Shipping Policy
A clear, customer-facing document outlining how orders are processed, shipped, and delivered — including carriers used, estimated timelines, tracking, and what happens when deliveries go wrong.
What is a Shipping Policy?
A clear, customer-facing document outlining how orders are processed, shipped, and delivered — including carriers used, estimated timelines, tracking, and what happens when deliveries go wrong.
Regulators across Global treat a Shipping Policy as a baseline legal requirement. Without one, your business is immediately exposed to enforcement action — regardless of size or industry.
Who Needs a Shipping Policy?
Any business selling and shipping physical products online — from Shopify stores to marketplace sellers.
- Any organisation that selling and shipping physical products online — from shopify stores to marketplace sellers
- Businesses operating in Global
- Anyone using third-party services that process data on your behalf
Legal Framework
Required under EU Consumer Rights Directive and UK Consumer Rights Act 2015, which mandate pre-contract delivery information.
Global
Multiple international frameworks
What Your Shipping Policy Must Include
- 1
Processing Times
Processing Times — Clearly define processing times so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 2
Carrier Partners
Carrier Partners — Clearly define carrier partners so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 3
Estimated Delivery Timescales
Estimated Delivery Timescales — Clearly define estimated delivery timescales so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 4
International Shipping Zones
International Shipping Zones — Clearly define international shipping zones so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 5
Customs & Import Duties
Customs & Import Duties — Clearly define customs & import duties so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 6
Tracking & Notifications
Tracking & Notifications — Clearly define tracking & notifications so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 7
Lost or Damaged Parcels
Lost or Damaged Parcels — Clearly define lost or damaged parcels so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 8
Shipping Restrictions by Location
Shipping Restrictions by Location — Clearly define shipping restrictions by location so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 9
Free Shipping Thresholds
Free Shipping Thresholds — Clearly define free shipping thresholds so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
- 10
Returns Shipping Costs
Returns Shipping Costs — Clearly define returns shipping costs so users and regulators understand its scope and why it matters for your compliance obligations.
How to Write a Shipping Policy
Building a compliant Shipping Policy from scratch takes legal expertise and hours of research. Here is a framework covering the core steps:
- 1Step 1: Processing Times — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 2Step 2: Carrier Partners — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 3Step 3: Estimated Delivery Timescales — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 4Step 4: International Shipping Zones — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 5Step 5: Customs & Import Duties — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 6Step 6: Tracking & Notifications — Document this section completely and accurately. Vague or incomplete disclosures can be treated as violations even if the underlying practice is compliant.
- 7Final step: Legal review — Review with qualified legal counsel before publishing, especially if operating in high-risk jurisdictions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Copying another website's Shipping Policy verbatim — Every business has different data flows. A generic copy may fail to disclose what you actually do, creating false statements that are worse than no policy at all.
Using vague or ambiguous language — Regulators and courts expect plain, specific language. Phrases like "we may share your data with partners" are too vague and regularly cited in enforcement actions.
Forgetting to update after product changes — Your Shipping Policy must reflect current practice. Outdated policies are a compliance liability — some regulators treat an outdated policy as a violation in itself.
Not making your Shipping Policy easy to find — Buried in a footer or behind multiple clicks, your policy may not meet the "easily accessible" standard required by most regulations.
Missing jurisdiction-specific requirements — A policy compliant in one jurisdiction may still fail in another. If you operate across Global, you need to address each framework's specific requirements.
How Often Should You Update Your Shipping Policy?
Review and update your Shipping Policy whenever there is a material change to your business — new services, new data types, new third-party relationships, or regulatory updates in your jurisdictions.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Beyond financial penalties, non-compliance with Shipping Policy requirements can result in: reputational damage and loss of customer trust, app store removal (for mobile apps), inability to process payments (for ecommerce), and difficulty attracting enterprise customers who require compliance evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Shipping Policy legally required?
Yes. A Shipping Policy is a legal requirement under Required under EU Consumer Rights Directive and UK Consumer Rights Act 2015, which mandate pre-contract delivery information.. Operating without one puts your business at risk of regulatory enforcement action.
How long should a Shipping Policy be?
A typical Shipping Policy runs 3 pages. Length matters less than completeness — every required disclosure must be present, written in plain language that users can understand.
How often should I update my Shipping Policy?
Review and update your Shipping Policy whenever there is a material change to your business.
What are the penalties for not having a Shipping Policy?
Failure to provide clear delivery information can result in consumer disputes, chargebacks, and Trading Standards enforcement.
Can I use a free Shipping Policy template?
Free templates are a starting point, not a solution. A template that was not drafted for your specific business, jurisdiction, and data practices may create false statements — which is legally worse than having no policy at all. Always customise any template and have it reviewed by qualified counsel.
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Read guidePolicifyAI is a technology provider, not a law firm. The information on this page is for orientation only and is not legal advice. Generated templates are intended as a structured starting point for review by qualified counsel before publication.