Worldwide Shipping Info
Worldwide Shipping Info — MachinedQuartz Quartz Cuvettes (China Factory → 30+ Countries)
Worldwide Shipping & Order Processing
Ships from our China factory via FedEx Priority to 30+ countries.
Stock cuvettes leave the warehouse in 5–8 business days. Custom orders ship 1–4 weeks after fabrication completes. Duty-free terms available for most destinations including the USA.
Stock 5–8 days
Custom 1–4 weeks
FedEx · UPS
Duty-free to USA
30+ countries
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.
STAGE 1
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.
STAGE 2
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.
STAGE 3
Pickup & departure
Same day to next dayFedEx Priority picks up from our China factory. Tracking number issued same day. For stock orders, this is when the 5–8 business day clock starts.
STAGE 4
Customs & delivery
3–7 business daysUSA delivery: typically 5–10 business days (duty-free terms apply). EU and UK: 4–5 days. Rest of world: 5–7 days. Customs clearance variable by country.
Total time from order to delivery: stock SKUs typically arrive 5–8 business days from order (Stages 2–4 only). Custom orders typically arrive 2–5 weeks from order depending on fabrication method.
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 | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | USA | $33 (weight-based) | US$1,800 | 5–10 business days duty-free |
| 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 · HK · 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 |
USA customers: duty-free delivery on most orders. We prepare commercial invoices marked for analytical / scientific use, which clear under HTS exemptions for laboratory instruments and parts. For controlled-substance applications, additional documentation may be needed — contact sales before ordering.
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.
PRIMARY · DEFAULT
FedEx Priority Worldwide
Door-to-door tracked delivery in 3–7 business days globally. Origin: China factory. Best customs broker network for analytical instruments shipped to the USA and EU.
ON REQUEST
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 sales@machinedquartz.com within 7 business days. We replace at no cost when damage is documented promptly.
Section 5 · Returns & Cancellations
Return policy
Standard catalog returns
- 14 days from delivery to request a return or exchange
- 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 business days. Replacement ships at no cost; we handle the carrier claim ourselves.
Section 6 · Shipping FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where do you ship from?
All orders ship from our fabrication facility in China via FedEx Priority or UPS. We are AIREKA Scientific Co., Limited (Hong Kong), the trading entity, with manufacturing on the Chinese mainland since 2013.
How long does it take to get my order?
Standard catalog SKUs ship in 5–8 business days from our China factory. Custom-fabricated cuvettes have a 1–4 week production lead time (Standard 80: 1–2 weeks; Sintered 80/83: 2–3 weeks; Molded 83 high-T sealed: 3–4 weeks), then ship same day fabrication completes. International courier transit adds 3–7 business days depending on destination.
Do you ship to my country?
We ship worldwide and have active customers in 30+ countries. If your country has unusual import restrictions, contact sales before ordering — we can pre-clear any documentation issues.
Will I have to pay customs duty?
USA: duty-free on most orders under HTS exemptions for scientific laboratory parts (we provide the commercial invoice). EU/UK: VAT and any duty are the buyer’s responsibility on import. Other countries vary. We declare commercial-invoice value accurately — we cannot mark shipments as gifts or under-declare value.
Can I use my own carrier account?
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.
Do you offer free shipping?
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).
What if my order arrives damaged?
Photograph the outer box and contents before unwrapping further, then email sales@machinedquartz.com within 7 business days. We replace damaged cells at no cost and handle the carrier insurance claim ourselves.
Can I cancel a custom order?
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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