Shipping policy

Shipping Policy

Thank you for ordering from The Cardboard Engineer. We carefully prepare each kit so it arrives complete and ready to build.

Where We Ship

We currently ship to addresses within the United States.

Available shipping destinations and methods will be displayed during checkout. We do not currently offer international shipping.

Order Processing

Orders are generally prepared and shipped within [5–7 business days] after payment is confirmed.

Business days do not include weekends or federal holidays. Processing may take longer during product launches, holidays, unusually high order volumes, or other circumstances disclosed on the product page.

The processing period is the time required to prepare your order. It does not include the carrier’s transit time after the package has shipped.

Preorders and Backordered Products

Products identified as preorders or backorders will have an estimated shipping timeframe listed on the product page.

When an order contains both an in-stock product and a preorder product, the entire order may be held until all items are available unless otherwise stated.

Estimated preorder dates may change. If a significant delay occurs, we will contact you with updated information and the available options.

Shipping Rates

Shipping charges are calculated and displayed at checkout before payment is completed.

Any free-shipping promotion will be subject to the terms stated with that promotion.

Delivery Estimates

Estimated delivery times are provided during checkout or in your shipping-confirmation email. These are estimates rather than guaranteed arrival dates.

Carrier delays caused by weather, service disruptions, holidays, or other circumstances outside our control may affect delivery.

If we cannot ship your order within the timeframe we promised, we will contact you and provide the option to accept the delay or cancel the unshipped order for a refund, as required by applicable law. Federal rules generally require online sellers to have a reasonable basis for advertised shipping times; when no shipping time is stated, the default is generally 30 days.

Tracking Information

When tracking is available, you will receive a shipping-confirmation email containing the tracking number.

Tracking information may take up to 48 hours to begin updating after the carrier receives the package.

Shipping Addresses

Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address during checkout.

Contact us immediately at derek@thecardboardengineer.com if you notice an error. We will make a reasonable effort to update the address, but we cannot guarantee that changes can be made after an order begins processing.

Additional shipping charges resulting from an incorrect or incomplete customer-provided address may be the customer’s responsibility.

Packages Marked Delivered

If tracking shows that your package was delivered but you cannot locate it:

  1. Check around the delivery location and with other members of your household.
  2. Check with nearby neighbors, building management, or the mailroom.
  3. Allow one additional business day, because carriers occasionally mark packages delivered shortly before the final delivery.
  4. Contact the shipping carrier using the tracking number.
  5. Contact us if the package still cannot be located.

We will help review the available tracking information, but replacement or refund eligibility will depend on the circumstances and the carrier’s investigation.

Lost Packages

Contact us at derek@thecardboardengineer.com if tracking has not updated for an unusual length of time or the package appears to have been lost in transit.

We may ask you to cooperate with a carrier investigation before issuing a replacement or refund.

Damaged, Incorrect, or Incomplete Orders

Inspect your order promptly after delivery.

If the package arrives damaged, the wrong product was sent, or required pieces are missing, contact us within 7 days of delivery. Include:

  • Your order number
  • A description of the issue
  • Photographs of the product
  • Photographs of the shipping package and label, when relevant

Approved resolutions may include replacement pieces, a replacement kit, or a full or partial refund. Please retain the product and packaging until we have reviewed your request.

For additional information, see our Return and Refund Policy.