Returns, Refunds &
Shipping Policy

1. Seller Information

We do not operate a return facility in the United States.

2. Final Sale for Change-of-Mind Purposes

Except for remedies available under this Policy or required by applicable law, all sales are final after carrier handoff. We do not accept returns or exchanges based on a change of mind, buyer's remorse, personal preference, an item no longer being wanted, a mistaken order reported after carrier handoff, or another reason unrelated to an eligible claim under Section 5.

Characteristics and handmade variations that were clearly shown or disclosed on the applicable product page are not, by themselves, a material difference from the description. Because change-of-mind returns are not accepted, no restocking fee applies.

3. Cancellation Before Shipment

A cancellation request is effective without charge if it is received in our designated email inbox before the item is physically placed in the shipping carrier's possession. Creating a shipping label does not constitute carrier handoff. We will acknowledge the cancellation promptly, but its effective time does not depend on when we send the acknowledgment.

To cancel, email contact@vip-selection.tokyo immediately with the subject line CANCELLATION — [ORDER NUMBER] and include the purchaser's name and email address.

After carrier handoff, the order cannot be voluntarily canceled and the final-sale rule in Section 2 applies. This does not limit the delay-related cancellation rights in Section 4.

For a valid pre-shipment cancellation, we will initiate a full refund to the original payment method promptly and no later than seven business days after receiving the cancellation request.

4. Dispatch Time and Delays

We will physically place an order in the carrier's possession within five business days after receiving full payment and all complete and accurate shipping information reasonably required to fulfill the order.

If payment or shipping information is incomplete or requires correction, we will contact the customer promptly. The five-business-day period begins when we receive the information needed to complete the order. This period concerns dispatch, not delivery; carrier transit and customs-clearance time begin after dispatch.

If we cannot dispatch within the stated period, we will notify the customer before it expires. The notice will provide revised dispatch information and a no-cost choice to consent to the delay or cancel for a full and prompt refund, as applicable. If required consent is not received, or if the item cannot be shipped, we will cancel the unshipped order and issue the required refund.

5. Eligible Delivery and Product Claims

Please contact us if the shipment is lost in transit before confirmed delivery, or if the item received is incorrect, damaged in transit, missing an item or included component, materially defective when delivered, or materially different from its website description.

After reasonably reviewing a claim, we will provide any remedy required by applicable law. Where applicable law permits us to select the remedy, our preferred resolution for a substantiated claim is a refund to the original payment method. We will not substitute a replacement without the customer's agreement.

6. Reporting a Problem

Please inspect the order promptly after delivery and before using, washing, sharpening, altering, or attempting to repair the knife.

Visible transit damage, a missing item or component, or an incorrect item should be reported within 72 hours after actual delivery. Any other apparent material defect or material difference from the description should be reported as soon as reasonably possible, preferably within seven calendar days after actual delivery. A defect that could not reasonably have been discovered upon delivery must be reported promptly after discovery.

These requested periods help us investigate and preserve carrier claims; they do not exclude, restrict, or modify a right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted, or modified.

Email contact@vip-selection.tokyo with the order number, purchaser's name and email, delivery date, a clear description, and reasonably available photographs or video of the item, issue, exterior and interior packaging, and shipping label.

Please retain the item, original box, accessories, documents, protective materials, and all shipping packaging until our review is complete. An opening video is helpful but not required. Missing photographs or packaging will not, by itself, eliminate a right that cannot be waived under applicable law.

7. Inspection and Product Condition

Opening and handling the item only as reasonably necessary for visual inspection, without using it, does not affect an eligible claim.

If you notice visible damage, an incorrect item, or an apparent defect, stop using the item. Before receiving written instructions from us, do not test-cut with or otherwise use, wash, sharpen, hone, strop, alter, modify, disassemble, or attempt to repair the knife.

We do not cover a condition caused after delivery by misuse, improper care or storage, an unsuitable cutting surface, impact, twisting, prying, unintended use, accident, sharpening, honing, stropping, modification, corrosion attributable to improper care, or ordinary wear and tear. We may deny or reduce a claim only to the extent the condition was caused or worsened by conduct after delivery, subject to applicable law. This does not apply to a defect that existed at delivery but became apparent only through normal intended use.

If a return is authorized, the original box, accessories, documents, protective materials, and supplied packaging must be included to the extent reasonably possible. This requirement will not be applied where the packaging itself was damaged in transit or where doing so would remove a right that cannot legally be waived.

8. Return Authorization and Return Shipping

Do not send an item back without our written return authorization and instructions.

We do not have a return facility in the United States. An approved physical return must be sent to Japan using the shipping method, destination, and customs documentation that we provide or approve.

For an approved claim under Section 5 that requires a physical return, we will arrange and pay for a trackable return method insured for the full sale value, or reimburse reasonable, necessary, and pre-approved return-shipping costs if we instruct the customer to purchase the shipment.

Customs declarations must be accurate, identify the shipment as returned merchandise, include the original order number, and use the value stated in the return documents. Do not mark the shipment as a gift or declare a false or zero value. For safety, never ship an exposed blade. We may issue an approved refund without requiring a physical return.

9. Refund Amount, Method, and Timing

For an approved claim for which we are responsible, the refund includes the amount paid for the affected item, applicable taxes collected by us on that item, and any outbound shipping charge actually paid to us for that item, where applicable. Standard outbound shipping is currently provided without a separate charge.

No restocking fee or return-shipping deduction applies to an approved claim for which we are responsible.

We will initiate an approved refund through Stripe to the original payment method within seven business days after receiving and inspecting the approved return. We will inspect promptly and without unreasonable delay. If no physical return is required, we will initiate the refund within seven business days after written approval.

A refund required for an unshipped or delayed order will be initiated promptly within the period required by applicable law and will not be conditioned on inspection. After initiation, Stripe, the card network, and the issuing bank control when the credit appears; it commonly requires an additional five to ten business days.

10. Import Charges, Addresses, Refused Delivery, and Customs

Unless expressly stated as included at checkout, the recipient is responsible for applicable import duties, import taxes, customs-clearance charges, and brokerage fees imposed at destination. “Free shipping” refers only to the standard outbound transportation charge and does not include governmental or customs-related charges. This allocation does not make the customer responsible for transit loss or damage before delivery.

The customer must provide complete and accurate delivery information and cooperate promptly with the carrier and customs authorities. Refusing delivery, failing to complete customs clearance or pay properly disclosed import charges, or providing an incorrect or incomplete address does not create a change-of-mind return right.

If a parcel is returned to us solely for one of those reasons, the customer may, to the extent permitted by law, choose either reshipment after paying the actual additional shipping and customs costs, or a refund less actual, documented, nonrecoverable third-party carrier, insurance, customs, and brokerage charges. We will not deduct an internal handling or restocking fee.

This section does not apply where the return or refusal results from our error, an incorrect or nonconforming item, shipping damage, a qualifying defect, or a cancellation right arising from shipping delay or applicable law.

11. No Separate Voluntary Durability Guarantee

We do not make a separate voluntary promise concerning the future service life or durability of the product. This does not characterize, exclude, restrict, or modify any express or implied warranty, statutory right, product-liability claim, or remedy arising under applicable law.

12. Non-Waivable Consumer Rights

Consumer rights and remedies may vary by state. Nothing in this Policy excludes, restricts, or modifies any right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted, or modified under applicable federal, state, or local law. If applicable law is more protective, that law controls to the extent of the conflict.

13. Contact and Written Copy

Questions, cancellation requests, and claims should be sent to contact@vip-selection.tokyo. Our mailing address is N&E BLD. 7F, 1-12-4 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan. A written copy of this Policy is available by email request.

Official Language

The English version of this Policy is the official version. A Japanese translation may be provided for reference and convenience only. If there is a conflict, the English version controls, except where prohibited by applicable law or where applicable law requires another-language version to control.