Shipping policy

Shipping & Delivery Policy

Last Updated: October 26, 2026

At Espresso Machine Sales (operating at espressomachinesales.com), we distribute high-end commercial espresso machines, prosumer equipment, precision parts, café maintenance chemicals, and consumables. Because our catalog ranges from delicate consumables and small components to multi-hundred-pound palletized commercial machinery, we utilize two distinct shipping methods: Standard Parcel and Heavy Freight (LTL).

1. Free Shipping Promotion ($150+ Threshold)

We offer Free Standard Ground Shipping on qualifying orders with a merchandise subtotal of $150.00 or more (calculated before applicable sales tax and after any promotional discounts are applied), subject to the following strict conditions:

  • Eligible Items: The $150+ free shipping promotion applies exclusively to items that can safely ship via standard ground parcel carriers (such as coffee beans, syrups, beverage powders, cleaning chemicals, water filter cartridges, portafilters, precision baskets, small grinders, and replacement parts).

  • Equipment Exclusion: Commercial espresso machinery, multi-group machines, batch brewers, heavy commercial grinders, and any item requiring palletized freight (LTL) transport are strictly excluded from free shipping.

  • Geographic Limitations: Free shipping applies exclusively to standard ground delivery within the 48 contiguous United States. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and offshore U.S. territories are excluded.

2. Order Processing & Handling Times

  • Small Parcel Orders: In-stock parcel orders (consumables, accessories, small components) typically process and depart our fulfillment facilities within 1 to 3 business days (Monday through Friday, excluding national holidays).

  • Freight & Machinery Orders: Commercial and heavy prosumer machines require dedicated pallet preparation, mechanical securing, custom crating, and scheduling with freight carriers. Freight orders typically require 2 to 5 business days for preparation and dispatch. Custom-configured or special-order equipment may have extended lead times disclosed on the product page.

  • Cut-Off Times: Daily fulfillment queues close at 1:00 PM EST. Orders placed after this time or over the weekend will begin processing on the following business day.

3. Standard Parcel Shipments

Items eligible for standard ground parcel delivery are shipped via carriers such as UPS, FedEx, or USPS at our discretion.

  • Orders Under $150: For orders below the $150 threshold, real-time carrier shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on package weight, dimensions, and destination zip code.

  • Tracking: A shipping confirmation containing your tracking number will be automatically emailed to the address on file once the shipping label is generated.

4. Commercial Equipment & Freight (LTL) Shipments

Heavy commercial espresso machines, multi-group units, industrial grinders, and bulk filtration systems are shipped via Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) commercial freight carriers to ensure safe transport on custom wooden pallets or crates.

Freight Billing & Quoting

Freight transit costs are calculated dynamically at checkout based on delivery location, or billed separately prior to dispatch. Freight costs are never covered under standard parcel promotions.

Delivery Service Scope (Standard Curbside / Dock-to-Dock Only)

Standard freight delivery includes dock-to-dock (for commercial facilities with a dedicated loading dock) or curbside/tailgate delivery only.

  • The freight carrier driver is only responsible for pulling the truck up to the curb or unloading dock.

  • No Inside Delivery: Drivers will not bring crates inside a commercial café, restaurant, garage, or residential home.

  • No De-Crating or Installation: Freight drivers will not uncrate machines, remove packaging or pallets, or assist with equipment placement, plumbing, or electrical connections.

Accessorial Services & Surcharges

Any specialized delivery services required to complete delivery are the sole financial responsibility of the Buyer. If not selected and paid during initial checkout, these accessorial fees will be invoiced to you directly:

  • Liftgate Service: Required if your delivery facility does not have a standard loading dock or forklift to lower the pallet from the truck bed to the ground.

  • Residential Freight Delivery Surcharge: Carriers charge a mandatory surcharge for freight trucks entering residential neighborhoods or apartment complexes.

  • Limited Access / Remote Delivery: Applies to deliveries to military bases, schools, universities, shopping malls, rural routes, or sites with restricted truck clearance.

  • Redelivery & Storage Fees: Freight carriers provide delivery appointment windows. If you miss a scheduled delivery appointment or refuse an undamaged shipment, you are responsible for all carrier-assessed storage fees, redelivery charges, or return transit costs.

5. Mandatory Freight Delivery Inspection Protocol

Because commercial machinery represents a significant mechanical investment, you must execute the following receiving procedure before signing for any palletized shipment:

  1. Inspect Before Signing: Carefully examine the wooden crate, exterior banding, shock-watch indicators (if equipped), and pallet before signing the carrier’s Bill of Lading (BOL) or electronic device.

  2. Note Exterior Transit Damage: If you observe crushed cardboard, broken pallet runners, snapped banding, tears, or signs of the crate tipping or rolling, you must write "DAMAGED UPON RECEIPT" with specific notes directly on the driver’s copy of the BOL.

  3. Refusing Severe Damage: If the machine or crate has sustained catastrophic physical destruction, refuse the delivery immediately, photograph the crate on the truck bed, and notify our team at support@espressomachinesales.com within 24 hours.

  4. Concealed Damage Reporting: If damage is discovered inside the crate after unboxing, notify support@espressomachinesales.com within 48 hours of delivery with high-resolution photos of the outer packaging, crate, serial number tag, and affected internal components.

  5. Loss of Carrier Claims: Signing a delivery receipt without noting damage relieves the carrier and Espresso Machine Sales of liability for transit damage.

6. Title and Risk of Loss (F.O.B. Origin)

All shipments from espressomachinesales.com are made F.O.B. Origin. Title to the products and the risk of loss, damage, or delay pass to the Buyer upon tender of the merchandise to the commercial carrier or freight forwarder. Espresso Machine Sales is not liable for carrier transit delays resulting from weather extremes, highway closures, freight terminal congestion, or labor disputes.

7. Delivery Address Restrictions

  • No P.O. Boxes or Military Addresses: Due to carrier restrictions, weight limits, and signature requirements, we cannot ship any equipment, freight, or parcel items to P.O. Boxes, APO, FPO, or DPO addresses. A valid physical street address is required for all orders.

  • Address Corrections: Rerouting or altering a delivery address once a parcel or freight shipment is in transit is not guaranteed and will incur carrier rerouting fees billed directly to the customer.

8. Customer Support

For freight quotes, transit updates, or delivery inspection assistance, our logistics team can be reached via electronic support:

  • Store: Espresso Machine Sales

  • Website: espressomachinesales.com

  • Logistics & Support Email: support@espressomachinesales.com

  • Operating Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST (Inquiries received outside business hours will be answered the next business day)