To avoid delays or extra costs, please make sure someone is available to receive your order.
What happens to unclaimed or refused packages?
What happens to your parcel depends on the carrier used for your shipment:
- Japan Post (EMS Express) — National Postal Network: In most cases, refused or unclaimed parcels are returned to our warehouse in Japan via the national postal network (e.g. USPS, Australia Post, Royal Mail, Canada Post, NZ Post). The return process can take several weeks. Once the package is received and inspected, you can choose a refund or store credit (see the options below). Original shipping costs are non-refundable. Japan Post does not typically charge additional return shipping fees.
- DHL Express & FedEx — Private Carriers: Private couriers do not guarantee the return of refused or unclaimed shipments. In most cases, parcels that are refused at delivery or abandoned at customs are disposed of or destroyed by the carrier and are never returned to us. In these cases, no refund will be issued.
- In the rare event that a DHL or FedEx parcel is returned to us, significant return shipping charges are billed automatically by the carrier. These fees, along with the original shipping cost, will be deducted from any refund or store credit issued.
Refund options once your parcel is returned and inspected
- Refund to your original payment method: the product value minus a 10% restocking fee, which covers card processing charges and administrative costs. Original shipping costs are non-refundable.
- Store credit instead of a refund: request store credit and no processing fees apply. It is valid for future purchases on ChokeSports.com and is issued immediately upon approval.
Refunds are processed within 5 business days after we receive the parcel. Credit card refunds then take 5-10 business days to appear. For the full details, see our Returns & Exchanges policy.
💡 A note on import duties
- In past situations, customers found that simply paying the import duties was a more cost-effective option than refusing delivery — especially when shipping via DHL or FedEx, where a refused parcel may result in no refund at all.
If you cannot accept delivery
If you know you won't be able to receive your package:
- Contact our support team immediately with your order number.
- In some cases, we may request the carrier to hold your package or update the delivery address. Availability depends on timing and is not guaranteed.
Important note for made-to-order and custom items
Made-to-order and custom items are created specifically for you. Because of this, we cannot accept returns, cancellations, or modifications on these orders — even if the package is refused, unclaimed, or returned to sender.