Shipping Policy
Variegated Plants Circle · variegatedplantscircle.com
Thank you for shopping with Variegated Plants Circle. We understand that receiving a rare variegated plant safely and in excellent condition is just as important as the plant itself. This shipping policy outlines everything you need to know about how we pack, ship, and deliver your order — anywhere in the world.
If you have any questions not covered here, please contact us at sales@variegatedplantscircle.com or through our contact page.
Free Shipping on Orders Over $99
We offer free standard international shipping on all orders over $99 USD.
This applies to all destinations worldwide where we ship. Orders below $99 are subject to a flat-rate shipping fee calculated at checkout based on your delivery country.
There are no discount codes, subscriptions, or memberships required to qualify for free shipping — simply add $99 or more of plants to your cart and free shipping is applied automatically at checkout.
Order Processing Times
All orders are processed and packed within 1–3 business days of payment confirmation. Business days are Monday through Saturday, excluding public holidays.
We do not ship on Sundays. Orders placed on Friday after business hours or over the weekend will begin processing on Monday.
You will receive an email confirmation with your tracking number as soon as your order has been dispatched. If you have not received a shipping confirmation within 4 business days of your order, please contact us — we will investigate immediately.
Shipping Destinations
We ship to 180+ countries worldwide. At checkout, enter your delivery address and eligible shipping options for your location will be displayed automatically.
If your country does not appear as an available shipping destination at checkout, please contact us before placing an order — we may still be able to arrange delivery through alternative courier options.
Countries We Currently Ship To (Major Destinations)
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Canada
- Germany
- France
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Spain
- Italy
- Portugal
- Switzerland
- Austria
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Norway
- Finland
- Poland
- Czech Republic
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Japan
- South Korea
- Hong Kong
- UAE
- South Africa
- Brazil
- Mexico
- And 150+ additional countries worldwide
If your country is not listed above, please contact us at sales@variegatedplantscircle.com to confirm availability before ordering.
Estimated Delivery Times
Delivery timeframes are estimates based on typical transit times. Actual delivery may vary based on customs clearance, local postal service performance, and seasonal delays.
| Destination Region | Estimated Delivery Time |
|---|---|
| United States | 5–10 business days |
| United Kingdom | 4–8 business days |
| European Union | 5–10 business days |
| Australia & New Zealand | 7–14 business days |
| Canada | 6–12 business days |
| Asia (Singapore, Japan, Korea, HK) | 5–10 business days |
| Middle East | 7–14 business days |
| South America | 10–21 business days |
| Africa | 10–21 business days |
| Rest of World | 10–21 business days |
Please note: These timeframes begin from the date of dispatch, not the date of order. Processing time (1–3 business days) is additional to the delivery estimate above.
Shipping Methods and Carriers
We use trusted international courier services and postal carriers depending on your destination. All shipments are fully tracked from dispatch to delivery.
Primary carriers used:
- DHL Express
- FedEx International
- UPS International
- Royal Mail International (UK)
- Australia Post International
- EMS (Express Mail Service) for select destinations
The carrier used for your specific order will be confirmed in your shipping notification email along with your tracking number.
Packaging: Designed for Plant Survival
We have spent over a decade refining our packaging to ensure rare variegated plants arrive in the best possible condition. Every order is packed with the following considerations:
Bare-root packing for most orders. Plants are carefully removed from their growing medium, roots are wrapped in moistened sphagnum moss to retain humidity, and the entire root system is sealed to prevent moisture loss during transit. This method significantly reduces box weight, improves cushioning, and has been proven across thousands of international shipments.
Moisture retention. Roots are packed with damp sphagnum moss and wrapped in plastic film to maintain humidity throughout the journey without creating conditions for rot.
Structural protection. Each plant is positioned within the box to prevent leaf damage during transit. Fragile stems and petioles are supported with additional packaging material.
Thermal protection. We monitor weather conditions at both origin and destination. Heat packs are added automatically during cold weather months. Insulated packaging is used when temperatures at either end of the shipment require it. We may hold orders during extreme weather events at either origin or destination to protect your plant.
Secure outer packaging. Plants are shipped in sturdy cardboard boxes with appropriate void fill. “Live Plants — Handle with Care” and “This Way Up” labels are applied to all boxes.
Phytosanitary Certificate — Included with Every International Order
A phytosanitary certificate is an official plant health document issued by the agricultural authority of the exporting country. It certifies that your plant has been inspected and is free from regulated pests and diseases.
We include a phytosanitary certificate with every international order at no additional charge.
This documentation is legally required for importing plant material into most countries and is essential for clearing customs without delay or seizure. Many online plant sellers do not provide this — it is one of the most important reasons to choose a specialist like Variegated Plants Circle for international rare plant purchases.
CITES Compliance
Some rare plant species are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Where applicable, we obtain the necessary CITES permits before shipping. We will notify you if a specific plant in your order requires additional documentation and may require additional processing time.
Customs, Import Duties, and Taxes
Buyer Responsibility
Import duties, taxes, and customs fees charged by your country’s authorities are the sole responsibility of the buyer. These charges are not included in our product prices or shipping fees and are not collected by Variegated Plants Circle.
We cannot predict the exact amount of customs charges for your specific country as they vary based on:
- Your country’s import regulations and duty rates
- The declared value of the shipment
- The specific plant species being imported
- Current customs authority decisions
We strongly recommend researching your country’s plant import regulations and potential duty charges before placing an order.
Customs Declarations
We accurately declare all shipments with correct descriptions, values, and plant species information. We do not falsify customs documentation, under-declare values, or mark commercial shipments as gifts. This protects both our business and our customers from legal issues at customs.
Customs Delays
Occasionally, shipments are held by customs authorities for additional inspection. This is outside our control and typically does not indicate a problem with the shipment. If your tracking shows a customs hold, please allow 3–5 additional business days before contacting us. We will assist with any documentation requests from customs authorities.
Seizure by Customs
In the rare event that a shipment is seized by customs authorities in your destination country, we are not able to offer refunds or replacements. We strongly advise buyers to research their country’s import requirements and plant import restrictions before ordering. Our phytosanitary certificates significantly reduce the risk of customs seizure, but we cannot guarantee clearance for every destination.
Live Arrival Guarantee
We stand behind every plant we ship with a 30-day live arrival guarantee.
If your plant arrives in poor condition due to transit damage or shipping-related stress, we will work with you to resolve the issue promptly — through replacement, store credit, or refund at our discretion.
To qualify for the live arrival guarantee, you must:
- Inspect your package immediately upon delivery
- Photograph any damage to both the packaging and the plant within 48 hours of delivery
- Contact us at sales@variegatedplantscircle.com within 48 hours of delivery with your order number and photos
- Have followed all care instructions provided with your order
Claims submitted more than 48 hours after delivery confirmation cannot be processed under the live arrival guarantee. This time limit exists because plant condition can deteriorate rapidly after delivery if care instructions are not followed, making it impossible to attribute subsequent decline to shipping conditions.
What the live arrival guarantee covers:
- Plants that arrive dead or with severe irreversible damage clearly caused by shipping
- Plants that arrive with significant pest infestations not disclosed at time of sale
- Incorrect plant species delivered (wrong plant sent)
What the live arrival guarantee does not cover:
- Minor cosmetic leaf damage that does not affect the plant’s viability
- Normal adjustment period behaviour (leaf drop, temporary wilting)
- Damage caused by incorrect care after delivery
- Damage caused by extreme weather events at the delivery destination
- Customs seizure or delay
- Plants that fail to thrive after the 48-hour reporting window has passed
Shipping During Extreme Weather
The health of your plant during transit is our highest priority. We monitor weather conditions at both origin and destination and take the following precautions:
Extreme cold (below 5°C / 41°F at either end): We add heat packs and thermal insulation to all shipments. In severe cold weather events, we may delay dispatch by up to 5 business days to avoid transit during dangerous temperature windows. You will be notified of any delay.
Extreme heat (above 35°C / 95°F at either end): We may add cooling materials and adjust packaging accordingly. In extreme heat events, we may hold orders briefly until temperatures are safe for transit.
We strongly advise against ordering during extreme weather conditions if your local forecast includes temperature extremes that could damage live plants in transit. If you are concerned about weather conditions at your location, please contact us before ordering and we will advise on the best timing.
Tracking Your Order
All shipments include full tracking from our facility to your door. Your tracking number will be sent via email as soon as your order is dispatched.
To track your order:
- Use the tracking number provided in your dispatch email
- Visit the carrier’s website directly (DHL, FedEx, UPS, or local postal authority)
- Or use a universal tracking site such as 17track.net or parcelsapp.com
If your tracking has not updated for more than 5 business days (excluding weekends and public holidays), please contact us and we will investigate with the carrier.
Lost or Missing Shipments
In the rare event that your shipment cannot be located and is confirmed as lost by the carrier:
- We will open a formal investigation with the carrier
- If the shipment is confirmed lost, we will offer a replacement or full refund
- Lost shipment investigations typically take 7–21 business days to conclude
A shipment is not considered lost until it has been unlocated for more than 30 days from dispatch and the carrier has confirmed the investigation outcome. We appreciate your patience during this process.
Failed Delivery Attempts
Couriers typically make 1–3 delivery attempts before returning a package to the sending depot. If you are not available to receive your delivery:
- Check your tracking for redelivery options or a collection location
- Contact the carrier directly to arrange redelivery or collection
- Act quickly — live plants deteriorate in depot storage conditions
If a package is returned to us due to failed delivery attempts caused by an incorrect address or the recipient being consistently unavailable, reshipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer. We will contact you before reshipping to arrange payment of the additional postage.
Address Accuracy
Please ensure your delivery address is complete and accurate at the time of ordering. This includes:
- Full name of the recipient
- Complete street address including apartment or unit number
- City, state/province, and postcode
- Country
We are not responsible for delays or non-delivery caused by incorrect or incomplete addresses provided at checkout. Address changes after an order has been dispatched cannot be guaranteed — contact us immediately if you notice an error before your order ships.
Combining Orders and Multiple Items
If you order multiple plants, we will ship them together in the same package where possible to minimise shipping stress on the plants and reduce environmental impact. Very large orders may be split across two packages.
Gift Orders and Special Occasions
We are happy to accommodate gift orders. Please note in the order comments at checkout if your order is a gift and we will pack it without pricing information in the box. Gift messages can be included — please provide the message text in the order notes at checkout.
Contact Us About Your Shipment
If you have any questions, concerns, or issues with your shipment, please contact us:
- Email: sales@variegatedplantscircle.com
- Contact Form: variegatedplantscircle.com/contact-us-2
- Response Time: Within 24–48 hours, Monday–Saturday
When contacting us about a shipment, please include:
- Your order number
- Your tracking number (if available)
- A clear description of your question or concern
- Photos if your enquiry relates to plant condition
We are committed to resolving all shipping enquiries promptly and fairly. Our goal is for every customer to receive their rare variegated plants in spectacular condition and to have a shipping experience that makes ordering from us again an easy decision.
Related Policies
This shipping policy was last updated in April 2026 and applies to all orders placed through variegatedplantscircle.com. We reserve the right to update this policy at any time. The current version will always be available on this page.
Variegated Plants Circle · sales@variegatedplantscircle.com · variegatedplantscircle.com