Shipping & Delivery Policy

At Malabar Aromatics (accessible via malabararomatics.com, referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”), we take pride in delivering single-origin, handpicked whole spices directly from authentic Kerala estate harvests to your kitchen. To protect fragile volatile essential oils and retain authentic aroma, every batch is vacuum-sealed and dispatched via premier national express courier networks.

1. Order Processing & Dispatch Timeline

Every harvest order placed on malabararomatics.com undergoes careful visual grading, airtight weight calibration, and batch verification:

• Standard Dispatch SLA: Verified orders are packed and handed over to courier partners within 24 to 48 business hours (excluding Sundays and statutory national holidays).
• Seasonal Harvest Batches: During peak crop arrivals (such as prime winter Cardamom or Black Pepper pluckings), processing may take up to 72 hours to ensure optimal single-origin curation as detailed on our Harvest Process page.
• Order Cut-Off: Orders confirmed before 1:00 PM IST on working days enter lot inspection on the same calendar day.

2. Estimated Delivery Timelines by Region

Consignments are routed through vetted national express air and ground cargo networks (including Blue Dart, Delhivery, Xpressbees, DTDC, and India Post Speed Post):

*Note: Transit durations are indicative estimates and may experience temporary variations during extreme weather, regional festivals, or transport strikes.

3. Shipping Charges & Free Delivery Tiers

We maintain an upfront and transparent freight policy with no concealed surcharge at checkout:

• Free Standard Delivery: Applicable on all domestic retail orders above ₹500.
• Standard Shipping Fee: For orders below ₹500, a flat freight charge (typically ₹49 to ₹79) is automatically computed during checkout based on volumetric parcel weight and delivery zone.
• Cash on Delivery (COD): Where available, COD transactions may incur a nominal third-party courier handling surcharge displayed before payment finalization.

4. Packaging & Aroma-Lock Protection

Whole spices degrade when exposed to sunlight, oxygen, and ambient humidity. We do not use plain polythene or permeable containers:

• Multi-Layer Barrier Pouches: Every spice harvest is sealed in heavy-gauge, puncture-resistant metallized stand-up pouches that seal in essential oils (piperine, eugenol, anethole).
• Outer Protection: Pouches are packed into heavy-grade corrugated cartons reinforced with tamper-evident security tape to prevent transit bruising.

5. Live Tracking & Order Notifications

From checkout to your kitchen doorstep, your parcel is monitored step by step:

• Once your parcel is manifested, an automated tracking alert with your Air Waybill (AWB) Tracking Number and carrier tracking link is shared via Email and registered SMS.
• Tracking checkpoints generally become active within 6 to 12 hours after the parcel undergoes its initial barcode scan at the logistics transit hub.

6. Delivery Attempts & Undelivered Parcels

Our logistics partners make up to 3 consecutive delivery attempts at the designated recipient address:

• The delivery associate will connect via phone call or automated SMS/OTP prior to arrival.
• If a parcel is marked “Returned to Origin (RTO)” due to an incomplete address, non-responsive phone number, or repeated refusal, two-way freight deduction rules apply as detailed in our Refund & Cancellation Policy.

7. Damaged or Tampered Consignments

If your consignment box is visibly torn, tampered with, soaked, or opened prior to delivery handover:

8. Logistics Support & Grievance Redressal

For urgent address amendments prior to dispatch, in-transit delays, or logistics assistance, reach out through our official channels: