We ship USPS first class mail or priority, depending on weight. We may occasionally ship via UPS or Fedex if your address can be serviced by those companies or if the rate or speed is better. US orders typically arrive within 1-5 business days and international orders (destinations outside the Unites States) arrive in 6-30 business days.

If you need your order to arrive quickly, please select a shipping speed upgrade at checkout. Once on the checkout page, and after you've entered your shipping address, there is a drop down menu called "Shipping Method:" the default is our cheapest option but you may click the menu to expand it and show expedited shipping options. 

Please check with us before ordering a custom or made to order item to verify that we can ship it within your needed timeframe. 

We work quickly to ship your order on time. Refer to each individual listing (with the little package icon) for the time it takes us to make, package, and ship each item. If you purchase multiple products in an order, the item with the longest processing time is the time you should keep in mind for how long it could take us to process your order. We cannot make guarantees regarding the shipping speed since that is dependent on the shipping company, not us.

If the studio is closed for any reason, you can still place orders and reach us via email or contact form with questions as usual. If the studio is closed, the banner at the top of the page will indicate the duration, as will your order confirmation email.  

International Shipping

Shipping times may vary depending on your local shipping company and possible delays at customs. Note that we do not pay any duties, customs fees, or any other associated fees. These are the responsibility of the buyer if their country charges these types of fees. Please be aware of customs information including any fees that may be incurred on your end before purchasing. This information can be found at your local post office or on the web. Items forcibly returned to us due to you not paying the taxes your country imposes will result in a refund less the cost of shipping and a 20% restocking fee. However, if the item was custom made for you and you forcibly return it, we cannot issue a refund and will request that you have the order reshipped at your expense.

Also note that often, postal carriers will not directly deliver your package to your house. Instead, they will (sometimes) deliver a slip to your mailbox informing you that it is time to collect your item at the post office. Regulations and processes vary internationally, so please direct questions about the process directly to your local postal carrier. We advise that you keep track of the progress of your order so that if your carrier does not inform you that the package has made it to your local area, you are able to collect your package before it is sent back to us. If the package is sent back to us via this method, that is called a forced return and the policy on that is detailed in the return and refund policy. 

Shipping Problems

If the tracking indicates that your order was delivered, the item is considered delivered. Please ask neighbors, doormen, and your local post office about the whereabouts of the package (you have the tracking number) if you cannot locate it. Check with housemates, behind obstacles, and around your entrance for the package.

If you cannot locate the package, please ask your post office (this is the one that delivers your mail, and it may not be the location that is closest to you) for GPS coordinates of the delivery to verify correct delivery address. If they admit fault, we will replace your order. If the package was delivered properly, we will require a police report detailing theft in order to replace your order. If the post office loses your package, please file a missing package report with the post office. If they declare it is lost, we will replace your order. We can assist you with filing the report if needed, just email us. Missing mail can take up to 90 days to process and by purchasing, you agree to wait this long before receiving a free replacement. 

For assistance and to arrange for a replacement (if applicable), you must notify Because Science of the missing, but marked delivered, package within five business days of the delivery date noted in the tracking. If the item arrives damaged, please send a description or photo of the damage and we can work out a replacement or refund. Damage claims must be submitted within five business days of delivery.

Packaging

Small items made in our studio ship in a gift box. If you need a gift note, just leave a message detailing your request in the text box at checkout: It will be handwritten in a mini notecard. 

Items used to ship your order are recyclable and many have been reused from our received packages. We do not include an invoice to conserve paper. If you'd like one, we can resend it electronically, or you can request a printed slip using the text box at checkout. 

Returns

If you need to return a non-custom item (changed mind, etc), you can do so within thirty calendar days of delivery. Upon return of undamaged merchandise, you will receive a refund for the amount of the item(s), excluding shipping cost. If you need an exchange or resizing, please get in touch with what you need and we'll take care of you. Custom items are excluded and cannot be returned but we offer other options (replacement, repair, etc). 

Forced returns, which may occur for a number of reasons but are not limited to, may occur due to failure to pick up the item, insufficient address, or problems relating to international deliveries (not paying duties, not picking up your package quickly enough), and will be handled when you contact us about them. We can only issue refunds if non-custom items are returned to us undamaged less shipping cost. Custom orders cannot be refunded, but we will reship upon receipt of reshipment fee. 

If the item arrives damaged, please send a description or photo of the damage and we can work out a replacement or refund. Damage claims must be submitted within five business days of delivery (according to tracking).

We take pride in our work and business and will do whatever it takes to sustain professional and fair business practices. If you have a problem outside the bounds of what is described above, we will still help you. Just send an email or message detailing the problem and we will work together to find a solution.