What is a shipping policy and why do you need one?

A shipping policy tells customers exactly how their orders get from you to them. It covers timing, costs, carriers, and what happens if things go wrong.

Why it matters:

• Sets clear expectations upfront
• Reduces "where's my order?" messages
• Protects you from unreasonable demands
• Builds trust through transparency
• Required info for most marketplaces and ads

What to include:

• Processing time (how long before you ship)
• Shipping methods and carriers you use
• Delivery timeframes for each option
• Shipping costs or free shipping thresholds
• Geographic areas you serve
• Insurance and tracking options
• What happens with delays or lost packages
• Holiday or busy season schedules

Questions to ask yourself when creating your policy

How fast can you actually ship? Don't promise next-day if you need three days to pack orders. Be honest about your workflow.

What's your shipping setup? USPS from home? Daily UPS pickup? Dropshipping partner? Your method affects your timing promises.

Where will you ship? Local only? Nationwide? International? Each zone needs different rules and costs.

What's your backup plan? Packages get lost. Weather causes delays. Have a plan for handling problems.

How will you handle rush orders? Decide now if you'll offer expedited processing for extra fees.

Common situations and how to handle them

Processing vs. shipping time: "Orders ship within 2 business days. Then add shipping time—3-5 days for standard, 1-2 for expedited."

Handmade delays: "Custom pieces take 1-2 weeks to create, then 3-5 days to ship. We'll email updates on your timeline."

Free shipping thresholds: "Free standard shipping on orders $50+. Orders under $50 ship for $8."

International shipping: "International orders take 7-14 business days. Customers pay customs fees. No returns due to customs issues."

Lost packages: "If tracking shows delivered but you didn't receive it, contact us within 3 days. We'll work with the carrier to resolve it."

Holiday rushes: "During November-December, add 2 extra days to all processing times. Order by December 15th for Christmas delivery."

Tips for writing your policy

Lead with the good news. Start with "Most orders ship same day" not "We might be slow sometimes."

Be specific with timeframes. Say "2-3 business days" not "quickly."

Explain your why. "We hand-package each order" explains why processing takes longer.

Plan for problems. Address delays, damages, and lost packages upfront.

Update seasonally. Adjust for holidays, vacations, or busy periods.

Examples

Simple setup (prints and stickers): "Orders ship within 1 business day via USPS. Standard shipping (3-5 days) is $4, or free on orders $25+. Priority shipping (1-3 days) available for $8. We include tracking on all orders. Lost package? We'll send a replacement or refund after checking with USPS. Currently shipping within the US only."

Handmade business (jewelry): "Each piece is made to order in 3-5 business days, then ships via USPS Priority (2-3 days). Rush orders available for $15 extra—email us first to confirm timing. Standard shipping is $6, free on orders $75+. International shipping available to most countries (7-14 days, $18). Customs fees are your responsibility. We're not responsible for delays due to weather or postal issues."

Hybrid approach (clothing brand): "In-stock items ship next business day. Pre-orders and custom pieces take 2-3 weeks to produce. We use UPS and USPS depending on your location. Standard shipping: $8 (5-7 days). Expedited: $15 (2-3 days). Free shipping on orders $100+. All packages include tracking and $100 insurance. International customers: expect 10-21 days delivery plus customs fees. Holiday shipping: order by December 18th for Christmas delivery."

Migrating your shop policies

Already have a shipping policy on a custom page? Move it to the new policy field instead. Here's why:

• We create the policy page automatically
• It shows up consistently in your shop footer
• Customers can find it easily
• You get an active policy indicator in your admin

To migrate:

1. Copy your existing policy text from your custom page
2. Paste it into the shipping and delivery policy field in Shop preferences
3. Delete the old custom page
4. Save your changes

Managing your policy

Edit anytime: Change the text and click Save. Updates appear immediately in your shop.

Check if it's active: Look for the policy tag in your admin that shows if you have an active shipping policy.

Preview your policy: Click the preview button to see how it looks in your storefront.

Delete if needed: Click "Delete policy" to remove it completely. This wipes the policy and removes the page from your shop.

Switch back to custom pages: You can always move your policy to a custom page if you want more control over formatting.