Payments, Shipping & Handling for High-Value Pieces

A clear guide for our collectors worldwide

At Japonista, we curate extraordinary pieces from Japan: museum-grade trunks, couture handbags, rare watches, heritage jewellery and historical artefacts. Many of them command significant value, and we handle each one with precision, discretion and care.

This page sets out how we guide a high-value purchase from the first enquiry to safe delivery. Our aim is simple: to give you full confidence that your piece will be handled to the standards of a luxury maison.

1. Payment for high-value orders

We support a broad range of payment options, but for pieces of US$10,000 and above, we ask for settlement by bank transfer.

Bank transfer

Bank transfers are secure and fully traceable, and they let us work closely with you before dispatch. Every bank transfer receives 3% off the price of the piece.

You will receive:

• A personal invoice
• Bank details, sent only after your order has been reviewed
• Confirmation once funds are received
• A private consultation on delivery and the route your piece will take

Protecting you from fraud: our bank details are never published and are sent only by the curator desk. We will never ask you by email to pay into a different account. If you receive such a message, do not pay; write to us through the contact page first.

Card and online payment

For pieces under US$10,000, checkout accepts cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and other secure methods. Some restrictions may apply under regional rules, bank security and fraud screening. If your card is declined, write to us and we will arrange a bank transfer invoice instead.

Verification

For some orders we carry out a brief verification of the order and delivery details before dispatch. It protects our collectors and every piece in our care.

2. Preparation and handling

Every high-value order follows an in-house protocol that confirms condition, completes the documentation and prepares the piece safely for its journey.

Each order includes:

• A final inspection and condition check
• Professional packing with reinforced internal protection
• Secure holding until dispatch
• Photographs of the packed piece and the tracking number on the day of dispatch
• Private communication with you at each stage

We do not disclose our internal checks, for security reasons, but every piece passes several of them. You can read how we examine pieces on our authenticity and condition page.

3. How high-value pieces travel

Every piece travels by one of three routes, chosen for its size, fragility, value and destination. Pieces in one order may travel separately, each by its own route.

A. Parcel

Watches, jewellery, handbags, garments, footwear and most objects travel by Japan Post EMS, insured and tracked. The shipping shown at checkout is the full shipping cost, and parcels are dispatched within 7 to 12 business days of payment. EMS usually arrives 4 to 10 days later.

B. Crated

Sculpture, armour, large ceramics and other pieces that need a crate or careful dismantling, but still travel within postal limits. Checkout shows an estimate that includes crating, and crated pieces are dispatched within 10 to 15 business days. Japonista confirms the final handling, crating and freight cost when the piece is prepared; if it is higher than the amount paid, we send the difference for your approval before dispatch, and the piece is held for you until it is settled.

C. Cargo

Pieces over 30 kg or beyond postal size limits, such as trunks, tansu, furniture and life-size figures, travel as air or sea cargo, crated by our Museum-Grade Logistics Suite™ for the object.

• You pay for the piece at checkout. Shipping and handling for the cargo shipment are invoiced separately, once we have reviewed the order, the piece and the delivery address.
• We advise asking for a quote before purchase. If you order without one, please allow a suitable budget for the cargo invoice.
• Cargo pieces are prepared within 2 to 4 weeks, then handed to our export broker and the air or sea carrier.
• Delivery is to the destination airport or seaport. Customs clearance there and delivery to your door can be arranged at additional cost on request.
• The final cost depends on the packed dimensions and weight, the destination, the freight method, and carrier and market conditions at the time of shipment. The piece is held for you until the cargo invoice is settled.

Insurance and security

Every parcel is insured and tracked. Postal cover has a ceiling, so for exceptionally valuable pieces we confirm the protection arrangements with you before dispatch. Orders above US$1,000 need a signature on delivery, and pieces above US$2,500 are not sent to parcel lockers or forwarding addresses.

We never publish our security methods. Full details are shared privately with you during the final review before dispatch.

4. Customs, duties and value declarations

• United States, parcels under US$2,500: US rules now require duties to be settled before dispatch, so nothing is collected on delivery. Where they are shown at checkout, they are paid with your order.
• United States, orders of US$2,500 or more: these clear customs through a formal entry, which we arrange with a licensed customs broker after your order. Any duty and brokerage are confirmed with you before dispatch.
• All other destinations: import duties, VAT or GST, brokerage and any storage fees arising from customs delays are set by your country and payable by the recipient on delivery.

We do not misdeclare values.

Every declaration states the true value, the correct tariff classification and the country of origin. We will gladly help you find a safe, compliant route within carrier rules and import law, and every arrangement puts the safety of the piece first.

5. Delivery and after arrival

You will receive:

• A tracking link
• Shipping status updates
• Personal support from the curator desk during transit
• Guidance on customs release
• Advice on safe unpacking and storage

Please record an unbroken unboxing video from the sealed parcel onwards, and report any damage within 48 hours of delivery. We open and follow the insurance claim on your behalf.

6. Final sale

Every piece is unique and prepared for you the moment payment clears, so all sales are final. Returns for a change of mind are not accepted, and orders cannot be cancelled once payment has been made. Freight, crating and cargo invoices issued after purchase are part of the sale.

Final sale never limits our responsibility. If we send the wrong piece, or a piece differs materially from its description in a way we did not disclose, we cover every cost and put it right. Our authenticity guarantee applies to every piece. The full terms are in our refund policy and shipping policy.

7. Our commitment to you

Every part of this guide rests on a simple promise:

At Japonista, we treat every high-value piece as if it were a museum artefact.

You are not just buying an object. You are acquiring a piece of history, preserved and delivered with the respect it deserves, and we are honoured to guide you through the journey.

8. Speak with the curator desk

For a delivery quote or a private consultation about a high-value piece, write to us through the contact page or open a concierge case file. The curator desk replies within one to three business days from Japan.

We provide:

• Guidance before purchase
• Delivery quotes for crated and cargo pieces
• Shipping feasibility consultations
• Payment arrangements
• International logistics planning
• Personal updates

Your peace of mind is our highest priority.