Shipping and returns: This page is the short, honest version of what international buyers need before checkout. Full operational detail lives on our Shipping Policy and Refund & Exchange Policy. Nothing here is legal advice; customs and tax rules change by country and by carrier.
Contact: hello@handmyth.com
Free shipping and returns — what it covers (and what it does not)
| Included when order ≥ $69 | Not included |
|---|---|
| Standard outbound shipping from our Foshan studio to most destinations | Import VAT / GST / sales tax charged by your country |
| One flat worldwide free-shipping threshold (no coupon code) | Customs / import duties |
| Tracking after dispatch | Carrier brokerage / handling fees at destination |
| Careful packing for ceramics, silk, and display pieces | Local delivery surcharges your carrier may add |
Orders under $69 pay $12.99 standard shipping worldwide (same rule as the live Shipping Policy).
Free shipping ≠ duty-free. A free-shipping cart can still attract import VAT or duty when the parcel clears your border. Those charges are set by your customs authority and the carrier — not by HandMyth — and they are payable by the buyer.
We declare every parcel at its real value with an accurate description. We will not under-declare goods to reduce an import bill. Under-declaration is illegal and risks seizure.
If a parcel is refused or abandoned because duties were not paid and it returns to us, we refund the goods once the parcel is back, minus outbound and return shipping we were charged. Details: Shipping Policy § Customs.
Country notes (high-level — not legal advice)
Thresholds and tax treatments change. Always confirm with your country’s official customs / tax site before ordering high-value or restricted items (especially swords / replicas — see the display-sword compliance section).
United States
- Import duties and merchandise processing fees may apply depending on classification, value, and current de minimis / entry rules.
- Fixed-blade decorative swords are not automatically banned under federal switchblade rules, but state and local possession laws can still restrict ownership after release (19 CFR § 12.96).
- Buyer responsibility: pay any duty/tax the carrier invoices; check your state before ordering sword-shaped goods.
United Kingdom
- Import VAT and possible customs duty apply to goods sent from outside the UK. See HMRC — tax and duty on goods sent from abroad.
- Offensive-weapons import controls apply to certain knives and swords (including curved blades over 50 cm with limited exemptions). See GOV.UK — import controls on offensive weapons. Decorative intent does not guarantee clearance.
European Union
- Import VAT is generally due on goods from outside the EU. Distance-sales / IOSS arrangements may collect VAT at checkout when a seller uses that system; otherwise VAT (and any duty above applicable thresholds) may be collected at import. See European Commission — customs formalities for low-value consignments.
- Blade / weapons rules are largely national. Check the destination Member State before ordering swords.
Australia
- Low-value imported goods (customs value A$1,000 or less) may have GST collected at sale by a registered overseas seller; goods above A$1,000 generally require an import declaration with GST/duty/charges at the border (ATO / ABF guidance).
- Many weapons categories are controlled under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations — check ABF weapons before ordering swords.
Canada
- Duty and GST/HST rules differ for mail vs courier and by value. See CBSA — importing by mail or courier and CBSA firearms & weapons.
- Replica firearms are tightly controlled; decorative swords are a different category but still must not fall into prohibited-weapon definitions. Confirm before ordering.
Singapore
- GST treatment depends on goods value and whether the overseas seller is GST-registered for low-value goods (Singapore Customs — GST on low-value goods; IRAS/consumers/gst-on-imported-low-value-goods)).
- Swords and many weapons are controlled; import typically requires prior SPF licensing / TradeNet permits (ICA controlled goods; SPF weapon licensing). Do not order sword SKUs to Singapore unless you already hold the required approvals.
Returns & refunds (summary)
Full text: Refund & Exchange Policy.
Damaged, defective, or wrong item (our fault)
- Tell us within 30 days of delivery.
- Email hello@handmyth.com with: order number; 2–3 clear photos (item + outer packaging); one sentence on what is wrong.
- We replace or refund in full, including original shipping you paid when applicable.
- If return postage would cost more than the item (or order ≤ $50), we often refund and let you keep / donate the piece after photos — see live policy.
Change of mind
- Unused, in original packaging, within 14 days of delivery.
- Buyer pays return postage to China.
- Item price refunded; original outbound shipping refunded only if the whole order returns.
Higher-value pieces ($200+)
- We generally need the item back before refunding (jade, large furniture, swords, etc.).
- If the fault is ours, we arrange prepaid insured return.
Fragility note — ceramics & silk
Teaware, celadon, lacquer, and silk scarves travel with layered packing, but they remain fragile. Keep the outer carton until you have inspected the piece. For transit damage, photograph the box and the item before discarding packaging — that is what makes a fast RMA possible.
Opened consumables / personalised goods
Opened tea or incense, and personalised / engraved pieces, are not returnable for change-of-mind (faulty items still covered).
Damaged-on-arrival RMA — quick steps
- Photograph the outer carton, any courier damage labels, and the item.
- Email hello@handmyth.com within 7 days for shipping damage (fault claims remain within the 30-day window on the refund page).
- Wait for our reply before shipping anything back — many low-value cases do not need a return parcel.
- If we request a return on a fault claim, we tell you whether we cover postage.
Processing & delivery (snapshot)
- In-stock processing: 1–2 business days before dispatch (made-to-order: 5–10 when stated on the PDP).
- After dispatch: typically 10–20 business days depending on destination (see Shipping Policy table).
- Customs clearance time is outside our control.
FAQ
Does free shipping mean I will not pay tax? No. Free shipping covers our outbound postage only. Import VAT/GST/duties are separate.
Can you mark the parcel as a gift or under-value it? No.
I paid duty — can HandMyth refund it? Duties are collected by your customs authority or carrier, not by us. If goods are returned or destroyed, ask your customs office about reclaiming duty; we will supply paperwork we can provide.
Where do I read the full rules? Shipping Policy · Refund & Exchange · Sword buyers: Compliance section
HandMyth — Foshan, Guangdong, China · hello@handmyth.com
English
