How to Design a Shopify Shipping Policy (with Templates)

Designing policy pages for your Shopify store might not sound like the most exciting process, but it’s more important than you’d think. Not only can the right policy pages improve the experience customers have with your store, but they can also help to increase sales too. 

For instance, most of the questions your customers have about your products are probably going to be related to shipping. Customers want to know how much shipping will cost, how long it will take for products to be delivered, and what your returns strategy looks like. 

Answering all of these questions with a comprehensive shipping policy page ensures you can set the right expectations for your customers, and mitigate any concerns they have about buying from you.

So, how do you design a Shopify shipping policy page?

Read on for the ultimate step-by-step guide.

What is a Shipping Policy and Why do you Need It?

Let’s start with the basics. A shipping policy is a set of terms you share with your customers as an online retailer, describing how items will be delivered to your buyers. Shipping policies cover everything your customers need to know about shipping times, prices, and international options, so they don’t have to contact your team for help. 

While you might assume you can simply add some of these details to your product and checkout pages and call it a day, having a dedicated shipping policy page is extremely beneficial. 

Used correctly, your shipping policy page:

• Sets clear expectation: Your shipping policy page can answer any questions customers have about your delivery and fulfillment process before they make a purchase. This means they’re more likely to have a positive experience when shopping with you. They’ll know exactly when to expect their orders, and what’s going to happen in the case of a delay.
• Improves your brand image: A detailed and easy-to-understand shipping policy doesn’t just address customer concerns; it also actively makes your store appear more credible. It’s a way to show transparency to your customers, which earns their trust. Studies have shown a transparent shipping policy can help convert up to 47% of customers into repeat buyers. 
• Protects your business: A good shipping policy also protects you from complaints and damage caused to your reputation, by reducing the risk of negative reviews. When customers know what to expect, they’re less likely to complain about long shipping times, or complex return policies. 

What Should a Shopify Shipping Policy Include?

The exact structure and content of your Shipping policy can vary depending on a number of factors, including your logistics process, the countries you’ll be selling in, and more. However, there are a few points virtually any company should include in a shipping policy, such as:

• Details on your shipping process: Explain how long it will take for you to process each order, and how quickly items will be shipped after processing. Include details on whether you send shipments on weekends or bank holidays, and highlight how you handle things like pre-orders, if you allow customers to purchase items not yet in-stock. 
• Timelines: While you can’t always tell customers exactly when they’ll receive their orders, you should be able to give them a basic idea of how long standard shipping methods take. Provide estimated delivery timelines for each location you serve. For instance, you might offer next-day shipping for orders placed before 1pm the previous day in the US, and standard 5-7 day shipping times for international orders. 
• Shipping fees: Give customers an insight into how much they’re likely to pay for shipping. Outline how costs are calculated (such as by weight or location), or tell customers if you offer flat shipping rates. You can also use this section to highlight instances where shipping fees may be waived. For instance, you might offer free shipping to orders over a certain value. 
• Shipping options: Most retailers try to provide their ecommerce customers with a variety of different shipping options to choose from. For instance, you might offer next-day delivery, two-day delivery, and standard shipping. Create a table showing exactly what customers can expect from each service level on offer. 
• Late shipment policies: Sometimes, unexpected issues can cause shipments to arrive late, or even be lost in transit. Tell customers how to report a missing package to your team, and provide insights into how the issue will be resolved. For instance, will you send a replacement with expedited shipping, or refund the order?
• Shipping restrictions: If you can only serve certain locations around the world with your products, make sure your customers know this. Highlight which countries you can ship to, and which shipping service options are available in those areas. 
• Returns and refunds: A section of your shipping policy dedicated to returns and refunds could help to minimize the risk of customers sending items back. Quickly highlight how you deal with returns, and how refunds are processed. 
• International shipping: If you serve a global audience, include a section that details exactly which freight companies and logistics providers you work with, which countries you deliver to, and which shipping services you can offer. 

Remember, you might need to update your shipping policy every once in a while, when you expand to new regions, add new service options, or partner with new carriers. 

Your Free Shopify Shipping Policy Template

Now you know what a shipping policy should include, you’ll be ready to start writing your own. The template provided here should give you a good guideline to work with. Make sure you customize it with your own details, and have someone proofread the content before publishing. 

[Company] Shipping Policy

Introduction: (Provide an overview into your shipping policy)

At [Company] we aim to provide clear and transparent insights into our shipping policies and fulfillment processes. Please take a moment to review the following information about our shipping prices, delivery times, and service options before placing your order:

Order processing and fulfillment times: (Fill out the table with your own data)

Shipping times and prices can vary depending on your location and the required delivery speed. Here are some of the average costs and times you can expect from our service:

Shipping location

Service level

Cost

Delivery speed

Contiguous US

Standard

$10

5-7 business days

Contiguous US

Expedited

$15

1-2 business days

EU

Standard

$15

5-10 business days

EU

Expedited

$20

3-5 business days

‍

How Our Shipping Rates are Calculated: (If your shipping rates vary depending on the weight of items and other factors, explain that in this section)

The shipping charges for your order will be calculated at displayed at checkout based on the weight of your package, and your destination. Alternatively, we offer a flat rate shipping service of [Price] for standard shipping within [list countries]. 

If you qualify for our free shipping threshold [enter details about when free shipping is available], this will be automatically applied at checkout. 

Communications and Order Tracking: (Tell customers how you’ll contact them about their order, and whether they can track the progress of their shipment)

After each successfully placed order, we will send an [SMS/Text/Email] to your registered account contact details with the details of your purchase. 

Once your order is processed [provide information about processing times], we will send you an order tracking number via [Email/Text] where you can track the progress of your order. 

Refunds, Returns and Exchanges: (Provide a brief overview of your returns and exchanges process, and include a link to an external returns policy if necessary) 

We strive to ensure absolute satisfaction with every order. However, if you’re not happy with your purchase, we accept returns up to [X] days after delivery, provided the item is in its original condition and unused. We will refund your full order amount within [X] days, excluding shipping costs. 

If your order arrives damaged, or does not arrive as expected, please contact our support team at [email address/ phone number] with your order number. We will assess each case individually and work with you to find a satisfactory solution. 

Further Information: (Any other relevant details)

Shipping exclusions:

[Outline any areas you can’t ship to, or products you can’t ship to certain areas]

Import duties and taxes:

[Explain any tax or import duty information your customers may need to know]

In-store pick-up options:

[Highlight any options you have for in-store pickups]

If you have any further questions about our shipping policies, or require assistance, please reach out to our support team at [email address or contact details]. 

How to Create a Shopify Shipping Policy Page

Now you have your template, and all the details you might need to create your own shipping policy, the only thing left to do is create your page on the Shopify platform. To start, log into your Shopify admin account, then scroll down on the left-hand side menu underneath “Online Store”, until you see “Preferences”. Click on this tab. 

Scroll down until you see the “Policies” button, then click that, and scroll to “Shipping policy”. Click on the Shipping Policy option, then copy and paste the policy you’ve created into the text box provided. When you’re done, click the “Save” button in the bar at the top of the screen. 

That’s it. Your shipping policy page is ready. Don’t forget to make it easy to find by adding it to your Shopify menu, and website footer. You can also add links to your Shipping policy on every product page you produce. 

Set Expectations with a Shopify Shipping Policy

Although creating policies for your Shopify store might sound boring, it’s crucial to building a resilient and trustworthy business. Being transparent with your customers, and setting the right expectations from day one will help you to protect your brand and increase your sales. 

If you’re having trouble creating pages for your Shopify store, or you want help making your Shipping Policy really stand out, contact Storetasker today to find an expert that can help you produce every essential component of your ecommerce website.