Shopify Shipping Policy – Examples, Templates, & Step-By-Step Guide

Online retailers are always on the run looking for ways to increase order volumes for their online stores – a powerful metric that translates to more profits. But what many seem to forget is that all this starts with a question of trust.

Trust begins with being transparent – and in the world of ecommerce, transparency as regards the limits of your accountabilities will help establish a sense of trust among your customers. This is where a Shopify shipping policy comes in.

Therefore, publishing a shipping policy on your Shopify website is a must, especially if you want to gain customer trust. Making it as transparent as possible greatly helps in managing customer expectations, and alleviates any possible doubts.

But here’s the thing, you don’t have to create a shipping policy from scratch. In fact, there are readily-available templates that you can tweak to suit your online store. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into creating and optimizing Shopify pages for shipping policies, providing you with templates and examples to eliminate the guesswork. And before the end, we’ll teach you how to add a Shopify shipping policy to your online store.

So if this sounds good to you, let’s jump right in!

What Is A Shopify Shipping Policy & Why Do You Need One?

A Shopify shipping policy is a clearly written document or webpage that outlines the shipping practices, options, and expectations for an online store operating on Shopify. It serves as a transparent guide for customers, providing crucial details about shipping rates, methods, estimated delivery times, and any applicable restrictions or conditions.

In some Shopify stores, this is called “Shipping and Returns”. As such, it also explains the return process in case the customer is unsatisfied with the product or for any other reason acceptable by the policy.

Below are important reasons why you need a shipping policy in your Shopify store.

It Provides Customers With Details About Your Shipping Process

Online shoppers usually search for shipping policies to know more about shipping costs, the available shipping options, processing time, payment methods, and delivery timelines before making an order. This helps in answering the most frequently asked questions about shipping as well as preventing unnecessary complaints in advance.

It Makes Your Online Store Legit and Trustable

Having a detailed shipping policy that’s easy to understand openly communicates that your eCommerce store is legit, reliable, and transparent – the most basic requirement to establish trust. It helps in creating a mind map for your potential buyers just before they decide to make a purchase.

It Highlights Other Important Store Policies and Protects Your Business

Apart from delivering essential shipping details to your customers, shipping policy pages serve a crucial role in underscoring key store policies related to returns, damages, foreign exchanges, and international transactions. Insights from recent retail marketing studies indicate that a significant portion of online shoppers review a store's return policy prior to placing an order. This trend underscores the potential for increased revenue for businesses that incorporate reverse logistics within their shipping policy framework, offering a strong value proposition to their customer base.

It Improves Customer Loyalty

It’s now evident that having a detailed shipping policy statement on your eCommerce website encourages new buyers to hit the “Order” button. What you might not be aware of is that updating your Shopify shipping policy page and consistently working to improve your shipping process increases customer loyalty. It’s a factor that determines if your new customer will become a repeat buyer.

Must-Have Elements Of A Shopify Shipping Policy Template

As mentioned at the beginning, you don’t have to write your shipping policy from scratch as there are readily-available ones online that you can simply fill-in your details and apply to your store.

However, even though you can easily grab a Shopify shipping policy template, there are things that you should consider when choosing one.

Your shipping policy needs to be both detailed and concise. For maximum effectiveness, consider integrating it into your Shopify FAQ page. This approach allows customers to find answers to shipping-related questions, such as delivery timelines and return policies, alongside other commonly asked queries in one central location.

Here are the non-negotiable elements that must be present in a Shopify shipping policy template:

• Shipping conditions
• Shipping costs, methods, and processing times
• Shipping restrictions
• Estimated delivery time
• Returns and refunds

Let’s now delve a little deeper into these elements so you can better understand them.

Shipping Conditions

Shipping always includes a lot of variables that are mostly out of our control, especially when you have to deal with a lost package or any delivery exception. Keeping the client at ease during such occurrences might seem hard but it can easily be done through your shipping policy.

All you have to do is provide them with clear directions on how to report either missing or lost goods.  Remember to include active contacts for quick follow-ups.  

Shipping Costs, Methods, and Processing Times

Whether you are shipping locally or to the rest of the world, you’ll need to be clear about shipping costs. It’s usually the first thing that customers always look for in shipping policies.

This element combined with a highlight of available shipping methods as well as specific processing times, gives your customers a rough idea of what to expect to pay during check out. For more usability, you must consider providing this information in a tabulated format.

This will make it very easy for your potential buyers to quickly compare and identify the best shipping method that’s both convenient and affordable, depending on their budget. Consider adding an estimated delivery period slot for each shipping method for more value.

One more thing to consider about shipping costs is that they should be provided in the cart page when your customers choose a product to buy – or better, you can provide free shipping, which you can absorb in your pricing, to improve the chances of generating sales.

Shipping Restrictions

Different online stores often vary in terms of shipping capacity. Including a quick highlight of your shipping restrictions on the policy, the page adds to your credibility in the eyes of potential prospects. For instance, including a list of shipping destinations in your policy enables customers to self-evaluate their area of residence based on the provided geographical restriction.

Returns and Refunds

The majority of online shoppers are always interested in knowing more about your returns and refund policy before making a purchase. Most online store owners are continually finding it easier to highlight as part of their shipping policy since it’s the first thing that ready-to-buy customers look for. Including it in your policy makes it easier for customers to locate specific returns and exchange information that matters most to them. Some of the main essentials for this section generally include return processing timelines and refund qualification criteria. Ideally, this information guarantees value for money and gives customers peace of mind even before they place an order.

International Shipping

If you’re serving customers from all over the world, you must include a clear statement about international shipping. This section mainly includes details about freight partners responsible for handling foreign shipments, custom taxes, import duties, and who’ll be paying the additional shipping fees.

Shipping Policy Template Samples From Shopify Themes

Now that you know the details that must be included in your Shopify shipping policy, let us now look at the templates that you can use on your online store.

These shipping policy templates are from the Shopify themes that you can access via the Shopify theme store.

Impulse Theme Shipping Policy Template

https://impulse-theme-fashion.myshopify.com/pages/faq

Based on the Impulse Shopify theme for online stores, this shipping policy template mainly includes detailed information about returns and refunds. It gives a broad highlight of non-returnable goods, return costs, the validity of the return, and refund details. It summarizes the policy with very concise shipping information with details on who will pay for shipping and when to expect an exchange.

Takeaway: It’s one of the best shipping policy templates for emphasizing on particular policy section e.g., refunds.

Warehouse Theme Shipping Policy Template

https://warehouse-theme-metal.myshopify.com/pages/faq

Adapted from the Warehouse Shopify theme, this policy template contains quick shipping and returns policy highlights. It’s heavily summarized but detailed enough to provide customers with relevant information about shipping restrictions, estimated delivery times, shipping costs, and return instructions.

Takeaway: This Shopify shipping template is perfect for online stores that only sell one type of product within a specific region.

Empire Theme Shipping Policy Template

https://empire-theme-supply.myshopify.com/pages/faq

The empire theme’s Shopify shipping template offers a comprehensive information covering order tracking, shipping, and returns. This is the ideal shipping policy page to have in an online store as it does not leave any question on the table. All information that the customer needs to know is provided, thereby increasing their confidence in buying from your store.

Takeaway: The template offers complete information to bolster trust among your target customers.

Iconic Theme Shipping Policy Template

https://themes.shopify.com/themes/icon/styles/dolce/preview

The Iconic theme features a return policy link at the footer. The template opens up to a very detailed shipping policy page that gives directions, reasons, eligibility, and processing times if a customer wants to return a package. This is a good approach because honoring customer returns is part of the business. As such, you must be clear about your return policies to give customers the peace of mind that they can return their products if needed.

Takeaway: It’s an elegant policy template that’s meant to maintain focus on your products and goods.

Blum Theme FAQ Page Template

https://blum-celia.myshopify.com/pages/frequently-asked-questions

The Celia theme style under the Blum Shopify theme provides a well-designed Shipping & Return Policies section in its FAQ Page.

The shipping section answers crucial information such as shipping coverage, time, refunds, returns, and damaged items. As such, this will give your business a comprehensive slate to thoroughly explain the coverage of your accountability.

Takeaway: this shipping policy sample is perfect for stores that have huge product catalogs, as it provides detailed shipping information for its wide target markets.

Shine Theme Shipping Policy

https://themes.shopify.com/themes/shine/styles/sophisticated/preview

Shine theme’s shipping policy follows the same gradient color theme applied throughout the website, making it easy and familiar to read.

But more than just how it is designed, the page provides detailed information about expedited shipping, free shipping, loss in transit, taxes and custom fees, and damaged items.

Takeaway: This type of shipping policy is, as plain as it may seem, provides clear expectations to your customers. As such, it puts your customers’ minds at ease when they order from you as no questions about shipping are left unanswered.

Electro Theme Shipping Policy

https://themes.shopify.com/themes/electro/styles/audio/preview

Electro theme’s shipping policy is as detailed as can be – which is appropriate considering the sensitivity of shipping electronic devices which are prone to damage due to drop and other types of mishandling.

It also provides contact details in case of any shipping concerns which helps the customers put their minds at ease when they order from your store.

Takeaway: Electronic products are usually pricier than common goods such as apparels. As such, a detailed shipping policy is of utmost importance to make your customers understand the extent of your liabilities.

Free Shipping Template From Shopify

The templates provided above are those of their respective themes. Thus, for example, you can only use the Blum theme’s Shopify shipping template if it’s the theme that you’re using. Therefore, you should be wise in choosing a Shopify theme if you are very particular about this page.

You can also check the theme that you’re currently using if it has an existing shipping policy template for Shopify.

Nevertheless, you can always download a shipping template directly from Shopify.

Based on our experience, pre-made Shopify templates such as shipping policy, terms and conditions, and privacy policy are well-made. As such, it’s your best bet if you’re looking for an acceptable shipping policy for your store.

Additionally, you can also consult your legal team to confirm if your store’s shipping policy complies with your country’s consumer protection laws.

Adding A Shipping Policy Template For Shopify - Step-By-Step Guide

Now, you have a choice whether to use your theme’s pre-made shipping template or download one from Shopify.

But how do you actually add a shipping policy template for Shopify on your online store?

Here are the steps.

Step 1: Launch Your Shopify Admin

To add a Shopify shipping policy template, you must first login to your Shopify admin.

Step 2: Go To Policy Settings

Click Settings from the Shopify admin – you can find it in the lower-left corner. You will then be redirected to the settings page. From which, you should select Policies.

Click any of the choices provided. For this case, either Return and refund policy as well as the Shipping policy.

As you can see this is also where you add other important pages for GDPR compliance:

• Privacy policy
• Terms of service

Step 3: Paste The Shopify Shipping Policy

For return and refund policy, you have the option to insert a template from your existing theme. But if you chose the free shipping template from Shopify, simply paste it in the corresponding field.

Step 4: Review & Hit Publish

After pasting the Shopify shipping policy, check the text structure and apply the proper headings using your Shopify page builder. Tools like Shopify’s built-in page builder or third-party apps can help you create visually appealing and user-friendly pages that enhance your store’s professionalism.

Best Shopify Shipping Policy Example To Emulate

Let’s take a look at these shipping policy examples to see how other brands write these pages.

Tushy

Tushy is among the quirkiest Shopify brands we’ve known. From creative web copy and eye-catching designs, they truly know how to run an online store. And this knowledge extends to their shipping policy.

This shipping policy example by Tushy is one worth emulating as they provide complete information based on frequently asked questions by their customers.

Package Free

The Package Free store is an eco-friendly eCommerce brand that’s on a mission to make the world a cleaner place by selling package-free beauty and household products.

Their Shopify shipping policy page is another great example for those who are interested in using the Q&A format in creating their legal policy page. Their shipping policy is easily accessible from the FAQ page and as you can see from the image above, it offers multiple questions that cover information that the customers might want to know.

Hiut Denim

The Hiut Denim is a U.K.-based online store that also ships jeans throughout the world. Their shipping info page is both easy to access, follow, and understand. Some of the main essential elements covered by this page include available shipping options, delivery time frames, processing periods, returns, and refunds.

Chilly’s

Chilly’s is a popular drinkware company that sells artisan water bottles. They feature separate pages for their shipping policy and return policy.

Pictured above is their shipping policy. This shipping policy example, as clean-looking as it may seem, actually offers a wealth of information that their customers would want to know.

Thus, if you want a simplistic Shopify shipping policy page, you should consider this approach.

How To Build A Custom Shipping Policy Page On Shopify

Are you having a hard time designing your Shopify shipping policy page by yourself? Worry not because doing so on Shopify is very easy.

This video from Shopify Academy explains why you should tailor your shipping policy to your business. It also enumerates the details that need to be included in your shipping policy page.

Watch the short video here:

Conclusion: The Best Shipping Policy For Shopify Is One That’s Fair & Honest

Shipping policies are needed not just to protect you, the merchant, but also to protect your customers from unexpected shipping costs, product damages while in transit, and other unforeseen events that might lead to loss. As such, the best shipping policy for Shopify must not be biased towards you as the merchant but it must be fair towards your customers.

Moreover, the best shipping policy for Shopify is honest, as it ensures transparency about costs, delivery times, and limitations, leaving no room for surprises or misunderstandings. An honest policy not only fosters credibility but also sets realistic expectations, which can reduce cart abandonment and customer dissatisfaction.

Furthermore, an honest shipping policy also shows that your business values its relationship with customers, treating them as partners in the transaction. This approach can significantly enhance your reputation, leading to positive reviews, repeat purchases, and long-term loyalty.

Ultimately, honesty and fairness in your shipping policy aligns with the principles of good customer service, creating a strong foundation for a thriving and reliable e-commerce business.