Freight Delivery

International Freight Delivery Guide & Shipping Policy

Your commercial greenhouse order is heavy, highly specialized, and precision-packaged to ship via international ocean or air freight on wooden pallets. Because international logistics involves multiple carriers and strict customs clearance, please review this quick guide to ensure a smooth, worry-free delivery experience.

Freight Delivery in 60 Seconds

Your order is heavy enough to ship by freight truck — here’s the short version:

• The Local Carrier Calls You: Once your shipment clears US/Canada customs and arrives at the local terminal, the final-mile carrier will call you to schedule a delivery window. Book your appointment immediately to avoid local storage fees of $50–$200 per day per pallet.
• Curbside Delivery Only: Delivery is strictly curbside. The driver will drop the pallet at the safest closest point to the road. They cannot drive up your driveway or help unload. Have 2+ people or a forklift ready.
• Inspect BEFORE You Sign: Photograph the pallet from all angles while it is still on the truck. Count the items against the commercial invoice and note any visible damage or missing parts on the driver’s paperwork before they leave.
• 100% Free Replacements: If you document the damage on the delivery receipt, we will ship replacements from our Guangzhou facility completely free. If you sign off “Clean” without notation, the carrier denies the claim, and we cannot recover the cost.
• Estimated Transit Times: Plan for 30–45 business days for ocean freight (LCL/FCL) or 7–14 business days for expedited air freight.

Freight Specifications: What Ships via Freight?

Our automated smart greenhouse commercial systems, high-volume film rolls, and structure kits are packed securely on heavy-duty wooden pallets. Typical pallet weights range from 200 lbs to 1,500 lbs.
• Greenhouse Structural Kits / Profiles: Shipped in extra-long bundles on customized long pallets.
• Bulk Greenhouse Sheeting & Woven Plastic: Single rolls or multi-roll orders exceeding 120 lbs / 130 lbs.
• Automated Logistical Cultivation Systems & Grow Racks: Pre-packaged component pallets weighing 190–220 lbs per system.

Step-by-Step: How International Freight Delivery Works

Order Dispatched (China) ➔ Ocean/Air Transit ➔ Customs Clearance ➔ Local Carrier Calls ➔ Curbside Drop-off ➔ Inspect & Sign

Before Your Shipment Arrives

• Provide an Accurate Phone Number: The local carrier cannot deliver without an explicit phone appointment. Unanswered calls leading to missed delivery windows will trigger terminal storage penalties.
• Verify Your Delivery Address: Address changes (reconsignment) once the freight is in transit incur a $50–$150 administrative fee, plus an additional $1.50–$3.00 per diverted mile depending on local carrier rates.
• Prepare the Drop Zone & Equipment: Ensure your curbside is clear for a large semi-truck. Have a team of at least 2 people or a rented outdoor forklift ready. (Heaviest manual-lift items: greenhouse film boxes weigh 70–280 lbs; hardware boxes weigh up to 60 lbs).

When the Truck Arrives — Inspect Before Signing!

1. Take Photos: Capture clear photos of the shrink-wrap, strapping, and pallet alignment before a single box is moved.
2. Find the Pick List: Locate the commercial invoice/packing slip inside the clear pouch near the top of the pallet.
3. Write Down Issues: If a box is torn, a roll is gouged, or a structural profile is bent, write the specific damage on the driver’s delivery receipt (POD). For catastrophic transit damage, you have the right to refuse the shipment entirely—call our support immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q:Does free shipping include import duties, taxes, and a liftgate?
A:Our free shipping thresholds cover standard ocean freight to the port/terminal and final curbside delivery to the lower 48 US states and major Canadian metropolitan zones. Import duties, local customs broker fees, and optional terminal add-ons (such as a $150 liftgate service for residential drops) are handled at checkout or billed directly by the local broker.

Q:Why are shipping transit times significantly longer than domestic parcel delivery?
A:Because your professional greenhouse materials are manufactured and precision-cut at our central facility in Guangzhou, China, they must undergo ocean line-haul transport, port handling, and customs security clearance before reaching local dispatch centers. Transit delays of several days at the port are normal and outside of our direct control; we highly recommend planning your greenhouse construction schedule around these timelines.

Q:Can I cancel or return an international freight order if I change my mind?
A:No. Because our high-diffusion films, woven plastics, and structural frameworks are custom-cut to your exact specifications per order, we cannot accept returns, cancellations, or exchanges once the material has been cut and loaded onto the container. Please review all dimensions and sizing guides prior to ordering.