Shipping Policy
A Shipping Policy is a document that clearly sets out your company’s procedures, information and rules regarding the shipment of goods.
4.4 (37 reviews)
Last updated December 16, 2024
Under 10 minutes
Suitable for Australia
Written by
Edwin Montoya Zorrilla
Reviewed by
Damin Murdock
Document Overview
A Shipping Policy is a document that clearly sets out your company’s procedures, information and rules regarding the shipment of goods. It contains everything a customer needs to know about the delivery of a purchase. If your business or company sells goods that get shipped and delivered to your customers, you should have a Shipping Policy.
Although a Shipping Policy is not a legal requirement, the policy essentially shapes the implied contract between a business and customer. Therefore, it is in both parties interests to have an accurate, detailed and easy-to-understand policy.
Why should I have a Shipping Policy?
A clear and transparent Shipping Policy helps customers make informed decisions and know what to expect from a purchase. It covers all shipping costs, different shipping options available, and the steps that occur from the time of purchase till the point of arrival at a customer’s doorstep. A well-developed Shipping Policy details shipping methods, expected timeframes, shipping prices, shipping restrictions, payment methods, contact details, and any additional information.
Providing accurate shipment information builds trust and enables customers to review and calculate the true cost of their purchase. When customers are better informed, there are less complaints and shipping-related queries. A Shipping Policy can thus increase order volume, decrease cart abandonment, and help gain and retain customer base. It also encourages uniformity and consistency on the company’s end, since shipping packages at-will or inconsistency can ruin the customer relationship.
Where should I display my Shipping Policy?
A Shipping Policy is only helpful if customers can easily access it. Display and link your Shipping Policy early on in the shopping process. Link it at the bottom of your website in the footer or link section, where customers intuitively expect to find it. Also add links to your Shipping Policy to other legal documents like your Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, and Refund and Returns Policy. This makes your website more transparent and policy framework more cohesive. It’s best to review and update your shipping policy every six months, and each time your company’s shipping procedures change.
What does this Shipping Policy cover?
Shipment Processing Time
Shipment Locations
Shipping Restrictions
Estimated Delivery Times
Shipping Rates
Tracking Options
International Customs, Duties and Taxes
Missing or Lost Packages
Damages
Further Information:
The Legal Risk Score of a Shipping Policy Template
Our legal team have marked this document as low risk considering:
- The document mentions that estimated delivery times are not guaranteed and may be affected by factors such as weather delays or other unforeseen circumstances, which introduces a risk of unpredictable delivery schedules.
- The shipping policy does not specify the exact processing times after payment verification, only stating that orders are processed "within business days," which could lead to ambiguity and potential delays in shipping.
- The policy advises customers to check common courier hiding spots or with neighbors in cases of missing or lost packages, which could imply a risk of non-recovery of packages if they are misplaced or wrongly delivered.
Shipping Policy Checklist
Complete your free Shipping Policy with our checklist
Verify Email Confirmation
Ensure that you receive an email confirmation after placing your order as it serves as proof of your purchase.
Track Your Package
Utilize the tracking link provided after your order is shipped to monitor the progress and location of your package.
Report Any Delivery Issues Promptly
If you encounter any issues such as damaged packaging or if the package is missing, contact the provided contact points immediately to resolve the matter.
Check Estimated Delivery Times
Keep in mind the estimated delivery times provided at the time of order placement and follow up if there are significant delays.
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