Shipping Policy
This Shipping Policy applies to all orders placed on the Aartdeco website and governs how we process, pack, dispatch, and deliver your order. Aartdeco sells handcrafted home décor, sculptures, and art objects — each piece individually made and packed with care. Please read this policy before placing your order so you know exactly what to expect.
This policy should be read alongside our Cancellation, Refund & Return Policy and our Terms & Conditions, all available on our website.
Order Processing and Dispatch
Dispatch Timelines
Because every Aartdeco product is handmade, dispatch timelines vary by product. Each item is individually inspected, wrapped, and packed before being handed to our courier partner. The dispatch window for your specific order will be communicated at checkout and in your order confirmation email.
As a general guide:
| Product Type | Estimated Dispatch Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard stocked pieces | 1–2 business days | Items that are inspected, ready, and in stock at our facility |
| Fragile or sculptural pieces | 2–3 business days | Extra prep time for specialist protective wrapping |
| Large or multi-part pieces | 3–5 business days | Require custom crating or additional packaging assembly |
| Orders placed on weekends or public holidays | +1 business day | Processing begins the next working business day |
Dispatch windows are estimates, not guarantees. During peak periods (festive seasons, sale events) or in the event of unforeseen circumstances, dispatch may take slightly longer. We will notify you if there is a significant delay.
Business Days
For the purposes of this policy, business days are Monday to Friday, excluding Indian public holidays and any Aartdeco closures communicated on our website. Orders placed after 12:00 PM IST on a Friday will be processed from the following Monday.
Order Confirmation vs. Dispatch Confirmation
You will receive two separate emails from us: an order confirmation when your order is placed and payment is verified, and a dispatch confirmation when your order has been physically handed to our courier partner. Your tracking number will be included in the dispatch confirmation email. Please note that a tracking number only becomes active once the courier scans the package at their facility, which may be a few hours after dispatch.
Domestic Shipping — India
Shipping Charges
Shipping charges for domestic orders within India are calculated at checkout based on the weight and dimensions of your order and your delivery pin code. The final shipping charge will be displayed clearly before you confirm payment. We do not add any hidden fees after checkout.
We periodically review our shipping rates. The rate displayed at checkout at the time of your order is the rate that applies to that order.
Delivery Timelines
Once dispatched, estimated domestic delivery timelines are as follows:
| Destination | Estimated Delivery After Dispatch | Service Type |
|---|---|---|
| Metro cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata) | 2–4 business days | Standard tracked courier |
| Tier 2 cities and state capitals | 3–5 business days | Standard tracked courier |
| Tier 3 cities, towns, and semi-urban areas | 4–7 business days | Standard tracked courier |
| Remote, rural, or difficult-access areas | 6–10 business days | Standard courier; may involve local last-mile handoff |
These are estimated timelines provided by our courier partners and are not guaranteed. Actual delivery may vary due to factors outside our control including carrier capacity, weather conditions, or local disruptions.
Serviceability
We ship to most pin codes across India. At checkout, your pin code will be validated against our courier partner's serviceability network. If your pin code is not serviceable by our primary courier, we will attempt to arrange delivery through an alternative partner. In rare cases where no courier can service your location, we will contact you to discuss alternatives or issue a full refund.
Tracking
All domestic orders are shipped with full end-to-end tracking. Your tracking number and a link to the courier's tracking portal will be included in your dispatch confirmation email. You can also track your order through your account order history on our website. We recommend checking your tracking status regularly, particularly around the estimated delivery date.
International Shipping
Destinations
Aartdeco ships to select international destinations. The countries available for delivery will be listed at checkout. If your country does not appear at checkout or you are unsure whether we ship to your location, please contact us at aartdeco@aarto.in before placing your order and we will confirm availability.
International shipping destinations are subject to change. We may add or remove countries based on courier partner coverage, regulatory requirements, or logistics feasibility. If your country is not currently listed, you are welcome to contact us — we will do our best to accommodate where possible.
Shipping Charges
International shipping charges are calculated at checkout based on the destination country, package weight, and dimensions. All charges are displayed in Indian Rupees (INR) and will be clearly shown before payment is confirmed. International shipping rates are typically higher than domestic rates to reflect carrier costs, insurance, and handling.
Delivery Timelines
International orders are shipped via standard tracked international courier. Estimated delivery timelines after dispatch are:
| Region | Estimated Delivery After Dispatch | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| South Asia (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, UAE, etc.) | 5–8 business days | Subject to customs clearance in destination country |
| Southeast Asia and East Asia | 7–12 business days | Subject to customs clearance in destination country |
| Europe and United Kingdom | 8–14 business days | Subject to customs clearance; may be affected by import duties |
| North America (USA, Canada) | 8–14 business days | Subject to customs clearance in destination country |
| Australia and New Zealand | 8–14 business days | Subject to customs clearance in destination country |
| Other international destinations | 10–18 business days | Please contact us to confirm before ordering |
These timelines are estimates only and do not include time spent in customs clearance, which varies significantly by country and is entirely outside our control. We recommend allowing additional buffer time for international orders, particularly during peak shipping periods globally.
Customs, Duties, and Import Taxes
All customs duties, import taxes, VAT, GST (in the destination country), or any other charges levied by the destination country's customs authorities are entirely the responsibility of the buyer. Aartdeco has no control over these amounts and cannot predict them in advance, as they vary by country, product category, and declared value.
We are legally required to accurately declare the contents and value of all international shipments on customs documentation. We do not undervalue packages or mark shipments as "gifts" to reduce customs liability. Requests to do so will not be accommodated.
If a package is held, delayed, or seized by customs in the destination country, Aartdeco is not liable for any associated charges, delays, or loss of goods. We recommend checking your country's import regulations and duty rates for decorative goods and art objects before placing an international order.
International Tracking
All international shipments include full tracking from our facility to the destination country's primary sorting hub. Tracking updates may become less frequent once a package enters the destination country's local postal or courier network. We will provide you with your tracking number and carrier details in your dispatch confirmation email.
Packaging
Branded Packaging
Every Aartdeco order is dispatched in our branded packaging. We believe the experience of receiving a handmade object should begin from the moment you open the box. Our packaging is designed to reflect the care and craftsmanship of the products inside, and is itself a considered part of the Aartdeco experience.
Protective Packaging
Beyond the branded outer presentation, every item is wrapped and secured with protective materials appropriate to its fragility and material composition. Sculptural and mixed-media pieces receive specialist layered wrapping — typically a combination of acid-free tissue, bubble wrap or foam inserts, and a rigid outer box — to minimise movement during transit and protect against impact.
For particularly fragile or oversized pieces, we may use custom-cut foam inserts, double-boxing, or reinforced outer cartons. The packing method for your specific order will be determined by our team based on the nature of the piece.
Inspect Your Package on Arrival
We ask that all customers inspect the outer packaging upon delivery before signing for or accepting the parcel. If the outer packaging shows signs of significant damage — crushing, puncturing, or heavy impact marks — please:
- Accept the package but note the damage with the delivery person where possible.
- Photograph the outer packaging before opening it.
- Film your unboxing continuously to document the condition of the item as it is revealed.
- Contact us at aartdeco@aarto.in within 24 hours if the item inside is damaged.
Risk, Title, and Responsibility
Risk of loss and title for all products purchased on the Aartdeco website passes to you at the point of dispatch — that is, when the package is physically handed to our courier partner and a tracking number is generated. From that point, the carrier holds responsibility for the package in transit.
However, in recognition of the fragile and handmade nature of our products, we will assess all transit damage claims on a case-by-case basis and, where valid evidence is provided, will offer a full refund to the original payment method. Please refer to our Cancellation, Refund & Return Policy for full details.
Aartdeco is not responsible for delays, damage, or loss caused by:
- Events beyond our or the carrier's reasonable control (force majeure — natural disasters, strikes, pandemics, severe weather).
- Incorrect or incomplete delivery addresses provided by the customer.
- Failed delivery attempts due to the customer being unavailable.
- Customs delays, holds, or seizures for international shipments.
- Damage occurring after delivery has been confirmed by the carrier.
Failed Delivery and Returns to Sender
Failed Delivery Attempts
Most of our courier partners will make up to two or three delivery attempts if you are not available at the delivery address. After the final attempt, the package is typically held at a local courier facility or hub for a period of 3 to 7 days, during which you can arrange collection or re-delivery directly with the courier. Details of the attempted delivery and the holding facility will be communicated via the courier's tracking system or a delivery notification card.
Returned-to-Sender Packages
If a package is returned to us because delivery was unsuccessful — due to an incorrect address, repeated failed attempts, or refusal of delivery — we will contact you by email. You will have two options:
- Re-dispatch: We will re-ship the order to a corrected or confirmed address. Re-dispatch shipping charges apply and must be paid before the order is re-sent.
- Refund: We will issue a refund for the product value only. Original and return shipping charges are non-refundable. A handling fee may apply for processing the returned package.
If we do not hear from you within 14 days of our notification email, the package will be treated as abandoned and we reserve the right to dispose of it. No refund will be issued for abandoned packages.
Multiple Items and Split Shipments
If your order contains multiple items, we will generally dispatch all items together in a single shipment where possible. However, if items in your order have significantly different dispatch timelines or packing requirements, we may split your order into separate shipments. In such cases:
- You will receive a separate dispatch confirmation and tracking number for each shipment.
- No additional shipping charge will be applied for split shipments — you pay only what was calculated at checkout.
- Delivery timelines for each shipment will begin from the date that specific shipment is dispatched.
Quick Reference — Shipping at a Glance
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dispatch time | 1–5 business days from order confirmation depending on item (see Dispatch Timelines) |
| Domestic shipping charges | Calculated at checkout based on weight and delivery pin code |
| Domestic delivery estimate | 2–10 business days after dispatch depending on location |
| International shipping | Standard tracked courier; 7–14 business days after dispatch |
| International charges | Calculated at checkout; customs duties are buyer's responsibility |
| Packaging | All orders dispatched in branded Aartdeco packaging with protective inner wrapping |
| Tracking | Full tracking provided for all domestic and international orders |
| Risk of loss | Passes to buyer at point of dispatch |
| Transit damage | Assessed case-by-case with photographic evidence; full refund if confirmed |
| Failed delivery | Re-dispatch or product refund (minus shipping); must respond within 14 days |
| Contact for shipping queries | aartdeco@aarto.in |
