Billing & Payment
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At Wabisabi-Experience, we aim to provide a seamless and secure purchasing experience for our single-origin Japanese teas from Wazuka, Kyoto. This Billing & Payment Policy outlines our payment process, ensuring transparency and trust. Please review the details below carefully.
1. Accepted Payment Methods
We accept the following payment methods to provide flexibility and convenience:
- Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB.
- Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal.
- Other Methods: Depending on your region, additional local payment options may be available at checkout (e.g., Shop Pay, Klarna for select regions).
All payments are processed securely through Shopify’s payment gateway, ensuring your financial information is protected. As we primarily serve international customers, we do not accept bank transfers for orders outside Japan.
2. Payment Processing
- Currency: All prices are listed in US Dollars (USD) on our website. At checkout, you may have the option to view and pay in your local currency (e.g., EUR, CAD, JPY) using Shopify’s automatic exchange rate conversion. The converted amount will be displayed before you complete your purchase, and your bank may apply additional currency conversion fees, which are not included in the order total.
- Authorization: Payment is authorized at the time of order placement to confirm availability of funds. Your account will be charged once the order is processed and ready to ship (typically within 1-3 business days).
- Failed Payments: If a payment fails, you will be notified via email to update your payment method. Orders will not ship until payment is successfully processed. If payment is not updated within 5 business days, your order may be canceled.
3. Product Pricing
- Pricing Details: All prices are displayed in USD and are subject to change without notice. The price at the time of checkout is the final price, excluding shipping fees and applicable taxes.
- Promotions: Any discounts or promotional offers will be applied at checkout. Promotions cannot be combined unless explicitly stated.
4. Taxes
Japanese Consumption Tax: For orders shipped within Japan, a 10% Japanese consumption tax is applied and automatically included in your order total at checkout. This applies only to domestic Japanese orders, as Wabisabi-Experience primarily serves international customers.
Local Taxes (Sales Tax, VAT, GST): For orders within Japan, local taxes are calculated and included at checkout. For international deliveries, local taxes such as U.S. Sales Tax, EU VAT, or Canada/Australia GST may apply depending on your shipping destination. These taxes are not calculated or collected by Wabisabi-Experience at checkout. Instead, they will be charged by local authorities or delivery services upon delivery, based on your country’s regulations. Examples include:
- U.S.: Sales Tax varies by state (e.g., 8.5% in California).
- EU: VAT depends on the delivery country (e.g., 19% in Germany).
- Canada: GST/HST applies (e.g., 5% federal GST plus provincial rates).
Customs Duties:
[For orders shipped to the United States] a 15% customs duty will be applied to all Wabisabi-Experience products exported from Japan, effective for orders placed on or after August 29, 2025, following the expiration of the U.S. De Minimis Rule. All Wabisabi-Experience products are made in Japan. Under our DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms, these duties will be calculated and included in the total amount at checkout, so no additional customs fees will be charged upon delivery. For further details, please consult your local customs authority.
[For international orders], For non-U.S. destinations, customs duties may apply regardless of value. These fees are not included in the product price or shipping cost and are the sole responsibility of the customer. Please check your local customs authority for details.
5. Billing Information
- Accuracy: Please ensure your billing information (name, address, and contact details) is accurate at checkout. Wabisabi-Experience is not responsible for delays or issues arising from incorrect billing information.
- Billing Confirmation: After a successful payment, you will receive an order confirmation email with your billing details. If you notice any discrepancies, contact us at info@wabisabi-experience.com within 24 hours.
6. Security
- Encryption: All transactions are processed using Shopify’s secure payment gateway, which complies with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) protocols. Your payment information is encrypted using SSL technology and is not stored on our servers.
- Fraud Prevention: We may contact you to verify your order if we detect unusual activity. This is to protect both you and Wabisabi-Experience from fraudulent transactions.
7. Refunds & Disputes
- Refunds: Refunds are processed in accordance with our Refund Policy. If a refund is approved, it will be issued to the original payment method or as a digital gift card, depending on the circumstances.
- Disputes: If you have concerns about a charge, please contact us at info@wabisabi-experience.com before initiating a dispute with your payment provider. We aim to resolve issues promptly and fairly.
- Chargebacks: Initiating a chargeback without first contacting us may result in additional fees or restrictions on future purchases.
8. Contact Us
For any questions or concerns about billing or payments, please reach out to:
- Email: info@wabisabi-experience.com
- Mailing Address: Wabisabi-Experience, 1-22-11, Ginza, Chuo-Ku 104-0061, Tokyo, Japan
We’re here to ensure your purchasing experience is as tranquil as the teas we craft.
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