Shipping policy
Last updated: July 11, 2025
At Organic Fruit Tree And Herb, we are committed to delivering your orders safely and efficiently. Shipping live plants, scionwood cuttings, and seeds requires special attention to ensure they arrive healthy and viable. This Shipping Policy outlines the terms and conditions related to shipping, delivery, and handling of your orders. By placing an order with us, you agree to the terms set forth in this Shipping Policy.
1. Shipping Coverage
We currently ship to addresses within the contiguous 48 United States only. We do not offer international shipping, APO/FPO addresses, or shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories at this time.
Free Shipping: We offer free shipping on all orders — no minimum purchase required.
Standard Shipping: All orders are shipped via standard carrier services (USPS, UPS, FedEx, or similar) based on your location and order type.
No Hidden Fees: We do not charge any handling, processing, or tax fees. The price shown at checkout is your final total.
Product-Specific Restrictions: Some products cannot be shipped to certain locations due to agricultural regulations. Please check individual product pages for any applicable shipping restrictions.
2. Order Processing Time
We process orders as quickly as possible to ensure your plants and cuttings spend minimal time in transit.
Handling Time: 1–3 business days
Order Cut-Off Time: 5:00 PM (Pacific Time) daily — Orders placed before the daily cut-off time are typically prepared and ready for carrier pickup by the next business morning. Orders placed after the cut-off time will begin processing on the next business day.
Weekend and Holiday Orders: Orders placed on weekends or public holidays may be processed on the next business day.
Weather Holds: During periods of extreme heat (above 90°F) or extreme cold (below 35°F), we may delay or adjust the shipping method for live plant and scionwood orders to protect product viability. We will notify you by email if your order is affected.
Order Confirmation: After your order is placed, you will receive an order confirmation email. A shipping confirmation email with tracking information will be sent once your order has been dispatched.
3. Estimated Delivery Time
Estimated delivery time depends on your location, the carrier, and the type of items in your order.
Standard Shipping: 4–7 business days after shipment
Delivery time is calculated from the shipping date, not the purchase date. Delivery times are estimates only and may vary due to peak seasons, carrier delays, or weather conditions beyond our control.
4. Product Shipping & Handling
We take extra care to ensure all products arrive in excellent condition:
Live Plants: Each plant is carefully wrapped, secured, and packaged to minimize movement and damage during transit. During extreme weather conditions, we may use insulated packaging, heat packs, or cold packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures.
Bare Root Seedlings: Bare root trees are packaged with moist wrapping material around the roots to maintain hydration during transit. Planting instructions are included with your order.
Scionwood Cuttings: Each cutting is wrapped in a damp paper towel, sealed in a bag, and packaged to maintain freshness during shipping. Grafting instructions are included with your order.
Seeds: Seeds are packaged in sealed packets to maintain viability and labeled with variety information and growing instructions.
Transit Stress: It is normal for live plants to experience minor leaf drop, slight wilting, or soil displacement during shipping. These are temporary effects of transit and your plant should recover within a few days of being placed in its new environment.
5. Carriers
We ship using reputable carriers such as USPS, UPS, FedEx, or other carriers depending on your location and the nature of your order. The carrier used for your order will be indicated in your shipping confirmation email.
6. Order Tracking
Once your package is on its way, you will receive a shipping confirmation email containing a tracking number and a link to monitor your delivery in real time.
If you have not received a tracking number or shipping confirmation email within 3 business days of placing your order, please contact us.
7. Address Accuracy
Please ensure all shipping details are correct at checkout. If a parcel is returned to us due to an incorrect or incomplete address, we will contact you to arrange reshipment at no additional cost.
For live plant orders, we strongly recommend shipping to an address where someone can receive and unpack the package promptly to avoid plant exposure to adverse weather conditions on a doorstep or in a mailbox.
8. Order Changes
If you wish to modify your order, such as your shipping address, please contact us before your order has been shipped. We will do our best to accommodate modification requests received promptly after purchase. If your order has already shipped, you will need to follow our Return & Refund Policy to initiate a return. If your order has already shipped, you will need to follow our Return & Refund Policy to initiate a return.
9. Delivery Attempts
Our shipping carriers will attempt delivery to the address provided at checkout. If delivery is unsuccessful, the carrier may leave a notice with instructions for re-delivery or pickup.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the delivery address is correct and that someone is available to receive the package or to pick it up from the designated location. We are not responsible for packages that cannot be delivered due to incorrect or incomplete addresses provided by the customer.
For Live Plant Orders: Please arrange for the package to be received on the day of delivery whenever possible. Plants left on a porch or doorstep in extreme heat or cold may suffer irreversible damage.
10. Delays and Force Majeure
We are not liable for shipping and delivery delays caused by:
- Shipping carrier delays or errors
- Weather events or natural disasters
- Extreme temperatures that require shipping delays for plant safety
- Events outside our control (force majeure)
If your order is significantly delayed, please contact us and we will work with the carrier to assist.
11. Lost or Damaged Packages
Lost Packages: If your package has not been delivered within the estimated delivery window, please contact us. We will work with the carrier to help resolve the issue.
Damaged Packages: If your order arrives damaged, please keep the original packaging and all materials, take clear photos of the damaged item(s) and packaging, and contact us within 14 days of delivery. For live plant orders, include close-up photos of the plant and root system. We will work with you to resolve the issue, which may include sending a replacement or issuing a refund.
12. Multiple Items and Partial Shipments
If your order contains multiple items, they may be shipped separately and arrive on different days. You will receive a shipping confirmation email for each shipment. There are no additional shipping charges for partial shipments.
13. Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding your shipment, please contact us: