How to create a shipping policy

A shipping policy provides your customers with important information about your business’s shipping practices. It should be accessible to customers prior to them making a purchase and contain “easy to follow” information related to shipping costs and timelines. You should also include information related to returns, exchanges and damaged packages. A good shipping policy provides your customers assurance when ordering from your business and clarity about exactly how you’ll do it.

Your shipping policy should answer these key questions

How long will the shipment take to arrive?

Setting the right expectation on delivery times can go a long way in making your customer’s experience a happy one. It's important to include processing time in your shipping policy. Some orders may take 2-3 days to process prior to shipping. Knowing this information sets the right expectations for your customers. List your shipping methods including how the cost of shipping is calculated. Make it simple and include shipping timelines.

Are there any shipping restrictions?

Some states or provinces may have restrictions on shipping. It's important you list any shipping restrictions. If, for example, all shipments require a signature, then shipping to a P.O Box would be restricted.

Whatever you are providing, this makes sure that your cardholder is aware and ready to accept your services before paying.

Do you offer international shipping?

International shipping often comes with duties or extra fees. State all costs associated with international shipping since that may factor into purchasing.

What happens if my shipment arrives damaged?

Set the right expectation here. Should the customer contact your business directly or should they be contacting the delivery company? Be detailed and provide contact information. If you don’t provide detailed information, it may lead to a chargeback.

Example Shipping Policy

Here are examples of the ways you can use shipping terms as part of your terms of service in Wave

Shipping Methods

  1. Standard Delivery - $9.99, free for orders over $50
  2. Next Day Delivery - $19.99

Shipping Costs

Free shipping only applies to order over $50.

Flat rate shipping

The above flat-rate shipping costs assumes a single shipment (one package shipped). Additional costs applied in scenarios where orders need to be shipped in multiple packages. In these multi-shipment scenarios, the shipping costs are calculated by estimated carrier rates and billed/approved prior to shipment.

Shipment Processing Time

We usually ship within 24 hours from the receipt of your order. If we cannot fulfill your order we will contact you. If your order is received on a Friday, it will be shipped on Monday. Shipments may also be delayed due to weather conditions. Weekend delivery requests may have additional charges.

Shipping Restrictions

Age restrictions. By placing an order you verify that you and order recipients are at least 21 years of age. At the time of delivery the order recipient must sign an age verification receipt stating that they are at least 21 years of age and must present a valid drivers license, military ID, passport or State ID for identification. Local and state laws or statutes may require you to verify your age in order to purchase certain age-restricted products. If age verification is required for your delivery address, you'll be asked to provide your birth date as well as the details of an accepted form of identification. You can use one of the following to verify your age: Military ID Most passports Driver's license State ID We will not accept other types of ID for age verification. If you do not have one of the accepted forms of ID, you will not be able to ship this item to your delivery address.

International Shipping

International Shipping. We do not ship outside the U.S and Canada. Customs, Duties and Taxes. The Seller is not responsible for any customs and taxes applied to your order. All fees imposed during or after shipping are the responsibility of the Buyer (tariffs, taxes, etc.).

Damages

Disclaimer: The Seller assumes responsibility for the Goods, and all risk of damage, loss, or delay of the Goods, until the Goods are delivered to or collected by the Buyer. Once the Goods have been delivered to or collected by the Buyer, the Buyer assumes all responsibility for and risk of damage to such Goods.

We've put this together as a starting point, but this is not a substitute for legal advice. If you require further help with your shipping policy, we recommend contacting a lawyer.