Shipping & Delivery Policy

1. Scope & Applicability

This Policy applies to all orders placed through the Website, including standard, express, and Cash on Delivery (COD) orders. It is issued in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, and other applicable Indian laws governing the sale and delivery of goods.

2. Service Areas

TheBookX ships orders to addresses across India, subject to pincode serviceability by our logistics partners. While we strive to deliver to every part of the country, certain remote or restricted pincodes may have limited or no courier coverage. In such cases:

• You will be notified during checkout if the destination pincode is non-serviceable
• If non-serviceability is identified after order placement, the order shall be cancelled and a full refund issued within 5-7 business days
• Where partial serviceability is available, we may reach out to confirm whether you wish to proceed with extended delivery timelines

We currently do not ship to international addresses. Please refer to Section 15 for further details.

3. Order Processing

Once an order is successfully placed and payment is confirmed (or the COD advance is paid, as applicable), the order undergoes the following stages:

1. Order confirmation, issued via WhatsApp, SMS, or email within a few hours of order placement
2. Order processing, your order is picked, packed, and quality-checked at our facility, typically within 1-2 business days
3. Dispatch, the order is handed over to our logistics partner. You will receive a tracking ID at this stage.
4. In transit, the parcel moves through the courier's network
5. Out for delivery, the courier's delivery agent attempts delivery to your address
6. Delivered, the parcel is handed over to you or an authorised recipient at the address

Business days exclude Sundays and public holidays observed in Maharashtra, India. Orders placed on Sundays, public holidays, or after 5:00 PM IST on business days are considered received the following business day for processing purposes.

4. Delivery Options

Depending on your location and the products in your order, the following delivery options may be available:

4.1 Standard Delivery

Standard delivery is the default option and is fulfilled through our regular courier network. It is complimentary on orders meeting the applicable minimum cart value as displayed at checkout.

4.2 Express / Priority Delivery

Express delivery is available on select pincodes for customers who require faster turnaround. An additional charge is applicable, as displayed at checkout.

4.3 Cash on Delivery (COD)

COD is available on select pincodes for orders meeting the applicable cart value threshold. A non-refundable advance payment of ₹99 may be applicable to confirm COD orders, as detailed in our Refund & Cancellation Policy.

5. Delivery Timelines

Estimated delivery timelines are provided below. These are working estimates based on courier network performance and may vary based on your specific location, weather, regional disruptions, or other factors beyond our control.

Timelines are calculated from the date of dispatch, not the date of order placement. Total delivery time is the sum of order processing time (1-2 business days) and the in-transit time shown above.

6. Shipping Charges

Shipping charges are calculated automatically at checkout based on your cart value, delivery type, and destination. The applicable charge is displayed clearly before you confirm your order.

6.1 Standard Delivery Charges

6.2 Express Delivery Charges

Express delivery is available at an additional charge of ₹119 (or a percentage of the order value for high-value orders), as calculated and displayed at checkout.

6.3 Other Charges

• Gift wrap: ₹15 (optional, selected at checkout)
• COD advance: ₹99 non-refundable (adjusted against the order total at delivery; refer to Section 14)

All charges displayed are inclusive of applicable taxes unless stated otherwise. We reserve the right to revise shipping charges at any time without prior notice. The charges applicable to a given order are those displayed at the time of order confirmation.

7. Logistics Partners

We work with reputable Indian logistics providers to ensure your order reaches you safely. Our current shipping partners include:

• India Post (Speed Post / Registered Post)
• Delhivery
• Other regional and last-mile delivery providers as required

The choice of courier partner for a given order is at our sole discretion and is based on factors such as destination pincode, parcel size, product type, and courier availability. While in transit, your parcel is subject to the terms and service standards of the assigned courier.

8. Order Tracking

Once your order is dispatched, you will receive a tracking ID (also called Shipping ID, AWB number, or Consignment Number) via WhatsApp, SMS, or email. You may use this ID to track the live status of your shipment through:

• The order tracking page on our Website at https://thebookx.in/profile
• The respective courier partner's website (e.g. www.indiapost.gov.in for India Post)
• WhatsApp updates from our support team upon request

Tracking information typically becomes available within 24 hours of dispatch. If your tracking ID does not show any movement for more than 48 hours, please contact us so we can follow up with the courier.

9. Delivery Address & Accuracy

It is your responsibility to provide a complete, accurate, and reachable delivery address, including:

• Full name of the recipient
• Complete street address with house / flat number, building name, area, and landmark
• Correct city, district, state, and pincode
• A valid Indian mobile number reachable during delivery hours

Address changes after dispatch are generally not possible. If a parcel cannot be delivered due to incorrect, incomplete, or unreachable address information, the parcel may be returned to us, and the following shall apply:

• Prepaid orders: a refund will be issued after deducting forward and return shipping costs actually incurred
• COD orders: the ₹99 advance payment shall be forfeited as it covers initial shipping and handling

10. Delivery Attempts

Our logistics partners typically make up to 2-3 delivery attempts on consecutive working days. Before each attempt:

• The delivery agent may contact you on the registered mobile number
• For COD orders, the delivery agent will require the balance amount to be paid in cash at the time of delivery
• An OTP or signature may be required for confirmation of receipt

If all delivery attempts fail (due to the recipient being unavailable, the address being inaccessible, or COD payment being refused), the parcel will be returned to us as undeliverable. In such cases, the terms set out in Section 9 shall apply.

11. Packaging & Inspection on Delivery

All orders are securely packaged in protective wrapping to minimise the risk of transit damage. Gift-wrapped orders include additional protective layers along with the gift packaging.

Upon receipt of your parcel:

• Inspect the outer packaging before accepting delivery
• If the outer packaging appears damaged, tampered, or has been opened, you may refuse delivery and contact us immediately
• Once accepted, inspect the contents within 24 hours and report any issues as set out in our Refund & Cancellation Policy

12. Shipping Delays

While we and our courier partners make every effort to deliver your order within the estimated timelines, delays may occur due to factors beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Severe weather, natural calamities, or environmental disruptions
• Civil unrest, strikes, or labour disputes affecting courier operations
• Government-imposed restrictions, curfews, or lockdowns
• Festive season volume surges
• Pincode-specific or regional courier delays
• Incorrect, incomplete, or unreachable delivery details
• Failure of the recipient to respond to the courier's contact attempts

In the event of an extended delay, we will keep you informed and coordinate with the courier to expedite the delivery. We do not accept liability for any indirect or consequential losses arising from shipping delays.

13. Lost or Damaged Shipments

In the rare event that your shipment is lost in transit or delivered in a damaged condition:

13.1 Lost Shipments

If your order is marked as "delivered" by the courier but you have not received it, please notify us within 48 hours of the marked delivery time. We will coordinate with the courier partner to investigate the matter. Investigations typically take 5-7 business days.

If the courier confirms the parcel is lost in transit, we will, at your option, either:

• Issue a full refund to the original payment method, or
• Dispatch a replacement shipment at no additional cost

13.2 Damaged Shipments

If you receive a parcel in damaged condition, please notify us within 24 hours of delivery with clear photographs and (where available) an unboxing video. The procedure thereafter is set out in our Refund & Cancellation Policy.

14. Cash on Delivery Orders

Cash on Delivery is available on select pincodes and is subject to the following terms:

• A non-refundable advance payment of ₹99 is applicable at the time of order placement to confirm the COD order. This advance covers packing, processing, and forward shipping costs.
• The balance amount (Total Order Value − ₹99) is to be paid in cash to the delivery agent at the time of delivery.
• COD orders may take an additional 1-2 business days for processing compared to prepaid orders.
• COD is not available for high-value orders, certain promotional items, or pincodes flagged as non-COD by our logistics partners. Eligibility is confirmed at checkout.
• If a COD order is refused at the time of delivery without a valid reason, the ₹99 advance is forfeited (refer to Section 9).

15. International Shipping

We currently do not offer international shipping and ship only to addresses within India. For any inquiry regarding bulk or international orders, please contact us at uskillbook@gmail.com and we will assess feasibility on a case-by-case basis.

17. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to modify, amend, or update this Shipping & Delivery Policy at any time, at our sole discretion. Any changes will be effective immediately upon being posted on the Website with a revised "Effective Date". The Policy applicable to a given order is the Policy in effect at the time of order placement.