Shipping policy

Here is a tailored Shipping Policy that cleanly addresses print-on-demand fulfillment, separated production vs. transit windows, weight-based calculations, and multi-vendor split shipments.

Shipping Policy Template

Shipping Policy

Thank you for ordering from Keaton Consulting. Because our publications and branded merchandise are printed on demand to maintain strict quality standards, items are produced specifically for you upon purchase.

Please review our fulfillment timelines, shipping rates, and delivery expectations below:

1. Production vs. Shipping Transit Time

Every physical order involves two distinct stages:

  • Production / Printing Time: Before an item ships, it must be produced. Print-on-demand books and custom products typically require 3 to 7 business days to print, bind, and package.

  • Shipping Transit Time: Once printed and handed to the postal carrier or freight partner, transit times vary by destination:

    • Domestic (US): Typically 3 to 8 business days depending on the selected carrier tier.

    • International: Typically 10 to 21 business days depending on regional routing and customs clearance.

Note: Production times may occasionally extend during peak holiday seasons or industry supply chain constraints.

2. Shipping Rates & Calculations

Shipping costs are calculated automatically at checkout based on the specific items in your cart:

  • Books & Publications (Fulfillment via Bookvault): Shipping rates are calculated strictly by total package weight and delivery destination to ensure accurate carrier pass-through rates.

  • Branded Items & Merchandise (Fulfillment via Printful): Standard live carrier rates or flat-tier rates are calculated at checkout based on package dimensions and destination.

3. Multiple Packages / Split Shipments

If your order contains different types of items (for example, a printed publication produced via Bookvault alongside merchandise produced via Printful), your items may be printed in different facilities and ship separately.

  • You will receive distinct tracking numbers for each shipment as it leaves its respective facility.

  • You are only charged the shipping total calculated during checkout; no additional shipping charges will apply for split fulfillment.

4. Tracking Your Order

As soon as an item is printed and a shipping label is generated, a confirmation email containing carrier tracking information will be sent to the email address provided at checkout. Please allow up to 24 to 48 hours after receiving your tracking number for the carrier to scan the parcel and update the tracking status.

5. Customs, Duties, and Taxes (International Orders)

For deliveries outside the United States, shipments may be subject to import duties, value-added taxes (VAT), or customs fees once the parcel arrives in your destination country. Keaton Consulting is not responsible for customs fees or delays incurred during international customs clearance.

6. Lost, Misdelivered, or Damaged Shipments

  • Address Accuracy: Please double-check your shipping address prior to placing an order. We cannot redirect packages or issue replacements for orders delivered to incorrect addresses entered at checkout.

  • Damage in Transit: If an item arrives physically damaged from shipping, notify us within 7 days of delivery at books@keatonconsulting.com with your order number and clear photos of the damaged item and packaging so we can coordinate a reprint with our production partners.