Effective date: [INSERT EFFECTIVE DATE]
U.S. Shipping Options
AKEM currently offers the following options for eligible contiguous-U.S. orders:
Priority Shipping — $9.95 Flat Rate
The $9.95 flat rate applies to an eligible verified purchaser when free member shipping does not apply. The carrier and service shown at checkout control the transit estimate. Processing time is separate from transit time, and AKEM does not promise an arrival date.
FREE Priority Shipping — Active Members on Orders Over $100
An active member receives free Priority Shipping when the eligible merchandise subtotal is more than $100.00 ($100.01 or greater) after discounts and before tax and shipping. The member must be signed into an account whose membership system reports an active, paid status before checkout begins. Membership fees, gift cards, tax, shipping, handling, and nonmerchandise charges do not count toward the threshold. A membership purchased in the same cart does not unlock the benefit for that cart. Free shipping does not apply to expedited service and has no cash value.
Expedited / Next-Business-Day Service — $44.95 Flat Rate
Expedited service is available only for eligible contiguous-U.S. street addresses supported by the selected carrier. “Next business day” means the next business day after carrier acceptance under that carrier’s service terms. It does not mean the next day after the order is placed. This option is unavailable for PO boxes, APO/FPO addresses, U.S. territories, Alaska, Hawaii, and unsupported destinations.
Processing Time
AKEM processes paid, cleared, verified orders on [INSERT BUSINESS DAYS] excluding [INSERT OBSERVED HOLIDAY CALENDAR OR LINK]. The daily cutoff is [INSERT CUTOFF TIME AND TIME ZONE]. Orders completed after the cutoff, on weekends, or on an observed holiday begin processing on the next stated business day. Friday orders accepted after the cutoff and weekend orders begin processing on [INSERT APPROVED NEXT OPERATING DAY]. Verification, inventory review, address issues, weather, carrier interruptions, high order volume, and compliance review may extend processing.
Manual-payment orders do not enter fulfillment until AKEM verifies cleared payment.
Tracking
When the configured fulfillment system receives tracking, it places the tracking link in the customer account or shipment email. Tracking activity may take time to appear. Delivery estimates shown by the carrier are controlled by the carrier and may change.
Address Accuracy
The customer is responsible for entering a complete and accurate shipping address. Contact [INSERT SUPPORT EMAIL] immediately if an address is incorrect. We will attempt to help, but cannot guarantee a change after fulfillment begins or recover a package delivered to the address submitted at checkout.
Carrier Delay, Loss, or Damage
If tracking has not updated for five consecutive business days, contact support so we can review the shipment. If tracking shows delivered but the package cannot be located, check the delivery area, household members, neighbors, mailroom, and building management, then allow 24 hours before filing a claim.
For visible damage, retain the item and all packaging and submit clear photographs under the Returns and Refunds Policy. Any replacement or refund is governed only by that Policy and applicable law. AKEM does not advertise separate shipment protection unless a named protection program, price, claim process, exclusions, and terms have been approved and implemented.
Geographic Limits
AKEM does not offer international shipping at launch. Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, APO/FPO addresses, or other extended-service destinations will be unavailable unless a specific eligible method and rate appear at checkout.
Contact
Questions about shipping may be sent to [INSERT SUPPORT EMAIL]. Include the order number and tracking number.