Best examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples for online stores

Real-world examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples you can adapt

Before talking theory, it helps to see how actual stores phrase things. Below are several real-world style examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples you can customize for your own policies. These aren’t copied from any one brand; they’re modeled on patterns used by major retailers and fast-growing DTC shops.

Example of a basic shipping disclaimer for standard U.S. orders

Shipping & Delivery Disclaimer (U.S. Orders)
Orders are processed within 2–3 business days (Monday–Friday, excluding federal holidays). Delivery estimates shown at checkout (such as “3–5 business days”) are provided by the carrier and are not guaranteed. Weather, carrier delays, and high-volume periods may affect delivery timelines.

Once your order has been handed to the carrier, risk of loss passes to you. Please track your shipment using the link in your confirmation email. If your package shows as delivered but you cannot locate it, contact the carrier directly for assistance.

This type of example of a shipping disclaimer makes three things very clear: processing time, non-guaranteed carrier estimates, and who bears the risk after handoff.

Example of a pre-order and backorder shipping disclaimer

Pre-Orders & Backorders
Items marked as Pre-Order or Backorder have extended processing times. Estimated ship dates are listed on the product page and in your order confirmation email. These dates are estimates only and may change due to manufacturing or shipping constraints.

If your order contains both in-stock and pre-order items, your order may be held to ship together unless you choose split shipping at checkout (additional fees apply). You will be notified by email if your estimated ship date changes by more than 7 days.

Many of the best examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples spell out what happens when one cart has mixed availability items. That detail alone can prevent a wave of “Where is my order?” tickets.

Example of an international shipping and customs disclaimer

International Shipping & Customs Duties
International orders may be subject to import duties, taxes, and fees imposed by your country’s customs agency. These charges are not included in our prices or shipping fees and are your responsibility. We do not control these charges and cannot predict their amount.

Customs policies vary widely. Please contact your local customs office for more information before placing your order. If you refuse a shipment due to customs charges, you will be responsible for original shipping costs and any return shipping fees. Refunds will be issued for merchandise only, once the package is received by our warehouse.

This mirrors language you’ll see at large global retailers. It places responsibility for duties on the buyer and explains what happens if a shipment is refused.

Example of a holiday and peak-season shipping disclaimer

Holiday Shipping Cutoffs
During November–December and other peak periods, order processing may take an additional 1–2 business days. Carrier delivery times are not guaranteed during these periods.

To increase the likelihood of delivery by December 24, we recommend placing orders by the following dates:
• Standard shipping: December 15
• Expedited shipping: December 20
• Overnight shipping: December 21

These dates are guidelines only and are not guaranteed delivery deadlines. Weather events, carrier capacity limits, and other factors may impact delivery.

The trend since 2020 has been aggressive transparency around peak-season uncertainty. Carriers like USPS and UPS publicly warn about delays; smart stores echo that in their own shipping disclaimers.

Example of a force majeure and carrier delay disclaimer

Carrier Delays & Events Beyond Our Control
We are not responsible for delays caused by carriers, severe weather, labor disputes, public health emergencies, or other events beyond our control. Once your order has shipped, delivery is subject to the carrier’s terms and conditions.

If your order is significantly delayed, please contact the carrier with your tracking number for the most accurate information. We will assist where possible but cannot issue refunds for shipping fees on packages that are in transit.

This kind of language became common after COVID-19 and continues to appear in many of the best examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples in 2024–2025.

Example of a fragile and temperature-sensitive goods shipping disclaimer

Fragile & Temperature-Sensitive Items
Certain products (including glass items and temperature-sensitive goods such as chocolates or skincare) may be affected by handling and weather conditions during transit. We package these items carefully and, when appropriate, ship with insulation or cold packs. However, we cannot guarantee that items will not be damaged, melted, or otherwise affected during shipping.

If your order arrives damaged, please contact us within 48 hours with photos of the packaging and product so we can assist with a replacement or store credit where appropriate.

If you sell food, cosmetics, or anything that can melt or freeze, this type of example of a shipping disclaimer is non-negotiable.

Example of a free shipping threshold disclaimer

Free Shipping Offers
Free standard shipping applies to orders that meet the advertised minimum purchase amount after discounts and before taxes and fees. Offer valid on qualifying orders shipped within the contiguous United States only, unless otherwise stated.

Free shipping promotions cannot be combined with certain other offers and may be changed or discontinued at any time without notice. Oversized or heavy items may be excluded from free shipping and will be clearly marked on the product page.

This language addresses the classic friction points: how the threshold is calculated, geographic limits, and exclusions.

Example of a lost, stolen, or misdelivered package disclaimer

Lost, Stolen, or Misdelivered Packages
If tracking information shows that your package was delivered but you have not received it, please first check with household members, neighbors, building management, or your local post office. In many cases, packages are located within 24–48 hours.

We are not responsible for packages marked as delivered by the carrier. For lost or misdelivered packages, you must file a claim directly with the carrier. We will assist you with documentation where possible but are unable to issue refunds for orders that show a confirmed delivery scan.

Among real examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples, this one is often the most emotionally charged. Customers hate hearing it, but clear wording here protects you from absorbing every porch-theft loss.

How to structure the best examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples

Looking across these real-world style samples, good shipping disclaimers tend to follow a repeatable structure. Instead of copying text blindly, think in terms of building blocks you can mix and match.

Key elements most strong shipping disclaimers include

Most of the best examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples tend to cover:

• Processing times: How long it takes you to pack and hand off the order, separate from carrier time.
• Estimated vs. guaranteed delivery: Clear language that estimated dates come from carriers and are not promises.
• Geographic limits: Where you will and will not ship (states, territories, countries).
• Carrier responsibility: What happens once the package is scanned by USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.
• Customs and duties: Who pays import taxes and what happens if the customer refuses delivery.
• Special items: Fragile, hazardous, perishable, or oversized goods and any extra conditions.
• Peak-season and force majeure: Holidays, pandemics, strikes, and weather.
• Lost or stolen packages: Your policy when tracking shows “delivered.”

You don’t need to use legal jargon. Short sentences and plain English almost always outperform dense, lawyerly paragraphs.

2024–2025 trends shaping shipping disclaimers

Several trends are pushing stores to update their shipping language:

• Carrier performance volatility: USPS, UPS, and FedEx all publish service alerts when weather or operational issues arise. Many merchants now link directly to these alerts from their shipping pages so customers can see independent confirmation of delays. For example, the U.S. Postal Service maintains a service alerts page at https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/.
• International customs transparency: As more small brands ship globally, they’re learning the hard way that vague “you may pay duties” language is not enough. Modern examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples often reference local customs authorities and encourage customers to check rates in advance.
• Sustainability and slow shipping options: Some brands now highlight slower, lower-carbon shipping options and explicitly state that these methods may take longer than standard carrier estimates.
• Public health and safety issues: While the acute phase of COVID-19 has passed, public health emergencies still affect logistics. Agencies like the CDC continue to publish guidance on travel and transportation disruptions (https://www.cdc.gov), and some merchants reference public health guidance when explaining potential delays.

Writing your own example of a clear e-commerce shipping disclaimer

Instead of copy-pasting, use the patterns above to write a shipping disclaimer that matches your operations.

Step 1: Separate processing time from delivery time

Customers routinely confuse “ships in 2 days” with “arrives in 2 days.” Your disclaimer should keep those concepts separate.

You might say:

Orders are processed within 2 business days. Delivery times listed at checkout (such as 2-Day or Overnight) refer to transit time after your order has shipped.

This simple line appears in many of the best examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples because it reduces refund requests from customers who misread “2-Day” as “two days from the moment I click buy.”

Step 2: Address your main risk areas

Look at your last 6–12 months of support tickets. Common categories include:

• “My package says delivered but I don’t have it.”
• “Why am I paying customs?”
• “I ordered in-stock and pre-order items together. Where’s the rest?”
• “The gift didn’t arrive by the holiday.”

Each of those complaints should have a sentence or short paragraph in your shipping disclaimer. Real examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples show that the best policies are written as direct responses to recurring customer confusion.

Step 3: Use consistent language across your site

Your shipping disclaimer should match what you say on:

• Product pages
• Cart and checkout
• Order confirmation emails
• FAQ / Help Center

If your cart says “Free 2-day shipping” but your disclaimer says “2–4 business days,” customers will assume the shorter promise is the real one and hold you to it. Consistency matters far more than fancy wording.

Step 4: Keep it readable and scannable

Think in short paragraphs and bolded phrases, not dense blocks. Many of the best examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples use formatting like:

• Bold section headers inside the paragraph (e.g., Processing Time, International Orders)
• Clear, plain verbs: “may,” “will,” “cannot,” “are responsible for”
• Direct instructions: “Contact the carrier,” “File a claim,” “Contact us within 48 hours”

If a customer can’t understand your policy in under a minute, you will pay for that in support time and refund disputes.

Legal context and consumer expectations

While most small stores do not need a law firm to draft their shipping disclaimer, it’s worth understanding the broader consumer protection backdrop.

In the United States, agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulate advertising and shipping promises. The FTC’s Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule requires that sellers ship within the time they state or, if no time is stated, within 30 days. You can read more on the FTC’s website at https://www.ftc.gov by searching for the Mail Order Rule.

Customers also bring their own expectations shaped by big-box retailers and marketplaces. If Amazon can show a guaranteed delivery date, they expect similar accuracy from you, even if you’re running a two-person shop. That’s why realistic timelines and clear disclaimers matter.

Good examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples don’t try to hide behind legalese. Instead, they:

• Set conservative expectations
• Warn about areas of uncertainty (customs, weather, strikes)
• Offer clear next steps when something goes wrong

If you operate in multiple countries, you may also want to review local e-commerce and consumer protection rules or talk to counsel familiar with cross-border trade.

FAQ: Shipping disclaimer examples and best practices

What are some common examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples used by online stores?

Common examples include statements that processing times are separate from shipping times, that delivery dates are estimates only, that international customers are responsible for customs duties, and that the seller is not liable for delays caused by carriers or events beyond their control. Many stores also include an example of a policy for lost or stolen packages, explaining that customers must work with the carrier to file claims.

Can you give an example of a short shipping disclaimer for a small store?

A short, plain-English version might say: “Orders ship in 2–3 business days. Delivery dates are estimates from the carrier and are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for delays once your package has been handed to the carrier. International customers are responsible for any customs fees or taxes.” This captures the spirit of many of the best examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples in a compact format.

Where should I put my shipping disclaimer on my website?

Most stores place their shipping disclaimer on a dedicated Shipping & Delivery or Shipping Policy page, link to it in the footer, and repeat key lines at checkout. Some also summarize important parts (like holiday cutoffs or customs duties) in the cart or on product pages. The pattern you see in real examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples is: full detail on a policy page, plus short reminders where decisions are made.

Do I need a lawyer to write my shipping disclaimer?

Many small and mid-size e-commerce businesses draft their own shipping language using patterns similar to the examples above, then ask a lawyer to review it if they operate in heavily regulated categories (like medical devices, supplements, or hazardous goods) or multiple countries. For general consumer goods, well-structured, honest language modeled on the best examples of e-commerce shipping disclaimer examples is usually a strong starting point, but this is not legal advice.

How often should I update my shipping disclaimer?

At minimum, review it annually, and any time you change carriers, service levels, or geographic coverage. Merchants who ship internationally often revise their policies more frequently as customs patterns, carrier performance, and global events shift. If you add pre-orders, subscriptions, or temperature-sensitive products, add new sections with clear examples so customers know what to expect.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations may change, and they can vary by jurisdiction. For guidance tailored to your situation, consult a qualified attorney familiar with e-commerce and consumer protection law.