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If I place the order, what deposit would you require and how would you take payment? I assume the balance of the price would be payable on delivery of the items?

The advance payment is 50% of the custom items (tub and platform). The balance will be the left 50% + cost of packaging, transport fee.
The payments can be done with a international bank transfer to our bank in Japan or by credit card thru Paypal.
In case of the bank transfer there will be a 6500 JPY bank fee per transaction. In case of Paypal a 4% fee on the total of each payment.
the balance payment is done before the shipping. Once the tub is completed, we will send the pictures for your verification and approval.
If you are satisfied and we can proceed with the packaging, at that point we will need the balance payment before shipping.
We just have a limited margin on this product and we cannot afford to take any risk on the payment of the tub.

That price is definitely better in case of ocean freight. But, I wonder how difficult that importer security form is? What is the process and potential pitfalls if any?

Since 2009 the US customs require the importer (the customer) to fill in an “Importer security file”. This is applicable only to ocean freight (so shipments by air do not require it.)
The importer security for is quite bureaucratic and time consuming.
You have to submit before the shipment leaves the port of origin otherwise there is the risk (theoretical) that your shipment may be destroyed and you may be billed for the disposal of it…
But there is no pitfall, and the staff from our forwarder will help you.
Please find more information here:
http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/10_2faq_0.pdf

Hi, I have been admiring the products in your website.
I have one question:
-When I measure my partner’s body, from her seat to just-above shoulder height measures 24″. Including a small seat in the tub (say, 8″H), brings the interior dimension of the tub to 32″H. It seems that in order for her to soak without slouching her posture, the depth of the water would have to be at least 32″H. Therefore I imagine the exterior measurement (including feet or supporting slats) would bring the tub to around 34″H. Yet the deepest (standard) tub I see in your listings measures 690mm H, which is about 27 inches.
Can you please explain why the depth is as you have listed, and not greater, per the above situation. My partner is about 5′-6″, so she is about average height.
Thank you.
I will look forward to your reply.

Usually, the full immersion “up to the shoulders” bath is done sitting on the bottom of the tub (so to say, without seat)
Actually traditional japanese bathtubs do not have a seat.
The seat is used for a “half body bath”, for reading while in the tub or to get a pause from the full depth bath (when you feel too hot)
To have the full bath, you can sit in the tub on the opposite side of the seat . Alternatively, you can remove the seat plank.

Also consider that when you relax in the tub, rather than keeping a 90 degrees sitting posture, it is easier to slide a little forward until the feet touch the other side. (This is also why the tub should be not too long) In this case the shoulder line lowers a few inches.

We can make extra deep tubs (some examples in the custom tubs section), but the disadvantage are:
– increased specs to contain the extra water pressure (and therefore increased cost)
– you will need some steps to climb to enter and egress easily (or recess the tub in the floor)
– you will need more hot water each time.

Hi, I read that you need 2-3 people to lift the tub. Can you give me some idea of　the approximate weight?
The other point I’m worried about is the dryness …my bathroom has both　underfloor heating and heated towel rail!!

Please note:
Gross weght: 130 kg (including plywood box)
Net weight: 90 kg (tub only)
(NOTE: this is in case of L1400mm x W750mm x H700mm tub)

Heating in the bathroom can damage your tub.
This can be solved by keeping water in the tub at all times (during the heating season).
Cover the tub to avoid condensation and mold in the bathroom.
The tub may get some stain also, but the hydro-repellent treatment we apply makes it easy to clean.
We cannot make a clear statement for your situation (recommend or not recommend): you have to consider the options and the risk involved.