Shipping policy

Last updated: October 9, 2026

We pack every order carefully so your plants arrive healthy and ready to grow. This policy is part of our Terms of Service.

1. Where we ship

We ship within the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and APO/FPO/DPO military addresses. We do not ship internationally at this time. Some plants cannot be shipped to certain states because of local plant laws. We may cancel and refund any item we cannot lawfully ship to your address.

2. Processing time

  • Most orders are processed within 1 to 2 business days after payment.
  • Orders placed on weekends or holidays are processed the next business day.
  • Pre-order, backorder and out-of-stock items need extra time and ship when available.
  • We email tracking information as soon as your order ships.

3. Shipping methods and schedule

  • USPS (2 to 5 business days). Plant orders ship by USPS Monday through Saturday.
  • UPS 2nd Day Air® and UPS Next Day Air®. UPS orders ship only on days that let them arrive the same week, so they don't sit in a warehouse over the weekend. UPS 2nd Day Air® ships Monday through Wednesday; for same-week delivery, order by Tuesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time. UPS Next Day Air® ships Monday through Thursday; for same-week delivery, order by Wednesday at 6:00 AM Pacific Time. UPS 2nd Day Air® is not guaranteed during carrier delays, weather disruptions or operational issues. UPS Next Day Air® is covered by UPS's own service guarantee.
  • Live animals (when offered) ship Monday through Wednesday only. Handling can take 1 to 5 business days, depending on weather, the animals' health and the destination.

Current shipping rates and options are shown at checkout.

4. Free shipping

Orders of $150 or more (after discounts) ship free by USPS within the contiguous United States. Free shipping does not apply to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands or military addresses. These destinations have a flat USPS rate shown at checkout.

5. Thermal protection and weather holds

Every shipment includes free thermal protection, all year round, at no extra charge. Thermal protection helps plants handle normal temperature swings in transit, but it cannot prevent every weather-related loss.

To protect live plants, we may hold an order for a few days during extreme heat or cold at our facility, along the route or at your address. We will ship as soon as conditions are safe. Please email us if you have questions about a hold.

6. Delivery estimates

Delivery times are estimates from the carrier, not guarantees. Weather, carrier delays, high shipping volume and other disruptions can affect them. We are not responsible for delays caused by carriers. If your live goods arrive alive after a delay, the order is considered delivered.

7. Receiving your order

Please watch your tracking and bring live goods indoors and unpack them the day they arrive. Packages left outside, refused, held at a carrier facility at your request or not picked up are not covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

8. Lost packages

A package is considered lost only after 15 business days (about 3 weeks) from the ship date. Please contact us and we will open a claim with the carrier. If the carrier confirms the package is lost, we will offer a 50/50 replacement: we pay half the cost of the replacement items, and you pay the other half plus shipping. If tracking shows the package was delivered, it is not considered lost. We cannot replace packages that were delivered and later went missing.

9. Address accuracy

You are responsible for giving us a complete and accurate shipping address, including any apartment or suite number. If an order comes back to us because of an incorrect or undeliverable address, refused delivery or failed delivery attempts, live goods cannot be refunded or reshipped for free. If you notice a mistake, email us right away. We can update the address only before the order ships.

10. Cancellations and returns

Orders can be changed or cancelled only before we begin processing them. All sales of live goods are final. See our Returns, Refunds & Live Arrival Guarantee for details.

Questions about shipping? Email hello@aquariumplantsfactory.com before you order and we'll be happy to help.