International Ordering &
Shipping Information

The US Post Office has increased prices again--effective May 12, 2008


International: How To Order

1. Order using our Shopping Cart!

INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS using the shopping cart: It is VERY important that you READ the Shipping Information provided below.  When you chose "International Shipping," the shopping cart will provide numerous international shipping options available through the US Postal Service. Although the International Priority Mail Flat Rate envelopes are allowed to hold up to four pounds, these Flat Rate envelopes can only hold a certain number of our products.  If you choose an incorrect shipping method for your order, your order will not be processed until we receive the correct postage including any added PayPal fees that we may incur for the a second payment.


2. Send us a list
of what you would like to order in an E-mail to:

Chagrin Valley Soap & Craft             ChagrinCraft@aol.com


First time customers:

We would appreciate your full name, address, and phone number when you place your order!

Returning customers: please let us know if any of your info has changed!    
 

 HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday thru Thursday
10am - 4pm Eastern Time
Although we are closed Friday through Sunday,
you can place orders via email
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Click here for a link to "Local Times Around the World." 
We are the same time zone as New York!

Let us know how if you have any questions!  Contact Us

During the business week (Monday through Thursday) we usually answer all of our emails within 24 hours.  

There are times when e-mails (your or ours) get lost in cyberspace somewhere.   If you do not receive an answer to your email within 24 hours during the business week, please send another. 

Please see Payment and Shipping Information Below!




International PAYMENT

There are two Payment options. . .

1. PayPal : Can be used via the shopping cart or e-mail orders

If you do not have a PayPal account and would like more information-- please visit www.paypal.com

2. Credit Card: Can only be used via the shopping cart

International SHIPPING **

International Orders are shipped within 3 to 5 business days from receipt of payment. 
Orders paid for after 2:00 pm Eastern time are posted the following day.  Orders received after 2 pm on Thursdays are shipped the following Monday or Tuesday!

**See NEW information on Shipping Notification below**

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:

Using the Shopping Cart:
When you choose International Shipping from the drop down menu
on the shipping information page and click submit,
you will be given the following choices from the US Postal Service

Service Type

Cost

   

Express Mail International (EMS)

35.60

Priority Mail International

24.85

Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope

11.75

Priority Mail International Flat Rate Box

37.75

 The explanation of the different types of International Mail is detailed below.
Each of the Postage costs include a 75 cent handling fee!
This sample order was for one bar of soap and 2 samples to the United Kingdom!

 

Express Mail International
Express Mail International (formerly “Global Express Mail”) provides reliable, 3-5 average business day delivery to more than 190 countries.   Express Mail International will now offer the same packaging and flat-rate option available for domestic Express Mail. The flat-rate envelope is priced at $22 for Canada and Mexico; and $25 for all other countries.  Merchandise insurance up to $100 will be provided at no additional cost. 

 

Priority Mail International:  According to the USPS, Priority Mail International service is available to more than 190 countries and offers 6-10 average business day delivery.  We have found that most packages arrive within two weeks, but there is a lot of variation in actual shipping times and it sometimes takes even longer!   No one at the US Post Office seems to have an explanation for the variability in shipping times.  As our post office loves to remind us, once it lands in the destination country, they have no control of the delivery of mail.

1. Priority Mail International Standard: The postage is actually calculated by the USPS based on the weight of the package and the destination country.   Since the cost of this shipping option is based on weight, no extra items or free samples can be added to the order if this shipping method is chosen.  Shipping charges do NOT include insurance. If you require insurance, please order by e-mail. Insurance is available at an additional charge, but the shopping cart is not set up to calculate international insurance.

2. Priority Mail International FLAT RATE Envelope****:  We can ship for a flat rate of $11.95 ($9.95 to Canada & Mexico)Each LARGE envelope can hold up to 7 full size bars of our soap OR 16 samples.  Shipping charges do NOT include insurance. There is no insurance available for Flat Rate Envelope envelopes.  This option CANNOT be used for gifts,  Howard's woodshop items, or items that will not fit!

3. Priority Mail International FLAT RATE Box:  We can ship for a flat rate of $38.95 ($23.95 to Canada & Mexico)Each box can hold about 25 bars of soap (or the equivalent--see below). There will be little room for cushioning with this much soap, but the box is more durable than the envelope and includes $25.00 insurance. If you require more insurance, it is available at an additional charge.

The chart below will help you figure how some other items will fit
in the
Priority Mail International FLAT RATE BOX or ENVELOPE

Item   Equals this number of Soap Bars
   

ENVELOPE

BOX

1  Soap Deck  

2

2

6  lip balms  

1

1

2  small lotion bars  

1

1

1  large lotion bar  

1

1

1  4 ounce jar whipped shea  

Will not fit!

2

1  2 oz jar whipped shea  

2

1

2  small whipped shea butter  

1

1

nylon soap sack  

1

0 (takes up very little space)

sisal washcloth  

1

0 (takes up very little space)

nylon soap sponge  

Will not fit!

1

gift items  

Will not fit!

Depends on size of gift!

Bath Melts  

Only the small
trial size!

Trial Size = 1 soap
Larger sizes = 3 soaps

****NOTEDue to the size and nature of the USPS Flat Rate envelope, we cannot wrap soaps for maximum protection and cannot guarantee that the bars will not get dinged during shipment.  Also, the flat rate envelope is a thin piece of cardboard and, if handled roughly in transit, can tear.  The rules of the USPS regarding flat rate envelopes, do not allow us to reinforce the envelope in any way.  We have shipped hundreds of orders across the country and most of our international orders using this type of envelope and we have had very few problems.  It is a great way to save money on shipping but please understand that if a package is damaged we cannot be responsible for missing or damaged items. These envelopes cannot be insured.

Priority Mail International FLAT RATE shipping is not available to all countries.  The shopping cart will only offer the Priority Mail International FLAT RATE shipping as an option if it is available to your country.

If Priority Mail International FLAT RATE shipping is not available will can ship up to 4 pounds First-Class Mail International.  The shopping cart will also provide you with this information.

 

All international and domestic orders are shipped via
United States Postal Service Priority Mail

We do not use regular International First Class Mail shipping click here to find out why!

 

 

SHIPPING NOTIFICATION

I am now able to pay for and print international labels for the Flat Rate envelopes on-line through PayPal or the US Postal Service website. This means the Postal Person can now pick up these international orders along with the domestic orders.


When your shipping labels is printed you will receive an e-mail from PayPal or the US Postal Service
***with a transaction/label number.   Unfortunately, if your shipment is via FLAT RATE ENVELOPE, when you check your shipment you will receive the following message:
 
Search Results

Label/Receipt Number: LJ51 0273 862U S (your label number)

There is no record of this item.

The US Post Office does not seem to be using the tracking bar code at this time for the Flat Rate Envelopes.  I really don't know what it will tell you when it is working--I guess we'll have to wait and see.  All International packages must be shipped on the date posted on the address/postage label or the label becomes invalid.  So at least you will know the date that your order will be or has been shipped.

If your order is shipped via the FLAT RATE BOX there is "usually" tracking information available!

***Orders paid for via PayPal will receive an e-mail from the USPS or PayPal to let you know that your orders have been processed for shipping. 

Our Credit Card payments are also processed via PayPal and we print our shipping labels directly from the PayPal site.  Unfortunately, since there is no e-mail address associated with Credit Card payments, Credit Card customers do not receive shipping notices.  We are hopeful that PayPal will resolve this problem.

 

 

Click here for a link to "Local Times Around the World." 
We are the same time zone as New York!

Missing Item Policy for International Orders

Although I check and double check orders prior to shipping, mistakes do happen.  Due to the rising cost of international postage, we can longer ship items that are missing from your international order.  If you discover a missing item, please let me know as soon as possible.  You have your choice of a credit toward your next purchase, or I will gladly issue a refund for the missing item(s).

Return Policy

Due to the nature of our all natural products, we cannot assure the purity of merchandise once it has been shipped.  Since this merchandise cannot be restocked or resold, we do not accept returns.  Your satisfaction is our goal and we truly believe that you will love our products. That is why we offer our soap and shampoo bars in sample sizes so that you can experiment. 

Chagrin Valley Soap & Craft is not responsible for any individual reaction to any particular ingredient.  Each product description on our website includes a complete list of ingredients.  People with sensitivities to any listed ingredient should not use the product.   In case you are in doubt always try an allergy patch test and if at any time irritation occurs, discontinue use of the product.


 

A quality bar handmade soap will often "sweat" in humid weather due to the high content of natural humectants.

Click here to read more!


Let us know how if you have any questions!  Contact Us

Click link to read disclaimer concerning liability and health information.

 

Copyright © 2008 Chagrin Valley Soap & Craft Company.   All Rights Reserved. 
You may not duplicate any portion of this website.