Shipping & Delivery Policy

Last updated: 11/30/2025

Modern Reef USA LLC ships reef supplements and related products throughout the United States using reliable carriers and services designed to balance speed, safety, and cost.

We do not ship frozen foods or live animals (fish, corals, invertebrates). Any references to those categories from other websites do not apply here.

1. Free Economy Shipping on Orders Over $49

Enjoy Free Economy Shipping on all qualifying orders of $49 or more (after discounts, before taxes) shipped within the 48 contiguous United States.

  • Orders ship using a mix of UPS Ground, UPS Ground Saver / SurePost‑type services, and USPS (First‑Class or Priority), depending on weight, size, and destination.
  • Typical delivery time is 2–7 business days, depending on your proximity to our shipping origin in the United States.
  • We will always choose the most economical carrier and service that safely delivers your order.

Notes & Exclusions:

  • Free shipping applies only to the 48 contiguous United States.
  • Orders shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories, APO/FPO/DPO, or international addresses do not qualify for free economy shipping.
  • Very large or heavy items, pallet shipments, and certain special‑order/drop‑ship products may not qualify for free economy shipping. Any such exceptions will be indicated on the product page or during checkout.
  • Free shipping does not apply to expedited or overnight services.
  • Free shipping offers are not valid for wholesale, dealer, or distributor accounts, unless specifically agreed in writing.

2. $5.99 Economy Shipping on Orders Under $49

If your order total (after discounts, before taxes) is under $49, economy shipping is only $5.99 within the 48 contiguous United States.

  • Ships via a mix of UPS Ground, UPS Ground Saver / SurePost‑type services, and USPS
  • Typical delivery time: 2–7 business days, depending on distance

General guidelines (not guaranteed):

  • Lightweight packages (usually under 1 lb) often ship via USPS First‑Class or Ground Advantage
  • Mid‑weight packages (1–7 lbs) may ship via economy ground / Ground Saver services
  • Heavier shipments (typically over 7 lbs) will usually ship via UPS Ground

If you need your order faster, you can upgrade to our Fast Flat‑Rate 1–3 Day Shipping options (see Section 3).

3. Fast Flat‑Rate 1–3 Day Shipping

For most orders shipping within the 48 contiguous United States, we offer a Fast Flat‑Rate 1–3 day shipping upgrade:

  • Orders $49 and over:
    • Upgrade to 1–3 business day shipping for $5.99, regardless of weight or size.
  • Orders under $49:
    • Upgrade to 1–3 business day shipping for $9.99, regardless of weight or size.

This service uses a mix of UPS 3 Day Select, UPS Ground, and/or similar expedited options. The exact carrier and service will depend on your delivery address, order weight, and package dimensions.

Important notes:

  • Transit times are estimated and based on normal carrier performance. During peak seasons (holidays, major sales) or due to weather and other events, transit times can be delayed by the carrier.
  • This offer is only available to addresses in the 48 contiguous United States.
  • Drop‑shipped items, pallet/freight shipments, and some oversize products do not qualify for this upgrade.
  • Expedited options are not available to PO boxes, APO/FPO/DPO addresses, or certain remote locations.
  • We are unable to guarantee exact delivery dates and cannot refund or compensate for carrier‑related delays outside our control.

4. Pallet & Freight Shipments (Large / Bulk Orders)

For very large, heavy, or bulk orders, we may ship via pallet / freight instead of standard parcel services.

Examples include:

  • Large combined orders of multiple heavy products
  • Bulk shipments to stores, clubs, or facilities
  • Wholesale or pallet‑size orders (where applicable)

Key points:

  • Freight shipments may not qualify for free economy shipping or flat‑rate offers (we will clearly communicate this before finalizing your order).
  • Delivery is usually curbside at the shipping address. Inside delivery, lift‑gate service, or special handling may incur additional charges.
  • Freight deliveries require someone 18+ years old present to receive and sign for the shipment.
  • It is essential to inspect freight shipments upon delivery and note any visible damage on the carrier’s paperwork before signing.

If your order requires pallet or freight shipping, we will contact you with shipping options and costs before finalizing.

5. Carriers We Use (UPS, USPS & Others)

We primarily use:

  • UPS (Ground, Ground Saver, 3 Day Select, and other services)
  • USPS (First‑Class / Ground Advantage, Priority Mail)

In some cases, we may use other ground services or partner carriers if it provides better value or reliability for your destination.

Typical delivery expectations under normal conditions:

  • UPS Ground: 1–5 business days within the contiguous US
  • USPS: 2–7 business days, depending on service level and distance

During large storms, natural disasters, peak holiday periods, or other unforeseen circumstances, deliveries may be delayed. We monitor these situations but cannot control carrier networks. We are unable to refund or compensate for delays in transit that are outside of our control.

6. Shipping Locations & Restrictions

6.1 Contiguous United States (Lower 48)

  • Most of our shipping promotions, free shipping, and flat‑rate offers apply to the 48 contiguous US states.
  • We ship using UPS and USPS, selecting the best option based on your location, order weight, and dimensions.

6.2 Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories & APO/FPO/DPO

At this time:

  • Orders to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories, and APO/FPO/DPO addresses may be subject to higher shipping rates and longer transit times.
  • Free or promotional shipping offers may not apply.
  • Available services and pricing will be displayed at checkout based on your shipping address.

6.3 Freight Forwarders & International Destinations

We can ship to freight forwarders / pallet forwarding services located within the United States, which can then export your goods internationally.

  • If you plan to use a freight forwarding service, please ensure your shipping address is correctly entered and that you understand the forwarder’s terms.
  • Once a package is delivered to your freight forwarder, our responsibility is considered fulfilled at that US delivery point. Any damage, loss, or issues beyond that point must be handled with the forwarding service.

7. Order Processing & Handling Time

We aim to process and ship orders as quickly as possible.

  • Most in‑stock orders placed on business days (Monday–Friday, excluding holidays) are processed within 1–2 business days.
  • Orders placed on weekends or holidays will begin processing on the next business day.
  • If an item is backordered or pre‑order only, this will be noted on the product page and/or at checkout.

You will receive:

  • An order confirmation email after your order is placed
  • A shipping confirmation email with tracking information once your order has shipped

8. Tracking Your Order

Once your order ships, you will receive a tracking link via email (and/or account notification, if you have an account).

  • Tracking updates are provided directly by the carrier (UPS or USPS).
  • Please allow up to 24 hours after receiving your shipping confirmation for tracking information to update.
  • During busy seasons or carrier disruptions, tracking scans may be delayed.

If you have concerns about a shipment in transit, please contact us with your order number at admin@modernreefusa.com.

9. Undeliverable Packages, Address Issues & Reshipments

Please ensure your shipping address is complete and accurate at checkout.

If a package is:

  • Returned to us due to an incorrect or incomplete address, refusal, or repeated failed delivery attempts:
    • We can reship the order to a corrected address, but additional shipping charges may apply.
    • If you choose to cancel instead of reship, we will refund the order minus any original shipping costs and any carrier return fees, where applicable.

We are not responsible for:

  • Delays or losses resulting from incorrect or incomplete addresses entered at checkout
  • Packages that are marked as delivered by the carrier but cannot be located at the delivery address (see next section)

10. “Delivered” but Not Received (Lost / Stolen Packages)

If tracking shows your order as delivered, but you cannot locate it:

  1. Check around your property and with neighbors or building management.
  2. Confirm the shipping address used on your order.
  3. Allow 24 hours in case the carrier marked the package delivered prematurely.
  4. If still not found, contact the carrier (UPS or USPS) and then contact us.

We will do our best to assist, but:

  • Once a package is marked delivered to the address you provided, responsibility for loss or theft may fall on the recipient.
  • In some cases, we may be able to help open a carrier investigation or offer a partial solution at our discretion.

11. We Do Not Ship Frozen Foods or Live Animals

Modern Reef USA LLC focuses on supplements, additives, and related equipment. We do not ship:

  • Frozen foods
  • Live fish, corals, invertebrates, or macroalgae
  • Any product that is or was once a live animal

Any shipping policies related to frozen food or live animals from other websites do not apply to Modern Reef USA LLC.

12. Drop Shipments & Special‑Order Items

Some products may ship directly from the manufacturer or supplier (drop‑ship), or may be special‑order items.

  • These items will generally be identified on the product page and/or during checkout.
  • Shipping times may differ from our usual processing times, and certain shipping promotions (including free shipping) may not apply.
  • Large items shipped by the manufacturer may ship via freight or pallet with extended delivery windows.

We will communicate any unusual lead times or special shipping conditions as clearly as possible in advance.

13. Holidays & Carrier Schedule

We observe major US holidays and follow standard UPS/USPS holiday schedules. On these days, carriers may not pick up or deliver packages, and our warehouse may be closed or operating with limited staff.

  • Orders placed on or immediately before major holidays may require additional processing and transit time.
  • During peak periods (e.g., Thanksgiving, Black Friday/Cyber Monday, Christmas/New Year), carriers can experience high volumes, resulting in delivery delays.

We recommend placing time‑sensitive orders early and monitoring your tracking information for the most current status.

14. Questions About Shipping?

If you have any questions about our Shipping & Delivery Policy, or need help selecting the best shipping option for your order, please contact us:

Modern Reef USA LLC
4625 N.W. 103 Avenue
Sunrise, FL 33351
United States (US)
Email: admin@modernreefusa.com
Phone / WhatsApp: +49 175 9627777