates. Please let me know which method you prefer, and the shipping destination, so I can calculate appropriate charges for your order.
Other carriers (FedEx, Yamato) are not available for international shipping.
Packaging
Doujinshi are wrapped in plastic bags, and then placed in a bubble envelope with cardboard to help prevent bending damage. Novelties such as pins are usually wrapped separately before being placed with the rest of the items. Flat oversized goods (paper fans, etc.) will typically be separately wrapped in plastic and packed with cardboard. Depending on the size of the shipment, these oversized items may need to be shipped separately.
Large orders of doujinshi may require a box, in which case they will be wrapped before placed inside the box and further padded.
Handling fee
I have been adding a Y200 per package handling fee to cover materials cost, though this may increase in cases of special packaging.
I try to ship items within two weeks of item arrival/final payment, but unfortunately scheduling conflicts do occur. Currently, I can only request weekend pick-up due to a shift in dayjob hours, sorry.
COUNTRY WARNINGS
The customs departments for some countries have become quite strict in processing any material with images. I've learned this the hard way with Vietnam...
As mentioned elsewhere, I cannot offer any sort of recompense for undeliverable packages, or items removed by customs/postal service, so please be aware of your import strictures. Here is some info I've learned, personally:
❀ Brazil: May have started charging more for imports of CDs, software and similar material at customs.
❀ Canada: Has started cracking down on explicit content in comics. Not sure if it's focused on underage or not. I haven't had any refused packages, so they're not likely checking them /that/ closely. Still, you have been informed.
❀ Germany: Apparently customs charges you a lot, and is picky about the paperwork. There are no refunds if you refuse a package in order to avoid fees, sorry guys.
❀ Italy: see Germany. (Not through personal experience, though.)
❀ Mexico: I've had EMS lose one package there due to a change of address (or possibly the client received it but never confirmed), but subsequent packages to the country have been fine.
❀ Thailand: Haven't had any shipping problems myself, but my friends have complained about arbitrarily high customs fees, 50-100% the value of the package.
❀ Vietnam: Will not accept packages with explicit content, and may not accept packages containing any BL content, dependent on the intake officer. Also, custom fees tend to be arbitrary.
* Registered SAL service is no longer available for Australia, Greenland, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Hungary, Finland, or Poland.
* SAL service is not available in South Korea.
As always, please read the pricing and event details closely before placing an order. Check the individual event pages for exact fees, and let me know if you have any questions. I will assume that you agree to the stated fees for the event when you order.
This post and my services are both a work in progress. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact me through LiveJournal, or email me at fanservices.sales at gmail dot com. Thank you!