Shipping Policy

Last updated: August 2, 2026

Rarelight Archives ships historical documents, photographs, prints, books, postcards, and ephemera with packaging selected to protect each object during transit.

Processing time

Orders are prepared and shipped within 3 business days after payment is confirmed.

Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Orders placed on weekends or holidays begin processing on the next business day.

You will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information when your order has been dispatched.

Standard shipping

Unless another method is requested and arranged before shipment, orders are sent using USPS Ground Advantage.

USPS Ground Advantage includes tracking and generally has an expected delivery time of 2–5 business days after USPS receives the package. Delivery times are estimates and are not guaranteed. Some destinations, including Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and remote locations, may require additional time.

The 2–5 business-day estimate is separate from Rarelight Archives’ processing period of up to 3 business days.

Alternative shipping requests

Contact us at launa@rarelightarchives.com before placing your order when possible if you require:

• Expedited shipping;
• Signature confirmation;
• Additional insurance; or
• Another available carrier or USPS service.

Any additional shipping costs must be paid by the customer before the order ships. Requests made after an order has been packed or dispatched may not be accommodated.

Shipping charges

Shipping charges are calculated or displayed during checkout based on the order, destination, packaging, and selected shipping method.

Customers are responsible for reviewing the shipping address and shipping charge before submitting an order.

Packaging

Historical materials are packaged according to their size, condition, and fragility. Depending on the object, packaging may include archival sleeves, protective backing, rigid mailers, boxes, padding, or moisture protection.

Please open packages carefully. Avoid using a knife or scissors near the object itself.

Address accuracy

Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address.

Contact us immediately if you discover an address error. We may be able to correct it before shipment, but changes cannot be guaranteed once an order has been packed or transferred to USPS.

Rarelight Archives is not responsible for delays, losses, or additional costs caused by an incorrect or incomplete address supplied by the customer.

If a package is returned to us because of an incorrect address, refusal, or failure to claim it, the customer may be responsible for the cost of reshipping it.

Tracking and delivery

Tracking information will be sent to the email address associated with the order.

Tracking updates are controlled by USPS. Scans may occasionally be delayed or omitted even while a package remains in transit.

A package is not necessarily lost because it arrives after the estimated delivery date or tracking temporarily stops updating.

Delayed or missing packages

Contact us at launa@rarelightarchives.com if tracking has not updated for an extended period or the package appears to be missing.

We will help review the tracking information and, when appropriate, begin an inquiry or claim with USPS. Any refund for a lost shipment may be delayed until USPS confirms the loss or completes the applicable claim process.

Packages marked delivered

If tracking shows that a package was delivered but you cannot locate it:

1. Check the delivery area, mailbox, parcel locker, building office, and other secure locations.
2. Ask household members, neighbors, or building staff whether they accepted it.
3. Contact your local USPS office or mail carrier.
4. Contact Rarelight Archives promptly so we can help review the available delivery information.

Rarelight Archives is not responsible for theft or disappearance after USPS confirms delivery to the address supplied with the order, except where otherwise required by law.

Damage during shipping

Inspect your order promptly after delivery.

If an object arrives damaged, contact launa@rarelightarchives.com within 3 calendar days of delivery and include:

• Your order number;
• Clear photographs of the object;
• Photographs of the interior packaging;
• Photographs of the shipping container and label; and
• Photographs of any visible damage to the package.

Keep the object and all packaging while the matter is reviewed. USPS may require the packaging and damaged contents for inspection or an insurance claim.

Damaged orders are handled according to our Refund Policy.

Combined orders

When practical, multiple objects purchased in the same order may be packaged and shipped together.

Separate orders are not guaranteed to be combined. Contact us promptly if you have placed more than one order and would like them shipped together.

International shipping

International shipping availability will be displayed during checkout.

International orders may be subject to customs inspections, import duties, taxes, brokerage charges, or other fees imposed by the destination country. Unless otherwise required by law, these charges are the customer’s responsibility and are not included in the purchase price or shipping charge.

Customs processing may cause delays outside the control of Rarelight Archives or USPS.

We will not alter customs declarations or identify a commercial purchase as a gift.

Contact

Questions about shipping may be sent to:

Rarelight Archives
launa@rarelightarchives.com