Shipping and Personal Information

Available in Japan only

Plant Handoffs are available only in Japan. Both participants must live in Japan, and plants must be shipped between addresses in Japan.

International shipping, shipments originating outside Japan, and all other cross-border transactions are prohibited. The shipping address entered in Stripe must be in Japan.

Anonymous shipping

RareDex does not currently offer anonymous shipping. Plant Handoffs are completed by shipping only, and the shipping information reasonably necessary to deliver a plant or seed must be used.

Shipping-inclusive total

The amount set for a handoff is the full total, including the shipping needed to deliver the item.

The owner must account for the shipping method and packaging when setting the total, so the next caretaker is not charged additional shipping.

How shipping information is handled

Shipping information needed for a handoff is collected through Stripe’s standard fields. RareDex’s server temporarily retrieves from Stripe only what the owner needs to ship the item. RareDex does not store the recipient’s name, address, or phone number in its database, a URL, browser storage, or Stripe metadata.

The RareDex database stores only an audit record identifying who viewed the shipping information, when, and for what purpose. The owner sees only the information needed to ship the item and may not use, retain, or share it for any purpose other than shipping and communication necessary for the handoff.

Shipping method

RareDex distinguishes between tracked services suited to plants and mail services that may be appropriate for smaller items such as seeds.

• For tracked shipping, the tracking number can be recorded in RareDex.
• For untracked mail, delivery confirmation from the next caretaker is used because no tracking number is available.
• RareDex may review a handoff if the shipping method is unclear or the participants’ understanding differs.

Shipping deadline

The owner must ship within three days after payment is confirmed. If shipping details are not recorded by the deadline, the handoff will be canceled.

If weather or the plant’s condition makes shipping unsafe, stop the handoff before shipment or ask RareDex to review it.

Shipping living plants

Plants are living things, and their condition may change with temperature, transit time, and packaging.

Shipping may need to be delayed during summer heat, winter cold, severe weather, or other conditions that could harm the plant.

The owner must confirm that shipment complies with applicable law and the carrier’s terms and must package the item appropriately for its variety, size, season, and expected transit time. Do not ship an item that the carrier or law prohibits because of soil, chemicals, pests, disease, or any other reason.

Delivery confirmation

The next caretaker’s delivery confirmation is the basis for moving to the next step. An untracked shipment does not advance automatically based only on elapsed time and may be reviewed by RareDex when needed.

Shipping responsibility and records

The shipping contract is between the sender and the carrier. RareDex is not a carrier and does not guarantee delivery time, temperature control, loss prevention, delay prevention, or freedom from damage. The sender should keep the shipping receipt, and the recipient should inspect the item promptly on arrival. If there is a problem, take photos before and after opening the package and contact RareDex and the carrier before confirming delivery.