Shipping policy

Last Updated: March 3, 2025

At MyTeaPal Store, we strive to provide reliable international shipping for our high-quality teas and teaware. This policy outlines processing times, shipping options, customs responsibilities, and important information about package returns to ensure transparency for our customers worldwide.

1. Processing & Fulfillment

Orders are processed within 3 business days after payment confirmation. Our warehouse is located in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, and shipments are typically routed through transit hubs in Guangdong Province before international dispatch. The domestic transit time from Chengdu to Guangdong is approximately 2-3 days.

Please note that your tracking number may not show updates immediately, as it only becomes active once the carrier picks up the package from Guangdong. If your tracking link does not display any information for the first few days, rest assured that your package is still in transit. You will receive an email notification once it departs for international shipping.

To avoid shipping delays, please double-check your shipping address before completing your order. If your country requires a phone number for shipping, email us your order number and phone number after purchase. Even if not required, a phone number can help facilitate delivery updates from your local courier. This information is used solely for shipping purposes and will not be shared with third parties except for logistics providers.

2. Shipping Methods & Estimated Transit Times

Estimated transit times (after the tracking number becomes active) do not include the initial domestic transit time within China (2-3 days) and are provided for reference only. Actual delivery times may vary due to customs clearance, carrier delays, and local postal service efficiency. We are not responsible for shipping delays caused by external factors such as weather, customs inspections, incorrect addresses, labor disputes, or transportation disruptions.

China Post e-Packet (2-4 Weeks) – Standard Shipping

  • $8 flat rate shipping (free for orders over $99).
  • Commonly used flat-rate shipping method by many tea vendors with warehouses in China.
  • Available to:
    • All European Union countries (except Bulgaria and Czechia).
    • Other supported countries: Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Georgia, India, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay.
  • Potential Customs Delay:
    • In rare cases (~5% of shipments), China Post may return a package for security re-examination before allowing it to continue transit. If this happens, tracking will show the package as "returned," but it will not be sent back to us. Instead, it will be re-examined and automatically re-shipped within a few days. This is a normal process and does not indicate a failed shipment—only a slight delay.

US Special Line (typically 8-12 days with occasional customs delay)

  • $10 flat rate shipping (free for orders over $149).
  • Potential custom clearance delay: if randomly checked by the customs, then it will cause delay for potentially two to three weeks
  • ⚠ High risk in case of returns:
    • Unlike China Post e-Packet, if a special line package is returned for any reason (failed delivery, incorrect address), it will be destroyed and cannot be recovered.
    • This process is irreversible due to the complicated shipping route, and we cannot offer refunds or compensation for lost parcels.
  • Opt-in Required:
    • For US customers: If you prefer this special line, you must request it before checkout. By selecting this option, you accept the risk that returned packages will be destroyed and are non-refundable.

PostNL Small Parcel (2-4 Weeks) – Optional for Certain Regions

  • $12 flat rate shipping (free for orders over $149).
  • Shipping route: Mainland China → Hong Kong → Netherlands → Final Destination.
  • Available to:
    • Regions not served by China Post e-Packet or Special Lines: Argentina, Bulgaria, Czechia, Iceland, Kuwait, Mongolia, Qatar.
    • Optional upgrade for EU customers (except Bulgaria and Czechia) to most likely avoid VAT and customs fees, ****but it’s not 100% guaranteed.
  • ⚠ High risk in case of returns:
    • Unlike China Post e-Packet, if a PostNL package is returned for any reason (failed delivery, incorrect address, unclaimed at pickup), it will be destroyed in the Netherlands and cannot be recovered.
    • This process is irreversible due to the complicated shipping route, and we cannot offer refunds or compensation for lost parcels.
  • Opt-in Required:
    • For EU customers: If you prefer PostNL, you must request it before checkout. By selecting this option, you accept the risk that returned packages will be destroyed and are non-refundable.

Asia Special Lines (4-10 Days) – Faster & Easier Customs Clearance

  • $7 flat rate shipping (free for orders over $49).
  • We collaborate with specialized logistics providers for shipping channels that offer faster and more stable customs clearance than China Post.
  • Available to:
    • Hong Kong (2-4 days), Taiwan (4-6 days), Vietnam (5-7 days), Philippines (7-10 days).

If your country is not listed in our shipping options, please contact us before placing an order, and we will assist you in finding the best available shipping method.

3. Customs, Duties, and Import Fees

Customers are responsible for all import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees imposed by their country, except for shipments sent via PostNL Small Parcel, which typically bypasses customs fees.

If customs holds or returns your package, we are not responsible for additional taxes, delays, or rejected shipments due to your country’s regulations. If your package is returned due to customs refusal and you wish to have it reshipped, you must pay for the shipping cost again. If you prefer a refund, it will be processed minus the original shipping cost and may also be subject to a restocking fee (see country-specific policies below).

Some countries require specific export paperwork for tea shipments. If you need an invoice for customs, please contact us in advance, and we will provide one.

If you experience customs-related issues, please contact us, and we will do our best to assist you.

4. EU Customers: VAT & Shipping Considerations

VAT & Import Fees

MyTeaPal Store is not registered for VAT and does not collect or remit VAT, taxes, duties, or processing fees for orders shipped to the European Union. Buyers are fully responsible for any applicable charges, except for shipments via PostNL Small Parcel, which typically bypasses customs fees.

Shipping Options for EU Customers

1️⃣ China Post e-Packet (2-4 Weeks) – Default Standard Shipping

  • More affordable option with broader availability.
  • The buyer is responsible for any VAT, customs fees, or processing charges upon import.
  • If the package is returned (failed delivery, incorrect address, unclaimed at pickup), it will be sent back to our warehouse in China for resolution.

2️⃣ PostNL Small Parcel (2-4 Weeks) – Optional Upgrade

  • More expensive than China Post e-Packet but avoids VAT and customs fees for the buyer.
  • ⚠ If returned for any reason, the package will be destroyed in the Netherlands and is non-recoverable.
  • Not recommended for high-value orders due to the risk of loss.
  • Opt-in required before checkout – If you prefer PostNL, please request it when placing your order.

🚨 If you're unsure which shipping method is best for you, please contact us before placing an order.

5. Brazil Customers: CPF & Shipping Considerations

Brazil has a high rejection rate for tea imports from China, and customs clearance can be unpredictable.

  • You must provide your tax number (CPF) after placing your order. If not provided, we will contact you via email before shipping.
  • Shipping to Brazil is expensive, and if your package is returned by customs, you will be responsible for additional shipping costs.
  • Customers in Brazil order at their own risk and should verify their country’s import regulations before purchasing.

Refunds for Returned Packages

If your package is rejected by customs and returned to us, you have two options:

1️⃣ Reshipping – You will need to pay the shipping fee again.

2️⃣ Refund – If you choose not to reship, we will issue a refund minus the shipping costs and a 30% restocking fee.