Welcome to the Aoshima North America page for Frequently Asked Questions! Here we aim to do what it says on the tin: answer the questions that we get asked most often. If you have a question that isn't covered here, please don't hesitate to Contact Us (links open in new windows)!
Who are Aoshima?
Aoshima are a world-renowned maker of model kits, based in Shizuoka - the home of Japanese model-making. This website serves Aoshima's customers across the USA and Canada. For more, please have a look at our About Us page.
Where do you ship to?
We ship to anywhere in the USA and Canada; for more, please see our Shipping & Returns page.
What does shipping cost?
$9.99. We decided to keep it simple: one shipping fee, regardless of what you order and where you live in the US or Canada. Order as much as you like; it won't cost you any more to ship!
What do you sell?
High quality precision model kits! Aoshima are particularly well-known for model cars, but we have an extensive range of other things besides, not limited to anime legends, giant robots, warships, airplanes, military vehicles, film & television stars, and much more besides! We have both advanced models for the expert, all the way through to models that require no painting, and even those that need no glue besides!
What's going on with the product pictures?
For most products, the first picture you see is the box art; this will commonly be either a painting or illustration of the original subject of the product, or even a photograph of the original. After that, you may see images of the actual product itself; these are usually shown assembled, and painted where appropriate. We endeavour to ensure that images reflect their respective products as closely as possible, but some variation may occur.
What do I need to assemble and decorate my kit?
In general, you'll need the usual tools and materials: glue, the paint of your choice, and whatever tools you usually prefer. However, some Aoshima model kits require no paints (the Pre-Painted line, and Snap Kits for example), and some require no glue (Snap Kits most notably); this is indicated on the relevant product pages. If you need further information, please Contact Us.
What if I change my mind, or have a problem with my order?
We want you to be happy with your order; if you have any difficulty with your order, please Contact Us. Our full returns policy can be found on our Shipping & Returns page.