Worldwide Shipping Info
Worldwide Shipping & Order Processing
Orders ship from China. Worldwide delivery options.
MachinedQuartz is a US-based supplier sourcing products from external suppliers in China. Preparation or production time comes before carrier transit. Confirm availability, dispatch date and shipping cost for your order.
Section 1 · Order Flow
From order to delivery in four stages
The full path your cuvettes take, and the typical time each stage adds. Stock orders skip stages 1 and 2.
Custom fabrication
1–4 weeks (custom only)Standard 80 cells: 1–2 weeks. Sintered 80/83: 2–3 weeks. Molded 83 high-temperature sealed: 3–4 weeks. Standard catalog SKUs skip this stage.
QC inspection & packing
1–2 business daysPath length, window flatness, volume accuracy, and matched-pair baseline checks per USP / EP procedures. Anti-static foam, double-walled cartons.
Pickup & departure
Same day to next dayOrders are dispatched from China using the carrier agreed for the order. Tracking is supplied after the shipment is handed to the carrier; transit starts at dispatch.
Customs & delivery
3–7 business daysCarrier transit estimates vary by destination. Preparation, production and customs clearance can add time; transit is not the total time from placing the order.
Total time from order to delivery: preparation or production time + carrier transit + any customs clearance. Confirm the estimated dispatch date and transit separately before ordering. Custom minimum quantities are set in the project quotation.
Section 2 · Rates & Zones
Shipping rates & delivery time by region
Standard rates listed below. Order over US$1,800 ships free worldwide. All prices excluding VAT/GST; import duty handled differently per zone (see notes).
| Zone | Region | Standard rate | Free over | Indicative transit after dispatch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | USA | $33 (weight-based) | US$1,800 | 5–10 business days |
| 1A | Canada | $33 (weight-based) | US$1,800 | 5–10 business days |
| 1B | EU + UK + Switzerland + Norway | $33 (weight-based) | US$1,800 | 5–10 business days |
| 1C | Australia · New Zealand · Japan · Singapore · Korea · USA · TW · MY | $25–35 | US$1,800 | 1–2 weeks |
| 1D | China Mainland | $20 | US$800 | 2–3 business days |
| 2 | Latin America · Middle East · Southeast Asia · Africa · India | $45 (weight-based) | US$1,800 | 2–3 weeks |
Import arrangements: confirm any duties, taxes, clearance charges and who pays them in the order quotation. Do not assume they are included in the displayed item or shipping price.
Section 3 · Carriers
Carriers we use, and why
FedEx Priority is our default for nearly everything. We can ship by other methods on request — including institution-mandated carriers, freight forwarders, and consolidated bulk shipments.
FedEx Priority Worldwide
Tracked international shipping from China. Route, transit estimate and carrier are confirmed for the order.
UPS / TNT / institutional carrier
Available when your university, hospital, or company has a mandated carrier contract. Send the carrier name and your account number with the order.
Section 4 · Packaging
How we pack fragile optics
Cuvettes and optical windows are scratch-sensitive and fragile under impact. Our packaging is engineered to survive worldwide courier handling without damage.
- Individual cell: lint-free wrap → custom-cut foam insert → labeled clear plastic case. Matched pairs ship together in one case with pair orientation indicated.
- Group / bulk: compartmentalized foam tray, anti-static layer, identifier label per cell.
- Outer box: double-walled corrugated cardboard with corner reinforcement and “FRAGILE — GLASS — THIS WAY UP” labels on all four sides.
- Custom OEM packaging: branded carton, lot-serialized inserts, certificates of analysis enclosed. Request at order time.

Screw-cap sealed cells
airtight · transit-safe

4-window fluorescence
matched pairs · packed together

Custom flow cells
built · QC’d · packed for transit
If a cell arrives damaged, photograph the package and the contents before unwrapping further and email [email protected] within 7 days. We replace at no cost when damage is documented promptly.
Section 5 · Returns & Cancellations
Return policy
Standard catalog returns — 30 days from delivery
- 30 days from delivery to request a return or exchange; see the Refund & Returns Policy for conditions
- Items must be unused, undamaged, in original packaging, contamination-free
- Original shipping fee is non-refundable; return shipping at customer’s cost
- Restocking fee: 20% of order value
Custom-fabricated orders
- Custom-fabricated cuvettes are non-returnable once production has started — they are built to your specs and have no second buyer
- You can cancel a custom order within 24 hours of placing it (before fabrication starts) at no charge
- If a custom cell arrives outside the agreed tolerance, we replace it at no cost
Defects and damage on arrival
If a cell is damaged in shipping or fails QC inspection on arrival, photograph and email us within 7 days. Replacement ships at no cost; we handle the carrier claim ourselves.
Section 6 · Shipping FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Orders ship from China. MachinedQuartz LLC is a US-based supplier; products are sourced from external suppliers in China. MQ does not own a manufacturing factory.
Availability and preparation time depend on the item. Custom production time and MOQ are confirmed in the project quotation. Carrier transit starts after dispatch and is quoted separately; an estimated dispatch date is not an arrival date.
We ship worldwide and have active customers in Worldwide options. If your country has unusual import restrictions, contact sales before ordering — we can pre-clear any documentation issues.
Import duties, taxes and clearance charges depend on the destination and agreed shipping terms. Confirm their treatment before ordering. Commercial invoices must show the accurate shipment value.
Yes. If your institution or company has a FedEx, UPS, or freight forwarder account, send the account number with your order and we’ll bill the shipping to your account. This is common for university and corporate buyers.
Yes. MachinedQuartz is a registered supplier in the JAGGAER (SciQuest) Supplier Network. If your university, hospital, or company purchases through JAGGAER, your procurement team can connect with us through the network to issue purchase orders and process electronic invoices. Email [email protected] with your institution name and we’ll help align the setup.
Yes. Orders over US$1,800 ship free worldwide. China Mainland orders ship free over US$800. Smaller orders pay the weight-based courier rate (typically $25–45 USD).
Photograph the outer box and contents before unwrapping further, then email [email protected] within 7 days. We replace damaged cells at no cost and handle the carrier insurance claim ourselves.
Yes, within 24 hours of placing the order — before fabrication starts. Cancellation after fabrication starts is generally not possible because custom cells are built to your specs and have no second buyer. We always confirm before kicking off fabrication on any custom order over a small threshold.
Questions about a specific shipment?
Email sales with your country and order details — we’ll quote shipping cost, delivery time, and customs paperwork before you place the order.
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