Shipping and Custom

Our shipping rate is very reasonable. We offer free shipping over $50. Otherwise, we ship anywhere in the world for $6.00.

We keep our tea treasures in our Chinese warehouse, where the site's co-founder HQ lives. We believe having a warehouse near the Source is the most efficient way to distribute these treasures around.

What we do is really quite simple. Both I and HQ taste the teas. When we think we spot a star - something we think you would be extremely pleased to have - we place a large order as soon as the harvest finishes.

We pack the teas into air-tight bags; leave them in freezer until your orders come in.

Because we have total control over the sourcing process, from wholesale to storage, we have total confidence the teas will reach you in excellent condition.

We post within 1 to 3 business days by Airmail. The parcels usually take 2-3 weeks to arrive in the United States.

If you live in North America, Western Europe or Asia Pacific, orders 350 grams or more are delivered via a fast service in 5 to 10 days - at no extra charge.

We have been approved by the US Food Drug Administration (FDA) to ship tea leaves to the United States. Our agent is the Tea Association of the USA.

Other countries do not have similar requirements. So we are free to ship teas worldwide.

You are responsible for the custom and tax. Fortunately, they don't normally apply to small packages bought for personal use.

If you live in the US, exemption limit for international purchase is 200 US dollars. I also understand that tea leaves are not taxable.

If you live in the UK, tea leaves are considered an essential item and therefore not subject to sales tax (VAT). They also don't attract custom charge..

As far as I understand, due to harmisation rules, the same situation applies to Europe.

I have also have several Australian customers. As far as I am aware, parcels are allowed through as long as they have been labeled "Camellia Sinensis".

HM Revenue & Customs. VAT, Customs & Excise.
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?
_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageLibrary_PublicNoticesAndInfoSheets&property
Type=document&columns=1&id=HMCE_CL_000118#P67_4124

Sloane Fox (2006). Importing into the UK: UK and EU Import Taxes. 
http://www.sloanefox.freeserve.co.uk/importukduty.htm

US Customs and Border Protection. Internet Purchases. 
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/infrequent_importer_info
/internet_purchases.xml

Canada Border Services Agency
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/courier/postal/ind_duty_free-e.html#value

Australian Customs Service
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5549

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