Guide
How to write a shipping policy
A shipping policy tells a buyer when their order leaves, when it arrives, what it costs, and what happens if something goes wrong. Buyers read it before they pay. A clear one removes doubt at the exact moment a sale can slip away.
What the policy is really for
Shipping is where buyer expectations and physical reality meet. The policy exists to set expectations honestly so reality does not disappoint them. Most shipping complaints are not about slow delivery. They are about a buyer who expected one thing and got another because nobody told them what to expect.
Write it so a buyer can answer their own questions without emailing you. That saves support time and builds the confidence that gets the order placed.
What to cover, point by point
Processing time
State how long you take to pack an order before it ships, separate from transit time. One to three business days is common. If you make items to order, say so and give a realistic range. This is the single most overlooked field, and the one that causes the most where is my order messages.
Shipping zones
List the countries or regions you ship to. Only list zones you can actually serve. Claiming worldwide shipping you cannot fulfill leads to canceled orders, refunds, and angry buyers. It is better to ship to two regions well than to ten badly. You can always add zones once you have tested them.
Rates
Explain how shipping is priced: a flat rate, calculated at checkout, free over a threshold, or free outright. Whatever you pick, the buyer should see the cost before they reach the payment step. A shipping cost that appears late is a top reason carts get abandoned.
Carriers and tracking
Name the carriers you use and say whether orders ship with tracking. If you send a tracking number, say when the buyer should expect it. Tracking is reassurance. Buyers check it repeatedly, so make sure they know it is coming.
Delays and lost packages
Be honest that delivery dates are estimates. Once a parcel is with a carrier, you do not control it. Tell buyers what to do if a package is late or missing, and what you will do in return. Customs delays on international orders are worth a sentence too, since they are common and outside anyone's control.
A short template you can adapt
Fill the brackets with your real numbers and carriers. Keep the language plain.
Orders are processed within [1 to 2] business days. We ship to [the United States and Canada] with [USPS and UPS]. Shipping is [a flat $6, or free on orders over $50].
Once your order ships, you will get a tracking number by email. Delivery usually takes [3 to 7] business days after processing, though carrier delays can happen and delivery dates are estimates, not guarantees.
If your order has not arrived in [14] days, email [help@yourstore.com] with your order number and we will help track it down or send a replacement. International orders may face customs delays we cannot control.
Where the policy belongs
Link the shipping policy in your footer, near the buy button on product pages, and inside checkout. Many buyers want shipping cost and timing before they add to cart, not after. A policy that is easy to find does the work of an answered support ticket.
Update it when your real shipping changes. A policy that says two-day processing while you actually take a week trains buyers to distrust the rest of your store.
Getting the page made for you
commerce.fyi drafts a shipping policy page as part of your store, next to returns and privacy. The draft gives you the structure: processing time, zones, rates, carriers, and a delay section, with placeholder text you replace with your real operation.
You review and edit every line before the store goes live. The numbers and zones have to be yours, because only you know what you can actually ship.
You know what you sell. Get the store.
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