Shipping policy

 

A shipping policy is a set of terms created by an online retailer that describes how orders are shipped to the customer. Shipping policies typically include domestic and international shipping speed options, delivery times, return policies, payment terms, shipping costs, and estimates for order processing time.

Shipping policies typically are included in a company’s terms and conditions, or as a standalone document. It is not uncommon to update your policy every few months, especially when you add new shipping carriers, expand your fulfillment network, or anticipate delays based on issues like order volume or supply chain issues.

What to include in your shipping policy

What you cover in your shipping policy template and how you communicate it will depend on your current business operations and supply chain. The ultimate goal is to be transparent with customers at all times.

As a general rule, your shipping policy should include:

  • Order processing times. After an order is placed, how many business days will it take to get it ready to ship? Communicate if you’re excluding weekends and/or holidays, and if you have certain cutoff times for processing orders (e.g., Orders received after 5pm will be processed the next business day).
  • Domestic and international shipping options. What are the qualifying regions for your domestic shipping options? Which countries have shipping restrictions that you can’t meet? International shipping can be broken down in its own section where you list the countries you ship to and estimated delivery times. If you offer several shipping options like expedited shipping, list them in a table so the information is easy to scan.
  • Shipping costs. Break down your shipping costs for the customer. For example, if you offer free shipping above a certain order total threshold, communicate that in various places as an upsell incentive. Also surface any potential surprise fees, such as import duties and taxes the customer may incur.

    shipping costs
    Pricing of products NET (total price, US Dollar ) VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVERY, PAYPAY, VENZO, ZELLA. and tax Florida, Above $50 Complimentary Shipping. Ships in the US in 4-8 days  USPS Ground

    Price: - net
    Tax- 6%
    Shipping- $0 to $10

  • Local delivery options. If you offer multiple shipping options for nearby customers, such as local delivery or buy online, pick up in-store, explain the steps customers will need to follow after ordering, and clearly communicate your local delivery coverage.
  • Returns, changes, and cancellations. On top of accommodating returns through a dedicated return policy, summarize how your business evaluates refunds, order edits, and exchanges, and what your process is in the event of a lost or damaged order.
  • Potential service interruptions. Orders may take longer to arrive due to variables outside of your control. Your own shipping policy page is where you can communicate timeline estimates and explain to customers why their packages could be delayed.
  • Order tracking details. Inform customers what happens after they’ve made online purchases. This might mean a shipment confirmation email that includes tracking information, or guidance on who to contact in case of any lost packages.

Above all, don’t make customers comb through your shipping policy page for the information they need. Whenever possible, make it easy to navigate, with clear subheadings, tables, bolded text, and links to learn more. 

Every shipping policy is different—there is no one-size-fits-all approach. We highly recommend you cut, adapt, expand, or rearrange the following sections in this sample shipping policy template to suit your business’s unique needs.