In the United States, a federal rule covers how fast online sellers must ship and what they must do when an order will be late. The FTC publishes a business guide to the Mail, Internet or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule. It is written for sellers, so we have inferred what it means for buyers.

This guide is based on the public sources listed at the end. We have not tested the products or services mentioned.

This is a short reference page. The full guide is Online Shopping Rights and Returns: UK, EU, US and Canada Compared.

The shipping promise

  • If a seller advertises a shipping time, it must be able to ship within it.
  • With no promise, it must be able to ship within 30 days of receiving a complete order (50 days if the buyer applies for credit to pay).

If the seller cannot ship on time

The seller must promptly tell the buyer and offer a choice: accept the delay or cancel for a full refund. If the new date is 30 days or less, silence can count as agreeing. Otherwise the order is canceled automatically if the buyer does not respond.

Refunds

Refunds are generally due within seven working days (one billing cycle for credit accounts the seller issues). If nothing ships, the refund is the full amount including shipping and fees, in money, not store credit.

What is covered

Orders for merchandise by mail, internet or phone. It does not cover magazine subscriptions after the first issue, seeds and growing plants, COD orders, negative option plans, services, and certain approval or invoice-on-delivery sales.

In practice

Screenshot the shipping promise on the product page, keep your confirmation email, and put the 30-day date in your calendar. If a delay is announced, answer in writing. Our guide to refunds and chargebacks covers what to do if a refund does not arrive.

Last checked: 15 October 2026. Sources: US FTC, business guide to the Mail, Internet or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule.