Shipping policy

Section 1 – Shipping rates and what is included

Every product ships at a flat rate of $200.00 per item to any residential or commercial address in the contiguous 48 states. The shipping charge is shown as a separate line at checkout before you pay.

Section 2 – Sales tax

• California: orders delivered to a California address or picked up at our San Jose warehouse are charged 10% California sales tax on the item price.
• Other states: sales tax is charged only where the law requires us to collect it, and is shown at checkout before you pay.
• Resale buyers: registered businesses buying for resale should email a valid resale certificate before placing the order. Tax exemptions cannot be applied to completed orders.

Example order totals

Examples use a $2,300.00 engine. Your exact total, including any tax, is always shown at checkout before you pay. For payment methods and billing details, see our Payment Policy.

Section 3 – Where we ship

Alaska and Hawaii: the flat rate does not apply. Contact us before ordering for a freight quote. Delivery typically takes 7–14 business days longer than to the contiguous states.

Section 4 – Local pickup

You are always welcome to collect your order from our warehouse at no shipping cost:

• Address: 226 Phelan Ave, Unit G, San Jose, CA 95112
• Hours: during our business hours listed below; Sunday pickups are by appointment only.
• Before you come: call (669) 230-3198 to confirm your order is ready.
• What to bring: your order number and a photo ID matching the name on the order, plus a vehicle or trailer suited to the part’s size and weight and straps to secure it.
• Tax: local pickups are charged 10% California sales tax.

Want it installed as well? Ask about our local installation service, where South Bay JDM technicians install engines and transmissions with labor warranty coverage.

Section 5 – Order processing and cutoff times

We select top shipping partners to give you a smooth, damage-free experience at a fair price. Orders are usually shipped the same day, with tracking provided, and any delays will be communicated to you.

1. Order received. You get an order confirmation email with your order number right away.
2. Payment verified. Payment is usually authorized immediately. Some orders are held briefly for fraud review (see our Payment Policy).
3. Inspection and preparation. We pull and check your item and pack it for transit. Every engine passes a multi-point inspection and compression test, and we only ship engines with positive compression results.
4. Carrier pickup. Your tracking details are emailed when the carrier collects the shipment.
5. Delivered. The carrier delivers to your curb. For freight, someone must be present to inspect and sign.

Cutoff time

• Orders placed by 1:00 PM Pacific Time on a business day (Monday–Friday) usually ship the same day.
• Orders placed after the cutoff, on weekends, or on holidays are processed the next business day.
• Large engines and transmissions that need crating, or orders placed after the day’s freight pickup is booked, ship within 1–2 business days.
• Carriers do not pick up or deliver on weekends or federal holidays. Saturday orders are prepared on Saturday where possible and dispatched on Monday.

Federal holidays (no carrier pickup or delivery)

New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Section 6 – Delivery times

Estimated transit times after your order leaves our San Jose warehouse:

Smaller parts that can ship by parcel carrier usually arrive within 1–5 business days. Delivery times are estimates, not guarantees (see Section 14).

Section 7 – Freight delivery: what to expect

Engines, transmissions, and front clips ship by LTL (less-than-truckload) freight with national carriers selected by us, such as FedEx Freight, Old Dominion, Estes, or similar. Smaller parts may ship by UPS, FedEx, or USPS.

How freight is packed

Engines and transmissions are secured to a pallet, wrapped in heavy-duty stretch film, and banded for transit. Some residual oil or coolant may remain. Because these are used parts, fragile plastic, metal, or rubber pieces can bend or break during shipping. They can be replaced with parts from your original engine or bought from a local parts store.

On delivery day

• Be available: the carrier usually calls to schedule a delivery window, and someone must be present to sign.
• Curbside only: the driver delivers to the curb or end of the driveway. Moving the item inside is your responsibility.
• Have equipment ready: engines typically weigh 200–600 lbs. Have an engine hoist, pallet jack, or enough help on hand.
• Liftgate: if you don’t have a loading dock or forklift, ask us for liftgate service before your order ships. It is quoted separately.
• Inspect before signing: see Section 9. This step protects your right to a damage claim.

Section 8 – Tracking your order

• Tracking details are emailed to the address on your order when your shipment is collected by the carrier.
• Signed-in customers can also view their orders and invoices from their account dashboard.
• Freight tracking can lag 12–24 hours. It is normal for a shipment to show no movement for a day, especially over a weekend.
• If your tracking shows no movement for 3 or more business days, contact us and we will investigate with the carrier.

Section 9 – Inspect before you sign

The freight companies will not let you open the package before signing, so you must note any damage based on the outer packaging. Shipping insurance is provided by the freight company, not by South Bay JDM. If you sign the form without noting possible damage, the freight company is released from all responsibility, and you will not be reimbursed for damage caused during shipping. South Bay JDM is not responsible for damage caused by mishandling during shipping.

If you see damage

1. Write a description of the damage on the carrier’s delivery receipt before the driver leaves.
2. Photograph the packaging and the item from several angles.
3. Keep all packaging materials until the claim is settled.
4. Email southbayjdmmotors@gmail.com within 48 hours of delivery with your order number, the photos, and a copy of the signed delivery receipt. We will help you file the claim with the carrier.

Section 10 – Lost, delayed, or undeliverable shipments

• Lost shipments: a shipment is treated as lost if tracking shows no movement for 7 or more business days or the carrier confirms it cannot be located. We will open a trace with the carrier and, if it is confirmed lost, offer a replacement (if available) or a refund.
• Address changes: contact us straight away. We can change the address free of charge before the carrier collects the order. Once it is in transit, carrier re-routing or address-correction fees are your responsibility.
• Undeliverable shipments: if a shipment cannot be delivered because of an incorrect address or because no one was available after repeated attempts, re-delivery, storage, and return freight charges are your responsibility.
• Refused shipments: all refused or returned orders are charged a 20% restocking fee of the invoice amount, plus all freight charges to return the item to our warehouse. If you no longer want an order, contact us before it arrives rather than refusing delivery.

Section 11 – Returns and refunds

South Bay JDM will not accept returns or refund money for items that do not fit. Only when South Bay JDM is found to have mistakenly posted incorrect information about the Japanese specifications will an exchange, return, or refund be considered.

• Shipping charges are non-refundable, except when a refund results from our error, such as a wrong item or incorrect listing information.
• Eligible engines and transmissions are covered by our limited warranty. Return freight for warranty claims is covered as described in the warranty.
• Orders can be cancelled at no charge only before they are collected by the carrier. After that, the return terms apply.

For full terms, see our Return & Refund Policy, Cancellation Policy, and warranty and returns policy.

Section 12 – Emissions and legal use

Before you order, check that the part can legally be installed in your vehicle where it is registered. This is the buyer’s responsibility.

• California (CARB): JDM engines are generally not CARB-certified. Installing one in a California-registered road vehicle can result in a failed smog check and the vehicle being unable to register. Engine changes in California must be inspected by a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Smog Check Referee. Off-road and race-only vehicles may be treated differently.
• Other states: several states have adopted California’s vehicle emissions standards, and many run emissions or safety inspections. Check with your state DMV or environmental agency before buying.
• Federal (EPA): road vehicles in every state must comply with the Clean Air Act. Under EPA engine-switching guidance, a replacement engine should generally be the same model year or newer than the vehicle, designed for the same type of vehicle, and keep all of its emission controls.

Engines complete with accessories may not comply with your state’s emission control laws, and you may need to transfer the emission devices from your old engine. Add-on parts are left attached for testing only, free of charge, and the purchase price covers the long block only (cylinder head and short block). See our Disclaimer for details.

Section 13 – Frequently asked questions

How long will my order take in total?

Most orders ship the same business day when placed before 1:00 PM Pacific Time, then take about 1–7 business days in transit depending on your region (see Section 6).

Is $200.00 the only shipping charge?

For each item delivered in the contiguous 48 states, yes. There are no fuel surcharges or residential fees. Alaska, Hawaii, and liftgate service are quoted separately, and sales tax is added where applicable.

I’m ordering more than one item. How is shipping charged?

The $200.00 flat rate applies to each item. If you are buying several parts, call us before checking out and we will tell you how they will ship.

How much sales tax will I pay?

Orders delivered in California or picked up at our warehouse are charged 10% California sales tax. For other states, tax is charged only where required and is shown at checkout.

Can I pick up my order instead?

Yes. Local pickup from our San Jose warehouse is free. Call ahead to make sure your order is ready (see Section 4).

Will I get a tracking number?

Yes. Tracking details are emailed when the carrier collects your shipment. Freight updates can lag 12–24 hours.

My shipment arrived damaged. What should I do?

Note the damage on the delivery receipt before the driver leaves, take photos, and email us within 48 hours (see Section 9).

Can I change my address or cancel after ordering?

Contact us immediately. Both are possible free of charge until the carrier collects the order. After that, carrier fees and our Return & Refund Policy apply.

Do you ship on weekends or holidays?

No. Carriers do not pick up or deliver on weekends or federal holidays. Orders placed then are dispatched the next business day.

How can I pay?

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, and PayPal. Payments are processed securely by Stripe and PayPal, and we never store your full card details. See our Payment Policy.

Section 14 – Delivery estimates and limitations

Delivery times are estimates based on normal carrier performance. We do not guarantee a specific delivery date and are not liable for delays caused by carrier operations, weather, natural disasters, labor disputes, government action, or other circumstances outside our control.

Unless a listing says otherwise, our engines and transmissions are used automotive components. Buyers are responsible for confirming compatibility, legal compliance, and suitability before purchase. South Bay JDM is not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer, and brand names are used only to describe compatibility.

We may update this policy at any time. Changes take effect when published on this page, and the date at the top shows the latest revision.