Koi Auction Policies – Koi Enterprise
By authorizing Koi Enterprise to bid on your behalf, you agree to the following terms:
- Your submitted maximum bid is a binding commitment. You agree to pay the winning bid amount plus shipping from Japan to the USA ( Koi Enterprise Location for Quarintine) Pick up or additional shipment to final location will be calculated after quarantine has finished ( ~ 30 days) Shipping costs vary by koi size and breeder location and typically range from $500–$1,500 per box, determined by the breeder.
- You agree to pay Koi Enterprise a 30% commission on top of the winning bid. Full payment (koi price, commission, and fees) is due within 2 days of the auction’s end.
- Koi are living animals and may change in color, pattern, or body. Koi Enterprise is not responsible for any changes compared to auction photos or videos.
- All koi will be quarantined for up to 4 weeks at our bio-secure facility prior to shipment. Changes during quarantine are not the responsibility of Koi Enterprise. In the rare event of death during quarantine, 100% of the koi’s purchase price will be refunded as store credit only. Shipping, permits, and transport fees are non-refundable.
- Shipping from Japan is stressful and delays may occur. If a koi dies during transit from Japan, any compensation is solely at the breeder’s discretion. You agree to accept the breeder’s final decision and not hold Koi Enterprise liable.
- Azukari (Japan care): If you elect Azukari, you must accept the breeder’s Azukari terms. Any loss, change, deformity, or compensation is determined by the breeder. Koi Enterprise assumes no responsibility during the Azukari period.
- Due to breeder auction rules and client privacy, winning bids cannot be disclosed.
- A $500 refundable deposit is required before any bids are placed.
Thank you for your trust, and happy bidding with Koi Enterprise.
Azukari: Understanding the Risks and Rewards
Azukari means allowing a Japanese breeder to care for your koi in Japan with the hope it will grow and develop favorably. While breeders typically only accept koi they believe have strong potential, Azukari is never a guarantee of growth, quality, or value—only an expectation.
How Azukari Koi Are Raised
Breeders may house Azukari koi in several ways:
- Indoor concrete ponds, allowing close monitoring and controlled conditions. If a koi struggles, it may be moved, which can limit growth or development.
- Customer-only mud ponds, usually managed conservatively, often resulting in slower or disappointing growth.
- Mud ponds with breeder tategoi, where placement is based on the breeder’s judgment. Each mud pond has unique characteristics that may favor growth or body, but outcomes vary.
Risks of Mud Ponds
Mud ponds are economical but carry significant risks:
- Earthquakes may damage ponds or cause total loss.
- Typhoons and heavy rain can lead to flooding, pH crashes, landslides, or fish escaping.
- Drought can reduce water quality, force early harvesting, and slow growth.
- Extreme heat may stop feeding, reduce growth, and degrade quality.
- Wildlife, including birds and bears, can disrupt feeding and water quality.
Rewards of Azukari
Most koi will grow or develop reasonably well, and a small percentage may exceed expectations and increase in value. However, success depends on avoiding the risks above—and others that may not be foreseeable.
Liability & Responsibility
Koi Enterprise acts solely as a mediator between breeder and customer and cannot be held liable for death, poor growth, or loss of quality during Azukari. Any breeder guarantees are breeder-specific and not universal. Compensation for poor results, if any, is entirely at the breeder’s discretion.
Before choosing Azukari, carefully consider whether the costs and risks justify the potential outcome. From an economic standpoint, the risks often outweigh the rewards.
If your winning koi is intended for entry in the All Japan Koi Show, please reach out to Koi Enterprise after the auction so we can review eligibility requirements and discuss entry strategy.