AIFA International Music Competition – Refund Policy
Last updated: January 2026
1. General Rule: No Refunds
This Refund Policy explains when entry fees and other payments may or may not be refunded. It forms part of the Terms & Conditions of the AIFA International Music Competition ("AIFA", "we", "us", "our").
All entry fees are strictly non-refundable once payment has been completed, except in clearly defined exceptional cases described in this Policy or where required by applicable law.
Entry fees will not be refunded in cases including:
- withdrawal by the Participant after payment,
- failure to submit the required performance video or entry materials,
- illness, scheduling conflicts, or other personal reasons,
- disagreement with adjudication or results.
This no-refund rule applies to all entry categories and administrative fees related to participation in the Competition.
2. Optional Purchases (Trophies and Other Items)
Fees for optional purchases, such as trophies, medals, or other physical items ("Physical Items"), are also non-refundable once the order has been placed.
AIFA is not responsible for:
- delays in delivery caused by postal or courier services,
- loss or damage during shipment,
- customs inspections or import restrictions,
- incorrect or incomplete delivery addresses provided by recipients.
Customs duties, taxes, and any other import-related fees are the sole responsibility of the recipient.
3. Duplicate Payments and Technical Errors
In the event of a clear duplicate payment (for example, if the same entry is accidentally paid twice), AIFA may, at its discretion, arrange a partial or full refund or issue a credit for a future edition, after verifying:
- that a duplicate transaction has occurred,
- the payer's identity, and
- that no corresponding additional services were provided.
Where a payment fails due to a technical issue but funds were captured by the payment provider, we will cooperate with the payment provider (e.g., PayPal) to resolve the issue. In some cases, the payment provider may process the refund directly according to its own policies.
Participants should contact AIFA promptly with evidence of any duplicate or erroneous payment, including transaction IDs and receipts.
4. Competition Changes or Cancellation
AIFA reserves the right to change the format, schedule, or other aspects of the Competition where reasonably necessary, for example due to technical, logistical, or safety considerations.
In the unlikely event that an entire edition of the Competition is fully cancelled by AIFA without a replacement or alternative arrangement:
- AIFA may, at its sole discretion, offer refunds, partial refunds, or credits toward future editions.
AIFA is not responsible for any additional costs incurred by Participants, such as:
- instrument or studio rental,
- recording or editing costs,
- travel or accommodation,
- other third-party services and expenses.
5. Chargebacks and Disputes
If a Participant initiates a chargeback or payment dispute through a bank or payment provider without first contacting AIFA, we reserve the right to:
- provide evidence of the transaction and these Terms & Conditions to the payment provider, and
- treat such action as a breach of our Terms.
Successful participation in the Competition (including adjudication and results) is conditional upon fees being validly paid and not reversed. AIFA may:
- disqualify a Participant, and/or
- revoke awards if a payment is reversed or deemed fraudulent.
6. Contact for Payment Issues
If you believe a payment has been made in error or you have questions about this Refund Policy, please contact:
AIFA Competition Office (ChocoOnLabo)
〒107-0061 東京都港区北青山一丁目3番1号 アールキューブ青山3階
Email: chocoonlabo@gmail.com
We will review your inquiry and respond as soon as reasonably possible. However, please note that the general rule of no refunds remains applicable except in clearly defined exceptional cases as described above.