---
title: "Late online orders: the FTC shipping rule"
license: public-domain
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/business-guide-ftcs-mail-internet-or-telephone-order-merchandise-rule
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: Federal Trade Commission, \"Business Guide to the Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-11-02
category: products
checked_on: 2026-11-02
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/business-guide-ftcs-mail-internet-or-telephone-order-merchandise-rule
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
license_note: "Every fact below restates US government public-domain pages listed under sources. This summary is also offered as public domain."
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Courtesy of Federal Trade Commission. Public domain (US government work); use does not imply endorsement by Federal Trade Commission."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
source_check_note: "Live site blocks automated fetches (404/403); facts re-verified 2026-11-02 against Internet Archive snapshots listed as archive_url."
date: 2026-11-02
category: products
tags: products, shopping, ftc, refunds
checked_on: 2026-11-02
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Business Guide to the Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule"
    publisher: Federal Trade Commission
    url: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/business-guide-ftcs-mail-internet-or-telephone-order-merchandise-rule
    archive_url: https://web.archive.org/web/20260914005915/https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/business-guide-ftcs-mail-internet-or-telephone-order-merchandise-rule
    archive_checked: 2026-11-02
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S2
    title: "16 CFR 435.2: Mail, Internet, or telephone order sales"
    publisher: eCFR (National Archives)
    url: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-435/section-435.2
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# Late online orders: the FTC shipping rule

# Late online orders: the FTC shipping rule

## Summary
If a seller can't ship a mail, phone or online order on time, the FTC rule says it must tell you, offer a new date, and let you cancel for a full prompt refund. With no stated time, the default is 30 days.

*Draft. License: public domain (US government work). Sources: [S1] Federal Trade Commission, "Business Guide to the Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule"; [S2] eCFR (National Archives), "16 CFR 435.2: Mail, Internet, or telephone order sales".*

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: A seller must have a reasonable basis to ship within the time it states.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F2
  claim: If no time is stated, it must ship within 30 days of the order, or 50 days if you are applying for credit from the seller.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F3
  claim: If it cannot ship on time, it must promptly send a delay notice with a revised date and the option to cancel for a full refund.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F4
  claim: For long or indefinite delays, the seller needs your consent to continue; otherwise it must cancel and refund.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F5
  claim: Refunds are due promptly, generally within seven working days for cash or check payments, or one billing cycle for credit charges.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02