The Starpath ordering system will automatically compute three or four optional shipping methods based on your purchase weight and destination — unless you have ordered electronic download options alone, in which case that shipping page will be skipped since downloads have no shipping charges.
Standard
Standard shipping to a street address in most cases uses DHL Ground, which is our most economical and efficient courier service. If you have equally convenient options of PO Box and street address, the street address would be the preferred method, and generally less expensive, unless the order is less than 2 pounds.. In some cases depending on the products, we must charge an additional insurance fee of 3 to 5$ for delivery to Post Office Boxes. This would apply to FPO, APO addresses as well as other P.O. Box addresses for orders that require additional insurance.
For Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico it is usually more cost effective to use Priority Mail with delivery confirmation and insurance. The automatic shipping computation takes this into account, and the price reflects the required insurance and delivery confirmation.
Small order Priority Mail
If your total order to a US address is under 1 pound, then you will be also offered a Priority Mail option for a fixed fee of $5. If under 2 pounds, this option will be $7. Priority mail can be as fast as two days to out of state addresses, but 3 is not uncommon, and the post office does not make any guarantees. You do receive a tracking number at shipment time.
Two-day
DHL Express is our normal 2-day method. Please see notes on delivery times and addresses below.
Next-day
This is usually DHL Express, but in some cases US Express Air Mail might be the best option. See notes on delivery times below.
Tracking numbers
You will receive a tracking number for all shipments sent to the email you provide. These are usually sent out at the end of the day on which the items were shipped. Please keep in mind that these records may not be in the shipper's system for tracking till past midnight on that date.
Note on street address:
Please include a physical address. DHL cannot deliver to most PO boxes. If no one is available to receive the delivery, a notice will be left offering you the option for delivery without signature the following day, or other options.
Shipping weights:
Shipping weights are listed once an item has been placed in the shopping list, and they are summed in the pro forma invoice which is visible before the order is placed.
Note on delivery times:
Normal "2-day" delivery time is two business days assuming we get the order by 1 PM Pacific Coast time (ZD+8 winter, +7 summer). Likewise, Next day delivery must also be in by 1 PM to go out the same day. These are our goals, which we normally meet, but we cannot guarantee this. If delivery time is crucial, it is best to follow up your order with a call (800-955-8328 or 206-783-1414) to confirm that we have the order on time and when it will be shipped. In short, without personal contact and confirmation, "next-day" could be two-day, and "two-day" could be three-day. These are "business days" — standard two-day shipped Monday would arrive Wednesday; but shipped Thursday would arrive Monday.
Saturday deliveries are possible for an extra $10 charge, which must be arranged by telephone.