Shipping & Wait Times

Everything you need to know before — and after — you order

Production Wait Times

Founders Edition — Hand-Cast

Current Estimate (On orders placed TODAY)

~6 Weeks

Every Founders Edition wand is individually cast, filled, and finished by one maker — start to finish — right here in New Zealand.
  • Historically ranges from 3–10 weeks depending on demand
  • If we go viral again and orders surge overnight, this can extend — we'll always keep this number current
  • Orders are fulfilled strictly in the order placed, no exceptions
  • Tracking is emailed the moment your set ships

Essential Edition — Precision-Finished

Current Estimate

2–3 Weeks

Precision-machined overseas, then individually filled and finished by hand in our New Zealand studio.
  • Faster and more predictable, since the raw wands are pre-made
  • This timeframe stays consistent regardless of order volume
  • Tracking is emailed the moment your set ships

Current estimate last updated: 14/8/26 — reviewed regularly to stay honest and current.

Import Duties & Customs Fees

If you're ordering from outside New Zealand, your country's customs authority may charge an import duty or tax on your parcel. Here's what's actually going on — and why.

Why This Happens

Import duties aren't something we charge, and we don't profit from them — they're a tax your own country's government applies to goods arriving from overseas, similar to sales tax but assessed at the border. As of 2026, several major markets (the US, UK, EU, Canada) apply duties starting from very low order values, or in the US's case, from any value at all.

Why Wands Specifically Can Incur a Noticeable Fee

Because our sets are handmade from genuine copper and zinc — real, solid materials, not costume-jewellery weight — the declared value reflects that. A higher-value item generally means a higher duty, since duty is usually calculated as a percentage of value.

What We Do to Make This Easier

  • We collect estimated import duties at checkout wherever possible, so there are no surprise charges when your parcel arrives. (Orders Placed before 7/8/26 were not collected at checkout.)
  • Where this isn't possible, your parcel may arrive with a duty payable directly to your local customs/postal service before delivery.

What This Means For You

  • If duties were collected at checkout, you shouldn't be asked to pay anything further on delivery.
  • If you do receive a customs notice, please act on it promptly — unpaid fees are the most common reason parcels get returned to us.
  • We're genuinely unable to under-declare parcel values to help avoid duties — it's a legal requirement, not a policy choice, and risks your parcel being seized.

If your parcel is returned to us due to an unpaid customs fee, please reach out — we'll always work with you on next steps, whether that's resending or a refund.

A Few Other Things Worth Knowing

We're a Small, Real Operation

Esserøth is run hands-on — every hand-cast wand genuinely passes through one person's hands. We're proud of that, but it does mean our capacity has real limits, especially for Founders Edition.

Returns

Wands can be returned regardless of use — even hand-cast sets — since the metal can be remelted and recast. See our full Returns Policy for details.

Tracking

All orders ship with tracking. You'll receive your tracking number by email as soon as your order is dispatched.

Questions About Your Order?

Reach out any time — we'd always rather you ask than wonder.

Contact Esserøth