FAQ | Dharma Tool — Singing Bowls Nepal

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, debit cards, and PayPal through our secure online checkout powered by Stripe. We also accept PayPal direct transfer, bank transfer, and Western Union for buyers who prefer alternative payment methods. Contact us at [email protected] to arrange an alternative payment before placing your order.

Is it safe to pay on your website?

Yes. All online payments are processed through Stripe — fully encrypted, PCI DSS compliant, and protected by real-time fraud monitoring. Your card details are handled directly by Stripe and are never stored on our servers. For full details, visit our Payment & Security page.

Will I receive an order confirmation?

Yes. An order confirmation email with your payment receipt is sent immediately after your purchase. If you do not receive it, check your spam folder. If it is not there, contact us and we will resend it.

Can I cancel my order?

Orders can be cancelled within 24 hours of placing the order, provided the item has not yet been dispatched. Contact us immediately by email if you need to cancel. If your order has already been dispatched, our returns policy applies.

How long does delivery take?

Every order goes through our 3 to 4 day healer selection process before dispatch — during which Sunita personally reviews and selects your specific piece. After dispatch, DHL Express delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days to most destinations worldwide. Full details on our Delivery Information page.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes. We ship to most countries worldwide using DHL Express. If you are unsure whether we ship to your country, contact us before ordering and we will confirm.

Will I get a tracking number?

Yes. Once your order is dispatched from Kathmandu, your DHL tracking number is sent to you by email. You can track your shipment in real time directly on the DHL website.

Is my order insured during shipping?

Yes. Every order is fully insured from our workshop in Kathmandu until it is delivered to your address. If your order is lost or arrives damaged, we take full responsibility — free replacement or full refund. Your order is our responsibility until it is safely in your hands.

Who pays import duties or customs fees?

Import duties, customs fees, VAT, or GST applicable in your destination country are the responsibility of the buyer. If your order is held at customs and you need documentation from us, contact us and we will provide everything needed at no extra charge.

Do you offer free shipping?

We ship from Nepal using DHL Express — a premium international courier. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on your location and order weight. We do not currently offer free shipping.

What is your return policy?

You have 30 days from the date of delivery to request a return, refund, or replacement — for any reason. We offer a full refund to your original payment method or a free replacement — your choice. Full details on our Satisfaction Guarantee page.

What if my order arrives damaged?

Contact us immediately with clear photos of the item and the packaging. We will arrange a free replacement or full refund — shipping damage is fully our responsibility. You do not pay anything to resolve a damaged order.

Who pays for return shipping?

Dharma Tool covers all return shipping costs. We send you a prepaid return shipping label — you do not pay anything to return the item. In some cases we process the refund or replacement without requiring a return at all.

How long does a refund take?

Once your claim is approved, your refund is processed to your original payment method within 2 to 3 business days. Your bank may take an additional 5 to 10 business days to reflect the refund in your account.

What if I receive the wrong item?

Contact us immediately with your order number and photos. We will reship the correct item and arrange collection of the incorrect one — at no cost to you.

What if my singing bowl arrives with the wrong note?

Contact us immediately with your order number. We replace the bowl with the correct note at no cost — wrong note delivery is fully covered by our guarantee.

Are your singing bowls genuinely handmade?

Yes. Every singing bowl is hand-hammered from a traditional seven-metal alloy by artisan families in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. To understand the full making process, read our guide — How Tibetan Singing Bowls Are Made.

Who selects the singing bowls before they ship?

Every piece is personally reviewed and selected by Sunita Poudel — our certified sound healer and co-founder. She plays each bowl, tests its frequency, and assesses its energy before approving it for sale. Read more on our Healer Selected page.

Are the singing bowls tuned to specific notes?

Yes. Our singing bowls are tuned to specific chakra notes — C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. Each product page specifies the note and chakra alignment of the bowl. If you have specific note requirements, mention them in your order notes or contact us before ordering.

What are singing bowls made from?

Traditional Tibetan singing bowls are hand-hammered from a seven-metal alloy — gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, and zinc — representing the seven celestial planets of ancient Himalayan cosmology. Read our full guide on How Tibetan Singing Bowls Are Made.

Do you offer custom or personalised singing bowls?

Yes. We offer personalisation on selected products — names, initials, messages, symbols, and logo engraving. Visit our Custom Singing Bowl page to commission a completely unique piece, or add personalisation details in your order notes on any eligible product.

What is a monk blessed singing bowl?

Selected pieces in our collection are blessed by a Buddhist monk in Kathmandu using traditional Tibetan blessing ceremonies — sacred mantras, prayers, and ritual offerings that purify the instrument and infuse it with positive healing energy. Monk blessing availability is indicated on individual product pages.

Where is Dharma Tool based?

Dharma Tool is based in Thamel-29, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal. All products are sourced and dispatched directly from Kathmandu by our team.

Who founded Dharma Tool?

Dharma Tool was co-founded in 2017 by Deepak Sunar — who has worked in wholesale Tibetan crafts since 2008 — and Sunita Poudel, a professionally certified sound healer. Read more on our About Us page.

Do you offer wholesale?

Yes. For wholesale enquiries and bulk orders, contact Deepak directly at [email protected].

Do you support any social causes?

Yes. $5 from every Dharma Tool sale goes toward the education of children in Lekharka Village, Bhojpur District, Eastern Nepal — through our partnership with Sahayogi Sansar Nepal. Read more on our Dharma & Karma page.

Can I book a sound healing session with Sunita?

Yes. Sunita offers personal sound healing sessions and healing support for individuals and organisations. Contact us at [email protected] to discuss your needs and availability.