If you've come here from the US, you've probably noticed the address bar says .co.uk. A Japanese-inspired clothing brand with a British web address is a slightly odd combination, and an odd combination online is usually a good reason to close the tab. So here's the explanation, plus everything I'd want to know before ordering from a small brand I'd never heard of.
Japanese-inspired, not Japanese
5C5V isn't a Japanese company, and I'm not Japanese. It's a small independent label built around five Japanese cities, each with a virtue: Tokyo 夢 dream, Kyoto 和 harmony, Osaka 力 strength, Yokohama 信 trust, Sapporo 希 hope.
I'd rather say that plainly than dress it up. Every kanji we use is chosen for its meaning and explained on the product page. The whole point is to wear something you can explain, and I couldn't sell you that without being straight about who is making it.
So why .co.uk?
Because the business is British. 5C5V is a UK business; it started out selling in the UK, and .co.uk was the obvious address. I run it from Copenhagen these days, which adds another country to the story, but the company, the returns policy and the customer service all work the same wherever you are.
The US is new for us. That's partly why this post exists.
Your order is made in the US
This is the part that actually matters. Almost everything in the shop is made to order in the US by our print and embroidery production partner, and your order ships from within the US. It doesn't come across the Atlantic.
In practice, that means:
- No import duties or customs fees on those items. A small number of pieces ship from the UK or elsewhere, and this is stated on their product pages.
- Prices in US dollars. The price you see at checkout is the price you pay.
- $5.95 flat shipping per order, no matter how many items you buy.
- 2–5 business days to make it, then 4–8 in transit. You get a tracking link as soon as it ships. Full details are on our shipping page.
How do I pay?
Checkout runs on Shopify, the same system behind a lot of the online shops you already use. You can pay by card, Shop Pay, PayPal, or Google Pay. Your card details go to the payment provider, never to me.
Returns and exchanges
You've got 30 days from delivery to return or exchange. If there's a defect or a printing problem, that's on us, no argument.
Email matthew@5c5v.co.uk with your order number. It comes straight to me, not to a ticket queue, and I answer it myself.
Why made to order
Nothing sits in a warehouse waiting for someone to want it. Each piece gets made because someone ordered it. It's slower than buying from a brand with a stockroom, but it means we don't overproduce. That fits a brand built on Japanese ideas about not wasting things.
If you've got a question before ordering, ask. I'd rather answer an email than have you guess.
Frequently asked questions
Where is 5C5V based?
5C5V is a UK business, which is why the website is 5c5v.co.uk. US orders are made and shipped within the United States.
Will I pay customs or import duties on a US order?
Not on items made in the US, which is almost the whole range. The few items that ship from outside the US state this on their product pages, and US import duties may apply to them.
How much is shipping to the US, and how long does it take?
$5.95 flat per order. Production takes 2–5 business days, then 4–8 business days in transit, with tracking.
What currency will I be charged in?
US dollars. The price shown at checkout is what you pay.
Can I return something?
Yes, within 30 days of delivery. Defects and printing problems are always on us. Email matthew@5c5v.co.uk with your order number to start a return.
Keep reading
- Japanese streetwear brands that ship to the US
- The Edo Collection: what's on each shirt, and what it means
- Japandi wall art: how to choose, size and hang it
Written by the founder of 5C5V. I design every collection from Copenhagen, built around five Japanese cities and the virtue each one stands for. More about 5C5V.
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