Bluewater Photo Shipping Policies, Returns, TOS
DOMESTIC SHIPPING | INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING | WARRANTY & RETURNS
We ship fast!
Most items will ship within 1 business day of when they are ordered, and we keep most of the items in our store in stock. Wondering if an item is in stock? Just take a look at our product pages - we stock availability and estimated delivery dates to your zip code!
If you want to be absolutely certain when your item will ship, just email us at sales@bluewaterphotostore.com or call the store at 310-633-5052 prior to placing your online order.
If you order an item that is not in stock, you will be notified within 1 business day, along with an estimate of when we will have the product in stock. Typically a signature is not required for delivery, unless otherwise specified below.
Order Status
Already placed an online order? Call us at 310-633-5052 or email onlineorder@bluewaterphotostore.com for your order status. You will automatically be emailed a tracking # when your order ships.
USA and Canada Shipping Options
Free Shipping -
Dive Gear orders over $50 ship for free anywhere in the United States (unless otherwise specified in the order description).
Orders over $200 ship for free anywhere in the United States and Canada (unless otherwise specified in the order description).
Free Shipping within the continental United States and Canada will be USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground. This varies based on the location being shipped to and the item ordered. (Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, etc are always USPS Priority)
USPS (United States Postal Service) - Express Mail (Typically 1-2 days) or Priority Mail (Typically 2-4 days). USPS packages leave the store the morning after a label is made due to our pick up times. Please buffer one extra business day for shipping when using USPS.
UPS - this is our preferred shipping vendor - UPS packages are picked same day as labeled and are fully trackable.
UPS Ground - 1-5 business days depending on location. (View Map for Ground Estimates)
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International Shipping
We ship Internationally on some items, to any country. Low international rates are available - email us for international shipping options or place your order online. We hold the right to perform additional verification checks on the purchaser.
Please note that most countries charge a Customs Duty / Tax for receiving foreign shipments. This is not assigned by Bluewater, nor do we have control over the amount of tax assigned to the package. Please check with your customs office for your country to find out the amount of tax for your country.
PLEASE NOTE: Packages returned to us due to refusal to pay customs tax will be subject to only a partial refund due to the costs involved in receiving the package back from the international country. If a package is returned from international via UPS / FedEx / DHL and sometimes via USPS we pay the customs duties assigned it in addition to return shipping costs so it can be very expensive if a package is refused by the customer.
Please check with your local government prior to purchase to make sure your country can receive packages from the United States. If you are having trouble receiving your order after it's shipped, please contact onlineorder@bluewaterphotostore.com and we will be happy to assist by opening a case with the appropriate shipper.
USPS (United States Post Office)
USPS Express (USPS Priority Express or EMS) - This is the fastest shipping method offered through the US Post office. They state 5-9 business days for delivery, though we have noticed that with customs clearance it can often take a little bit longer depending on where a package is shipping to. This is the best option for quicker delivery and lower brokerage charges through customs.
USPS Priority - This is the slower method through the US Post Office. Limited tracking is available and it usually takes more than 8 - 15 days to get to most locations, a little longer if you are very remote. If you are not in a hurry this is an acceptable option.
**Please note - if your order is less than four pounds when shipped USPS does not offer any tracking outside the USA or any insurance and these shipments are treated as a first class shipment. Please choose this shipping method at your own risk, Bluewater Photo cannot be held responsible for packages lost or delayed due to USPS error. For insured, trackable packages please choose USPS Express.
USPS First class - the cheapest method. You will only see this method appear if you are ordering something smaller or lighter. It can take 3-8 weeks, depending on how far you are from a major city. There is no tracking available, and this is the least reliable shipping method. There is also no insurance available and no recourse if the package is lost. Bluewater Photo assumes no liability if this method of shipping is chosen.
UPS Shipping Methods:
This will be the fastest option available for receiving an international package. UPS usually delivers to most locations in less than a week, sometimes as quick as two days.
However, we have been notified by many customs that UPS sometimes charges a brokerage fee for customs processing, so be prepared to pay a little extra to receive your package when choosing this method. The brokerage fee is assigned in additional to standard customs duties, and is their charge for "speeding the package" through customs.
There are two choices for UPS International:
UPS Expedited - the regular "fast" UPS method. Typically 3-5 business days.
UPS Worldwide Saver - this method saves you "time", not money. It is the absolute fastest way to ship. Typically 2-3 business days or less.
Tracking Numbers
As long as a tracking # is available, the tracking # will be emailed to you once your package ships. Both UPS and USPS offer tracking, though UPS had more detailed tracking available.
Warranty & Returns, Terms of Service
Items can be returned for a refund, minus shipping costs, within 30 days of receipt of the merchandise, provided they are in new and unused condition. Items cannot be returned after 30 days of receipt of the merchandise. For orders that include free shipping, the original shipping cost will be deducted from the refund amount. A 15% restocking fee may be applied if the original packaging has been damaged, accessories are missing, or the item cannot be resold as new. Please note that items used in water cannot be returned for any reason. Processing times for returns are usually 3-5 business days upon the arrival of the equipment.
Most items carry a 1 year USA Manufacturers warranty. These warranties protect against manufacturers defects only and do not cover flooding. All new housings must first be used underwater without a camera present to confirm there are no defects in the workmanship of the housing that could result in leakage. Subsequent care must be taken to properly maintain the housing and oring seals prior to and after each use.
If you receive a product that has a defect or needs repair please contact us. We will advise whether to contact the manufacturer or send us the gear for evaluation. This process varies per manufacturer, so calling us first is the best situation.
If you do need to send in a housing covered under warranty, typically only return shipping is covered by the manufacturer. If you live outside the USA often you will have to ship the housing to us first. Again, please email or call with any questions.
BOAT TRIPS
Boat trips are purchased through a different company, Bluewater Travel. Please read their terms of service.
To start a repair or warranty claim please submit a ticket from our Support Helpdesk at:
https://bluewaterphoto.freshdesk.com/support/home
Alternately you can email support@bluewaterphotostore.com to submit a ticket via email. We will get back to your request as soon as we can, typically within 24 hrs (excluding weekends).
To start a return, please email returns@bluewaterphotostore.com