Shipping policy

Shipping Policy

Thank you for shopping with Aka Miniverse. Many of our products are handmade, made to order, customized, or produced in small batches. Please review the information below before placing your order.

Shipping Locations

We currently ship only within the United States.

We ship to the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. We do not currently offer international shipping or shipping to U.S. territories.

Shipping availability for P.O. boxes, APO/FPO addresses, Alaska, and Hawaii may depend on the shipping carrier and the options available at checkout.

Free Shipping

Free standard shipping is available on qualifying U.S. orders with a merchandise subtotal of $45 or more after discounts and before taxes.

The $45 minimum does not include taxes, shipping charges, or other fees. Free shipping applies to standard shipping only and cannot be exchanged for expedited shipping or cash value.

If a discount reduces the merchandise subtotal below $55, the order may no longer qualify for free shipping.

Processing Time and Shipping Time

Processing time and shipping time are separate.

  • Processing time is the time needed to prepare, make, inspect, package, and hand the order to the shipping carrier.

  • Shipping time begins after the carrier accepts the package.

Placing an order does not mean that the order will ship immediately.

Estimated Processing Times

Processing time depends on the type and complexity of the product.

Ready-to-Ship Products

Ready-to-ship products are generally processed within 2–5 business days.

Made-to-Order Products

Made-to-order products, including certain handmade and 3D-printed products, are generally processed within 5–10 business days.

Handmade, Customized, and Commissioned Products

Complex handmade products, customized products, and commissioned work may require additional production time. The estimated processing time will be listed on the applicable product page or provided during the commission process.

Depending on the design, materials, curing time, painting, finishing, and complexity, these products may require approximately 2–6 weeks before shipment.

Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding U.S. federal holidays.

The processing estimate shown on an individual product page takes priority over the general estimates in this policy.

Orders Containing Different Product Types

When an order contains both ready-to-ship and made-to-order products, the entire order will normally ship together after all items are completed.

This helps reduce packaging waste and additional shipping costs.

Customers who would like available products shipped separately may contact us at [your support email]. Additional shipping charges may apply.

Estimated Delivery Time

After processing is complete, standard U.S. shipping generally takes approximately 3–8 business days, depending on the destination, carrier, weather, seasonal volume, and other circumstances outside our control.

Delivery estimates are not guaranteed arrival dates.

Choosing an expedited shipping service, when available, shortens the carrier’s transit time but does not shorten the product’s stated processing or production time.

Order Tracking

When tracking is available, a shipping confirmation email containing the tracking information will be sent after the carrier accepts the package.

Tracking information may take up to 48 hours to update after the shipping label is created.

A shipping label being created does not necessarily mean that the carrier has received the package. Carrier transit time begins after the package is accepted or scanned by the carrier.

Processing Delays

Processing times may be temporarily extended during product launches, holidays, conventions, high-volume periods, or other announced events. When possible, temporary processing changes will be posted on the website before an order is placed.

If an unexpected delay prevents us from shipping within the estimated processing period provided at the time of purchase, we will contact the customer using the email address associated with the order.

The customer may choose to:

  1. Accept the revised shipping estimate; or

  2. Cancel the unshipped portion of the order for a refund.

Customized or commissioned work that has already entered production may also be subject to the cancellation terms stated in our Refund and Return Policy. However, customers will still be contacted when a material delay occurs.

Address Accuracy and Address Changes

Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address at checkout.

Please review the address carefully, including:

  • Apartment or unit number

  • Street number and name

  • City, state, and ZIP code

  • Recipient name

To request an address correction, contact us at hello.akameowniverse@gmail.com as soon as possible.

We cannot guarantee that an address can be changed after an order has entered processing or after a shipping label has been created. For security reasons, we may cancel and refund the order so that the customer can place a new order with the correct address.

We cannot redirect a package after it has been transferred to the carrier.

Packages Returned to Sender

An order may be returned to us because of an incorrect or incomplete address, an unclaimed package, failed delivery attempts, or another delivery issue.

If a package is returned to us, we will contact the customer to arrange either:

  • Reshipment after the customer pays the new shipping charge; or

  • A refund for eligible merchandise, less the original shipping charge and any carrier return fees.

Customized, personalized, commissioned, or made-to-order products may not qualify for a refund merely because the customer supplied an incorrect address or did not claim the package.

If the return was caused by an error made by Aka Miniverse, we will correct and reship the order at no additional cost.

Delayed or Missing Packages

Carrier delays may occur because of weather, service disruptions, holiday volume, incorrect routing, or other circumstances outside our direct control.

Please contact us at hello.akameowniverse@gmail.com if:

  • Tracking has not updated for 7 business days;

  • The package has not arrived within 5 business days after the latest estimated delivery date; or

  • The carrier reports that the package may be lost.

Please include your order number and shipping address.

We will review the tracking information and, when appropriate, open an investigation or claim with the shipping carrier. Carrier investigations may require additional time and do not always provide an immediate determination.

When a package is confirmed lost, we will provide an appropriate resolution, which may include a replacement, remake, store credit with the customer’s agreement, or refund.

Packages Marked as Delivered but Not Received

Occasionally, a package may be marked as delivered shortly before it physically arrives.

When tracking shows “delivered” but the package cannot be located, please:

  1. Confirm that the shipping address on the order is correct.

  2. Check entrances, mailrooms, parcel lockers, porches, garages, and other protected delivery locations.

  3. Ask household members, building staff, or nearby neighbors whether they accepted the package.

  4. Allow up to 48 hours for the package to appear.

  5. Contact the shipping carrier or local post office for delivery details.

If the package is still missing, contact us promptly at hello.akameowniverse@gmail.com. We will help review the shipment and determine whether a carrier investigation can be opened.

Replacement or refund requests for packages marked as delivered will be reviewed individually and may require carrier confirmation or other documentation.

Products Damaged During Shipping

We carefully inspect and package each order before shipment. However, damage can occasionally occur while a package is in transit.

Please contact us at hello.akameowniverse@gmail.com within 7 calendar days of delivery if an item arrives damaged. Reporting the damage promptly helps us document the condition and submit a carrier claim when applicable.

Please include:

  • Your order number

  • A description of the damage

  • Clear photographs of the damaged product

  • Photographs showing how the product was packaged inside the box or mailer

  • Photographs of the exterior packaging

  • A clear photograph of the shipping label

  • Photographs of any visible crushing, tearing, punctures, water damage, or other package damage

Please keep the damaged product, shipping box or mailer, internal packaging, and shipping label until we confirm that they may be discarded. The carrier may require the packaging or damaged product for inspection.

Do not mail a damaged product back without first contacting us.

Damaged-Order Resolutions

After reviewing the photographs and order information, we will provide an appropriate resolution based on the severity of the damage and the availability of the product.

Possible resolutions include:

  • A replacement or remake at no additional cost;

  • A repair when practical;

  • A partial refund, with the customer’s agreement; or

  • A full refund for the damaged item.

Replacement and remake shipping will be provided at no additional cost to the customer.

When an item is severely damaged, unusable, or materially different from the condition in which it was sold, the customer may request either a replacement or a refund. If the product is one of a kind or cannot reasonably be remade, a refund will be issued.

If every item in the shipment is damaged and the entire order is refunded, the original standard shipping charge will also be refunded. If only one item in a multi-item shipment is damaged, the refund will normally apply to the damaged item rather than the full order.

Approved refunds will be issued to the original payment method. The time required for the refund to appear depends on the customer’s bank or payment provider.

Handmade Product Variations

Because many Aka Miniverse products are individually handmade, painted, cast, finished, or 3D printed, small differences may occur between products.

Minor variations may include:

  • Slight differences in color or paint placement

  • Small surface or texture variations

  • Minor differences in sculpting or positioning

  • Subtle layer lines on 3D-printed products

  • Minor differences from product photographs caused by lighting or screen settings

These natural handmade variations are not considered shipping damage or manufacturing defects.

However, significant breakage, missing pieces, deep cracks, major paint loss, functional failure, or damage that materially affects the product will be reviewed under our damaged-product process.

Damage caused by misuse, improper installation, dropping, unauthorized modification, normal wear, or failure to follow product care instructions is not considered shipping damage.

Incorrect or Missing Items

Please contact us within 7 calendar days of delivery if you receive the wrong product or an item is missing from your order.

Include your order number and photographs of the products and packaging received. If we made an error, we will correct it at no additional cost.

Order Cancellations

Cancellation requests must be submitted as soon as possible.

Ready-to-ship orders may not be cancellable after packaging or fulfillment has begun. Made-to-order, customized, personalized, and commissioned products may not be cancellable after materials have been prepared or production has started.

Additional cancellation and refund conditions are explained in our Refund and Return Policy.

Contact Us

For questions about shipping, tracking, damage, or delivery, contact:

Email: hello.akameowniverse@gmail.com

Please include your order number whenever possible so that we can assist you efficiently.