Shipping policy
SHIPPING POLICY
How shipping works at Dept 81
We don't keep inventory on a shelf. Everything here is made in Japan after you order it, then shipped to you from New York. That makes our timing different from a typical online store, so here's exactly how it works.
Made to order
When you place an order, you're reserving a piece that our makers in Japan will produce specifically for your order. Nothing is pre-made. This is why our items are special — and why they take longer to reach you than something pulled off a warehouse shelf.
The timeline
- You order during an open order window.
- When the window closes, we send the batch to our makers in Japan.
- The makers produce everything by hand.
- The finished batch is shipped to us in New York and clears US customs.
- We pack each order and ship it to you domestically.
Every product page tells you the expected ship date before you buy. We'll also email you when your order ships, with tracking.
How long it takes
From order to delivery typically runs several weeks, because real production time in Japan plus international freight is built into every order. The exact window is listed on each product and in your confirmation email. If a date ever shifts, we email you before it passes — never after.
Where we ship
We currently ship within the United States. We may add more countries after our first few batches — if you're outside the US and want in, get on the list and we'll tell you when we expand.
Shipping costs
Shipping costs are calculated at checkout. Import duties on the Japan-to-US leg are handled by us and built into our pricing — you won't get a surprise customs bill at your door.
Once it ships
US delivery typically takes a few business days after we ship from New York. You'll have tracking. If your tracking stalls or your package arrives damaged, email us right away at steven@allstarsteven.com and we'll sort it out.
Questions
Anything at all about shipping or your order's status: steven@allstarsteven.com. We read every message.