Shipping policy

Shipping Policy

Last updated: September 17, 2026

Thank you for shopping with The American Cart 🇺🇸 → 🇿🇦

We ship American products from the United States to customers in South Africa. Please review the following information before placing your order.

1. Shipping Destinations

We currently ship to South Africa.

We may expand our available shipping destinations in the future.

If your location is not available during checkout, we are currently unable to ship to that destination.

2. Order Processing

Orders are typically processed within [1–3 business days] after payment has been successfully received.

Orders are not normally processed, packed, or shipped on weekends or U.S. federal holidays.

Processing times may be longer during:

  • Holidays

  • Major promotions

  • High-volume sales periods

  • Unexpected operational circumstances

You will receive confirmation when your order has been processed and shipped.

3. Shipping Times

Estimated delivery time after an order has been shipped is approximately [7–14 business days].

These are estimates and are not guaranteed delivery dates.

International shipments may take longer because of:

  • Customs processing

  • Import inspections

  • Shipping carrier delays

  • Weather

  • Holidays

  • Incorrect or incomplete delivery information

  • Other circumstances outside our reasonable control

4. Shipping Costs

Shipping costs will be displayed at checkout before you complete your purchase.

Our current shipping option is:

South Africa Standard Shipping: [R___ / $___]

Shipping rates may vary based on the destination, package size, weight, and shipping service selected.

We reserve the right to update shipping rates when necessary.

5. Tracking

When tracking is available for your shipment, we will provide tracking information to the email address associated with your order.

Tracking information may take some time to update after the package has been handed to the carrier.

Once your package has been transferred to the shipping carrier, delivery is handled by the carrier and applicable postal or customs authorities.

6. Customs, Duties, and Taxes

Because our products are shipped internationally from the United States, your order may be subject to customs duties, import taxes, VAT, customs clearance fees, or other charges imposed by South African authorities.

Unless specifically stated otherwise at checkout, these charges are the responsibility of the customer.

The American Cart does not control the amount of duties, taxes, or customs fees charged by government authorities.

We recommend that customers familiarize themselves with applicable import requirements before placing an international order.

7. Customs Delays

Customs processing can cause delays that are outside The American Cart's control.

A package being held by customs does not necessarily mean that the package is lost.

Customers may be contacted by customs authorities or the shipping carrier if additional information, documentation, payment, or action is required.

The American Cart cannot guarantee a specific customs clearance time.

8. Food and Snack Shipments

Some food products may be subject to import restrictions, inspection, labeling requirements, or other regulations in the destination country.

The availability of particular snack products may therefore depend on applicable import requirements.

If a product cannot legally or practically be shipped to the destination, we may need to substitute the item, remove the item from the order, or contact the customer regarding an appropriate resolution.

Customers are responsible for providing accurate information and complying with applicable import requirements.

9. Incorrect Shipping Address

Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address during checkout.

If an order is returned to us because an incorrect or incomplete address was provided, additional shipping charges may apply if the customer requests that the package be shipped again.

Please contact us as soon as possible if you notice an error in your shipping information.

10. Lost, Stolen, or Missing Packages

If tracking indicates that your package has been delivered but you cannot locate it, please first check with household members, neighbors, building management, or the delivery location specified by the carrier.

If the package still cannot be located, contact us and we will assist where possible.

Once a package has been confirmed as delivered by the shipping carrier, The American Cart cannot guarantee recovery or replacement of packages that are subsequently lost or stolen.

11. Damaged Packages

If your package arrives visibly damaged, please take photographs of the package and its contents before discarding any packaging.

Contact us as soon as possible with:

  • Your order number

  • Photos of the package

  • Photos of the damaged products

  • A description of the damage

We will review the situation and determine the appropriate resolution.

12. Refused or Abandoned Shipments

If a customer refuses delivery or abandons a shipment because of customs duties, taxes, fees, or other import requirements, the order may not qualify for a refund.

Any refund consideration will be handled in accordance with our Return & Refund Policy and applicable law.

13. Shipping Delays

We are not responsible for delays caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control, including:

  • Customs processing

  • Shipping carrier delays

  • Severe weather

  • Natural disasters

  • Government actions

  • Strikes or service interruptions

  • Incorrect addresses

  • Holidays

  • Other unforeseen circumstances

We will make reasonable efforts to assist customers in tracking delayed shipments.

14. Changes to This Shipping Policy

We may update this Shipping Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our shipping services, carriers, destinations, or business practices.

When changes are made, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions about shipping or your order, please contact us:

The American Cart
Email: hakimsomana@theamericancart.store

Business Address: 

Thank you for choosing The American Cart 🇺🇸 → 🇿🇦