Cotopaxi Shipping Policy: Get Your Adventure Gear On Time, Every Time

At Cotopaxi, we know your outdoor plans don’t wait—whether you’re gearing up for a weekend hike or a multi-day camping trip, timely delivery of your gear matters. This Shipping Policy outlines our delivery scope, processing timelines, shipping costs, and how we handle logistics challenges, so you know exactly when to expect your backpack, tent, or jacket.

1. Shipping Scope & Eligible Locations

We ship outdoor gear to select regions, with special considerations for large or bulky items (e.g., tents, sleeping bags) and international customs rules for outdoor equipment:

Domestic Shipping: We deliver to all 50 states of the U.S., including Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Note that shipments to remote domestic areas (e.g., Alaska’s rural communities, Hawaii’s outer islands) may have limited delivery options and longer timelines due to transportation constraints.
International Shipping: We ship to most countries across Europe (e.g., UK, France, Germany, Italy), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. To confirm if your location is eligible, enter your shipping address during checkout—unavailable locations will be flagged before you complete your order.
Restricted Areas: We cannot ship to P.O. boxes, military addresses (APO/FPO), or countries with strict regulations on outdoor gear (e.g., certain regions with restrictions on camping equipment or materials like waterproof coatings). If you provide an ineligible address, we will contact you to update it; failure to do so may result in order cancellation.

2. Order Processing Timeline

Before your gear ships, we carefully prepare it to ensure it arrives in perfect condition (critical for outdoor equipment that needs to withstand the elements):

Standard Processing: Most orders are processed within 1–3 business days (Monday–Friday, excluding weekends and public holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s Day). Processing includes verifying your order details, checking product stock, and packaging gear with protective materials (e.g., bubble wrap for tent poles, waterproof bags for jackets).
Large/Bulky Items: Orders for oversized gear (e.g., 4-person tents, full backpacking kits) may require additional processing time—typically 2–4 business days—to ensure proper packaging and carrier coordination.
Peak Period Delays: During high-demand seasons (e.g., spring camping prep, Black Friday, holiday gift-giving), processing may take up to 5 business days due to increased order volume. We will notify you via email if your order experiences unexpected delays beyond this timeframe.

3. Shipping Methods & Delivery Timelines

We partner with trusted carriers (e.g., UPS, FedEx, USPS for domestic orders; DHL for international orders) that specialize in shipping outdoor gear safely. Delivery timelines start after your order is processed (not from the date you place the order) and do not include weekends or holidays.

a. Domestic Shipping Methods

Standard Ground Shipping: Delivers within 3–5 business days. This method is ideal for non-urgent orders and uses carriers like UPS Ground or USPS Priority Mail. It includes basic protection for gear and is suitable for most items (e.g., jackets, daypacks, hydration bladders).
Expedited Shipping: Delivers within 2–3 business days. This option uses carriers like FedEx 2Day or UPS 2nd Day Air and is recommended if you need gear quickly (e.g., a replacement backpack before a planned hike). It includes enhanced packaging for fragile parts (e.g., zipper pulls, buckles).
Priority Overnight Shipping: Delivers within 1–2 business days. This is our fastest domestic option (via FedEx Overnight or UPS Next Day Air) and is available for urgent orders. Note that this method may not be available for remote domestic areas, and additional fees apply for large items.

b. International Shipping Methods

International delivery timelines include time for customs clearance (which may add 2–4 business days and is beyond our control—especially for gear that requires material inspections, like waterproof coatings or metal tent stakes):

Standard International Shipping: Delivers within 7–10 business days after customs clearance. This method uses carriers like DHL Economy or UPS Worldwide Economy and is cost-effective for non-urgent international orders.
Express International Shipping: Delivers within 3–5 business days after customs clearance. This option uses DHL Express or UPS Worldwide Express and is recommended for urgent international orders, with expedited customs processing support (where available) to minimize delays.

4. Shipping Cost Calculation

Shipping costs are determined by three factors: your shipping location (domestic vs. international), the weight and dimensions of your order (critical for outdoor gear, which varies widely—from lightweight jackets to heavy tents), and the shipping method you select. You can view the exact shipping cost for your order before checkout by:

Adding items to your cart.
Proceeding to checkout and entering your shipping address.
Selecting your preferred shipping method—your total shipping cost will be displayed in the “Shipping” section of the checkout page.

Key Notes on Shipping Costs:

Domestic Costs: For standard ground shipping, costs typically range from $8 to $18 (based on order weight):
Lightweight items (e.g., a single jacket, small daypack): $8–$12.
Medium items (e.g., a hydration pack, 2-person tent): $12–$15.
Heavy/bulky items (e.g., 4-person tent, full backpacking kit): $15–$18.

Expedited shipping costs range from $18 to $30, and priority overnight shipping starts at $35 (varies by distance and item size).

International Costs: International shipping costs include base shipping fees, carrier surcharges (e.g., for large items or remote areas), and handling fees for customs documentation. For standard international shipping:
Lightweight items (e.g., a jacket): $25–$35.
Medium items (e.g., a 2-person tent): $35–$50.
Heavy/bulky items (e.g., 4-person tent): $50–$75.

Express international shipping costs are 50–70% higher than standard, depending on the destination.

Cost Adjustments: If you modify your order (e.g., add/remove a tent, swap a backpack size) after initial checkout, we will re-calculate the shipping cost and notify you of any changes before processing the updated order.

5. Order Tracking

Once your order ships, we will send a shipping confirmation email to the address you provided during checkout. This email includes:

A unique tracking number.
A direct link to the carrier’s website (e.g., UPS Tracking, FedEx Tracking, DHL Tracking) where you can monitor your order’s status (e.g., “in transit,” “out for delivery,” “delivered”).
Estimated delivery date (as provided by the carrier—note that this is an estimate and may change due to weather conditions, carrier delays, or customs hold-ups for international orders).

If you do not receive the shipping confirmation email within 1 business day of your order being processed, check your spam folder first. If it’s still missing, contact us at [email protected] with your order number, and we will resend the tracking details.

6. Customs, Duties, & Taxes (International Orders)

For international orders, outdoor gear may be subject to additional scrutiny by customs authorities. Key details include:

Customs Clearance: Your order may be inspected to verify compliance with local regulations (e.g., material safety for waterproof coatings, restrictions on certain tent fabrics). This process is mandatory and can cause delays beyond the estimated delivery timeline—we include all necessary documentation (e.g., product material lists, safety certifications) to streamline clearance.
Duties & Taxes: International orders may incur import duties, taxes, or fees imposed by your country’s government. These charges are not included in your order total or shipping cost—you (the recipient) are responsible for paying them upon delivery (or before delivery, depending on your country’s requirements).
Policy Variations: Duties and tax rates vary by country and order value. For example, the EU may impose a 20% VAT on outdoor gear, while Canada may charge a 5% GST plus provincial taxes. We recommend checking with your local customs office before placing an international order to understand potential additional costs. If you refuse to pay these charges and the order is returned to us, you will be responsible for the original shipping cost plus the cost of returning the order to our warehouse—these costs will be deducted from any refund you request.

7. Delivery Issues & Resolution

We take extra care to package your outdoor gear for safe transit, but if you encounter delivery problems, here’s how we can help:

a. Missing or Lost Orders

If your tracking information shows the order as “delivered” but you have not received it, first check with household members, neighbors, or your building management (e.g., front desk, mailroom)—carriers sometimes leave packages with trusted parties to avoid theft (especially for valuable gear like backpacks or tents).
If the order is still missing 48 hours after the “delivered” status is updated, contact us at [email protected] with your order number and tracking number. We will file a claim with the carrier to investigate. Resolution timelines vary by carrier but typically take 5–7 business days. If the carrier confirms the order is lost, we will offer to reship the order (at your cost, unless the loss is due to carrier negligence) or process a refund (minus original shipping costs).

b. Damaged Gear

Outdoor gear (especially items with fragile parts like tent poles or zipper pulls) may be damaged during transit. If your order arrives with damaged items (e.g., a bent tent pole, a torn jacket seam), take photos of the gear, packaging, and any damage to your property (if applicable) immediately.
Contact us within 48 hours of delivery at [email protected] with your order number, photos of the damage, and a description of the issue. We will require these photos to file a claim with the carrier. Once verified, we will send a replacement order (at your cost for shipping, unless the damage is due to carrier negligence) or process a refund for the damaged items (minus original shipping costs).

c. Wrong Address Deliveries

If you provided an incorrect shipping address during checkout and the order has not yet shipped, contact us immediately at [email protected]—we can update the address if the order is still in processing.
If the order has already shipped to the wrong address, we cannot redirect it mid-transit. You will need to coordinate with the carrier to retrieve the package (if possible). If the order is returned to us due to an incorrect address, we can reship it to the correct address (you will be responsible for the new shipping cost) or process a refund (minus the original shipping cost).

8. Contact Us for Shipping Questions

If you have questions about shipping (e.g., eligible locations, cost estimates for a bulky tent, tracking issues), or need help resolving a delivery problem, contact our customer service team at:

Email: [email protected]
Subject Line: “Shipping Inquiry” or “Delivery Issue”

We respond to all shipping-related questions within 24 business hours (Monday–Friday) and will work with you to ensure your gear arrives in time for your next adventure.

At Cotopaxi, we strive to make the shipping process as smooth as your favorite trail—so you can focus on planning your next journey, not waiting for your gear. Thank you for trusting us with your outdoor adventures.