Templates › Shipping and holiday cut-off policy template
Shipping and holiday cut-off policy template
A shipping policy that tells customers how long orders take, what happens if they are late, and the last day to order for holiday delivery. The US version is free below.
Free web version — no sign-up
Read it here, copy it into your store, or print it. The Word files and country versions are in the optional pack below.
A template, not legal advice. Last updated 28 September 2026. Check the rules where you sell and ask a lawyer if you are unsure.
Read the free US shipping policy
Shipping Policy
A template, not legal advice. Last updated 28 September 2026. Check the rules where you sell and ask a lawyer if you are unsure.
This policy applies to orders [store name] ships within the United States. Last updated [date].
1. Processing time
We pack orders and hand them to the carrier within [1–2] business days (Monday to Friday, not counting public holidays). Orders placed after [2 pm, time zone] are processed the next business day. During [15 November to 24 December] processing can take up to [3] business days.
2. Shipping options and delivery times
| Service | Cost | Estimated delivery after dispatch |
|---|---|---|
| [Standard] | [$x, or free over $y] | [3–7 business days] |
| [Express] | [$x] | [1–3 business days] |
Delivery times are the carrier’s estimates and start when your order is dispatched.
3. Holiday order cut-off dates
| Service | Order by (to arrive before [24 December]) |
|---|---|
| [Standard] | [date, time and time zone] |
| [Priority or tracked] | [date, time and time zone] |
| [Express] | [date, time and time zone] |
We set these dates from our carriers’ published holiday deadlines, less our own packing time. Orders placed after a cut-off still ship, but we cannot promise holiday delivery.
4. If your order is delayed
We ship within the time stated on our website, or within 30 days of your order if no time is stated. If we cannot, we will tell you before that time passes, give you a new shipping date, and let you choose to cancel for a prompt, full refund.
5. Tracking
We email you a tracking link when your order ships.
6. Wrong address, lost or damaged parcels
- Please check your address at checkout. If a parcel comes back to us because the address was wrong, we will [reship it at your cost / refund the order minus shipping].
- If tracking has not changed for [7] business days, or shows delivered but you cannot find the parcel, contact us within [14] days. We will look into it with the carrier and [replace or refund] the order.
- If a parcel arrives damaged, send us photos of the parcel and the item within [7] days.
7. Contact us
[Store legal name], [address]. Email [email].
Official source
How to set your holiday cut-off dates
- Find each carrier’s published holiday shipping deadline for the service you use.
- Take away your own packing time in business days, plus a day of safety buffer.
- Put the result in the cut-off table and on your site banner, product pages and checkout.
- After a cut-off passes, switch the banner to the next faster service or to gift cards.
UK and EU delivery rules
| United States | United Kingdom | European Union | |
|---|---|---|---|
| If you give no delivery time | Ship within 30 days (FTC rule) | Deliver within 30 days | Deliver within 30 days |
| If you will be late | Tell the customer, give a new date and offer to cancel with a prompt refund | Customer can end the contract if an essential date is missed, or after a further period | Customer can set an extra period, then end the contract and be refunded |
| Who carries the risk in transit | Usually agreed in your terms | You, until the customer has the goods | You, until the customer has the goods |
Official sources:
- FTC: Business guide to the Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule
- Consumer Rights Act 2015
- Your Europe: contracts with consumers, for businesses (European Union)
Paid pack · optional
Shipping and holiday cut-off policy pack
$19 one-time
US, UK and EU shipping policies in Word, ready-made holiday cut-off notices, and an Excel cut-off date calculator.
- US shipping policy (.docx)
- UK delivery policy (.docx)
- EU delivery policy (.docx)
- Holiday cut-off notices: banners, emails and replies (.docx)
- Holiday cut-off date calculator (.xlsx)
Template packs are sold by Globixera through Stripe as a one-time card payment in US dollars, for use in your own business. Buyers in the UK, the EU, Australia, Canada, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India buy as a business and must enter a VAT, GST or other business tax ID at checkout (reverse charge). Templates, not legal advice. Your rights under consumer law are not affected.
Questions
What happens if I cannot ship on time?
In the US, the FTC’s Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule says you must ship within the time you state, or within 30 days if you state none. If you cannot, tell the customer, give a new date and let them cancel for a prompt refund.
Where do I find carrier holiday deadlines?
Each carrier publishes its own holiday shipping dates every autumn. Use those, subtract your packing time, and add a buffer day.
Who is responsible if a parcel is lost?
For consumers in the UK and the EU, goods stay at your risk until the customer has them. In the US it depends on your terms, but most stores replace or refund lost parcels to avoid disputes.
Does the pack include the cut-off calculator?
Yes. The Excel calculator works out your order cut-off date from the carrier’s date, your handling time and your holidays, skipping weekends.