This Shipping Policy governs all physical-product orders placed with DarkLight Dynamics LLC (“DarkLight Dynamics,” “DLD,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), including orders placed through our website and any other sales channel, subject to the applicable platform’s terms and mandatory legal requirements.

This policy applies equally to paid shipping, free shipping, discounted shipping, promotional shipping, and shipping included in the purchase price. The amount charged for shipping does not change the risk-allocation provisions below.

1. Order Processing and Handling

Orders are normally processed Monday through Friday, excluding holidays and business closures. Orders are not routinely processed or shipped on Saturdays or Sundays.

Orders received outside normal business days will generally be processed on the next business day. Processing times may vary due to inventory availability, order volume, product inspection, quality-control requirements, special orders, or other operational circumstances.

Handling times are between 1 – 3 business day priority is given to expedited shipping like UPS Air and USPS Priority Shipping and estimated shipment dates are not delivery guarantees. Special-order and backordered items may require additional time, as disclosed in the applicable product listing or order communication for a better estmate on backorder timeline feel free to contact us.

If DLD determines that an order cannot be shipped within the time represented at purchase, we will provide any notice, cancellation option, consent request, or refund.

2. Shipping Methods and Carrier Selection

DLD free shipping selects the shipping carrier and service based on destination, package requirements, availability, and operational considerations. Carriers may include USPS or UPS.

Unless a specific service is selected at checkout like USPS or UPS shipping customers should not assume that a particular carrier, delivery route, delivery time, or signature requirement will apply.

Once a package has been properly prepared and accepted by the selected carrier, transportation, sorting, routing, tracking, and delivery are performed by the carrier under its own service conditions. DLD does not control the carrier’s internal operations or delivery personnel.

3. Paid, Free, and Promotional Shipping

All shipping methods are subject to this policy, regardless of whether the customer pays a separate shipping charge.

Free shipping does not constitute insurance or a guarantee of delivery by a particular date. Paid shipping does not automatically include insurance, declared-value coverage, signature confirmation, or any other optional protection unless expressly stated in the applicable listing, checkout details, or order confirmation.

The purchase of expedited shipping does not eliminate the possibility of delays, damage, theft, misrouting, or other carrier-related incidents.

Any carrier service guarantee or separately purchased shipping protection is governed by the terms applicable to that service or protection.

4. Shipping Estimates and Delivery Dates

Delivery dates and timeframes are estimates unless a specific delivery guarantee has been expressly confirmed.

Weather, holidays, high shipping volume, transportation disruptions, carrier staffing issues, address problems, and other circumstances may affect delivery.

Customers who require a product for a particular event, trip, appointment, or other time-sensitive purpose should allow sufficient time for unexpected delays. DLD does not guarantee arrival by a requested date unless an applicable commitment has been expressly confirmed in writing.

5. Tracking Information

Tracking information will be provided when available through the applicable sales platform, order notification, shipping confirmation, or other communication.

A status such as “Label Created” or “Pre-Shipment” generally means that electronic shipping information has been generated. It does not necessarily mean the carrier has physically accepted the package.

Tracking updates may be delayed, incomplete, or inaccurate. A lack of an immediate update does not, by itself, establish that a package has been lost.

Customers should allow reasonable time for carrier acceptance and tracking updates. If tracking does not update within a reasonable period, customers may contact DLD for assistance identifying the appropriate next steps.

6. Transfer of Risk and Carrier Responsibility

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the customer agrees that the risk of loss, theft, damage, destruction, misdelivery, or other physical loss affecting an order transfers from DLD to the customer when the package is duly tendered to and accepted by the selected shipping carrier. This provision is intended to apply regardless of whether shipping is paid, free, discounted, or promotional.

By placing an order subject to this policy, the customer agrees that DLD’s shipping obligation is to properly prepare the order for shipment and tender it to the selected carrier, subject to any different delivery commitment expressly agreed to in writing and any mandatory legal requirements.

After carrier acceptance, DLD does not control the package’s transportation, handling, storage, routing, security, or delivery. To the fullest extent permitted by law, DLD disclaims responsibility for loss, theft, damage, destruction, delay, misrouting, or misdelivery occurring after carrier acceptance.

This risk-allocation provision is intended to govern the relationship between DLD and the customer and does not make DLD the insurer of the shipment. Carrier claims, insurance claims, and requests for compensation are subject to the applicable carrier’s or insurer’s terms.

A carrier acceptance scan or other reliable record of acceptance may be used as evidence that the package was tendered to the carrier. A delivery scan is evidence of the carrier’s reported delivery status but does not necessarily establish that the customer personally received the package.

Nothing in this section excuses DLD from an obligation that cannot legally be excluded, including any applicable obligation concerning failure to ship, breach of an express agreement, or mandatory consumer protections. If a mandatory marketplace or payment-provider rule requires a different resolution, that requirement will apply to the affected transaction.

7. Lost, Stolen, or Missing Packages

DLD does not independently insure shipments against loss or theft unless insurance or shipping protection is expressly included or confirmed for the order.

If a package is delayed, suspected to be lost, or reported stolen after carrier acceptance, customers should promptly review the tracking information and contact the carrier to initiate an appropriate inquiry or investigation.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and marketplace requirements, DLD is not responsible for carrier-related loss or theft occurring after the transfer of risk described in Section 6 and does not guarantee a replacement, reshipment, refund, or reimbursement for such incidents.

DLD may, at its discretion, assist with a carrier inquiry or provide shipment documentation. Such assistance does not constitute an admission of liability or a guarantee that a claim will be approved.

Any exception or resolution will be evaluated according to the circumstances, applicable legal requirements, and any mandatory sales-platform or payment-provider rules.

8. Packages Marked as Delivered but Not Received

If tracking indicates that a package has been delivered but the customer cannot locate it, the customer should:

1. Review the tracking details, delivery date, time, destination, and any delivery-location information.

2. Check the front door, porch, mailbox, parcel locker, side entrance, garage, reception area, mailroom, leasing office, or other likely delivery location.

3. Ask household members, neighbors, reception staff, or building management whether the package was accepted or moved.

4. Contact the local carrier facility and request an investigation into the delivery scan and reported delivery location.

5. Notify DLD through the applicable contact channel and provide the order number, tracking number, and relevant information about the investigation.

For USPS shipments, customers may contact their local post office or use the applicable USPS delivery-inquiry or missing-mail process.

A package reported as delivered is not automatically eligible for a replacement or refund merely because the recipient states that it was not received. To the fullest extent permitted by law and the applicable sales-platform rules, DLD disclaims responsibility for loss or theft after the risk transfer described in Section 6.

DLD may review available evidence and provide reasonable assistance but does not guarantee a replacement, refund, or reimbursement. Any resolution required by applicable law or a mandatory marketplace or payment-provider policy will be handled accordingly.

9. Damage During Shipping

Customers should inspect packages and products upon arrival. If a package arrives with visible damage, customers should photograph the exterior box, shipping label, internal packaging, and affected product as soon as reasonably possible.

Customers should retain the packaging and damaged items until the issue has been reviewed and should promptly notify DLD if assistance is requested.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, DLD disclaims responsibility for physical damage caused by the carrier after the transfer of risk described in Section 6. DLD does not guarantee a replacement, refund, or reimbursement for carrier-caused damage.

A product warranty covering manufacturing defects does not automatically cover damage occurring during transportation. Warranty claims and shipping-damage reports are evaluated separately under the applicable policies and requirements.

10. Shipping Insurance and Claims

While we make every effort to keep shipping costs as low as possible, shipments include carrier-provided insurance coverage up to a maximum of $100, subject to the carrier’s applicable terms and conditions.

Customers who would like additional insurance or declared-value coverage may request a quote by emailing us before shipment. DLD will provide a quote for the additional cost, and any additional coverage must be approved and purchased before the order ships.

Shipping insurance, declared-value coverage, and other shipping protection beyond the included coverage are not automatically included in the shipping charge or purchase price.

Any purchased insurance or additional protection is subject to the applicable policy terms, exclusions, documentation requirements, claim deadlines, and coverage limits. Claims are evaluated by the carrier or insurer under its applicable terms. DLD cannot guarantee that a claim will be approved or paid and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, is not responsible for amounts the carrier or insurer declines to cover.

DLD may provide available shipment documentation and reasonable assistance with a claim; however, such assistance does not guarantee reimbursement or compensation.

11. Incorrect or Incomplete Shipping Addresses

Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address at checkout, including the recipient’s name, street address, apartment or unit number, city, state, ZIP code, and other information required for delivery.

Customers should notify DLD immediately if they discover an address error. DLD cannot guarantee that an address can be changed after processing, label creation, or carrier acceptance.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, DLD is not responsible for delivery problems caused by an incorrect, incomplete, outdated, or improperly provided address supplied by the customer.

If a shipment is returned or becomes undeliverable because of an address error or another issue attributable to the recipient, additional shipping charges may apply to reship the order where permitted by law and the applicable marketplace rules.

Any refund or other resolution will be subject to the applicable order terms, return policy, and legal requirements.

12. Delivery Instructions and Secure Locations

Customers are responsible for providing a suitable delivery address and any necessary access information.

Unless expressly confirmed, customers should not assume that a signature will be required, that a package will be left in a specific location, or that the carrier will make a particular number of delivery attempts.

Customers should use the carrier’s official procedures for delivery instructions or delivery preferences. DLD cannot guarantee that a carrier will follow a requested delivery location or instruction.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, DLD is not responsible for loss or theft occurring after the transfer of risk described in Section 6, including incidents involving a delivery location selected by the carrier or recipient.

13. Refused, Unclaimed, or Undeliverable Shipments

If a shipment is refused, remains unclaimed, cannot be delivered, or is returned to DLD, we may contact the customer to confirm the address and determine whether reshipment is requested.

Additional shipping charges may apply to reshipment where permitted by law and applicable marketplace rules. Refunds for returned or undeliverable orders will be handled according to the applicable return policy, transaction terms, and legal requirements.

Customers should contact DLD before refusing delivery or attempting to return an order. Refusal of delivery does not automatically qualify an order for a refund.

14. Customer Cooperation and Carrier Investigations

Customers requesting assistance with a shipping issue must provide accurate information reasonably needed to review the matter, including order details, tracking information, photographs, and address confirmation where appropriate.

The carrier may require the recipient to initiate an inquiry or provide information directly. Customers should cooperate with reasonable carrier procedures.

DLD may assist with a carrier investigation or submit a claim when appropriate. The timing and outcome of carrier or insurance investigations are outside DLD’s direct control.

15. Shipping Policy and Product Warranty

Shipping incidents and manufacturing defects are separate matters.

A product warranty applies according to its own terms and does not automatically insure a package against loss, theft, misdelivery, or transportation damage.

Likewise, damage to external packaging does not, by itself, establish that a product is defective. Customers should contact DLD regarding product-performance or warranty concerns separately from shipping inquiries.

16. Orders Placed Through Third-Party Marketplaces

Orders placed through eBay or another third-party marketplace may be subject to that platform’s shipping, delivery, refund, return, and buyer-protection requirements.

This policy is intended to apply alongside those requirements. If a mandatory marketplace or payment-provider rule requires DLD to provide a remedy that differs from this policy, DLD will comply with the applicable requirement.

Nothing in this policy is intended to waive a nonwaivable legal right or override a mandatory marketplace or payment-provider obligation.

17. Delays Before Shipment and Exceptional Circumstances

Carrier delays after acceptance are addressed in the preceding sections. Delays before shipment are handled separately.

If DLD cannot ship within the applicable time represented to the customer, we will provide any delay notice, revised shipment information, cancellation option, or refund required by law.

Circumstances beyond DLD’s reasonable control, including severe weather, natural disasters, transportation disruptions, government actions, or public emergencies, may affect processing or shipping. We will provide relevant updates when reasonably practical.

Nothing in this section eliminates any applicable legal obligation concerning unshipped merchandise.

18. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, DLD disclaims liability for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from carrier-related loss, theft, damage, delay, misdelivery, or other transportation issues.

DLD does not provide an independent guarantee against carrier performance, package loss, theft, or damage unless expressly agreed to in writing.

This limitation is subject to the risk-transfer provisions in Section 6, applicable law, express contractual commitments, and any mandatory marketplace or payment-provider requirements. It does not limit liability that cannot legally be excluded or restricted.