Shipping policy

SHIPPING POLICY

At My Beautiful Buddha, we pride ourselves on processing, packing, and shipping orders promptly. We partner with multiple courier companies to ensure timely delivery across South Africa.

DELIVERY TIMES

Orders are generally delivered within 2ā€“10 business days after dispatch, depending on province and destination. Business days exclude weekends and South African public holidays. Dispatch typically occurs within 1ā€“3 business days of order confirmation (subject to payment clearance and stock availability).

Please note: During peak trading periods and high order volumes, dispatch times may extend beyond 1ā€“3 business days. Orders are processed in the sequence they were received, and we will continue to prioritise getting your order out as quickly as possible.

SHIPPING COSTS

  • Flat rate: R249 (Nationwide)

  • Free shipping: Orders over R1999 (including VAT, before shipping charges)

  • Promotional Shipping: Shipping rates, free-shipping thresholds, and eligibility may vary during promotional periods or special offers. Where a promotion applies, the shipping terms communicated as part of that promotion will take precedence for the duration of the offer.

TRACKING AND DELIVERY

  • Tracking: You will receive a tracking reference number via email once your order has been dispatched. You are responsible for monitoring your shipment and providing access to the courier for delivery at your specified residential or business location. My Beautiful Buddha cannot guarantee delivery on any specific day or at any specific time, as delivery schedules are managed by the courier and depend on factors including order volume, courier workload, and route optimization. If you require delivery on a specific day or time, you must arrange this directly with the courier using your tracking reference. We cannot advise on or guarantee specific delivery windows.

  • Handover & Inspection: Parcels require a signature or physical handover upon delivery. You should inspect your parcel in the courier's presence before accepting it. Check for visible damage to the packaging and verify contents match your order. If there are any issues, note them on the delivery document and photograph the parcel and packaging immediately. Report any damage or discrepancies to us within 7 calendar days of delivery.

  • Unattended Delivery: Couriers will only leave a parcel unattended (e.g., at a door or gate) if you explicitly request an unattended drop-off in writing directly with the courier. By requesting an unattended delivery, you accept that risk of theft, loss, or damage transfers to you once the parcel has been left at your designated delivery location.

  • Delivery Preferences: Any special delivery arrangements or time preferences must be managed directly with the courier. My Beautiful Buddha cannot guarantee courier accommodation for custom requests.

DELIVERY ADDRESSES

  • Address Accuracy & Immediate Reporting: You are responsible for providing a correct, complete delivery address at checkout. Please check that all details provided by you are 100% complete and accurate immediately upon checking out. If you notice any errors, please contact us atĀ info@mybeautifulbuddha.com immediately with the required corrections.

  • Accessibility: It is your responsibility to ensure your delivery address is accessible to the courier. This includes providing necessary access details such as:

    • Gate codes or security access information

    • Building/unit/apartment number

    • Directions to your property if it's not easily located

  • Address Changes Before Dispatch: Orders will only be shipped to the delivery address provided at checkout. Once dispatched, the address cannot be changed. If you require a change and your order has not yet shipped, contact us via email atĀ info@mybeautifulbuddha.com as soon as possible with your order details. We will attempt to assist, but cannot guarantee address changes can be accommodated, particularly during peak trading periods.

  • Address Changes After Dispatch: Address changes requested after dispatch must be arranged directly with the courier using your tracking number. Any courier fees for address redirection are your responsibility.

  • Returned Parcels & Non-Refundable Courier Fees: If an order is returned due to an incorrect or incomplete address provided by you, reshipment fees will apply. If the courier cannot locate or access your address, the parcel may be held at a depot (check with your courier for hold periods) or returned to us. If returned to us, we will process a refund for the item price only, minus all courier fees and costs incurred. Courier fees are non-refundable.

  • Collections: We do not accommodate alternative collection arrangements or customer pickups from our premises.

NON-DELIVERY, DELAYS & TRANSIT CLAIMS

  • Delayed or Lost Parcels: If your order has not arrived within 10 business days of dispatch, or tracking shows an anomaly, contact us at info@mybeautifulbuddha.com with your order number and tracking reference so we can launch a courier investigation.

  • Reporting Window: To allow us to lodge claims with our courier partners, non-delivery issues should be reported within 14 calendar days of the dispatch date. Confirmed lost parcels will be replaced or fully refunded based on your preference and stock availability.

  • 30-Day Delivery Guarantee: In accordance with Section 46 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA), if your order cannot be delivered within 30 calendar days of payment, you have the statutory right to cancel the order for a full refund.

DAMAGED GOODS, DEFECTS & PACKING ERRORS

  • Transit Damage & Missing Items: If your parcel arrives visibly damaged or items are missing, notify us within 7 calendar days of delivery atĀ info@mybeautifulbuddha.com. Please provide:

    1. Your order number and tracking reference.

    2. Clear, date/time-stamped photos of the damaged item.

    3. Clear, date/time-stamped photos of the outer packaging condition.

  • Packing Errors: My Beautiful Buddha is responsible for picking, packing, and invoicing errors (incorrect item or missing quantity). If we make an error, report it within 7 calendar days; we will arrange a replacement or full refund at no additional cost, including reshipment fees.

  • Post-Delivery Damage Exclusions: If inspection or evidence indicates that damage occurred after physical delivery (due to customer mishandling, improper care/use, physical alteration, or assembly/installation error), the item will not qualify for a replacement, repair, or refund under our warranty policy.

RISK AND LIABILITY

Courier Liability: Our courier partners are responsible for goods while in transit. We will handle all communication with the courier on your behalf and pursue claims for transit damage or loss. You are not required to contact the courier directly.

Risk Transfer: Ownership and risk of loss or damage transfer to you upon delivery to your address.

My Beautiful Buddha's Responsibility: We are responsible for errors in picking, packing, or invoicing (wrong item, missing item, or incorrect quantity). If you receive an incorrect item due to our error, contact us within 7 calendar days with your order number and photographic evidence. We will arrange a replacement or full refund at no cost, including reshipment fees.

REMOTE & RURAL AREAS

We service most areas across South Africa. However, if a courier does not service a specific remote or rural location or applies excessive surcharges we cannot accommodate, we reserve the right to cancel your order. In such cases, a full refund will be processed to your original payment method within 14ā€“21 business days.

RETURNS & STATUTORY RIGHTS

Statutory Cooling-Off Rights: In accordance with Section 44 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA), you are entitled to cancel your purchase within 7 calendar days of receiving the goods for a refund, provided the return shipping costs are borne by the customer. This right applies exclusively to unopened items in their original, undamaged packaging and perfect resaleable condition. If the item has been opened, unsealed, tested, or used in any way, this statutory cooling-off right is void and the return will not be accepted.

Item Condition for Change-of-Mind / ECTA Returns: To qualify for a change-of-mind return or statutory cooling-off refund, items must be strictly unused, unopened, in their original undamaged packaging, and in perfect, resaleable condition (including all tags, manuals, and accessories intact). Returns showing signs of opening, wear, testing, or altered packaging will not be accepted.

Defective or Damaged Goods: The requirement for unopened, original condition does not apply to items received damaged in transit or containing manufacturing defects, which are covered separately under our warranty and defect policy.

Return Authorisation: All returns must be authorised via email before sending items back. Items returned without prior authorisation will not be processed and may be returned to sender at the customer's cost, or discarded.

To request a return, contact us within 14 calendar days of delivery with your order number, reason, and photos if applicable. We will provide return shipping instructions.

For more information on returns, please consult our Returns & Refund Policy.

By placing an order on our website, you accept this Shipping Policy and our Terms and Conditions. Nothing in this policy affects your statutory rights under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) 68 of 2008 or ECTA 25 of 2002.