Shipping policy generator — methods table, customs and lost parcels

How to use the shipping policy generator

1. Enter Business or legal name, Website, Contact email, an optional Postal address and the Effective date.
2. Set the Processing time, for example “1–2 business days”, and the Ship from / within country.
3. In Methods (method | delivery time | cost), write one method per line, then add Free shipping over (optional) if you offer it.
4. Tick Ship internationally and Deliver to PO boxes if they apply.
5. Set Tracking stalled for (days) before it counts as lost and Report problems within (days), then copy or download shipping-policy.md.

What it does and when to use it

Use it for an online store that needs to tell buyers when orders leave, how long delivery takes, what it costs and what to do when a parcel goes missing. The policy has six sections: order processing, shipping methods and costs (a three-column table), international shipping, address accuracy, lost, late or damaged parcels, and contact details.

It does not cover delivery-delay notices, order cancellation and refunds for late orders, dangerous or restricted goods, local pickup, split shipments or rules for specific carriers. Pair it with the return policy generator for returns and the terms and conditions generator for the rest of your store’s terms.

How it works

The tool builds the text in your browser from your answers; nothing is uploaded. Each methods line is split at the | signs into Method, Estimated delivery and Cost. With no methods, the section shows a placeholder asking you to list them. The Ship from / within country field is only used when international shipping is off. With international shipping on, the policy says duties, taxes and customs fees are the recipient’s responsibility unless stated at checkout. Unticking PO boxes adds “We cannot deliver to PO boxes.”

Worked examples

UK store, default answers. The methods table includes | Standard | 3–5 business days | £3.95 | and | Express | 1–2 business days | £7.95 |, followed by “Standard shipping is free on orders over £50.” The lost-parcel section asks customers to get in touch if tracking has not updated for 7 days, within 14 days of the expected delivery date.

Domestic-only Australian shop. Processing “3 business days”, no methods yet, no free-shipping threshold, international and PO boxes unticked, stalled tracking 10 days. The policy says “We currently ship only within Australia.” and “We cannot deliver to PO boxes.”, and asks customers to report a parcel when tracking has not updated for 10 days.

Limits and tips

• Promise only what you can meet. Under the FTC rule, the time you state in your ads is the time you must ship within.
• Estimates are not guarantees. The policy says delivery times are estimates and are not guaranteed. Consumer law where you sell may still hold you to an agreed delivery date.
• Update it at busy times. Change processing times before holidays or sales.
• Laws differ by country. Treat the output as a draft.