Skip to content

Template · Shipping policy

Shopify Shipping Policy Template (Free)

A clear shipping policy is one of the highest-leverage trust signals on a Shopify product page — buyers consistently abandon checkout when they can't quickly answer 'when will this arrive and how much will it cost?'. This template gives you real copy-pasteable text with placeholders for your specifics. Every section is annotated so you understand exactly what to customize and why.

Last reviewed: May 12, 2026

When to use this template

Use this template if your Shopify store ships physical products. Sections for international shipping, customs, and PO box handling are included as optional — omit any that don't apply to your store. For digital-only or services-only stores, you don't need a shipping policy; a brief 'delivery information' note in your terms is sufficient.

The full template

Copy the whole thing, then customize the {PLACEHOLDERS} with your store specifics. Each section is annotated below — read the annotations before publishing.

## Opening / scope

At {STORE_NAME}, we ship orders {SHIPPING_REGIONS — e.g., within the US / worldwide / to the US and Canada}. Here's everything you need to know about how shipping works.

This policy applies to all orders placed on {STORE_URL}. For questions about a specific order, contact us at {SUPPORT_EMAIL}.

## Processing time

We process orders within {PROCESSING_DAYS — e.g., 1-2 business days} of receiving them. You'll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking when your order leaves our warehouse.

Orders placed on weekends or holidays are processed on the next business day. During peak seasons (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, December holidays), processing may take up to {PEAK_PROCESSING_DAYS — e.g., 3-4 business days}.

## Delivery times by region

Domestic shipping ({DOMESTIC_REGION — e.g., United States}):
- Standard: {DOMESTIC_STANDARD_DAYS — e.g., 3-7 business days}
- Expedited: {DOMESTIC_EXPEDITED_DAYS — e.g., 2-3 business days}

International shipping ({INTERNATIONAL_REGIONS — e.g., Canada, UK, EU, Australia}):
- Standard: {INTERNATIONAL_STANDARD_DAYS — e.g., 10-21 business days}
- Express: {INTERNATIONAL_EXPRESS_DAYS — e.g., 5-10 business days}

Delivery times exclude processing time and customs delays (international). All times are estimates — carrier delays do happen.

## Shipping costs

{SHIPPING_COST_POLICY_CHOOSE_ONE}

Option A (calculated at checkout): Shipping costs are calculated based on order weight, destination, and selected shipping method. You'll see the exact cost on the checkout page before completing your order.

Option B (flat rate): We charge a flat rate of {FLAT_RATE — e.g., $5} per order for domestic shipping and {INTERNATIONAL_FLAT_RATE — e.g., $20} for international shipping.

Option C (free over threshold): Free standard shipping on domestic orders over {FREE_SHIPPING_THRESHOLD — e.g., $50}. Otherwise, shipping is calculated at checkout.

Option D (free always): We offer free standard shipping on all domestic orders.

## Tracking your order

Once your order ships, you'll receive a tracking email from {SHIPPING_PROVIDER — e.g., USPS, UPS, DHL, etc.}. Click the link in the email to track your package in real time.

If you haven't received tracking within {TRACKING_DELAY — e.g., 2 business days} of your shipping confirmation, check your spam folder first, then email us at {SUPPORT_EMAIL}.

## Address changes and order modifications

We can update your shipping address or modify your order only before it has shipped. Once you receive a shipping confirmation email, we can no longer change the destination or contents.

If you need to change anything, email us at {SUPPORT_EMAIL} as soon as possible — we typically process orders within {PROCESSING_DAYS — e.g., 1-2 business days}, so the window is short.

## Lost or stolen packages

If your tracking shows your package as delivered but you can't find it, please:

1. Check with neighbors and household members
2. Look around your delivery location (porch, side door, mailroom)
3. Wait 24 hours — packages occasionally show 'delivered' before they actually arrive
4. Contact your local carrier — they have additional location data

If the package is still missing after these steps, email us at {SUPPORT_EMAIL} with your order number. {LOST_PACKAGE_POLICY — e.g., We'll work with the carrier to investigate. If the package is confirmed lost, we'll ship a replacement at no cost OR refund your order, your choice}.

## International orders — customs, duties, and taxes

For international orders outside {YOUR_COUNTRY}:

- Import duties, taxes, and customs fees are the buyer's responsibility. These are not included in the order total and are charged by the destination country's customs office.
- We cannot predict these charges — they vary by country and product type. Check your country's import rules before ordering.
- Customs may delay your package. International delivery time estimates exclude customs processing.
- We mark packages with accurate contents and value as required by international shipping law. We can't mark packages as 'gifts' or undervalue them to reduce customs charges.

## PO boxes and military addresses

{PO_BOX_POLICY_CHOOSE_ONE}

Option A: We ship to PO boxes via USPS. APO/FPO addresses are accepted with extended delivery times.

Option B: We can only ship to physical addresses via {CARRIERS — e.g., UPS, FedEx}. PO boxes are not supported.

Option C: We can ship to PO boxes for an additional fee of {PO_BOX_FEE} due to carrier restrictions.

## Questions

Have questions about shipping? Email us at {SUPPORT_EMAIL} or use the contact form at {STORE_URL}/pages/contact. We typically reply within {RESPONSE_TIME — e.g., 1 business day}.

Placeholder reference

Quick reference for every {TOKEN} in the template — what to fill in and the recommended default.

Token
What it is
Recommended default
{STORE_NAME}
Your brand name as in Shopify settings
Use exact case from Settings → Store details
{STORE_URL}
Your store's primary domain
yourdomain.com (without https://)
{SHIPPING_REGIONS}
Where you ship to
Be specific: 'within the US', 'to the US and Canada', or 'worldwide except {EXCLUDED_LIST}'
{SUPPORT_EMAIL}
Your support contact email
Use a domain-matched email (hello@yourdomain.com), not gmail.com — see /fixes/professional-email
{PROCESSING_DAYS}
How long from order placed to order shipped
1-2 business days for most stores; longer only if you're handmade or made-to-order
{PEAK_PROCESSING_DAYS}
Processing time during BFCM and December holidays
3-4 business days (typically 2x normal)
{DOMESTIC_REGION}
Your primary shipping region
United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.
{DOMESTIC_STANDARD_DAYS}
Standard domestic delivery window
3-7 business days for US; 2-5 for UK/Australia; varies by country
{DOMESTIC_EXPEDITED_DAYS}
Expedited domestic delivery window
2-3 business days (delete this line if you don't offer expedited)
{INTERNATIONAL_REGIONS}
Countries/regions you ship to internationally
List the main destination countries explicitly
{INTERNATIONAL_STANDARD_DAYS}
Standard international delivery window
10-21 business days is typical; longer for remote destinations
{TRACKING_DELAY}
How long after shipping confirmation tracking should arrive
2 business days
{LOST_PACKAGE_POLICY}
Your policy for confirmed-lost packages
'We'll ship a replacement at no cost or refund your order, your choice' (most buyer-friendly)
{YOUR_COUNTRY}
Country where your business operates
Use ISO country name (United States, United Kingdom, Ghana, etc.)
{RESPONSE_TIME}
How quickly you respond to shipping questions
1 business day for solo founders; 4 hours for teams

Section-by-section guide

Opening / scope

At {STORE_NAME}, we ship orders {SHIPPING_REGIONS — e.g., within the US / worldwide / to the US and Canada}. Here's everything you need to know about how shipping works.

This policy applies to all orders placed on {STORE_URL}. For questions about a specific order, contact us at {SUPPORT_EMAIL}.

State your shipping regions explicitly in the opening sentence. Buyers in unsupported countries should see this immediately and not need to scroll. Include the store URL and contact email so disputes have a clear reference.

Processing time

We process orders within {PROCESSING_DAYS — e.g., 1-2 business days} of receiving them. You'll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking when your order leaves our warehouse.

Orders placed on weekends or holidays are processed on the next business day. During peak seasons (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, December holidays), processing may take up to {PEAK_PROCESSING_DAYS — e.g., 3-4 business days}.

Processing time is the gap between order placed and order shipped — this is YOUR commitment. Be honest: '1-2 business days' is achievable for solo founders; '24 hours' is harder than it sounds. Buyers compare your processing time to Amazon's, so 1-2 days reads as normal, 3-5 days reads as slow but acceptable, 7+ days needs a clear reason. The peak-season note prevents complaints during the months that matter most.

Variations

  • Fast: '1 business day' (only commit if you actually ship same-day or next-day reliably)
  • Standard: '1-2 business days'
  • Conservative: '3-5 business days' (use for handmade, made-to-order, or low-volume operations — pair with explicit messaging on the product page)

Delivery times by region

Domestic shipping ({DOMESTIC_REGION — e.g., United States}):
- Standard: {DOMESTIC_STANDARD_DAYS — e.g., 3-7 business days}
- Expedited: {DOMESTIC_EXPEDITED_DAYS — e.g., 2-3 business days}

International shipping ({INTERNATIONAL_REGIONS — e.g., Canada, UK, EU, Australia}):
- Standard: {INTERNATIONAL_STANDARD_DAYS — e.g., 10-21 business days}
- Express: {INTERNATIONAL_EXPRESS_DAYS — e.g., 5-10 business days}

Delivery times exclude processing time and customs delays (international). All times are estimates — carrier delays do happen.

Specific day ranges per region build trust. 'Prompt delivery' or 'fast shipping' read as marketing fluff. The 'exclude processing time' note is critical — without it, buyers count from order date and complain when their order arrives within the COMBINED window but later than just the delivery window. Carriers do experience delays (especially USPS and international); explicitly noting estimates protects you from each individual delay becoming a customer support issue.

Shipping costs

{SHIPPING_COST_POLICY_CHOOSE_ONE}

Option A (calculated at checkout): Shipping costs are calculated based on order weight, destination, and selected shipping method. You'll see the exact cost on the checkout page before completing your order.

Option B (flat rate): We charge a flat rate of {FLAT_RATE — e.g., $5} per order for domestic shipping and {INTERNATIONAL_FLAT_RATE — e.g., $20} for international shipping.

Option C (free over threshold): Free standard shipping on domestic orders over {FREE_SHIPPING_THRESHOLD — e.g., $50}. Otherwise, shipping is calculated at checkout.

Option D (free always): We offer free standard shipping on all domestic orders.

Pick ONE option and delete the others. Free shipping (Option C or D) is the highest-impact lever for conversion but only works if your margins support it. Most early-stage stores use Option A or B. The 'free shipping over $X' threshold (Option C) is the sweet spot — encourages higher cart values without committing to free shipping on every $5 order. Make sure your product pricing accounts for shipping costs you're absorbing.

Tracking your order

Once your order ships, you'll receive a tracking email from {SHIPPING_PROVIDER — e.g., USPS, UPS, DHL, etc.}. Click the link in the email to track your package in real time.

If you haven't received tracking within {TRACKING_DELAY — e.g., 2 business days} of your shipping confirmation, check your spam folder first, then email us at {SUPPORT_EMAIL}.

Tracking emails are sent automatically by Shopify when you mark an order as fulfilled — there's nothing extra to set up for most carriers. The 'check spam folder first' instruction prevents support tickets for emails that just got filtered. Name your specific carrier if you only use one; otherwise leave it as 'your selected carrier.'

Address changes and order modifications

We can update your shipping address or modify your order only before it has shipped. Once you receive a shipping confirmation email, we can no longer change the destination or contents.

If you need to change anything, email us at {SUPPORT_EMAIL} as soon as possible — we typically process orders within {PROCESSING_DAYS — e.g., 1-2 business days}, so the window is short.

Be explicit about the cutoff. Without this, buyers will email asking to change addresses on already-shipped orders and expect a fix. The honest answer: once it's with the carrier, you can't change it. Tell them upfront so they email faster.

Lost or stolen packages

If your tracking shows your package as delivered but you can't find it, please:

1. Check with neighbors and household members
2. Look around your delivery location (porch, side door, mailroom)
3. Wait 24 hours — packages occasionally show 'delivered' before they actually arrive
4. Contact your local carrier — they have additional location data

If the package is still missing after these steps, email us at {SUPPORT_EMAIL} with your order number. {LOST_PACKAGE_POLICY — e.g., We'll work with the carrier to investigate. If the package is confirmed lost, we'll ship a replacement at no cost OR refund your order, your choice}.

This section saves you support time. Most 'lost' packages are found by following steps 1-3. State your replacement/refund policy clearly — vague 'we'll see what we can do' creates dispute risk. Most small Shopify stores cover lost packages because the alternative (chargeback) is worse. If you require buyers to file insurance claims with the carrier, state that explicitly.

Variations

  • Buyer-friendly: 'We'll ship a replacement at no cost OR refund your order, your choice' (most common, recommended)
  • Insurance-required: 'You'll need to file a claim with {CARRIER} for lost packages. We can help with documentation.' (use only if you've actually added shipping insurance to orders)

International orders — customs, duties, and taxes

For international orders outside {YOUR_COUNTRY}:

- Import duties, taxes, and customs fees are the buyer's responsibility. These are not included in the order total and are charged by the destination country's customs office.
- We cannot predict these charges — they vary by country and product type. Check your country's import rules before ordering.
- Customs may delay your package. International delivery time estimates exclude customs processing.
- We mark packages with accurate contents and value as required by international shipping law. We can't mark packages as 'gifts' or undervalue them to reduce customs charges.

International shipping is where most customer service disputes happen. This section sets honest expectations: duties are real, you can't control them, you can't legally falsify customs forms to avoid them. Most buyers in countries with high import duties (Canada, EU, UK, Australia) already know this — but stating it explicitly protects you when one doesn't. If you only ship domestically, delete this entire section.

PO boxes and military addresses

{PO_BOX_POLICY_CHOOSE_ONE}

Option A: We ship to PO boxes via USPS. APO/FPO addresses are accepted with extended delivery times.

Option B: We can only ship to physical addresses via {CARRIERS — e.g., UPS, FedEx}. PO boxes are not supported.

Option C: We can ship to PO boxes for an additional fee of {PO_BOX_FEE} due to carrier restrictions.

Only include this section if it's relevant to your shipping setup. Solo-founder stores shipping via USPS can use Option A. Stores using UPS/FedEx primarily need Option B (those carriers don't deliver to PO boxes). Most small stores don't need to mention PO boxes at all unless they specifically can't ship to them — in which case Option B saves customer-service headaches.

Questions

Have questions about shipping? Email us at {SUPPORT_EMAIL} or use the contact form at {STORE_URL}/pages/contact. We typically reply within {RESPONSE_TIME — e.g., 1 business day}.

Always close with reachable contact. Match the response-time promise to what you can deliver. See /fixes/contact-info for response-time best practices and how to set up a Shopify contact page.

Common mistakes

  • Vague delivery promises like 'fast shipping' or 'prompt delivery.' Specific day ranges convert better even when the window is longer — buyers can decide if the timeframe works.
  • Lumping processing time and delivery time together. They're separate windows; buyers compare each to Amazon. Be explicit about both.
  • Not stating who pays customs duties on international orders. This is the #1 international shipping support issue — set the expectation upfront.
  • Claiming 'free shipping' in marketing copy when the policy says 'shipping calculated at checkout.' Marketing-policy drift destroys trust faster than no claim at all.
  • Promising tracking 'immediately' when Shopify-generated tracking emails sometimes take a few hours to be processed by the carrier. '2 business days' is honest and almost always met.
  • Including a lost-package policy that requires buyers to file carrier insurance claims — this looks reasonable on paper but reads as 'we won't help you' to a buyer who just lost their order.
  • Forgetting to update the policy during peak season. If your processing time genuinely doubles during BFCM, update the policy temporarily or include the peak-season note in this template.

Legal disclaimer

This template is provided as a starting point for Shopify merchants and is not legal advice. Shipping and consumer protection laws vary by jurisdiction. The EU's Consumer Rights Directive imposes specific delivery-time disclosure requirements; the US FTC's Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule has separate requirements. Before publishing as your final policy, review with a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction — especially if you ship internationally, sell regulated categories (alcohol, food, perishables, hazardous materials), or operate in the EU/UK. StrangerProof and Mairis Lab make no warranty about the legal sufficiency of this template for any specific store or situation.

Related

Once your policy is live, audit your store

Scan your Shopify store in 30 seconds and see which of the 14 trust signals are actually costing you conversions. Free, no signup.

Scan My Store — Free