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Shipping & Delivery

How Promotional Product Inc. ships your custom promotional products: costs, carriers, transit times, tracking, split shipments, freight, and delivery to events, residences, and international destinations. Trusted nationwide since 1997.

40 questions · All FAQ topics

How much does shipping cost for promotional products?

Shipping is calculated by weight, dimensions, destination, and speed, then quoted with your order so there are no surprises — see our shipping policy for the full breakdown. Lightweight items like pens ship inexpensively, while cases of drinkware or apparel cost more. Ask about current free-shipping promotions, or request a quote on any product.

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes, select products and promotions include free ground shipping within the contiguous U.S. Watch for the free-shipping flag on product pages and our monthly sale featuring savings up to 70% on featured categories. Your quote always shows shipping before you commit. Contact us for current offers.

What carriers do you use?

Orders ship via UPS, FedEx, or USPS depending on the factory and package profile, with LTL freight carriers for palletized bulk orders. Every shipment includes tracking, emailed to you the moment it leaves the facility. Reach out if you have a carrier preference.

How long does ground shipping take?

Ground transit within the continental U.S. runs 1–5 business days depending on distance between the production facility and your address. Coast-to-coast shipments use the full window; regional deliveries often arrive in 1–2 days. Add this to production times when planning.

Can I expedite shipping?

Yes — 3-Day, 2-Day, and Next-Day Air options are available on most orders. Expedited freight affects transit only, not production speed, so pair it with our rush service and rush production if your entire timeline is compressed. Contact us to confirm options.

Will I get a tracking number?

Yes. Tracking is emailed automatically when your order ships, and it is also visible in your online account. Multi-box shipments include tracking for every carton. Reach out if you have not received yours.

Can I ship to multiple addresses?

Absolutely. We support split shipments to multiple offices, store locations, event venues, or even individual employee homes. Provide your address list — a spreadsheet works perfectly — and we will quote the multi-destination freight and any drop-ship handling fees. Send us your list to start.

Do you ship to residential addresses?

Yes. We deliver to homes, offices, warehouses, convention centers, hotels, and P.O. boxes via USPS-eligible packages. For residential bulk deliveries on pallets, note that liftgate service may add a fee. Contact us to confirm your delivery details.

Can you ship directly to my trade show or convention center?

Yes — this is one of our specialties. We ship to advance warehouses or show-site receiving with the decorator’s required labeling: show name, booth number, exhibitor name. Share your show kit’s instructions and we will format everything to spec. Browse trade show & expo products or contact us.

Do you ship to Canada?

Yes. We ship throughout Canada; add 3–7 business days for transit and customs. Duties, taxes (GST/HST), and brokerage fees are typically billed to the recipient unless prepaid arrangements are made. We provide the documentation needed for smooth clearance. See international orders.

Do you ship internationally beyond Canada?

We can arrange international shipments to most countries via air express carriers. International orders require complete customs documentation, and the recipient is responsible for local duties and import taxes. Contact us with your destination for a landed-cost estimate, or see international orders.

Can I use my own UPS or FedEx account for shipping?

Yes. Provide your carrier account number and we will ship freight-collect or third-party billed, so shipping charges flow to your negotiated rates. A small handling fee may apply at some facilities. Share your account details at order time.

What happens if my shipment is lost or damaged in transit?

Contact us immediately at 1-888-212-5501. We file the carrier claim on your behalf and arrange replacement product right away — you should not have to fight the carrier while your event approaches. Keep all packaging for damaged-goods claims. Reach our team for help.

My tracking shows delivered but I don’t have the package — what now?

First check with your mailroom, front desk, neighbors, and around entrances; carriers sometimes mark delivery early. If it is truly missing after 24 hours, call us and we will open a carrier trace and discuss replacement options so your deadline stays protected.

Can I pick up my order instead of shipping?

Will-call pickup is available at select production facilities. If a participating factory is near you, we will arrange pickup and remove freight from your invoice. Ask your rep whether your order qualifies.

Do shipping costs include duties and taxes for international orders?

No. Quoted freight covers transportation only, per our shipping policy. Import duties, VAT/GST, and brokerage fees are assessed by the destination country and are the recipient’s responsibility unless you request DDP (delivered-duty-paid) terms in advance. See international orders or contact us.

How are large orders shipped?

Orders exceeding standard parcel limits ship on pallets via LTL freight. We confirm whether your location has a dock or needs liftgate service, and provide a delivery appointment window. Freight quotes are itemized before you approve. Request a freight quote for your bulk order.

Can you blind-ship or drop-ship without your branding?

Yes. Distributors, agencies, and resellers can request blind shipping — packages carry your company name (or no sender branding) and packing lists omit pricing. Specify blind-ship at order time. Contact us to set it up.

Do you ship to APO/FPO military addresses?

Yes, via USPS. APO/FPO shipments require customs forms and take longer in transit — typically 2–4 weeks. We have proudly supplied military units, family readiness groups, and veteran organizations since 1997. Contact us for APO/FPO orders.

Can I split my order between two delivery dates?

Yes. We can ship a portion now and hold or schedule the balance for later — useful for phased campaigns or multi-event seasons. Storage beyond a short courtesy window may incur warehousing fees, which we quote upfront. Ask us to set up a split schedule.

What address details do you need for accurate delivery?

Provide the full street address, suite/floor, company name, recipient name, phone number, and any receiving constraints — dock hours, appointment requirements, no-liftgate. Convention deliveries also need show name, booth number, and the decorator’s deadline dates. Send us the details at order time.

Why does my order ship from a different state than your company?

Promotional products ship directly from the decorating factory closest to or designated for your item — that is how the industry delivers fast and economically. Your single point of contact remains Promotional Product Inc. regardless of origin facility. Reach us anytime.

Can I change my shipping address after ordering?

If the order has not shipped, usually yes — contact us immediately. After shipment, carrier reroutes are sometimes possible for a fee but are not guaranteed. Double-checking your address at proof approval prevents most issues.

Do you offer Saturday delivery?

Saturday delivery is available in many ZIP codes through premium carrier services for an additional fee. If your event is on a weekend, tell us — we will either arrange Saturday delivery or schedule arrival for the preceding Friday. Contact us to confirm availability.

How is shipping calculated on quotes — actual or dimensional weight?

Carriers bill whichever is greater: actual weight or dimensional (size-based) weight. Bulky-but-light items like foam products and drinkware boxes often bill dimensionally. Our quotes account for this, so the freight number you approve is the freight number you pay. Request a quote to see exact costs.

Will all my items arrive in one shipment?

Single-product orders usually arrive together. Multi-product orders may arrive in separate shipments from different factories, each with its own tracking. Your order confirmation lists expected cartons so nothing catches you off guard. Contact us if you have questions about your shipments.

Can you hold my shipment for a specific delivery date?

Yes. If your office cannot receive early or your event venue only accepts deliveries in a window, we will time the release or use scheduled-delivery services so your order lands exactly when you want it. Tell us your target date at order time.

What if I’m not available to sign for delivery?

Most parcel shipments do not require signatures unless requested. For freight deliveries, we coordinate an appointment window with your receiving contact. If signature service matters to you for high-value goods, request it at order time. Contact us to arrange delivery details.

Do you insure shipments?

Carrier liability covers standard shipments; high-value orders can carry declared-value insurance for a small premium. Either way, if anything arrives damaged or goes missing, we manage the claim and your replacement — part of our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Ask about coverage at order time.

How do I estimate total delivery time before ordering?

Add production time (7–10 business days standard, 3–5 rush) to transit time (1–5 business days ground). Need it faster? Our rush service compresses production. Or skip the math: give us your in-hands date and ZIP code and we will confirm a guaranteed plan in minutes. See production times or contact us.

Are there products that can’t ship by air?

Yes — items containing lithium batteries, aerosols, certain sanitizers, and flammable liquids face air-freight restrictions and may be limited to ground transport. We flag any such constraints at quoting so expedited timelines stay realistic. Contact us to check your specific item.

Do you ship to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico?

Yes. These destinations ship via air or priority services with longer transit and higher freight than the contiguous 48. We quote exact costs and realistic delivery dates for your location upfront. Request a quote for your address.

Can my order ship in plain packaging for gifting?

Yes. We can ship in unbranded cartons, include gift messaging on packing lists, and omit pricing entirely. For premium gifting programs, ask about individual gift boxing and kitting services. Contact us to set up gift shipping.

What are your shipping cutoff dates for Christmas delivery?

Cutoffs vary yearly by production speed and shipping method, but as a rule: order by mid-November for standard production with ground shipping, and by early December for rush programs. Contact us for the current season’s exact guarantee dates.

Who pays return shipping if there’s a problem with my order?

If we made an error — wrong item, defective product, or imprint mistake — Promotional Product Inc. covers all return or replacement shipping. You will never pay freight to fix our mistake. Contact us right away if something is wrong.

How should I receive a freight (pallet) delivery?

Inspect cartons before signing, note any visible damage on the delivery receipt, and count pallets/cartons against the BOL. Signing "clear" limits damage claims, so a 60-second inspection protects you fully. Contact us if you spot any problem at delivery.

Can you ship orders on a recurring schedule?

Yes. For company stores, onboarding kits, or monthly campaigns, we can produce and release inventory on a schedule you define. It is an easy way to lock pricing while spreading deliveries across the year. Talk to us about a recurring program.

Do oversized items like tents and flags cost more to ship?

Generally yes — event tents, feather flags, and retractable banners ship in long cartons that bill dimensionally. Their freight is itemized on your quote, and we suggest carrier options that minimize the dimensional penalty. Request a quote for oversized items.

What’s the cheapest way to ship promotional products?

Ground shipping with consolidated cartons, ordered early enough to avoid expedited freight. Choosing one product/factory instead of many small orders also reduces total freight. We optimize carton packing and carrier selection automatically on every order. Get a quote to compare options.

Can I track all my shipments in one place?

Yes — your Promotional Product Inc. account dashboard consolidates every order’s status and tracking links. For multi-carton or multi-destination orders, each tracking number is listed individually so nothing slips through. Contact us if you need tracking help.

Need help with a big order?

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