Shipping policy

Last Updated: [2026-08-25]

Shipping Policy

We are proud to serve customers across Canada from our studio in Gatineau, Quebec. This policy outlines our processing times, shipping rates, and strict protocols for pickup and delivery.

1. Processing Times

The time we need to prepare an order varies by product availability. Business days exclude weekends and holidays.

In-Stock Items

Processed and shipped within 1-3 business days.

Pre-Order Items

These items are currently in transit from our suppliers (Japan/Taiwan/Korea). Please allow 2-4 weeks for dispatch. Specific estimates are listed on the product page. For pre-order cancellation terms, see Section 10 of our Refund Policy.

Mixed Orders

If your order contains a mix of in-stock and pre-order items, the entire order will ship once all items are available. If you need the in-stock items sooner, please place two separate orders.

Quebec Residents

We will notify you promptly of any significant delays, as required by the Consumer Protection Act.

2. Standard Shipping Rates & Free Shipping (Canada-wide)

We are pleased to offer FREE Standard Shipping to Standard Zones on orders over $120.00 CAD (before tax).

Standard Zones

Refers to most major urban and suburban areas across Canada.

Air Stage Offices

Due to significantly higher courier surcharges, Air Stage Office locations are excluded from the free shipping offer. Air Stage Offices are post offices designated by Canada Post where all mail must be airlifted for more than 6 months per year, due to the absence of viable surface transportation. These offices are generally located in remote or isolated communities.

The following 145 postal codes correspond to Air Stage Office locations and are excluded from the free shipping offer:

View Air Stage Office postal codes (145)
A0K 1N0, A0P 1A0, A0P 1G0, A0P 1J0, A0P 1L0, A0P 1N0, A0P 1P0, G0G 1G0, G0G 1M0, G0G 1N0, G0G 1T0, G0G 2C0, G0G 2R0, G0G 2W0, G0G 2Y0, J0M 1A0, J0M 1C0, J0M 1G0, J0M 1H0, J0M 1J0, J0M 1K0, J0M 1M0, J0M 1N0, J0M 1P0, J0M 1S0, J0M 1T0, J0M 1V0, J0M 1X0, J0M 1Y0, P0L 1A0, P0L 1H0, P0L 1S0, P0L 2H0, P0T 1L0, P0T 1Z0, P0T 2L0, P0T 3A0, P0T 3B0, P0V 1B0, P0V 1E0, P0V 1G0, P0V 1J0, P0V 1N0, P0V 1V0, P0V 1W0, P0V 1Y0, P0V 1Z0, P0V 2G0, P0V 2L0, P0V 2P0, P0V 2Y0, P0V 2Z0, P0V 3B0, P0V 3E0, P0V 3G0, R0B 0A0, R0B 0B0, R0B 0M0, R0B 0N0, R0B 0T0, R0B 0V0, R0B 0Z0, R0B 1C0, R0B 1G0, R0B 1H0, R0B 1J0, R0B 1K0, R0B 1N0, R0B 1Z0, R0B 2B0, R0B 2C0, R0B 2E0, R0B 2G0, R0B 2H0, R0C 0J0, S0J 0H0, S0J 0W0, S0J 2R0, S0J 2W0, S0J 3C0, T0H 1R0, T0P 1B0, V0J 3B0, V0J 3N0, V0N 1M0, V0N 2B0, V0N 3H0, V0N 3S0, V0P 1B0, V0P 1J0, V0P 1L0, V0P 1P0, V0P 1S0, V0P 1V0, V0P 1W0, V0R 1A0, V0T 1P0, V0V 1A0, V0V 1C0, V0V 1E0, V0V 1H0, X0A 0A0, X0A 0B0, X0A 0C0, X0A 0E0, X0A 0G0, X0A 0H0, X0A 0J0, X0A 0K0, X0A 0L0, X0A 0N0, X0A 0R0, X0A 0S0, X0A 0V0, X0A 0W0, X0A 2H0, X0A 3H0, X0B 0C0, X0B 0E0, X0B 1B0, X0B 1J0, X0B 1K0, X0B 2A0, X0C 0A0, X0C 0B0, X0C 0C0, X0C 0E0, X0C 0G0, X0C 0H0, X0C 0J0, X0E 0A0, X0E 0G0, X0E 0H0, X0E 0K0, X0E 0S0, X0E 0V0, X0E 0Z0, X0E 1A0, X0E 1L0, X0E 1N0, X0E 1P0, X0E 1R0, X0E 1W0, X0E 1Z0, Y0B 1N0

Source: Canada Post, Air Stage Offices list, last updated November 22, 2024.

Calculated Rates

For orders that do not qualify for free shipping, or are destined for Air Stage Office locations, shipping rates are calculated in real-time at checkout based on the package weight and destination. All prices include applicable taxes.

3. Local Delivery (Gatineau & Ottawa)

For our neighbors in the National Capital Region, we offer a specialized local delivery service to get your stationery to you faster.

Rates & Free Delivery Threshold

  • Flat Rate: $6.00 CAD.
  • FREE Local Delivery: On orders over $60.00 CAD (before tax).

Supported Postal Code Prefixes

This service is strictly limited to residential and business addresses within the following zones:

View supported postal code prefixes (Gatineau & Ottawa)
Gatineau: J8P, J8T, J8X, J8Y, J8Z, J9A, J9H, J9J

Ottawa: K1A, K1B, K1C, K1E, K1G, K1H, K1J, K1K, K1L, K1M, K1N, K1P, K1R, K1S, K1T, K1V, K1W, K1X, K1Y, K1Z, K2A, K2B, K2C, K2E, K2G, K2H, K2J, K2K, K2L, K2M, K2P, K2R, K2S, K2T, K2V, K2W, K4A, K4C, K4M, K4P

Delivery Terms

Local deliveries are typically fulfilled within 1-3 business days. We provide a secure door-drop service; you will receive a notification once the delivery is complete.

4. Winter Shipping (Important for Ink)

Given our location in Canada, temperatures often drop below freezing, which presents a risk for liquid products.

Risk of Freezing

Glass ink bottles may shatter if the ink freezes and expands.

Our Policy

During extreme cold spells (-10°C or below), Shosai reserves the right to hold your shipment until temperatures moderate to ensure your products arrive safely. We will notify you via email if your order is delayed due to weather.

5. Local Pickup (Gatineau)

Live in the National Capital Region? You can skip the shipping fees entirely!

Cost & Location

  • Cost: Free.
  • Location: Shosai Studio, Gatineau, QC (Full address provided in confirmation email).

How it Works

Select "Local Pickup" at checkout. You will receive an email when your order is ready with a link to schedule your pickup time.

Identity Verification (Strict)

To prevent fraud, the name on your Government-issued Photo ID (e.g., Driver's License) MUST match the name on the order. We handle ID checks visually in compliance with privacy laws.

Security & Liability

Please do not forward your pickup notification email or SMS to others. Shosai is not responsible for items claimed by unauthorized persons due to the sharing of pickup credentials.

Proxy Pickup

If you need someone else to pick up your order, you must email us at hi@shosai.ca in advance from the email address associated with the order. Please provide the full legal name of your designated proxy. They will be required to show their own matching Government ID upon arrival.

6. Damages & Lost Packages

Inspect Immediately

Upon delivery, please inspect your package immediately. If you ordered a Glass Pen, you must report any breakage within 24 hours (see Return Policy).

Lost Packages

Once a package is marked as "Delivered" by the carrier, Shosai is not responsible for theft (e.g., porch pirates), except where required by law. Please ensure you provide a secure shipping address.

Quebec Residents

We will assist with claims for damages or losses as required by the Consumer Protection Act.

7. Unclaimed or Returned Packages

If a package is returned to us due to an incorrect address provided by the customer or because it was unclaimed at the post office:

  • We will contact you to arrange reshipment.
  • The customer is responsible for the re-shipping fee.
  • If you choose to cancel instead, we will refund the order value minus the original shipping cost.

8. United States Shipping

Shosai ships to the United States via Canada Post.

Processing Times

United States orders follow the same processing times as Canadian orders: 1–3 business days for in-stock items, and 2–4 weeks for pre-order items in transit from our suppliers (Japan/Taiwan/Korea). See Section 1 for full details on Mixed Orders.

Shipping Rates

We do not currently offer free shipping on United States orders. Shipping rates are calculated in real-time at checkout based on package weight and destination.

Shipping Services

Depending on your order's weight and destination, one of the following Canada Post services will be offered at checkout:

Tracked Packet™ – USA
For lightweight items under 2 kg. Includes full online tracking and insurance coverage up to $100 CAD. Estimated delivery: 4–7 business days after processing.

Expedited Parcel™ – USA
For larger or combined orders up to 30 kg. Includes full online tracking and insurance coverage up to $100 CAD. Estimated delivery: 4–7 business days after processing.

Xpresspost™ – USA
Our fastest option to the contiguous United States. Includes full online tracking, signature confirmation, and insurance coverage up to $100 CAD. Estimated delivery: 2–3 business days after processing.

All three services are offered with online tracking from Gatineau to your door, so you'll always be able to follow your order's journey.

Alaska & Hawaii

We ship to Alaska and Hawaii. Please note that delivery to these states typically takes longer than the standard estimates above, due to additional transit distance and carrier routing. We'll do our best to keep you informed if your order is affected by extended transit time.

Restricted Destinations

Due to Canada Post shipping restrictions, we are currently unable to ship to:

  • APO, FPO, and DPO military addresses
  • U.S. territories and possessions (including Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa)

These destinations are excluded because delivery confirmation and tracking are not available for these addresses, which prevents us from resolving lost-package claims. All other U.S. states — including Alaska and Hawaii — are eligible for standard shipping.

Duties, Taxes & Customs (DDP — Delivered Duty Paid)

All United States orders are shipped Delivered Duty Paid (DDP). Applicable U.S. customs duties and import taxes are calculated and collected at checkout, together with your order total.

  • You will not be charged any additional fees, duties, or taxes upon delivery.
  • No customs surprises: the price you pay at checkout is the final price.
  • This applies to all product categories we carry, including fountain pen inks, glass pens, and paper goods.

Ink & Liquid Products — Winter Shipping

The same winter shipping precautions outlined in Section 4 apply to United States orders. During extreme cold spells (-10°C or below), Shosai reserves the right to hold shipments until temperatures moderate to protect glass ink bottles from freeze damage.

Refused or Returned Packages

If a United States package is refused at customs, returned as undeliverable, or unclaimed:

  • We will contact you to arrange reshipment; the customer is responsible for the re-shipping fee.
  • If you choose to cancel instead, we will refund the order value minus the original shipping cost.