Shipping Policy

AncientTao is a China-based personal sourcing service. We help customers purchase approved products from Chinese marketplaces and sellers, inspect them in China, and arrange international shipping.

1. China Domestic Shipping

After your Stage 1 payment is received, AncientTao purchases the approved products on your behalf.

The Chinese seller then ships the products to our China office.

China domestic shipping generally takes approximately 2–7 business days after seller dispatch, depending on:

• Seller processing time
• Product availability
• Seller location
• Domestic carrier conditions
• Holidays or other delays

Domestic delivery times are estimates and are not guaranteed.

2. Receiving and Inspection

When your products arrive at our China office, we perform a basic visual inspection.

The inspection may include:

• Product type
• Quantity
• Visible condition
• Color, size, or model when reasonably verifiable
• Packaging
• Obvious differences from the approved listing

We then send you unedited inspection photos or videos for review.

International shipping will not be arranged until you approve the inspection results.

Our inspection is not a laboratory test, technical safety inspection, professional authenticity certification, or expert appraisal.

3. International Shipping Is Paid Separately

International shipping is not included in the Stage 1 payment.

After inspection approval, we securely pack your order and calculate the international shipping cost based on:

• Final packed weight
• Package dimensions
• Destination country and postal code
• Product type
• Selected shipping method
• Carrier requirements

You will receive a separate Stage 2 international shipping quote before dispatch.

The package will be shipped after you approve and pay the international shipping quote.

4. Estimated International Delivery Time

For standard tracked shipping routes to the United States, delivery generally takes approximately 8–15 business days after dispatch.

Delivery times for other countries and shipping methods may vary.

All delivery times are estimates and are not guaranteed.

Delays may occur because of:

• Customs inspections or clearance requirements
• Flight or transportation delays
• Weather conditions
• Peak shipping periods
• Public holidays
• Local carrier delays
• Remote delivery locations
• Incorrect or incomplete recipient information
• Events outside AncientTao’s reasonable control

The international delivery estimate begins after the package has been dispatched. It does not include product sourcing, seller processing, China domestic shipping, inspection, customer approval, or packing time.

5. Tracking Information

We provide a tracking number after the package has been dispatched.

Tracking information may not appear immediately. Initial updates can take several business days depending on the carrier and shipping route.

Tracking status is provided by the shipping carrier. Temporary gaps between tracking updates do not necessarily mean that the package is lost.

6. Customs, Duties and Import Taxes

Customs duties, import taxes, brokerage charges, or local fees may apply depending on:

• Destination country
• Product category
• Declared customs value
• Shipping method
• Local customs regulations

These charges are the customer’s responsibility unless the written shipping quote specifically states that a DDP or duties-paid shipping method is being used.

When duties and taxes are included, this will be clearly stated in the shipping quote.

AncientTao does not control customs inspections, customs decisions, duty assessments, or customs processing times.

Customers must provide any information or documents requested by the carrier or customs authority.

7. Delivery Address and Contact Information

Customers must provide a complete and accurate:

• Recipient name
• Street address
• Apartment or unit number, when applicable
• City
• State or province
• Postal code
• Country
• Telephone number
• Email address

Contact us immediately if you notice an error.

Address changes cannot be guaranteed after the package has been dispatched.

AncientTao is not responsible for delays, failed deliveries, additional charges, returns, or losses caused by incorrect or incomplete customer information.

8. Failed Delivery and Returned Packages

Customers are responsible for monitoring tracking information and responding to the local carrier or customs authority when required.

A package may be returned because of:

• An incorrect or incomplete address
• An unavailable recipient
• Failure to collect the package
• Refusal of delivery
• Failure to pay applicable duties or taxes
• Failure to provide requested customs information
• Failure to respond to the carrier

Any return, storage, redelivery, customs, or additional shipping costs will be the customer’s responsibility.

Returned packages will not automatically be reshipped. A new shipping payment may be required.

9. Lost Packages

A package is not considered lost only because tracking has temporarily stopped updating or the estimated delivery date has passed.

A lost-package investigation may be opened when permitted by the shipping carrier.

Any refund or compensation depends on:

• The carrier’s investigation
• The selected shipping service
• Available shipping insurance
• Evidence provided
• The carrier’s compensation limits and rules

AncientTao cannot guarantee that the carrier will approve a lost-package claim.

10. Products Damaged During Shipping

Contact us within 48 hours of delivery if a product arrives damaged.

Please provide:

• Your order number
• Photos of the unopened outer package
• Photos of the shipping label
• Photos of the internal packaging
• Clear photos or videos of the damaged product
• An unpacking video, when available

Do not discard the product or any packaging while the claim is being reviewed.

We will assist with submitting a claim to the shipping carrier.

Any refund or compensation depends on the carrier’s investigation, available insurance, supporting evidence, and carrier compensation rules.

11. Returns After International Dispatch

Because products are sourced specifically for each customer and inspected before international shipping, returns are not normally accepted after dispatch for:

• Change of mind
• Personal preference
• Incorrect size, color, model, or specification selected by the customer
• Minor handmade variations
• Minor differences caused by lighting or screen settings
• Issues clearly visible in the inspection photos or videos
• Products approved by the customer before shipping

Verified shipping damage, confirmed package loss, or delivery of a materially incorrect product will be handled according to our Refund and Cancellation Policy.

12. Restricted and Prohibited Products

Some products cannot be shipped internationally or may require a special shipping method.

Restrictions may apply to items such as:

• Liquids
• Powders
• Batteries or products containing batteries
• Food and beverages
• Medicines and health products
• Cosmetics
• Magnets
• Plants or seeds
• Flammable or hazardous materials
• Weapons or weapon-related products
• Counterfeit or infringing products
• Products restricted by the destination country
• Products prohibited by the selected carrier

AncientTao may refuse a sourcing request if a product cannot be legally or safely purchased, exported, transported, or imported.

Approval of a sourcing request does not guarantee that every shipping method or destination will be available.

13. Contact Us

For shipping questions or claims, contact:

Email: service@ancienttao.org

Please include your order number and a clear description of your question or issue.