Shipping Guide

Our approach to shipping

Shipping is never free.

Someone always pays for the work involved in moving goods from one place to another.

At Phytocea, we believe it’s better to be honest about that — and to give you clear choices — rather than hide shipping costs inside product prices or use “free shipping” as a marketing trick.

Choice, not subsidy

We don’t subsidise shipping by default.

Instead, you choose how you’d like to receive your order, and the cost reflects the work involved in that choice. This keeps pricing fair, transparent, and sustainable — for you and for us.

How we think about delivery

People already move through the world every day.

We run errands. We stop at shops. We pass collection points, lockers, and stores as part of normal life.

For many people, collecting an order along their route is:

• simpler

• more reliable

• less stressful

• more affordable

That’s why we prioritise collection and locker-based delivery options alongside traditional door-to-door delivery.

Door-to-door delivery — as a premium

Home delivery is the most expensive and least predictable way to move goods. It requires fixed delivery windows, repeated delivery attempts, and carries higher risk for couriers.

If you’d like your order delivered to your door, you’re welcome to choose that option — and you’ll see the cost clearly at checkout.

We don’t hide that cost in our product pricing, and we don’t shift it onto customers who don’t need it.

What we pay, what you pay

• You pay for the delivery method you choose

• We pay for organising, packing, and dispatching your order

This keeps responsibilities clear and avoids hidden cross-subsidies that quietly push prices up over time.

Why we don’t offer “free shipping”

“Free shipping” usually means delivery costs have been absorbed into product prices — or into the business itself — often in ways that aren’t sustainable.

We’d rather:

• keep product pricing honest

• avoid artificial incentives

• let shipping remain a clear, visible choice

That way:

• smaller orders remain viable

• prices stay grounded

• the business doesn’t depend on hidden losses

In short

• There is no free shipping — only different ways of sharing real costs

• You choose how and where you want to meet us

• Costs reflect the work involved, nothing more

• Our goal is clarity, not persuasion

If you ever have questions about delivery options or what makes sense for your situation, we’re always happy to help.

A note on your first order

How the Discovery Credit works

Trying something new has a cost — for you and for us.

On your first order, we absorb part of the shipping cost to reduce the friction of trying something new. We do this through a one-time Discovery Credit.

For collection-point delivery during business hours, we apply a credit equal to 50% of the delivery fee on your first order. This is shown clearly at checkout and reflected on your invoice as a Discovery Credit.

This credit is applied once, intentionally. It’s not a promotion, and it doesn’t roll over to future orders. From your second order onward, delivery costs are priced exactly as they are — with clear options and no surprises.

We do this to:

• acknowledge the cost of discovery

• act first in the relationship

• make expectations clear from the beginning

After that first step, everything stands on its own.

Shipping options explainer

Choose how you’d like to receive your order

You can select the delivery option that best fits your life.

Costs reflect the work involved in each option.

Collect at a local pickup point

Best value · Fits into daily errands

• Collect from a nearby store or collection point

• Lower cost, reliable delivery

• Ideal if you’re already out and about

Estimated delivery: 2–5 working days

Cost (indicative): R55-75.

Collect from a locker (24/7 access)

Flexible · After-hours collection

• Secure locker pickup

• Collect when it suits you — day or night

• Slightly higher cost than counter collection

Estimated delivery: 2–5 working days

Cost (indicative): R75-95

Deliver to my door

Most convenient · Premium service

• Delivered directly to your address

• Requires availability during delivery hours

• Highest delivery cost

Estimated delivery: 1–3 working days (main centres)

Cost (indicative): R95-120

A note on shipping costs

We don’t hide shipping costs inside product prices.

You pay for the delivery option you choose — and we take care of packing and dispatch.

If you’re unsure which option makes sense for your order, feel free to contact us.