Shipping policy
Shipping Policy
Thank you for choosing our book store! We partner with ShipBob—a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider—to deliver your literary selections in a timely, secure manner. Below is our complete shipping policy for domestic and international orders, tailored to our ShipBob-powered fulfillment.
1. Order Processing & Fulfillment (Powered by ShipBob)
- Processing Timeline: All book orders are verified and routed to ShipBob’s fulfillment centers within 1 business day (Monday-Friday, excluding public holidays). ShipBob handles warehouse picking, packing, and carrier handoff—total order processing (including ShipBob’s fulfillment steps) takes 1-2 business days.
- Pre-order Fulfillment: For pre-ordered books, ShipBob will prepare inventory in advance. Shipping begins on the official release date, and you’ll receive a fulfillment confirmation email once ShipBob dispatches your package.
- Inventory Availability: Orders are fulfilled from the nearest ShipBob fulfillment center to your delivery address (based on real-time inventory data) to minimize transit time and costs.
2. Domestic Shipping (United States)
- Shipping Methods & Delivery Times (Fulfilled by ShipBob’s Partner Carriers):
- Standard Shipping (USPS/UPS/FedEx Ground): 2-5 business days after fulfillment (faster than traditional methods due to ShipBob’s regional warehouse network).
- Expedited Shipping: 1-3 business days after fulfillment.
- Overnight Shipping: 1-2 business days after fulfillment (available for 48 contiguous U.S. states).
- Shipping Costs: Real-time rates are calculated at checkout by ShipBob’s algorithm, based on your address, order weight, and selected method. You can view exact costs before completing your purchase.
- Shipment Tracking: Post-fulfillment, a tracking number (provided by ShipBob’s carrier) is sent to your registered email. Track packages via the link in the email, your Shopify account, or ShipBob’s order tracker.
3. International Shipping (Global Fulfillment via ShipBob)
- Coverage: We ship to 220+ countries/regions through ShipBob’s international logistics network. Remote areas may require additional transit time or have restricted service.
- Delivery & Fulfillment Flow:
- Orders are fulfilled from ShipBob’s U.S. or regional international warehouses (when available).
- ShipBob coordinates end-to-end shipping (including customs documentation) with carriers like DHL, UPS, and regional postal services.
- Delivery Times: 5-12 business days for major global cities; up to 21 days for remote areas (excludes customs processing).
- Duties & Taxes: International orders may incur import duties and taxes (destination country requirements). We partner with Avalara (integrated with ShipBob) to calculate these fees upfront at checkout—paying them during purchase (DDP) avoids post-delivery charges.
- Customs Compliance: ShipBob prepares commercial invoices with accurate book classifications (to qualify for potential duty exemptions) and declared values, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
4. Packaging & Protection (ShipBob’s Book-Safe Standards)
- ShipBob uses book-specific packaging: rigid mailers for single books, corrugated boxes with bubble wrap for multi-book orders, and moisture-resistant liners to prevent damage during transit.
- Eco-friendly practices: ShipBob consolidates orders and uses recyclable materials where possible, without compromising protection.
5. Shipping Exceptions, Delays & Claims
- Excluded Liabilities: We are not responsible for delays caused by: customs holds, natural disasters, carrier disruptions, or incorrect addresses (double-check at checkout).
- Lost/Damaged Packages:
- Notify us within 14 days of estimated delivery with your order number and tracking details.
- We initiate a ShipBob-directed claim with the carrier (ShipBob provides fulfillment proof to support claims).
- Resolutions: Replacement (shipped by ShipBob within 1-2 days) or full refund—faster than traditional carrier claims due to ShipBob’s logistics partnerships.
6. Returns & Exchanges (Reverse Logistics with ShipBob)
- Initiate returns within 14 days of delivery (see our Return Policy for eligibility).
- Return Process:
- Contact our team to receive a ShipBob-generated return label.
- Ship returns to the designated ShipBob warehouse (address provided in your return confirmation).
- Refunds/Exchanges: Processed within 2 business days of ShipBob’s receipt and inspection of returned books.
- Return Costs: Customer responsibility unless the issue stems from defective products or ShipBob fulfillment errors (e.g., wrong book shipped).
7. Contact Us
For shipping questions, ShipBob order status, or claims:
- Email: support@storybird.com
- Shopify Chat: Available 9 AM-5 PM (EST)
- Response Time: 24 business hours (we coordinate directly with ShipBob’s support team for urgent issues).
Note: Shipping policies may update with ShipBob’s service changes. Check this page before ordering for the latest details.