Shipping and Return Policy
Whiskey Caviar · Store Policies
Shipping, Returns & Cancellation Policy
Clear information about order processing, custom engraving, delivery, cancellations, returns, and shipping protection.
Last updated: October 22, 2026
At Whiskey Caviar, we carefully prepare and ship rare spirits, premium gifts, and personalized bottles. Please review the terms below before ordering, particularly for time-sensitive or custom-engraved purchases. These terms are subject to applicable law.
1. Order Processing Times
Standard Processing: 1–7 Business Days
Our standard order processing time is 1–7 business days, depending on product availability, order volume, and seasonal demand. Processing includes verifying the order, preparing products, packaging, and arranging shipment.
Processing time is separate from shipping transit time. Business days generally exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and recognized holidays. Processing may take longer during peak periods.
You order on Monday and select UPS Ground. Your order may take 1–7 business days to process before shipment. Ground transit begins after the package is shipped and accepted by the carrier.
Choosing Ground, 2-Day Air, or Next Day Air does not automatically expedite processing.
2. Expedited Processing — $40
Expedited Processing prioritizes preparation and shipment of eligible orders within 24 business hours, subject to product availability and disclosed customization requirements. It is a separate service from the shipping method selected at checkout.
Expedited Processing is not expedited shipping. It does not upgrade Ground Shipping to air service or guarantee delivery by a particular date.
Your order is prioritized for shipment, then travels by UPS Ground. Cross-country delivery can take several additional business days.
Scenario B: Expedited Processing + 2-Day AirPriority processing occurs first. The two-business-day transit service begins after shipment/carrier acceptance, subject to the carrier's terms.
Scenario C: Expedited Processing + Next Day AirPriority processing occurs first. Next-business-day transit begins after shipment/carrier acceptance, subject to the carrier's terms.
Scenario D: Friday OrderAn expedited order placed on Friday may ship Monday or the next business day, depending on when the order was placed and the applicable cutoff.
If we fail to meet the applicable expedited-processing commitment, the $40 processing fee will be refunded, subject to exceptions disclosed before purchase. This does not automatically entitle the customer to a refund of the entire order or shipping charges.
Engraved orders: Customization may require additional production time. Please confirm timing with us before purchasing expedited processing for a time-sensitive engraved order.
3. Custom Engraving and Personalized Orders
Custom engraving typically requires 1–5 business days, depending on design, bottle, quantity, and production schedule. This is separate from transit time.
We prepare and engrave your bottle before shipping it. Once shipped, UPS Ground transit begins. Approximately one week from order to cross-country delivery can be consistent with normal engraving and ground-shipping timelines.
Engraved products are final sale. Once personalization or production has begun, the order cannot be canceled for a change of mind. Completed engraved orders cannot be returned or exchanged for customer-submitted spelling mistakes or dissatisfaction with an accurately completed customization. Orders already in transit cannot be canceled.
If we make an engraving error or your item arrives damaged, contact us for review under the applicable fulfillment or Shipping Protection policy.
4. Shipping Methods and Delivery Estimates
Available methods at checkout may include Ground, 2-Day Air, Next Day Air, and other carrier services. Transit estimates begin after shipment, not when the order is placed. Carrier schedules, cutoff times, weekends, holidays, and disruptions can affect delivery.
You order Monday with 2-Day Air. If the order ships Thursday after processing, the air transit period starts after shipment/carrier acceptance—not Monday.
Example: Carrier DelayA routing issue causes a later-than-estimated arrival. A delay by itself does not mean the package is lost or automatically qualify the order for a full refund. Applicable carrier service guarantees are evaluated separately.
5. Tracking Information and Carrier Handoffs
Tracking may be created before the first physical carrier scan. Some shipments travel through a third-party transportation or regional network before transfer to UPS or another final-mile carrier. During this period, tracking may show Label Created, Shipment Ready for UPS, Awaiting Carrier Pickup, or Delivery Date Pending.
A confirmation arrives Monday, but the first UPS scan appears Wednesday. The shipment may be moving through the handoff network. Contact us if tracking remains inactive beyond a reasonable period.
6. Adult Signature Required — Age 21+
Every alcohol delivery requires an adult signature from someone at least 21 years old. A valid government-issued photo ID may be required. Alcohol packages cannot simply be left unattended.
The carrier cannot complete delivery without an eligible adult. Another attempt or an authorized pickup option may be offered. Missed signatures are not lost-package claims and are not covered by Shipping Protection.
Scenario: Recipient Cannot Provide IDThe carrier may refuse delivery and return the package. Applicable return or reshipping charges may apply.
7. Failed Deliveries, UPS Access Points and Returned Packages
UPS generally makes up to three delivery attempts, though procedures vary by shipment and location. Packages may be redirected to an authorized UPS Access Point. Customers must monitor tracking and retrieve packages before pickup deadlines.
No eligible adult signs, and the package returns to us. This is a failed delivery, not a lost shipment.
Scenario B: Uncollected Access Point PackageThe recipient does not pick up the package before the deadline. This is not covered by Shipping Protection.
Scenario C: Refused DeliveryThe recipient refuses delivery or cannot meet age-verification requirements. Return charges may apply.
Reshipping Returned Orders
After a returned order reaches our warehouse and is inspected, eligible orders can be reshipped for a $40 reshipping fee, where permitted.
If You Do Not Want Reshipment
Any approved discretionary refund may be reduced by a 25% restocking fee, original shipping charges, and applicable return transportation charges. If the order received promotional free shipping, a $40 original shipping-and-handling deduction may apply instead of duplicating the same expense. Condition and applicable law may affect eligibility. Engraved products remain final sale.
8. Incorrect Shipping Addresses
Customers must provide a complete and accurate recipient name, street address, apartment or suite number, city, state, and ZIP code.
Address changes requested before shipment may be accommodated but are not guaranteed. Once shipped, rerouting depends on carrier approval and may incur additional fees. Billing addresses cannot ordinarily be changed after payment authorization.
UPS cannot complete delivery and returns the package. Applicable return or reshipping fees may apply. Customer address-entry errors are not covered by Shipping Protection.
9. Order Cancellations — 10% Fee
Cancellation requests must be received before packaging, shipment, or irreversible customization begins. Approval depends on order status and applicable law. An approved discretionary pre-shipment cancellation is subject to a 10% cancellation fee for processing, administrative, and related costs.
If an early cancellation is approved, the refund is issued less the applicable 10% fee.
Scenario B: Already ShippedAn order cannot be canceled while in transit. Refusing delivery does not automatically entitle the customer to a refund.
Scenario C: Engraving Started or CompletedCustom-made products cannot be canceled for a change of mind once personalization has begun.
Scenario D: Customer Changes Their MindChanging your mind about a limited-release bottle does not override the final-sale policy.
Fee distinction: The 10% fee concerns approved pre-shipment cancellations; the 25% restocking fee concerns eligible approved returns. They are not automatically charged together.
10. Returns and Refunds — Final Sale Policy
Alcohol sales are final, except where an applicable law requires a remedy or Whiskey Caviar approves an exception. We generally do not accept returns for buyer's remorse, unwanted gifts, incorrect customer selections, shipping expectations that were not guaranteed, personalized items, or opened/consumed/altered products.
Approved Exceptions
Where lawful and approved, discretionary returns may be subject to a 25% restocking fee, nonrefundable original shipping, actual return transportation charges, and—where promotional free shipping was used—a $40 original shipping-and-handling deduction without double-charging the same expense. Returned items must be in acceptable condition.
These deductions do not automatically apply when we are legally required to provide a remedy for our own error or another covered issue.
11. Damaged, Broken or Leaking Products
Report damage or missing-item claims within 24 hours of delivery. Send your order number and photos of the outer box, shipping label, interior packaging, affected bottles, and any visible damage. Keep all packaging and affected items until review is complete.
With Navidium Shipping Protection, eligible transit damage may qualify for a replacement, refund, or other resolution after review. Without protection, we may pursue a carrier claim, subject to carrier limits and applicable rights.
Example: Minor Cork LeakageSmall seepage or residue around a sealed natural cork does not automatically warrant a full refund. We assess product loss and condition.
Example: Significant LeakageSubstantial liquid loss caused by transit damage may qualify for review when reported with photos within 24 hours.
For coverage details, see our Shipping Protection Policy.
12. Lost Packages and Shipping Protection
Optional Navidium Shipping Protection covers eligible transit loss and damage, subject to its terms. It is separate from the shipping method selected.
With Protection
Approved eligible claims may result in a replacement, refund, or other appropriate resolution after verification.
Without Protection
We may assist with carrier investigations, which can take 6–8 weeks. Standard carrier liability may be limited to $100 unless another limit or coverage applies. Carrier liability does not eliminate non-waivable consumer rights against the seller.
We may ask you to allow up to 7 business days for carrier investigation. Confirmed misdelivery may be covered; theft after confirmed successful delivery is not.
Example: Tracking Stops MovingA package generally must have no tracking progress for 14 days from shipment to qualify for a loss review, unless the carrier confirms loss sooner.
Missed signatures, address mistakes, uncollected Access Point packages, and delays alone are not covered. Read the Shipping Protection Policy for full terms.
13. Incorrect Items and Fulfillment Errors
If we ship an incorrect item or omit a product because of a verified packing error, contact us promptly. Shipping Protection is not required for verified warehouse fulfillment errors.
We may provide a prepaid return label and arrange a replacement after the incorrect product is returned, where lawful. If the correct product is unavailable, we will offer an appropriate remedy.
Example: Missing Bottle in an Undamaged BoxWe review packing and shipment records. Verified warehouse omissions are handled separately from transit protection.
14. Free Shipping and Promotional Codes
Eligible orders of $350 or more may qualify for promotional free Ground Shipping on up to six bottles, subject to the offer's terms. Air shipping upgrades are not automatically included.
If you choose Next Day Air instead of the eligible Ground service, applicable upgrade charges remain payable.
Promotions may have minimums, product exclusions, quantity limits, expiration dates, geographic restrictions, or one-time-use terms. Codes cannot be combined unless expressly permitted.
15. Preorders, Backorders and Limited Releases
Preorder and expected-arrival dates are estimates unless expressly guaranteed. Suppliers and distributors may delay or discontinue products.
We provide available updates and review cancellation or refund requests according to the terms disclosed at purchase and applicable law.
Example: Product UnavailableWe may offer continued waiting, an authorized substitute, or a refund for an item we cannot fulfill. We do not substitute a materially different product without appropriate authorization.
16. International Shipping — DHL Express
International orders ship only to eligible destinations, subject to local alcohol-import laws and carrier restrictions. International transit may take approximately 2–7 business days after shipment, excluding customs and processing delays.
Duties, Taxes and Customs
Customers are responsible for applicable import duties, taxes, brokerage fees, and customs charges unless checkout expressly states otherwise.
The carrier requests import duties upon arrival. The recipient must pay them; refusal can cause the package to be held, returned, abandoned, or destroyed.
International alcohol returns are generally not accepted. Where an approved discretionary refund follows a recipient-related return, original and return shipping charges and a 25% restocking fee may apply, subject to law. Customs seizure or destruction caused by unmet import requirements does not guarantee a refund.
17. Payment Disputes and Order Documentation
If there is a problem, please contact our team first so we can investigate. We maintain records of order confirmations, selected shipping services, engraving requests, tracking, carrier attempts, and correspondence, which may be supplied to payment processors during a dispute.
Nothing in this policy restricts a customer's lawful right to dispute a charge or seek applicable remedies.
18. Contact Whiskey Caviar
For tracking, cancellations, delivery concerns, or damage claims, contact Whiskey Caviar Customer Support at contact@whiskeycaviar.com.
Please include your order number and any relevant tracking details.
19. Agreement and Applicable Law
By placing an order, you acknowledge the opportunity to review our processing times, selected shipping services, adult-signature requirements, return restrictions, and customization terms. This policy should be read together with our Shipping Protection Policy, Terms of Service, and other applicable store policies.
If a provision conflicts with mandatory consumer protection law, applicable law controls. We may update this policy prospectively; changes do not retroactively override previously applicable rights where prohibited.
