How Shipping Works

This article provides buyers with general information about how shipping works when purchasing an item on Chairish, as well as an overview of the shipping methods available.

This article contains the following sections:

• About Shipping
• Available Shipping Methods
• About Parcel Deliveries
• About In-Home Deliveries
• International Shipping
• About Delivery Estimates

About Shipping

As a peer-to-peer marketplace selling unique pre-owned furniture & décor, going to and from sellers and buyers nationwide, shipping may take longer than traditional retail purchases, where the product is warehoused, or a chain of distribution centers is utilized. 

Who Pays for Shipping?

The Buyer always pays for shipping, unless the seller has decided to offer free shipping on an item, or offers Free Local Pickup.

The cost of shipping is added to your order during the checkout process. 

• Click here to learn more about Calculating Shipping Costs.
• If you believe any shipping charges were applied in error, contact us within 3 business days with so we can review.

Selecting a Shipping Method

Prior to purchasing an item, you can see the shipping methods available for that item by clicking on the Calculate Shipping Costs link under the Details section of the item listing. These are the options that will be available for you to select from during checkout.

If you're interested in purchasing an item but would like to use a shipping method that is not listed in the item details, you can message the seller to see if they offer any other shipping options.

Shipping Requirements

To generate carrier-compliant shipping labels and avoid delays, we need the recipient's complete information:

• Full name (first and last)
• Complete street address, including unit, suite, or apartment number
• City, state/province, postal code, and country

If the address on file is incomplete, we will ask for the missing details before shipping so the package is accepted and deliverable.

Items cannot be shipped to a P.O. Box; a physical address is required. Use of a P.O. Box at checkout will delay shipping while we work to secure a physical address.

Available Shipping Methods

If you're interested in purchasing an item but would like to use a shipping method that is not listed in the item details, you can message the seller to see if they offer any other shipping options.

If you have already purchased an item and are not sure which shipping method you selected, click here.

About Parcel Deliveries

Smaller items and décor are generally shipped via parcel carriers (ex. UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS) or other services. The information below applies to all parcel deliveries (Seller-Managed or Chairish-Managed).

• Most items ship within 3 business days following a sale. 
  • Exceptions include lead times to produce an item, or when the shop is on Vacation Hold.
• Domestic US deliveries typically take 10 days or less, from the ship date. 
• International shipments typically take 20 days or less, from the ship date. 

Not sure what your shipping method is on your order? Click here to learn how to find out.

For more information about tracking orders, click here.

About In-Home Deliveries

The information below applies to all In-Home deliveries (Seller-Managed or Chairish-Managed).

Larger items and furniture typically require special handling and must be shipped using specialized shipping partners. Tracking is often not available for larger or fragile items shipped via In-Home delivery.  

Timelines

• Most larger items will ship within an average of 15 business days.
• Delivery typically occurs 3-6 weeks after pickup. 
• If the pickup or delivery location is outside of standard shipping routes, the delivery may take up to 8 weeks.

Scheduling Delivery

At times, Chairish or the carrier may require confirmation of delivery or scheduling details by a stated deadline. If you are not heard from by that date, the order may be returned to the seller. When a shipment is returned due to a lack of confirmation or unsuccessful delivery coordination, both the original and return shipping costs may be charged to you, as the buyer.

Reply to the applicable email or message thread before the deadline to confirm your availability (or propose alternate dates/times), delivery address, and best contact details.

• If you missed the deadline, contact us immediately. We can attempt to halt a return in transit, but this is not guaranteed once the carrier has processed the return. 

If you are unavailable during the proposed delivery window, ask for an extension or provide an alternate contact of someone who can accept the delivery on your behalf.

24-48 hours before the delivery date, the carrier will call or email you to schedule a delivery appointment.

• Keep your phone number on the order up to date and watch for scheduling calls. Many carriers require a confirmed phone number to schedule delivery. 

If you haven’t received any shipping communication:

• Verify the ready-to-ship date on your order and check your spam folder for carrier or seller messages.
• Contact Chairish to obtain a status update.
  • If we don’t receive a shipping update within 1-2 business days, we’ll escalate and provide you with the next update or steps. 
  • If you've had no scheduling outreach within 3 business days of the item arriving in your metro area (or after we notify you of carrier assignment), contact us and we'll coordinate with the carrier.

Delivery

Some orders, especially large or freight items, require an adult to be present to receive. If no one can meet the driver, the shipper may charge redelivery, storage, or a stocking/restocking fee. This can also delay your order.

• If you cannot be present when the item is delivered, authorize another adult to receive on your behalf.
• If this is not an option, let us know as soon as possible. If you can't be present, we can help coordinate with the shipper to minimize fees and delays. 

On the day of delivery, the team will deliver to your room of choice as agreed. Installation or assembly is not included.

Buyers are responsible for ensuring their purchased item is deliverable to their room of choice. Clear pathways and measure doorways/elevators to avoid issues on delivery day. If the item cannot be delivered to the address provided, the buyer will be responsible for outbound and return shipping fees or for making alternate arrangements at their expense. 

International Shipping

Currently, Chairish facilitates shipping within the United States, and from the US to Canada (note that shipping to some areas in Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii may be limited).

Items being shipped from outside of the continental United States can only be shipped via Seller-Managed Shipping and is coordinated entirely by the seller.

• To learn more about purchasing items from a seller outside the continental US, click here.
• To learn more about having items from the US shipped to locations outside of the continental US, click here.

Freight Shipping

Freight shipping is often used for larger items shipped internationally.

Freight shipping includes the creation of a custom crate. The crate may be transported via container ship or air, in conjunction with a courier company such as DHL, FedEx, or UPS. 

Construction of a crate represents a significant portion of the quoted shipping time, and a tracking link is not normally available during this time. Once the crate is finished, it will be shipped by air or land, and a tracking number will be provided. 

Freight shipments can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to arrive.

• Delivery is usually not scheduled, and the item will be left at the recipient's front door. If you wish to request a scheduled delivery, you can contact the transit carrier directly. 
• To open the crate, you will need additional tools or equipment. 

Sea Freight Shipping

Typical timing (varies by route):

• Ocean transit: roughly 3–6 weeks.
• Customs and port handling: 3–7 business days.
  • Estimated delivery timelines can extend based on customs inspections, import clearance, and regional carrier capacity.
• Domestic final mile: scheduled after handoff; expect a call to book your appointment.

Shipping/Delivery Updates:

• An approximate ETA should be provided once the shipment is tendered and tracking begins to show movement. 
• Expect limited updates during the ocean leg. Milestones typically appear at container departure and again at the US port of arrival.
• Once a sea freight container arrives in the destination country and clears customs, it is transferred to a domestic carrier for final delivery and tracking or a delivery appointment becomes available.
  • Tracking updates may take some time to appear after the number is issued- this is normal as the item moves through intake and sorting.
• The final-mile carrier or delivery team will reach out to schedule delivery once your item is at the local warehouse. 
  • If you haven't received your final-mile tracking or scheduling call within the provided ETA window, contact us (for Chairish-Managed shipping) and we'll follow up with the carrier. For Seller-Managed shipping, contact the seller.

Some statuses you may see refer to intermediate milestones rather than delivery to your door. Common examples:

• Delivered to warehouse: Your item was delivered to a consolidation or destination warehouse, not your home.
• Loaded onto container: The item has been placed in an ocean container for sea transport.
• Arrived at port: The container reached the destination country's port and awaits customs clearance.

About Delivery Estimates

We know you rely on delivery dates to plan. The goal is to provide the best possible estimate, but some factors are outside anyone's control:

• Multi-stop routes: Many carriers consolidate shipments and deliver in geographic waves, which can shift day-to-day.
• Weather and road conditions: Storms, traffic, and road closures can delay trucks.
• Building and elevator restrictions: Especially for apartments and condos, delivery windows can depend on building rules and loading dock schedules.
• Customs and inspections (international): Border processes can add variability.

Generally, an estimated delivery window (for example, a range of several days) reflecting routing plans and the carrier's name (once assigned) can be provided. Once available, their planned contact timeline may also be provided.

What cannot be provided are exact delivery days or times. Your local delivery partner should confirm these with you.

If your timeframe is critical, tell us or the seller early so we can coordinate with the carrier as much as possible. However, please know that we cannot guarantee delivery dates/times.