Please read our return policy for online orders: 

Purchased between November 24th and December 24th can be returned for store credit or exchange by January 31st, 2024, if in unused original condition and with all original packaging.

Returned items that meet these conditions can be either issued a refund (minus a 20% restocking fee) or store credit for the full amount. 

Final sale items cannot be returned for store credit, exchange, or refund and these items include: STATIONARY, ART PIECES, VINTAGE ITEMS, JEWELRY, BOOKS, FOOD, WORKSHOP FEES, GIFT CARDS, MASKS, SEASONAL ITEMS LIKE CALENDARS, AND FURNITURE.   

Customers are responsible for all shipping costs for returning and/or exchanging an item.  Items that are returned in used condition or without original packaging will not be accepted, and the customer will be notified.  It will be the customer's responsibility to retrieve their returned item by paying for additional shipping or picking up the item in-store.  Items that are not accepted as a return, and are also not retrieved by the customer, will be discarded after 2 weeks.

No, we do not do expedited shipping. All orders (except those going to Hawaii and Alaska) are shipped with UPS Ground only.

All our products have a close relationship and connection with Japan.  Many products are designed and made in Japan, while others are designed in Japan  and then produced outside of Japan. We are also proud to carry a growing number of products designed and made beautifully by local Japanese makers here in Los Angeles.  

Our store's founding commitment since 2003 has been to bring interesting and compelling stories from Japan to our customers.  There are still many Japanese products we have yet to find so we will keep this concept for many years to come!

Unfortunately, no....  We only ship inside the United States.  We apologize for this inconvenience.

We only accept email inquiries at this time. Shipping costs including insurance (and signature required fee) are charged separately. After you submit your inquiry, we'll send an invoice including the fee. We'll ship out your order with USPS once payment is received. Email us at hello@tortoiselife.com. Thank you!

Before shipping orders we will always check the condition of the item to ensure all products are in good condition before shipping.  If you receive a damaged item, please let us know within 48 hours of its arrival - by phone or by email - so we can be of assistance.  Please keep all original packing material inside the box, as well as the the original box in which it was shipped, and the damaged item so all three components can be picked up by the responsible courier service for damage inspection.  We will start a claims process with the courier service so that a replacement can be shipped to you.  

Unless these conditions above are followed, Tortoise will not be able to take responsibility for any damages.

Tortoise General Store is not responsible for any lost, delayed or stolen packages.  If a package does not arrive as the tracking number indicates, please contact us right away and we will contact UPS to file a claim on your behalf.  Tortoise General Store is not able to freely replace or refund lost, stolen or delayed items without the claim first being processed and approved.  Claims that are rejected by UPS cannot be refunded or replaced by Tortoise General Store.  Please be aware that claims for lost, delayed or stolen packages can take several weeks to process and resolve.