Film Shipping Guide — Free Shipping, Rates, and Delivery
Neo Analog Lab ships all film orders within Japan. The shipping policy depends on how many rolls you order and which format. The short version: 3 or more rolls of 35mm film ship free, and any 5-pack (35mm or 120) ships free. Single rolls and smaller orders ship for a flat ¥500 via tracked mail. Here are the details.
Free shipping thresholds
| Format | Free shipping rule | Default carrier |
|---|---|---|
| 35mm single roll | 3 rolls or more | Japan Post メール便 (mail) |
| 35mm 3-pack | Always free (counts as 3) | Japan Post メール便 |
| 35mm 5-pack | Always free (counts as 5) | Japan Post メール便 |
| 120 single roll | 5 rolls or more | Japan Post メール便 |
| 120 5-pack | Always free (counts as 5) | Japan Post メール便 |
| Mixed 35mm + 120 | 3+ 35mm-equivalent rolls | Small-packet tracked |
Orders that qualify for free shipping ship via Japan Post メール便 (mail delivery). This is an untracked service. If you prefer a tracked courier, select Yamato or Sagawa at checkout — standard courier rates apply.
How roll counting works
A single roll of 35mm counts as 1 roll. A 3-pack counts as 3 rolls. A 5-pack counts as 5 rolls. The system totals your roll count across all film items in your tray. Once the count reaches 3 or more (for 35mm) or 5 or more (for 120-only orders), shipping drops to zero.
This means a single 35mm 3-pack in your tray already qualifies for free shipping by itself.
Orders below the free threshold
Single rolls and 2-roll 35mm orders ship for ¥500 flat nationwide. This covers a small-packet tracked service so you can follow your package from dispatch to delivery.
Delivery times
- メール便 (mail): 3–5 business days, untracked
- Small-packet tracked: 2–4 business days, tracking included
- Courier (Yamato/Sagawa): 1–2 business days, tracking + signature
Orders placed before 14:00 JST on a business day typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 14:00 or on weekends ship the next business day.
FAQ
Is メール便 safe for film?
Yes. Film is not fragile and standard mail handling does not affect the emulsion. We package all film in light-tight, padded envelopes regardless of shipping method.
Can I upgrade to tracked shipping on a free order?
Yes. At checkout, select Yamato or Sagawa instead of the default mail service. You will be charged the courier rate even if your order qualifies for free メール便 shipping.
Does free shipping apply to processing mail-in orders?
No. The free shipping thresholds above apply to film purchases only. Processing mail-in kits have their own shipping terms listed on the processing page.
What about sheet film and paper?
Sheet film, printing paper, equipment, and accessories ship via standard tracked parcel regardless of order size. Free shipping applies to orders above ¥15,000 total.