Shipping Policy
Shipping Policy
At Akanaka Apparel, we believe the journey of your T-shirt matters almost as much as the T-shirt itself.
We’re a UK-based independent apparel brand, and we aim to make every delivery as reliable, transparent and environmentally considered as possible. From our packaging to the partners carrying your order, we’re always looking for ways to thread a little lighter while making sure your threads reach you safely.
1. UK Delivery (🇬🇧)
For orders within the United Kingdom, our preferred delivery partner is Royal Mail.
We have chosen Royal Mail because its extensive UK network allows us to reach customers across the country while supporting our commitment to reducing the environmental impact associated with getting our products from us to you.
Standard UK Delivery
Our standard UK delivery service will normally be a tracked Royal Mail service where available.
Estimated delivery: approximately 2–4 working days after dispatch.
Delivery times are estimates rather than guarantees unless a specific guaranteed service is offered during checkout.
Shipping costs will always be displayed at checkout before payment is completed.
Express UK Delivery
Where available, customers may be offered an expedited Royal Mail service at checkout.
Estimated delivery times and the additional cost will be clearly displayed before you complete your purchase.
2. Processing Your Order
We aim to prepare and dispatch in-stock orders within 1–3 working days after an order has been confirmed.
During product launches, promotional periods, public holidays or unusually busy periods, processing may take a little longer. If we expect a significant delay, we'll do our best to keep you in the loop.
Once your order has been dispatched, you'll receive a confirmation email containing your tracking information where tracking is available.
Order placed → Packed with care → Handed to our delivery partner → On its way → New favorite T-shirt unlocked.
3. Our Approach to Sustainable Delivery
Sustainability doesn't stop at the seam.
Where commercially and operationally practical, Akanaka prioritizes delivery services that demonstrate measurable efforts to reduce emissions, improve delivery efficiency and transition towards lower-carbon transportation.
We will continue reviewing our delivery partners as lower-carbon alternatives become available.
Our approach is simple:
Fewer unnecessary journeys. Less unnecessary packaging. Better delivery choices.
Because One Shirt. Many Lives. shouldn't require more journeys than necessary.
4. International Delivery
Yes, Akanaka can travel too.
For deliveries outside the United Kingdom, we regularly review international delivery rates, subject to destination availability.
Ideal partners provide an established international network, shipment tracking and customs handling capabilities that make it suitable for sending Akanaka products beyond the UK.
Where available and commercially viable, Akanaka prefers to use DHL's lower-carbon shipping options.
Estimated International Delivery
International delivery times depend on the destination and customs processing.
As a general guide:
Europe: approximately 3–7 working days after dispatch
Rest of World: approximately 5–10 working days after dispatch
These are estimated transit times only. Customs inspections, local authorities, weather, carrier disruption or other circumstances outside Akanaka's control may result in longer delivery periods, however, as always, we will do our best to notify you when these delays occur.
Your applicable shipping rate will be calculated and displayed at checkout before you place your order.
5. Customs, Import Duties & Taxes
International orders may be subject to import VAT, customs duties, tariffs, handling fees or other local taxes imposed by the destination country.
Unless Akanaka explicitly states at checkout that duties and taxes are included in your purchase price, these charges are not included in the product or shipping price and remain the responsibility of the recipient.
The amount payable varies depending on factors such as the destination, value of the shipment, country of origin and applicable product classification.
Unfortunately, we can't control what another country's customs authority decides to charge, those threads aren't in our hands.
We recommend checking your country's applicable import requirements before ordering if you're unsure about potential additional charges.
6. EU Customers 🇪🇺
Orders shipped from the United Kingdom to countries within the European Union are international exports and may therefore be subject to local VAT, customs requirements and other import procedures.
Any applicable charges and the way they are collected may depend on the destination, value of the order and the shipping arrangement used by Akanaka.
Where possible, we will aim to make applicable costs clear during checkout so there are fewer surprises when your parcel arrives.
7. Tracking Your Order
Where a tracked delivery service is used, you'll receive tracking information once your parcel has been dispatched.
Tracking updates are provided by the relevant delivery partner and may occasionally take some time to appear after your parcel has been handed over.
For UK orders, tracking will normally be provided through Royal Mail.
For international orders, tracking will normally be provided through DHL.
8. Incorrect Delivery Addresses
Please check your delivery details carefully before completing your order.
If you notice an error, contact us as soon as possible. If the order hasn't been dispatched, we'll try to correct the address.
Once an order has entered the delivery network, we may not be able to change or redirect it.If an order is returned to Akanaka because an incorrect or incomplete address was supplied, additional postage costs may apply before we can resend it.
9. Lost, Delayed or Damaged Parcels
Sometimes parcels take the scenic route.
If your tracking information shows an unusual delay, your parcel arrives damaged, or you believe your order has been lost, please contact Akanaka and provide your order number and delivery details.
We'll review the tracking information and, where appropriate, raise an enquiry with the delivery partner.
Where a parcel is confirmed as lost or damaged in transit, we will work with you to provide an appropriate replacement or refund in accordance with your statutory rights and our Returns & Refunds Policy.
10. Missed & Unclaimed Deliveries
If nobody is available to receive your parcel, the delivery partner may attempt redelivery, deliver to an approved safe place or neighbor, or make the parcel available for collection, depending on the service and destination.
Please follow the instructions provided through your tracking information.
International customers should also respond promptly to any customs or import-payment requests from DHL or the relevant authorities. Failure to pay applicable duties or collect a shipment may result in the parcel being returned to Akanaka.
Additional shipping, customs or return costs may apply before an unclaimed order can be resent.
11. Returns & Your Delivery Costs
Shipping and returns are related, but they're not quite cut from the same cloth.
Our Returns & Refunds Policy explains how to cancel or return an order, including your rights when purchasing online from Akanaka.
Nothing within this Shipping Policy limits your statutory consumer rights.
12. Our Shipping Promise
As Akanaka grows, we'll continue looking for better ways of getting our products to you.
That means reviewing our packaging, delivery distances, carrier performance and the environmental commitments of the companies we work with.
Our goal isn't to call every delivery perfectly sustainable, transportation still has an environmental impact.
Instead, we'll make considered choices, communicate them transparently and keep improving wherever we can.
Better threads. Better journeys. Better experiences.
Akanaka Apparel