Delivery Policy

This policy should inform customers about the following: 

  • What shipping options are available (overnight, standard, air mail, international, domestic only, etc.),
  • How much each shipping method will cost the customer,
  • How long each shipping method will typically take,
  • How long your handling time will be between when an order is placed and when it gets shipped,
  • If orders must be placed before a specific time to be counted as placed during that business day,
  • Any restrictions to where you can deliver (no P.O. boxes, not to specific states, etc.), and
  • Anything else that would be material to a customer when placing an order.

What is a Shipping Policy

Having a Shipping Policy is important for managing expectations of your customers because:

  • It lets them know how much they can expect to pay for shipping
  • And how long of a wait they can expect when it comes to receiving their goods

It also makes them aware of different options that are available.

While this kind of policy isn't required by law, it's definitely recommended by e-commerce best practices.

If it takes too long for a customer to figure out how much you charge for shipping and generally how long an item will take to arrive, the customer will probably buy elsewhere and you'll be losing business.

Providing an easily accessible Policy that has clear information on your policies can help you gain and retain customers.

 

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A Shipping Policy isn't to be confused with a Return/Refund Policy. A Return/Refund policy lets customers know:

  • If you offer refunds and/or exchanges,
  • If you accept returns from customers,
    • What a customer must do to initiate a return,
    • Which party pays for return shipping, and
  • Any other important information related to a return and refund
    • Any restocking fees or other deductions from full refund,
    • Specific items that cannot be returned,
    • Time limits on returns (Cannot return something after 15 days, etc.)

In summary, a Shipping Policy lets customers know details about how to get goods into their homes, while a Return/Refund Policy lets customers know what their options are after goods are delivered in the event that the customer wants to send the goods back.