Shipping & returns

How your order gets to you

Every order is poured, packed and posted by hand. Here's exactly how long that takes, what it costs, and what happens if something goes wrong on the way.

Last updated: [Last updated date]

1–2

Processing

Business days to pack and post your order

3–5

In transit

Business days with the carrier once it ships

4–7

Total

Business days from checkout to your door

Processing time

Orders are packed and handed to the carrier within 1–2 business days of payment clearing. Business days are Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Orders placed after 2pm are counted from the next business day.
Orders placed on a weekend or holiday start processing the next business day.
During launches, holidays and sales, processing can run slightly longer — we post a notice on the site when it does.
Custom, personalised and wholesale orders run on their own timeline, quoted when you order.

Delivery time

Once your parcel leaves us, standard delivery takes 3–5 business days. That window is the carrier's estimate, not a guarantee — weather, holiday volume and carrier delays are outside our control.

Total time from checkout is 4–7 business days. If you need something for a specific date, order at least ten days ahead, or email us before you buy and we'll tell you honestly whether it will make it.

Shipping rates

Option	Cost	Delivery estimate
Standard shipping	[$0.00]	3–5 business days
Orders over [$65]	Free	3–5 business days
Expedited shipping	[$0.00]	[1–3] business days
Local pickup	Free	Ready in 1–2 business days

Exact shipping is calculated at checkout from your address and cart weight, and shown in full before you pay. We ship with [Carrier names].

Tracking your order

You'll get two emails: one confirming the order, and one with tracking the moment the label is scanned. Tracking can take up to 24 hours to start updating — a quiet number isn't a lost parcel.

Check your spam folder if the tracking email hasn't arrived, then contact us with your order number and we'll resend it.

Addresses & delivery problems

Please check your shipping address carefully at checkout. Once a parcel is in the carrier's hands we can't redirect it.

Wrong address supplied: if a parcel is returned to us we'll reship it once you cover the postage again. If it isn't returned, we can't replace it.
Marked delivered but missing: check with neighbours and around the property first, then tell us within 7 days and we'll help you open a claim with the carrier.
Stolen after delivery: once the carrier confirms delivery to the address you gave, responsibility passes to you. We'll support your claim, but we can't refund or replace.
Undeliverable or refused: returned parcels are refunded less the original shipping and a restocking fee where applicable.

Hot weather & wax

Wax is heat-sensitive. In summer, a parcel left in direct sun, in a mailbox or on a hot porch can soften, sweat or lose its smooth top. It's cosmetic and the candle still burns perfectly — but if you can, choose a delivery point out of the sun and bring the parcel in promptly.

If wax has shifted in transit, let the jar sit at room temperature for a few hours before burning and the surface will re-set.

International orders

We currently ship within the United States [and to Canada]. For anywhere else, email us with your address and we'll quote shipping before you order.

Any customs duties, import taxes or handling fees are the customer's responsibility and are charged separately by your country's customs office.

Return policy

All sales are final

We do not accept returns, exchanges or cancellations once an order is placed. Every purchase from MC Golden Candles is final at checkout.

This applies to all candles, wax melts, diffusers, sprays, gift sets, sale items and gift cards.

Made in small batches

Each item is poured and packed by hand to order, not pulled from a warehouse shelf.

Scent is personal

Read the scent notes on every product page, and ask us before you buy if you're unsure.

Hygiene and safety

Once a wick has been lit or a spray opened, an item can't be resold to anyone else.

Damaged or incorrect items

All sales being final doesn't mean we walk away from our own mistakes. If your order arrives broken, or we sent the wrong thing, tell us and we'll put it right.

What to do

Email us within 7 days of delivery at [email protected].
Include your order number, a photo of the item, and a photo of the outer box and packaging.
Keep the packaging until the claim is settled — carriers often ask to see it.

Once we've seen the photos we'll send a replacement of the same item, or issue a refund if it's out of stock. You won't need to ship anything back and you won't pay postage.

Wax frosting, wet spots against the glass, a rustic top and small colour shifts between batches are natural characteristics of hand-poured soy — not damage. Our candle care guide explains each one.

Changes & cancellations

Because processing starts quickly, orders can't be cancelled once placed. If you spot a mistake in your address, email us immediately with your order number — if the parcel hasn't been labelled yet, we'll do what we can.

Address changes after dispatch aren't possible.

Questions before you buy

Since sales are final, we'd much rather answer a question first than have you end up with the wrong scent. Ask us about throw strength, jar size for your room, or which family a scent sits in — we answer every message within one business day.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (555) 000-0000
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm EST
Mail: [Business Street Address], [City, State ZIP]

Quick answers

Shipping questions we get most

When will my order actually arrive?

Count 1–2 business days for us to pack and post it, then 3–5 business days with the carrier — so 4–7 business days in total, not counting weekends or holidays.

Can I return a scent I didn't like?

No — all sales are final, including for scent preference. Read the notes on the product page before ordering, and if you're torn between two, email us and we'll help you choose.

My candle arrived broken. Now what?

Send us photos of the item and the box within 7 days of delivery and we'll replace it free. Nothing needs to be shipped back.

Can I cancel or change my order?

Orders can't be cancelled once placed. For an address error, email your order number straight away — if it hasn't been labelled yet, we'll try to catch it.

Do you ship internationally?

Within the U.S. as standard. For elsewhere, email us your address and we'll quote shipping before you order. Duties and import taxes are yours to pay.

Tracking hasn't updated in two days — is it lost?

Usually not. Scans can stall for a day or two mid-route, especially over weekends. If there's no movement for five business days, contact us and we'll chase the carrier with you.