Shipping Policy

Effective Date: July 6, 2026 Last Updated: November 6, 2026

1. Research-Use-Only Products - Read First

All products sold by LighteningPeps Research LLC through https://lighteningpeps.com (the "Products") are supplied strictly as research-use-only ("RUO") chemicals and laboratory reagents intended solely for in-vitro laboratory research and development by, or under the direct supervision of, qualified research professionals.

The Products are NOT drugs, foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, medical devices, or consumer products. They are NOT intended, manufactured, labeled, packaged, or sold for human or animal consumption, ingestion, injection, inhalation, topical application, diagnostic use, therapeutic use, clinical use, or any in-vivo use of any kind. Every Product ships labeled:

"For Research Use Only."

This Shipping Policy governs only the logistics of order fulfillment and delivery. It does not modify, waive, or supersede the Terms of Service, the Refund/Return Policy, the qualified-researcher representations, the assumption-of-risk and indemnification obligations, or the no-human-use restrictions you agreed to at purchase. By placing an order you reaffirm each of those agreements.

Compliance note (RUO labeling is not a safe harbor). An "RUO" label, by itself, does not exempt a Product from regulation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") determines a product's "intended use" from the totality of objective evidence surrounding its sale and distribution - including statements, marketing, and the circumstances of distribution (21 CFR 201.128). Accordingly, this policy contains no dosing, health, therapeutic, or human/animal-use representations, and none should be inferred. We do not knowingly fulfill orders we believe are intended for human or animal use.

2. Order Processing & Handling Time

Orders placed after the cutoff time, on weekends, or on observed holidays are treated as received the next business day. Processing time is separate from transit time; total delivery time = processing time + carrier transit time.

We may delay or decline any order, in whole or in part, at our discretion - including where verification cannot be completed, where an order appears intended for a prohibited use, or where shipment to a destination would be unlawful or against carrier policy. If we cancel an order before shipment, we will refund the affected amount to the original payment method used at checkout.

Compliance note (FTC Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule). For orders solicited online, by mail, or by phone, we ship within the time stated above or, if no time is stated, within 30 days of receiving a properly completed order with payment, consistent with the FTC's Mail Order Rule (16 CFR Part 435). If we cannot ship within the applicable time, we will notify you, offer the option to consent to a delay or to choose a store credit, and honor that choice. Holds described above for verification or compliance review do not waive these timing protections.

3. Shipping Confirmation & Tracking

When your order ships, we will send a shipping confirmation to the email address you provided at checkout containing carrier and tracking information where available. Tracking data is provided and controlled by the carrier and may take up to 24–48 hours to update after a label is created.

Compliance note (transactional email). Order, shipping, delivery, and recall/safety notifications are transactional or relationship messages under the CAN-SPAM Act and are sent to administer your purchase, not as marketing. Marketing email is sent separately and only with a working unsubscribe mechanism (honored within 10 business days), a valid physical postal address, and accurate, non-deceptive sender, "from," and subject-line information. To manage marketing preferences, use the unsubscribe link in any marketing message or contact support@lighteningpeps.com. See our Privacy Policy.

4. Carriers & Service Regions

4.1 Carriers

We ship via USPS, UPS, and FedEx. The carrier and service level are selected at our discretion based on destination, Product handling requirements, and the service you choose at checkout. Available services may include Standard and Expedited.

4.2 Domestic shipping

We ship to addresses within the contiguous United States. Some destinations, including P.O. boxes and freight-forwarder addresses, may be unavailable, surcharged, or limited to specific services.

4.3 International shipping

International shipping is available to the destinations listed in the country selector at checkout. International rates are quoted live from the carrier during checkout; if we cannot return a live rate for your address, contact us and we will quote it before you order. You are the importer of record: all duties, taxes, brokerage, and customs charges are payable by you on arrival, and you are responsible for confirming that the Products may lawfully be imported into your country.

• If offered: We ship to the countries listed at checkout. International orders are the importer of record's responsibility. You - the buyer - are solely responsible for confirming that the Product may be lawfully imported into, possessed, and used for research in the destination country, and for all duties, taxes, tariffs, brokerage fees, customs charges, and compliance with all import/export controls and local law. We make no representation that any Product is lawful to import, possess, or use in any jurisdiction, and we provide no import-pathway, customs-clearance, or regulatory-status representation, classification opinion, or guarantee for any destination.
• Customs holds, seizures, and refusals: Parcels held, delayed, returned, abandoned, destroyed, or seized by customs or any authority are not our responsibility and are not eligible for refund or reshipment except as required by law. Refused or undeliverable international parcels may be returned at your expense (outbound and return shipping non-refundable).
• Export compliance: You represent that you are not located in, and will not export or re-export any Product to, any embargoed or sanctioned country, region, or party, or in violation of U.S. or other applicable export-control or sanctions laws.

No customs/importation representation. Nothing in this policy, on any label, invoice, customs declaration, or in any communication is a representation that a Product is approved, registered, scheduled, controlled, exempt, or otherwise lawful to import, transit, possess, or use anywhere. You assume all risk of any cross-border movement.

5. Shipping Rates & Free-Shipping Threshold

Free standard shipping is available on eligible orders within the contiguous United States with a merchandise subtotal of $200 or more (before taxes and surcharges, and after any discounts). Kit orders follow the Kit orders row above. The threshold, eligibility, excluded items (oversized, hazardous, or cold-chain shipments), and excluded regions (Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and all international destinations) may change without notice. Rates shown at checkout are controlled at the time of purchase. Rates are calculated based on order subtotal and destination. We reserve the right to correct pricing or shipping errors and to cancel and refund affected orders.

Endorsement/affiliate disclosure. Any "free shipping," referral, affiliate, influencer, or promotional claim that appears on https://lighteningpeps.com or in third-party content is subject to the FTC's endorsement guides (16 CFR Part 255) and fake- and deceptive-review rule (16 CFR Part 465). Material connections are clearly and conspicuously disclosed where applicable; we do not create, procure, or use fake, AI-fabricated, or incentivized-but-undisclosed reviews or testimonials.

6. Discreet Packaging

We ship in unbranded outer packaging that does not display Product names, contents, or descriptions on the exterior, consistent with standard practice for laboratory reagents and to protect your privacy. Exterior labeling will, however, include all information required by law and by the carrier, including any hazardous-materials (e.g., dry-ice) markings, addressing, and regulatory markings that cannot lawfully be omitted.

Discreet packaging is a privacy and protective-handling measure only. It is not a representation, and must not be construed as a representation, that any Product is intended for, or appropriate for, any human use, personal use, or consumption. Required RUO labeling and safety information remain on the inner Product packaging.

7. Recipient Responsibility

You are responsible for providing an accurate, complete shipping address where an eligible adult can receive the parcel during normal delivery hours. We do not ship to addresses we cannot verify.

8. Research-Reagent Handling, Storage & Receipt

Products are sensitive research reagents. Upon receipt, the recipient (a qualified research professional or someone acting under such a person's supervision) is responsible for proper handling and storage.

• Inspect on arrival. Examine the parcel and Product immediately upon delivery. Report visible damage or discrepancies to support@lighteningpeps.com within 14 days of delivery, with photographs and the order number, to be eligible for any remedy under the Refund/Return Policy.
• Storage. Store each Product according to the conditions on its label and accompanying documentation (e.g., store at -20°C, protected from light). Improper storage after delivery may degrade the Product and voids any quality remedy.
• Reconstitution and use are out of scope. This policy does not provide protocols, dosing, formulation, or use instructions. The Products are for laboratory research only and must be handled by trained personnel using appropriate laboratory safety practices and personal protective equipment, in accordance with the Product's documentation and applicable safety data.
• Receipt does not transfer any human-use authorization. Taking delivery does not authorize, and is not a representation permitting, any in-vivo, human, animal, diagnostic, or therapeutic use.

9. Buyer Responsibility for Local Legality

You are solely responsible for determining whether the purchase, importation, receipt, possession, storage, transfer, and research use of any Product is lawful in your jurisdiction (country, state/province, and locality), and for obtaining any license, registration, institutional approval, or authorization required for legitimate research use.

By ordering, you represent and warrant that: (a) you are a qualified researcher (or are ordering for, and under the supervision of, one) acquiring the Product only for lawful in-vitro research; (b) such acquisition and use are lawful in your jurisdiction; (c) you will not use, resell, relabel, or distribute the Product for human or animal consumption or for any drug, food, supplement, cosmetic, diagnostic, or medical-device use; and (d) you will comply with all applicable laws, including controlled-substance, hazardous-materials, import/export, and consumer-protection laws.

We make no representation as to the legal status of any Product in any jurisdiction and do not provide legal, regulatory, medical, or research advice. If a Product is restricted or unlawful where you are, do not order it. You assume all risk and responsibility for legality in your location.

10. Lost, Delayed, Damaged & Undeliverable Shipments

• Carrier delays. Transit times are estimates provided by the carrier and are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for delays caused by carriers, weather, customs, force majeure, or events outside our control. Surcharge/expedited fees are generally non-refundable once a parcel is in transit on time at hand-off.
• Lost in transit. Report non-delivery of a tracked parcel within 15 days of the expected delivery date. We will open a carrier investigation; remedies (reship or refund) follow the Refund/Return Policy and any applicable carrier resolution.
• Damaged in transit. See Section 8 (inspect and report within 14 days).
• Package Protection (optional). You may add Package Protection at checkout for the fee shown there before you place your order. It is never pre-selected. If a protected package is confirmed lost in transit, is stolen after the carrier marks it delivered, or arrives damaged, report it within the windows above with your order number (and photographs, for damage) and we will reship the affected Products or issue a store credit, at our option.
• Incorrect address / undeliverable / refused. If a parcel is returned due to an incorrect address, unclaimed delivery, failed signature/age verification, or recipient refusal, you are responsible for re-shipment costs; original shipping charges are non-refundable.
• Risk of loss. Title and risk of loss pass to you upon our delivery of the Product to the carrier (FOB Origin (delivery to the carrier), e.g., FOB Origin / Shipment Point), except where applicable law provides otherwise.

11. Returns & Refunds (Cross-Reference)

We do not accept returns, and all sales are final. The only remedies are the limited incorrect-item and non-delivery remedies in the separate Refund/Return Policy, which is incorporated by reference. This Shipping Policy does not expand any return or refund right.

12. Accessibility

We strive to make https://lighteningpeps.com, including this policy and our checkout and shipment-tracking experience, conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. If you encounter an accessibility barrier or need shipping information in an alternative format, contact support@lighteningpeps.com and we will work to provide the information or assistance you need.

13. Privacy of Shipping Information

Shipping addresses, recipient names, age-verification data, and order details are personal information handled under our Privacy Policy, consistent with the CCPA/CPRA and other applicable U.S. state privacy laws. We honor opt-out preference signals (including Global Privacy Control), provide a "Your Privacy Choices"/Do-Not-Sell-or-Share mechanism, deliver a Notice at Collection, and support consumer rights (including the rights to access, delete, correct, and to appeal a denied request). Shipping information is used to fulfill and deliver your order, prevent fraud, comply with law, and provide transactional notifications; it is not sold or shared for cross-context behavioral advertising except as disclosed and subject to your choices.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Shipping Policy at any time. The "Last Updated" date reflects the current version. Material changes take effect when posted at https://lighteningpeps.com/shipping-policy. The version in effect when you place an order governs that order.

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