Shipping & Delivery
At Chapter Drop & Co., we operate primarily on an order-on-demand basis. This means that we do not keep our entire catalogue in physical stock.
Many books are ordered from our suppliers specifically after a customer places an order and payment has been received. As a result, fulfilment and delivery may take longer than for products that are already physically in stock.
This Shipping & Delivery Policy explains how supplier fulfilment, estimated delivery times, dispatch, courier delivery, tracking and delivery delays are handled.
Because delivery involves third-party suppliers, distributors, shipping companies and courier services, delivery dates are generally estimates rather than guaranteed dates.
This policy should be read together with our Terms & Conditions and Returns & Refunds Policy.
1. Order-on-Demand Fulfilment
2. Estimated Supplier Lead Time
Unless a different timeframe is specifically stated on the product page or communicated to the customer, the estimated supplier lead time for books is:
Approximately 6–8 weeks.
This timeframe is an estimate and not a guaranteed delivery date.
The estimated period is based on information available from our suppliers and fulfilment partners and may vary depending on product availability, supplier processing times, international logistics and other circumstances.
Customers should therefore consider the estimated lead time before placing an order, particularly where the books are required by a specific date.
3. What the Estimated Lead Time Means
The estimated 6–8 week period refers primarily to the expected fulfilment and supplier process for order-on-demand books.
It should not automatically be interpreted as a guaranteed period from the date of purchase to the date the customer receives the parcel.
The overall fulfilment period may include:
- Order processing;
- Supplier processing;
- Product sourcing;
- International or domestic transportation;
- Customs or import processing where applicable;
- Receipt and processing by Chapter Drop & Co. where applicable;
- Dispatch preparation; and
- Final courier delivery.
Where a specific delivery estimate is provided for a particular product, that estimate should be read together with this policy.
4. Supplier Availability
Product availability is dependent on our suppliers, distributors and publishers.
A product may appear available on our website based on information supplied to us at the time, but availability may change before or after an order is placed.
Occasionally, a supplier may:
- Experience a temporary stock shortage;
- Change an estimated availability date;
- Discontinue a product;
- Change an edition or format;
- Experience fulfilment delays; or
- Be unable to supply the requested product.
If a supplier issue materially affects the fulfilment of an order, Chapter Drop & Co. will take reasonable steps to communicate the situation to the customer.
5. International Orders and Shipping
Some books may be sourced internationally before being delivered to the customer.
International orders may therefore be affected by additional processes and circumstances, including:
- International transportation;
- Customs clearance;
- Import procedures;
- Port or airport processing;
- International carrier delays;
- Currency or administrative requirements; and
- Other cross-border logistics.
These processes may affect the overall fulfilment and delivery period.
Where international shipping or import-related circumstances affect an order, the estimated delivery timeframe may change.
6. Customs, Duties and Import Charges
Where an order involves international shipping or importing goods into a country, customs procedures and applicable duties, taxes or charges may apply.
Where any such charges are legally payable by the customer, the customer is responsible for those charges unless Chapter Drop & Co. has expressly agreed otherwise.
Customs authorities may also delay the release of goods while documentation, duties, taxes or other requirements are processed.
Chapter Drop & Co. does not control the processing time of customs authorities.
7. Dispatch
Once the relevant products have been received and are ready for fulfilment, Chapter Drop & Co. will prepare the order for dispatch.
Dispatch means that the order has been handed over to the applicable delivery or courier service or has otherwise entered the delivery process.
Dispatch does not necessarily mean that the customer will receive the parcel immediately.
Once an order has been dispatched, final delivery is generally dependent on the applicable courier or delivery service.
8. Courier Delivery
Chapter Drop & Co. may use third-party courier or delivery services to deliver orders.
Courier delivery times are estimates provided by the applicable delivery provider and may be affected by factors outside our control.
Once a parcel has been handed to the courier, the courier is responsible for the physical transportation and delivery of the parcel, while Chapter Drop & Co. will provide reasonable assistance with delivery-related enquiries.
Nothing in this section limits any legal obligation Chapter Drop & Co. may have to the customer in relation to delivery.
9. Delivery Address
Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate delivery address when placing an order.
This should include all information reasonably required for successful delivery, including:
- Recipient name;
- Street or physical address;
- Suburb or area;
- City or town;
- Postal code;
- Contact telephone number; and
- Any relevant building, unit, complex or access information.
Customers should check their delivery information carefully before completing checkout.
10. Incorrect or Incomplete Delivery Information
Delays or additional delivery costs may occur where an order contains an incorrect, incomplete or outdated delivery address or contact information supplied by the customer.
If you realise that your delivery information is incorrect, please contact Chapter Drop & Co. as soon as possible.
We will make reasonable efforts to update the information before dispatch where this is still possible.
Once an order has been dispatched, changes to the delivery address may be subject to the courier’s procedures and may not always be possible.
11. Delivery Tracking
Where tracking information is available, Chapter Drop & Co. may provide the relevant tracking details to the customer.
Tracking information is supplied by the applicable courier or delivery provider and may take some time to update after dispatch.
A tracking status may therefore not update immediately after an order has been handed to the courier.
Customers should contact Chapter Drop & Co. if tracking information appears to indicate a problem or if a parcel appears to have stopped moving for an unusually long period.
12. Delivery Delays
Delivery and fulfilment delays may occur for reasons outside Chapter Drop & Co.’s reasonable control.
These may include:
- Supplier delays;
- Supplier stock shortages;
- International shipping delays;
- Customs clearance;
- Port or airport congestion;
- Courier delays;
- Severe weather;
- Natural disasters;
- Public holidays;
- Strikes or industrial action;
- Transport disruptions;
- Infrastructure failures;
- Government restrictions;
- Unexpected logistics disruptions; or
- Other unforeseen circumstances.
Where a significant delay becomes known to us, we will make reasonable efforts to communicate the relevant information to affected customers.
13. Delays Outside Our Reasonable Control
Chapter Drop & Co. cannot guarantee that supplier, shipping or courier services will operate without interruption.
Where a delay is caused by circumstances outside our reasonable control, we will take reasonable steps to monitor the situation and work with the relevant supplier or delivery provider to progress the order.
Such circumstances do not automatically mean that an order has been cancelled or that a refund is immediately available.
For information about when a delay may affect cancellation or refund rights, please refer to our Returns & Refunds Policy.
14. Partial Shipments
An order containing multiple products may have different fulfilment timeframes depending on the availability of each product.
Where appropriate, Chapter Drop & Co. may arrange for available products to be dispatched separately from products that are still awaiting fulfilment.
Where a partial shipment is possible, the customer may be contacted regarding the available options.
Additional shipping arrangements may depend on the circumstances of the order and the applicable delivery service.
15. Complete Orders and Multiple Products
Where products in the same order have different availability dates, the order may be held until the outstanding products become available where this is appropriate and has been agreed with the customer.
Customers who require certain products urgently should contact Chapter Drop & Co. before placing an order to discuss whether separate fulfilment may be possible.
Any applicable shipping arrangements will depend on the products, supplier availability and delivery options available at the time.
16. Failed Delivery Attempts
If a courier is unable to complete delivery because the recipient is unavailable, the address is inaccessible or another delivery issue occurs, the courier may attempt delivery again or follow its applicable failed-delivery procedures.
Customers should ensure that the contact details provided with the order are accurate and that someone is reasonably available to receive the parcel where required.
If you receive a failed-delivery notification, please contact Chapter Drop & Co. where assistance is required.
17. Lost Parcels
If a parcel appears to have been lost during delivery, Chapter Drop & Co. will work with the applicable courier or delivery provider to investigate the matter.
Customers should contact us as soon as possible if tracking information indicates that a parcel may have been lost or if an expected delivery has not been received.
Where a delivery issue results in a remedy being required under applicable law, Chapter Drop & Co. will handle the matter in accordance with the applicable legal requirements.
18. Parcels Damaged During Delivery
If a parcel arrives visibly damaged, customers should take photographs of the packaging and the products where possible.
Please contact Chapter Drop & Co. as soon as possible and provide:
- Your order number;
- Photographs of the outer packaging;
- Photographs of the damaged product; and
- A description of the damage.
Please retain the packaging and damaged product until we have advised you whether it needs to be retained or returned.
For information about remedies for damaged or defective goods, please refer to our Returns & Refunds Policy.
19. Delivery Confirmation
A courier’s delivery confirmation or proof of delivery may be used as part of an investigation into a delivery enquiry.
If you believe an order has been incorrectly marked as delivered, please contact Chapter Drop & Co. as soon as possible.
We may need to investigate the delivery with the applicable courier before determining the appropriate next steps.
20. Delivery Timeframes Are Estimates
Unless Chapter Drop & Co. expressly confirms a specific guaranteed delivery date in writing, all supplier, fulfilment and delivery timeframes should be treated as estimates.
Estimated timeframes are provided to assist customers in planning their purchases and are based on information available to us at the time.
Customers should not place an order on the assumption that an order-on-demand product will arrive by a particular date unless that date has been expressly confirmed by Chapter Drop & Co.
21. Orders Required by a Specific Date
If a customer requires a book for a specific date, event, birthday, holiday, academic deadline or other occasion, the customer should contact Chapter Drop & Co. before placing the order.
We will advise whether the requested timeframe appears achievable based on the information available at the time.
Unless expressly confirmed otherwise in writing, such information remains an estimate and is not a guaranteed delivery commitment.
Chapter Drop & Co. cannot guarantee that an order-on-demand product will arrive by a particular date where the fulfilment process depends on third-party suppliers, international shipping, customs or courier services.
22. Customer Responsibility for Delivery
Customers are responsible for providing accurate delivery information and for monitoring delivery communications provided to them.
Customers should promptly notify Chapter Drop & Co. if:
- The delivery address changes;
- Contact details change;
- A courier reports a failed delivery;
- Tracking information indicates a problem; or
- A parcel has not arrived within a reasonable period after dispatch.
23. Communication About Delays
Chapter Drop & Co. will make reasonable efforts to communicate material supplier or delivery delays when we become aware of them.
Communication may take place by email, telephone, messaging service or another contact method provided by the customer.
Customers should ensure that the contact details provided when placing an order remain accessible so that important order-related communications can be received.
24. Cancellation and Refunds
Shipping delays, supplier delays and delivery issues may have implications for cancellation or refund requests depending on the circumstances.
These matters are dealt with specifically in our Returns & Refunds Policy.
Customers should therefore read the Returns & Refunds Policy before requesting a cancellation or refund.
Nothing in this Shipping & Delivery Policy is intended to remove or limit any statutory consumer right.
25. Terms & Conditions
The general terms governing purchases made through the Chapter Drop & Co. website are contained in our Terms & Conditions.
This Shipping & Delivery Policy forms part of the website’s purchasing framework and should be read together with those Terms.
26. Consumer Rights
Nothing in this Shipping & Delivery Policy is intended to exclude, restrict or limit any right or remedy available to a consumer under applicable South African law.
Where applicable consumer legislation provides a customer with a right or remedy relating to delivery, fulfilment, cancellation, defective goods or another matter, that legal right will take precedence over any conflicting provision of this policy.
27. Changes to This Policy
Chapter Drop & Co. may update this Shipping & Delivery Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our suppliers, fulfilment processes, delivery arrangements, website functionality or applicable legal requirements.
The version applicable to an order will generally be the version in effect when the order was placed, subject to any changes required by law.
The date of the latest update will be displayed at the top of this page.
28. Contact Us
If you have a question about the fulfilment or delivery of your order, please contact Chapter Drop & Co. and provide your order number wherever possible.
We will do our best to assist with supplier, shipping and courier enquiries and will communicate relevant information as it becomes available.
Chapter Drop & Co.
Your next chapter starts here.
Last updated: 21 August 2026
Important: Nothing in this Shipping & Delivery Policy is intended to exclude, restrict or limit any right or remedy available to a consumer under applicable South African law.
Where there is a conflict between this policy and a mandatory provision of applicable law, the applicable law will prevail.