Shipping Information
Shipping Information
Shipping Methods for Online Orders
We offer three convenient shipping methods for online orders. Please note that many products can only ship using limited shipping methods, such as living/perishable items, which can only ship Second Day or Overnight. Please see details lower on this page.
- Standard delivery—Orders arrive in 5-10 business days.
- 2nd Day delivery—Orders placed by 11am (ET) arrive within 2 business days.
- Overnight delivery—Orders placed by 11am, (ET) arrive within 1 business day.
Shipping Methods for International Orders
We offer 3 convenient shipping methods for international orders: courier, air freight, and ocean freight. Please note that many products can only ship using limited shipping methods, such as with living/perishable items, which can only ship via courier priority.
Shipping Rates and Fees
Shipping rates and handling fees are based on the type of purchasing you are doing. See Shipping Information for Special Item Types for details.
All Customers - our website will calculate your freight and handling charges based on the weight of the items in your order and the distance to your shipping destination.
Schools, Institutions, and Organizations - for qualified customers, our website will calculate your freight & handling charges based on the weight of the items in your order, the destination/distance, and your freight terms and discounts.
International Customers - when we provide you with a quote, we will calculate your freight and handling charges based on the weight and dimensions of the items in your order and the distance to your shipping destination.
During Checkout, you will see a Freight & Handling total for your entire order. You must be logged in and your User Profile must be associated to your school in order to get the appropriate freight terms and applicable discounts. Visit the My Organization page using the My Account link at the top of the site to view your contract terms.
Living & Perishable Items
Most of our living/perishable products are available to arrive any day of the week, offering you maximum flexibility. Living/perishable items can only ship via Second Day or Overnight methods to assure they arrive as quickly as possible.
*International living/perishable products ship on Mondays. Living/perishable items can only ship via courier priority to assure they arrive as quickly as possible.
Special Order living/perishable materials have very specific arrival timeframes, and many require several-week lead times for culturing or preparation. Please read all product details carefully before purchasing.
Hazardous Materials
The shipment of many hazardous items is regulated by the US Department of Transportation. Items subject to regulation are identified by one of three hazardous material icons on our website. Hazardous materials shipments incur an additional transportation fee which is charged by the carrier.
Orders for hazardous materials (and kits and sets containing these items) can only be accepted from schools, research institutions, medical facilities, and businesses. Hazardous materials cannot be shipped to individuals, homeschoolers, and other customers, but there is often a safe item that can be substituted.
Drop-Shipped Items
Some of our items are drop-shipped directly from the manufacturer. Drop-shipped items vary in their shipping timeframes and this information is available on the item's detail page—such as "This item ships from the manufacterer and will arrive in 2-4 weeks". These items are also separated from in-stock products on the Shipping Methods step of Checkout.
Backordered Items
When an item is not in stock, but we have more on the way, you can backorder the item. Backorder information along with the expected availability date is presented on the item's detail page. These items are also separated from in-stock products on the Shipping Methods step of Checkout (online US only).
Multiple Shipments
During Checkout, your order may be divided into multiple shipments that arrive at different times. For example, living/perishable materials (and the kits and sets that contain them) arrive on the date(s) you specify, but other items in your order may ship and arrive at different times. Similarly, if your order contains backordered or drop-shipped items, they will also arrive separately. Please note that even if your order is broken out into multiple shipments, you will not be charged for each shipment.
For International — Once you receive your order acknowledgement and you have products that are backordered, you can decide if you want to wait for the backordered items and ship complete or if you want your order to be divided into multiple shipments that arrive at different times. Please note that even if your order is broken into multiple shipments, you will not be charged additional freight charges for each shipment.