Shipping
Backorders
Due to the increased demand for homeschool materials, some products may be backordered. These items will be listed on your packing list when you receive your order or you can view the list of all products backordered here. You may order any of the items listed now. We plan to ship these items starting on their "Expected Availability" date.
If your backordered items are used within the first 3 weeks of your curriculum we will ship them out as soon as we receive them. If you have multiple other items on backorder we will ship them when all of the items have arrived in house.
Shipping Timelines
We strive to ship out orders as quickly as possible. Orders usually ship within 2-3 BUSINESS DAYS from the time we receive your order. During promotions, holidays, at the end of each month and during the summer months, shipments may be delayed slightly due to high order volumes. We will update this page with estimated ship times accordingly and send an email with tracking information as soon as your order ships.
Orders are currently shipping from our warehouse within 2-3 BUSINESS DAYS from the time we receive your order.
› US Shipping (to the lower 48 states)
Free Shipping
You can get free shipping to the contiguous continental states if:
- Your order of $75 or more qualifies for Media Mail shipping
- Your order is over $250 (you get trackable shipping)
- You are a SonlightCaresTM Member and your order is $50 or more.
Free shopping gives you:
- Fast, trackable shipping.
- Your package arrives within 3-10 business days after your order leaves the Sonlight warehouse.
History / Bible / Literature customers get this free service for a full year. Heirloom members get free shipping for life! See the other benefits of Sonlight.
If your order does not qualify for free shipping
- $7.50 Media Mail is available for qualifying items under $75.
- $10 trackable shipping is available for orders under $250.
- Other Options can be arranged. Contact us to setup a specific alternative service you would like to pay for.
Notes About Media Mail Shipping
- Allow up to 2 weeks for delivery.
- What if I have items that do not qualify for Media Mail?
You can upgrade to standard trackable shipping for $10. You will not save money (or time) by splitting your order and placing one order with free Media Mail and one order with trackable shipping. - What if I want Media Mail, but I also want a catalog with my order?
Unfortunately, we cannot ship Sonlight catalogs via Media Mail. Instead, place your order without a catalog and then request a catalog here. We will ship your order via Media Mail and send you a catalog for free.
Notes About FedEx Shipping
FedEx® requires a street address (no PO Box) and a phone number.
› AK, HI, APO/FPO and Shipping to US Territories
Orders of $75 or more may qualify for free Media Mail shipping!
All the items in your order must qualify for Media Mail.
Notes About Media Mail Shipping
- Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
- What if my order is under $75?
You can pay $7.50 for Media Mail shipping (if your items qualify for Media Mail). Or add additional qualifying items to make it reach $75 for free Media Mail shipping. - What if I want Media Mail, but I also want a catalog with my order?
Unfortunately, we cannot ship Sonlight catalogs via Media Mail. If your order qualifies for Media Mail, please do not check "add a catalog to my order" at checkout. Instead, place your order without a catalog and then request a catalog here. We will ship your order via Media Mail and send you a catalog for free.
Other Shipping Options
You may choose FedEx shipping to AK/HI or USPS shipping to APO/FPO.
Notes About FedEx® Shipping
FedEx® requires a street address (no PO Box) and a phone number.
› International Shipping (including Canada)
- Sonlight ships internationally via FedEx or UPS at discounted rates.
- Delivery generally takes 3-5 business days, plus any time in Customs.
- FedEx® and UPS® require a street address (no PO Box) and a phone number.
- If your international order contains backordered items, Sonlight will typically hold your order for up to four weeks in order to ship all possible materials together.
- Please be aware of shipping limitations on orders sent to your country. You are responsible for all duties, taxes, brokerage fees, and other charges required for delivery in the country of destination.
- Incorrect address or address without a phone number can result in your package being held up in customs, resulting in additional delays and charges. Please be sure that the address you give is accurate for delivery within your country.
Drop-Shipped Items
We special order a few items--such as less common Rosetta Stone® packages--as needed. You still get all the benefits of ordering through us, but it takes an additional 10 business days for your items to ship.
FAQs
› Which items qualify for Media Mail shipping?
The following items generally qualify for Media Mail:
- Books
- Instructor's Guides
- CDs
- DVDs
- Computer programs
- Extra Activity sheets and other stacks of paper
- Binders (if you also order an Instructor's Guide)
These items do NOT qualify for Media Mail:
- The Sonlight Catalog
- Science supply kits and components
- Non-media resources such as microscopes, the markable map, art supplies, puzzles, etc.
- Math kits and components
- Handwriting supplies/manipulatives such as the chalk board, chalk, foam mat, etc.
- Instruments
- Binders (if ordered alone)
- Free Gifts
Please note: The United States Postal Service maintains these rules for Media Mail. Unfortunately, Sonlight cannot make exceptions to what we can ship via Media Mail. If you have any questions, please contact us.
When you start the check-out process, your shopping cart will let you know if you order qualifies for Media Mail. If you cannot choose the Media Mail option when you check out, your order does not qualify for it (either because your order is over $250 and receives free trackable shipping, or because your order contains one or more items that we are not allowed to ship Media Mail).
› Is my shipment insured against theft or damage?
Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd. insures items against damage or theft during transit when shipped via trackable shipping anywhere in the world. We do not insure Postal Service (e.g., Media Mail) deliveries unless you specifically request and pay for the service. Though we don't often ship via UPS, we do insure items against damage or theft during transit when shipping via UPS.
› What Import Restrictions are there for Sonlight products?
Restrictions on biologically active items to Australia, Anguilla, New Zealand, Mexico and South Africa: Due to import restrictions on biologically active items (soil, seeds, yeast, etc.), Sonlight cannot ship certain science supply kits to certain countries. Here is a list of those items, plus the countries we may not ship them to:
- Kindergarten Science Supplies Kit (#KSK)—Anguilla, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and South Africa
- Science Supplies Kit A (#1SK)—Anguilla, Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand
- Science Supplies Kit B (#2SK)—Russia
- Science Supplies Kit C (#3SK)—Anguilla, Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand
- Science Supplies Kit D (#4SK)—Anguilla, Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand
- Microscopy Science Supplies Kit E (#ESKM)—Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
- Science Supplies Kit G (#GSK)—Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
- Science Supplies Kit 150 (#150-35)—Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
- Microscopy Supplies Kit (#250-25)—Mexico and Turkey
- Advanced Dissection Kit with Specimens (#250-30)—Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and South Africa
- Chemistry Supplies Kit (#350-15)—Mexico
- Berean Chemistry Science Supply Kit (#355-05)—Mexico
- Slide Set with Blood Type Kit (#550-15)—Mexico
- Advanced Biology Dissection Animals & Trays (#550-16)—Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
- Extra Dissection Animals & Trays for Additional Student (#SS122)—Australia, Mexico, New Zealand and South Africa
- Laboratory Equipment: Advanced Chemistry in Creation (#SS700)—Mexico
If you live in one of these countries, you will have to find equivalent items locally. If you order a package containing restricted items, we will remove those items from your package and reduce your cost accordingly.
REQUEST A FREE CATALOG
Find your ideal homeschool curriculum in the pages of Sonlight's free catalog. Browse Sonlight's award-winning literature-based curriculum and academically excellent products in all subjects—for all grades.
