When Will My Order Ship/Arrive?

Note: All orders ship from Smithers, BC, Canada

Estimated Delivery Dates

Each packraft kit is made to order by me (Matt). This takes time.

Except for very simple orders (see below), orders are processed in the sequence they are received.

Estimated delivery dates are automatically calculated on the Cart page based on the current order processing time, plus the estimated transit time to the address you enter on the Cart page using the shipping service you have chosen.

Order processing time is typically around two weeks, but may change without notice.

You can check the estimated delivery date before making a purchase by adding items to your cart and proceeding to the Checkout page.

Checking the Status of your Order

There is no need to email me to ask if your order has shipped or if I can send you a tracking number: an order completion email will be automatically sent to you the moment your order ships (check your Spam folder). If you chose a shipping method that includes tracking, the tracking number will be in this email.

If you have not received this email, your order has not yet shipped and no tracking number has been created (or the email is waiting for you in your Spam folder).

Backordered Products

Orders containing backordered products (“backorder” = currently not in stock) will ship after all of the products are in stock. If a product is backordered, that will be indicated on the product page and also in your order confirmation email.

Check the blog for posts providing information about when backordered products are expected to arrive.

If you want backordered products to ship separately at a later date, you must order them separately.

Simple Orders

“Simple” orders (orders that do not include a packraft kit) will likely arrive before the estimated delivery date (1-2 weeks early is typical).

United States Orders

Parcels must clear US Customs, so do not expect overnight shipping. The different shipping options are described below. Transit times vary state-by-state; these are just ballpark estimates, not guarantees.

Free Shipping, available for Fabric Sample Packs using the free shipping code, is by regular letter-mail, so no tracking is available. Transit time depends on what state you live in, but expect it to take 2-3 weeks. If you want faster shipping and/or tracking, choose a different shipping method.
Small Packet Air – USA does not include tracking so is not recommended (though I haven’t lost a US parcel yet). Transit time is usually 2-3 weeks.
Tracked Packet is the most economical option that includes tracking. It’s only available for smaller parcels. Transit time is the same as for Small Packet USA Air (2-3 weeks).
Expedited Parcel is the best option for parcels over 2 kg (4.4 lbs) – it’s inexpensive and it includes tracking. Transit time is usually about 2 weeks.
Xpresspost generally arrives 1-2 days sooner than Expedited Parcel, though for many locations it’s not any faster than Expedited Parcel, so the price increase may not be worthwhile.
Priority is quite expensive and generally not worth the extra cost. It might be a bit faster than Xpresspost.

International Orders

Most international orders take approximately 5-10 business days to be delivered after they are shipped. The shipping services that are available for you to choose from will depend on your country and the weight of your parcel.

You may be required to provide an invoice to your country’s customs office and pay an import tax.

Customers in France & Germany should monitor the tracking information closely and contact their post office or customs office when the tracking page indicates that the parcel has reached the destination country – the Customs offices in those countries have a bad habit of holding packages for 2-3 weeks and then returning them for false reasons.

Free Shipping, available for Fabric Sample Packs using the free shipping code, is by regular letter airmail, so no tracking is available. Transit time depends on what country you live in, but expect it to take a couple of weeks. If you want faster shipping and/or tracking, choose a different shipping method.
Small Packet Air – International does not include tracking so is not recommended. I have had bad luck with this service destined for Germany and Israel.
Tracked Packet is the most economical option that includes tracking. It’s only available for parcels weighing less than 2 kg. Transit time is the same as for Small Packet Air.
Xpresspost includes tracking and is often the only option for packages heavier than 2 kg, aside from Priority Worldwide, which is very expensive.
Priority Worldwide is very expensive, so avoid it whenever possible.

Canadian Orders

Free Shipping, available only for Fabric Sample Packs using the free shipping code, is by regular letter-mail, so no tracking is available.
Regular Parcel is the cheapest and slowest shipping method and usually includes tracking. Transport is by truck (i.e. “ground”).
Xpresspost is the fastest shipping method I recommend. Transport is by truck and air.
Priority is generally not worth the extra cost.

For more information about Canadian shipping options, check this Canada Post page.