Shipping policy

SHIPPING POLICY

1. General Shipping Information

We dispatch products directly from South Korea to your door.

Auntie Kim operates a hybrid model, including direct retail sales and purchasing agency services. For purchasing agency items, we facilitate sourcing from third-party Korean sellers on behalf of customers, while managing international delivery and customer support.
Certain operational processes may be handled by our affiliated partners in South Korea.

2. Dispatch Methods & Decision Authority

  • We use EMS (Express Mail Service) or other reliable international couriers.
  • Auntie Kim reserves the right to consolidate or split parcels for efficiency and safety.
  • Final Decision Authority: Auntie Kim reserves the right to determine packaging,
    routing, courier selection, and dispatch timing at its sole discretion
    for safety, legal, or operational reasons.

3. Shipping Countries & Restrictions

We dispatch to most countries worldwide. However, we DO NOT dispatch to countries
under comprehensive international sanctions (e.g., North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba)
or to active conflict/war zones.

4. Delivery Time & Domestic Processing

• Domestic Lead Time: For Purchasing Agency Services, please allow an additional
3–7 business days for items to arrive at our South Korean facility
from local sellers before international dispatch can occur.
• Estimated Delivery: Approximately 5–15 business days after international dispatch.
• Delays: Delivery times are estimates only. Auntie Kim is not liable for delays beyond our control caused by customs inspections, international regulations, or courier disruptions.

5. Tracking & Address Modifications

• Tracking: A tracking number will be provided via email after dispatch.
• Change of Address: Modifications to your delivery address are only permitted
before the parcel is dispatched. Once dispatched, we cannot reroute the package.

6. Shipping & Handling Fees

Shipping fees are calculated based on weight, volumetric size, and destination.
If the final packed volumetric weight exceeds the initial estimate,
you will be invoiced for the difference prior to international dispatch.
A non-refundable Handling Fee is applied per order to cover inspection,
secure packaging, and consolidation:

  • Single item: USD $5
  • Up to 5 items: USD $10
  • Up to 10 items: USD $15
  • Up to 15 items: USD $20

7. Consolidation Storage Limits

If you order multiple items from different sellers for consolidation,
Auntie Kim will provide free storage for up to 30 calendar days
from the arrival of the first item. After 30 days, storage fees may apply,
or the items may be dispatched as is.

8. Inspection & Right to Open Packages

All products undergo a visual inspection before dispatch. To ensure compliance
with international regulations and to verify the Country of Origin (e.g., Made in Korea),
Auntie Kim reserves the right to open original product packaging.

• Inspection is limited to external condition and packaging integrity.
• Auntie Kim does not provide warranties regarding product quality or functionality;
these are the responsibility of the original manufacturer.

9. Customs, Duties & Responsibility

As the Importer of Record, you are responsible for all customs duties,
VAT, import taxes, and clearance fees required by your destination country.
• Auntie Kim is not responsible for delays or costs caused by customs authorities.
• Once a product is purchased in Korea, the order cannot be changed or cancelled.

10. Unclaimed or Refused Packages

If a package is refused or unclaimed, you are responsible for all return shipping
and storage costs.
• Automatic Abandonment: Parcels unclaimed for more than 30 calendar days
may be disposed of by the courier without a refund.

11. Prohibited & Restricted Items

We strictly adhere to IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations,
Korean export laws, and destination customs policies.
To ensure safe and smooth delivery, we DO NOT dispatch the following items:

  • Flammable & Hazardous Materials: Aerosols, perfumes, nail polish, paints,
    thinners, compressed gas, lighters, and matches.
  • Batteries: Standalone lithium batteries, power banks, and uninstalled rechargeable batteries.
  • Perishables & Agricultural Products: Fresh fruits, vegetables, live plants,
    seeds, soil, raw meat, and dairy products.
  • Weapons & Replicas: Firearms, ammunition, explosives, knives, and realistic toy weapons.
  • Valuables & Documents: Cash, coins, credit/debit cards, passports,
    government IDs, and precious metals/gemstones.
  • Restricted Goods: Prescription medicines, narcotics, illegal drugs,
    counterfeit (fake) goods, and pornographic materials.
  • Others: Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and vaping devices (e-cigarettes).

⚠️ Note regarding Food Items to the USA:
While certain non-meat processed foods and snacks may be dispatched via regular EMS,
the US FDA and Customs strictly prohibit any products containing meat or poultry
(including meat-based ramen extracts), as well as fresh agricultural products.
Customers are fully responsible for confirming FDA import eligibility before ordering.
Auntie Kim is not liable for any confiscation, disposal, or additional fees
imposed by US Customs during the quarantine process.

Customer Responsibility:
If a parcel is rejected, returned, or disposed of by the courier or customs
due to prohibited items requested by the customer, all associated costs
(including return dispatch fees and disposal charges) will be the sole responsibility of the customer.

12. Force Majeure & Liability

Auntie Kim is not liable for failures caused by events beyond our control
(Natural disasters, War, Pandemics). Our total liability shall not exceed
the total amount paid for the relevant order.
If no shipping insurance is purchased, Auntie Kim assumes no liability
for loss, theft, or damage after transfer to the courier.
We will assist in carrier claims where applicable.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions about the Shipping Policy should be sent to:
+971-55-132-8828
support@auntiekimglobal.com