How to Write a Kickass Shopify Shipping Policy (Examples + Free Template)

A customer is always one click away from buying. They scroll down, look for shipping cost and delivery time, find nothing, and leave. 

I've watched this exact drop-off play out in heatmaps on stores I've worked with, and it's one of the most fixable conversion leaks out there.

A Shopify shipping policy is the page that answers "how much will this cost me and when will it arrive?" before a customer has to ask. 

At minimum, it should state your order processing time, shipping rates, delivery estimates, and how you handle returns and lost packages. Get those four things right, and you'll cut support emails, reduce chargebacks, and give buyers the confidence to check out.

I've written and rewritten dozens of these. Below are the Shopify shipping policy templates I actually use, real examples worth copying, and the exact steps to publish your policy in your Shopify admin.

Why does a Shopify shipping policy affect your bottom line?

Shipping questions are the number one thing customers email about. 

• "Where's my order?" 
• "Do you ship to New York?" 
• "Why is shipping so expensive?" 

Every one of these questions is a sales opportunity that you missed. 

A clear Shopify shipping policy works as a salesperson. It sets expectations so nobody feels misled when an order takes seven days instead of two. 

Around two-thirds of online shoppers have said return policies have impacted their purchase [2026 Source: FedEx Survey]. A missing or vague policy kills conversions you never see in your reports.

The 7 things every Shopify shipping policy must cover

1. Order processing time

This is the gap between "order placed" and "package shipped." Most stores need one to three business days. 

State it clearly and separately from delivery time, because customers conflate the two and then feel cheated.

2. Shipping rates and free shipping threshold

Spell out what the shipping costs are. Flat rate, real-time carrier rates, free over a threshold, whatever you run. A free shipping bar at checkout also nudges customers to hit that threshold without you having to lift a finger..

3. Delivery estimates by region

Give a range in timings, not a promise. "Standard shipping arrives in 3 to 7 business days" protects you better than "ships in 3 days." Break it out by domestic and international if your timelines differ.

4. Shipping destinations and restrictions

List where you ship and where you don't. If you can't ship certain products (lithium batteries, liquids, oversized items) to specific regions, say so here.

5. Order tracking

Tell customers when they'll get a tracking number and where it comes from. Shopify sends shipping confirmation emails automatically once you mark an order as fulfilled, so set the expectation that the email is on its way.

6. Lost, delayed, and damaged packages

This is the section most merchants forget, and it's the one that saves you. State who is responsible once the carrier takes over, how long a customer should wait before reporting a missing package, and what you'll do about damage.

7. Returns, exchanges, and refunds

Shipping and returns are joined in a customer's mind. Either cover your return basics here or link to a dedicated return policy page so the loop closes.

Your policy says "X Business Days." Stellar lets customers pick the exact day

Giving customers a date picker at checkout to choose their preferred delivery date increases your conversions. Stellar adds a scheduling calendar directly to your product pages and checkout, so customers commit to a date they want rather than wondering when the box will show up.

Fewer "where's my order" emails, fewer missed deliveries, and a checkout experience that feels more like ordering from a pro. It's free to start and carries the Built for Shopify badge, so it works cleanly with your existing setup.

Shopify shipping policy templates (Copy and paste)

Pick the one that matches how you ship, swap in your real numbers, and you're done. Replace anything in brackets.

✅ Free shipping policy template

Shipping Policy

We offer free standard shipping on all orders within [country]. No minimum purchase required.

Processing time: Orders are processed within [1 to 2] business days. Orders placed on weekends or holidays ship the next business day.

Delivery time: Standard shipping arrives in [3 to 7] business days after processing.

Tracking: You'll receive a tracking number by email as soon as your order ships.

Questions? Contact us at [email], and we'll respond within [24 hours].

✅ Flat rate shipping policy template

Shipping Policy

We charge a flat rate of [$5.99] for shipping on all domestic orders, regardless of order size.

Processing time: Orders are processed within [1 to 3] business days.

Delivery time: Most orders arrive within [4 to 8] business days after they ship.

International: We ship to [list regions]. International flat rate is [$15], and delivery takes [10 to 21] business days. Customs duties and import taxes are the customer's responsibility.

Tracking: A tracking link is emailed to you once your order leaves our warehouse.

✅ Tiered / free-over-threshold template

Shipping Policy

Processing time: [1 to 2] business days.

Delivery time: Standard shipping arrives in [3 to 6] business days.

Expedited: Need it faster? Choose expedited shipping at checkout for [$14.99], delivered in [2 to 3] business days.

Tracking: Tracking details are sent by email upon fulfilment.

✅ International shipping policy template

International Shipping Policy

We ship worldwide. Here's what to expect outside [home country]:

Rates: Calculated at checkout based on destination and weight.

Delivery time: [10 to 21] business days, depending on your country and local customs processing.

Customs and duties: Import duties, taxes, and customs fees are not included in your order total and are the customer's responsibility. These are charged by your local customs office on delivery.

Tracking: International tracking is provided, but may update slowly once a package leaves [home country].

Restrictions: We can't ship [restricted items] to [restricted regions].

✅ Comprehensive all-in-one template

Shipping Policy

Thanks for shopping with [store name]. Here's everything you need to know about how we ship your order.

Order processing: All orders are processed within [1 to 3] business days, excluding weekends and holidays. You'll get a confirmation email with tracking once your order ships.

Domestic shipping rates and times

International shipping: We ship to [list regions]. Rates are calculated at checkout. Delivery takes [10 to 21] business days. Customs duties and import taxes are the customer's responsibility.

Lost or delayed packages. If your tracking hasn't been updated in [7] business days, email us at [email]. For packages marked delivered but not received, please check with neighbors and your local carrier first, then contact us within [7] days.

Damaged orders. If your order arrives damaged, email a photo to [email] within [48 hours] of delivery, and we'll arrange a replacement or refund.

Returns: See our [Return Policy] for full details on returns and exchanges.

Real Shopify shipping policy examples worth studying

Templates get you 90% there. Looking at how real stores phrase things gets you the rest.

Brands like Allbirds and Gymshark keep their policies short and scannable, leading with free shipping thresholds and clear delivery windows in plain language. 

Here’s a Shopify shipping policy example of Allbirds.

The lesson: front-load the information customers care about most, which is almost always cost and timing.

On the other end, stores selling fragile or high-value goods write longer policies with explicit damage-claim windows and signature-on-delivery terms. 

If you sell furniture, electronics, or anything breakable, borrow that detail. The extra specificity prevents the disputes that eat your margin.

How to add your Shipping policy on Shopify? (5 Steps)

✅ Open your policy settings. 

From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Policies. You'll see fields for refund, privacy, terms of service, and shipping policy.

✅ Paste and save your policy

Drop your finished template into the shipping policy field. The built-in editor lets you add headings, bold text, bullet points, and tables, so format it for skimming.

Click Save, and Shopify automatically creates a hosted page at yourstore.com/policies/shipping-policy.

✅ Link it in your footer

Go to Content > Menus, open your footer menu, click Add menu item, name it "Shipping Policy," and search for the policy to link it.

✅ Surface it at key moments

Shopify already shows a shipping policy link on product pages and in the cart for most current themes. Add it to your FAQ page and order confirmation emails too, since that's where shipping questions actually come up.

One note on shipping policy generators: free tools can spit out a starting draft, but they produce generic language that rarely matches how you actually ship. 

Use one as a rough draft if you want, then edit in your real processing times, rates, and contact details before you publish.

Mistakes that make a shipping policy for Shopify backfire

• Promising speed you can't hit is the big one. "Ships in 24 hours" sounds great until you're slammed and ship your products in three days. Use ranges and pad them slightly.
• Burying the policy is another. A perfect policy that nobody can find does nothing. It belongs in the footer, on product pages, and one click from checkout.
• Leaving out the lost-package and damage sections. That's where disputes live, and a vague policy means you eat everyone. Spell out the rules before you need them.

Your shipping policy for Shopify should grow with you

Treat your Shopify shipping policy page as a living document. As you add international shipping, change carriers, or run free-shipping promotions, update the policy the same day so it never contradicts what customers see at checkout.

A Shopify shipping policy that matches reality is one of the cheapest trust signals you can build. It pays you back every time a customer reads it instead of emailing you.

FAQs

1. Does Shopify require a shipping policy?

Shopify doesn't force you to have one, but you should treat it as required. It builds trust, cuts support emails, and gives you a document to point to during disputes. Most payment processors also expect clear shipping terms when a customer files a chargeback.

2. How to add a shipping policy in Shopify?

Go to Settings > Policies > Shipping policy in your Shopify admin, paste your policy into the shipping policy field, and save. Shopify hosts the page automatically and links it to your checkout. 

3. How to add a shipping policy to your store menu?

From the Shopify left navigation, go to Content > Menus and add it to your footer menu for extra visibility.

4. Can I use a free shipping policy generator for Shopify?

You can, and it's a fine way to get a first draft. Just don't publish the output as-is. Generators produce generic language, so edit in your real processing times, rates, delivery windows, and contact info before it goes live.

5. What should a Shopify shipping policy include?

Cover processing time, shipping rates, delivery estimates, destinations and restrictions, tracking, lost or damaged package handling, and returns. Those seven points answer almost every shipping question a customer has before they buy.

6. Should I offer free shipping on my Shopify store?

Free shipping lifts conversions, but only if the math works. The common move is a free-shipping threshold set slightly above your average order value, which nudges customers to add one more item and protects your margin while still advertising "free shipping."

About the author

Vineet Nair

Vineet is an experienced content strategist with expertise in the ecommerce domain and a keen interest in Shopify. He aims to help Shopify merchants thrive in this competitive environment with technical solutions and thoughtfully structured content.