Shipping policy
THE VAULT
Shipping, Insurance & Delivery Policy
Effective Date: 7/28/2026
At The Vault, we understand that trading cards, sealed products, and collectibles can have significant monetary and sentimental value. We take great care in packaging and shipping every order and select shipping methods and protective measures appropriate for the merchandise being shipped.
This Shipping, Insurance & Delivery Policy explains The Vault’s shipping practices and the responsibilities of both The Vault and our customers.
By placing an order through The Vault, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of this policy.
1. Free Shipping on Qualifying Orders
The Vault offers free standard shipping on qualifying orders of $100 or more shipped within the contiguous United States. Free shipping does not apply to international orders, including shipments to Mexico.
Free shipping applies to The Vault’s standard shipping method and does not necessarily include:
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Expedited or overnight shipping
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International shipping
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Customer-requested shipping upgrades
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Specialized shipping services
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Special handling or shipping arrangements outside of The Vault’s standard shipping practices
The Vault will select an appropriate shipping carrier and service based on factors including the destination, size, weight, value, and type of merchandise being shipped.
Free shipping does not guarantee a specific carrier, shipping service, delivery date, or delivery time.
The Vault may choose to upgrade the carrier, shipping method, packaging, or delivery protection when reasonably necessary to protect an order. When such an upgrade is made at The Vault’s discretion, the customer will not be charged for the upgrade unless otherwise agreed upon in advance.
2. Shipping Insurance and Protection
The Vault takes reasonable measures to protect merchandise during shipment.
Depending on the value and nature of an order, The Vault may use shipping services that include or offer carrier-provided insurance or other forms of shipment protection.
For qualifying orders with a merchandise value of $100 or more and up to $1,500, The Vault will will select a shipping service that includes tracking and shipping protection for the merchandise being shipped, when such coverage is available.
The cost of standard shipping and reasonable standard shipping protection for qualifying orders within this value range will generally be absorbed by The Vault.
Shipping insurance and carrier-provided protection are subject to the terms, limitations, exclusions, and claim procedures of the applicable carrier or insurance provider.
Insurance is not a guarantee against every possible loss and may not cover circumstances such as theft after confirmed delivery, fraudulent claims, incorrect addresses, or other exclusions established by the carrier or insurance provider.
3. Orders Over $1,500
Orders with a total merchandise value exceeding $1,500 may require additional communication between The Vault and the customer before the order is shipped.
Because high-value collectibles can involve significant financial risk and may have specialized insurance, carrier, packaging, or delivery requirements, The Vault reserves the right to determine the most appropriate shipping arrangements for these orders.
Depending on the circumstances, The Vault may require or recommend:
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Additional shipping insurance
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Signature confirmation
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Adult signature confirmation, when available and appropriate
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A specific shipping carrier
The Vault will make reasonable efforts to contact the customer before shipment when an order requires shipping arrangements that differ substantially from The Vault’s standard shipping practices.
For orders exceeding $1,500, The Vault and the customer may discuss available shipping and insurance options to determine an appropriate method of shipment.
If additional shipping services or insurance are required and result in costs beyond The Vault’s standard shipping practices, the customer may be responsible for those additional costs if agreed upon before shipment.
Optional Shipping Protection
The Vault offers optional shipping protection through our checkout process, powered by Shipcheck. Customers may add shipping protection to their order for a small fee at the time of purchase. This protection covers lost, damaged, or stolen packages and is handled directly by The Vault.
Please note that optional shipping protection is separate from the mandatory insurance arrangement required for orders over $1,500. For orders exceeding $1,500, our team will contact you prior to fulfillment to coordinate appropriate coverage regardless of whether optional protection was selected at checkout.
If The Vault and the customer cannot agree on an appropriate shipping arrangement, The Vault reserves the right to cancel the order and issue a full refund to the original payment method.
4. Signature Confirmation
The Vault may require signature confirmation for orders based on the value, rarity, nature, or risk associated with the merchandise.
Signature confirmation may be required for:
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Orders exceeding $1,500
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High-value individual trading cards
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Rare or difficult-to-replace collectibles
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Orders with an increased risk of loss or theft
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Orders where the applicable carrier or insurance provider requires signature confirmation for coverage
When signature confirmation is required, the customer is responsible for ensuring that an authorized recipient is available to receive and sign for the shipment.
If a delivery attempt is unsuccessful because no authorized recipient is available, any additional shipping or re-delivery costs may be the responsibility of the customer when applicable.
5. Shipping Insurance Claims
When shipping insurance or carrier-provided protection applies to an order, coverage is subject to the terms, limitations, exclusions, and claim procedures of the applicable carrier or insurance provider.
Coverage may apply to qualifying losses or damage occurring during shipment but may not cover:
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Theft after confirmed delivery
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Fraudulent claims
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Customer disputes unrelated to carrier loss or damage
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Damage occurring after delivery
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Incorrect or incomplete shipping addresses provided by the customer
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Packages refused or abandoned by the recipient
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Losses resulting from circumstances excluded by the carrier or insurance provider
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Amounts exceeding the applicable insurance or coverage limit
The Vault will make reasonable efforts to assist customers with qualifying shipping or insurance claims.
However, The Vault cannot guarantee the approval, amount, or timing of a carrier or insurance claim, as such decisions are made by the applicable carrier or insurance provider.
6. Customer-Requested Additional Insurance or Protection
Customers may request additional insurance, signature confirmation, expedited shipping, or other shipping protections when available.
If a customer requests coverage or services beyond The Vault’s standard shipping practices, the customer may be responsible for the additional cost.
The Vault is not required to absorb the cost of optional or additional shipping services requested by the customer unless The Vault expressly agrees to do so.
7. Packages Marked “Delivered”
Once a package has been confirmed as delivered by the shipping carrier to the address provided by the customer, The Vault generally considers the order successfully delivered.
The Vault is not generally responsible for theft, loss, or disappearance occurring after confirmed delivery.
If a package is marked as delivered but cannot be located, customers should:
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Check the delivery location and surrounding areas.
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Check with household members or authorized recipients.
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Check with neighbors or building management when appropriate.
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Contact the shipping carrier.
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Contact The Vault if the package remains missing.
The Vault may assist with carrier inquiries or insurance claims when appropriate but cannot guarantee reimbursement or replacement for packages reported missing after confirmed delivery. Customers should contact The Vault within 3 business days of the confirmed delivery date if a package cannot be located.
For high-value orders, customers are encouraged to use a secure delivery address and may be required to provide a signature upon delivery.
8. Incorrect or Incomplete Shipping Address
Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address at checkout.
The Vault is not responsible for delays, losses, or additional costs caused by:
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Incorrect addresses
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Incomplete addresses
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Incorrect apartment or unit numbers
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Incorrect ZIP codes
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Addresses entered incorrectly by the customer
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Packages redirected at the customer’s request
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Packages refused by the recipient
If a package is returned to The Vault because of an incorrect or undeliverable address, the customer may be responsible for the cost of reshipping the order.
9. Damaged Packages and Merchandise
Customers should inspect packages promptly upon delivery.
If a package appears visibly damaged, customers should photograph the package before opening it whenever possible.
Customers should retain:
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The original shipping box or mailer
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All packaging materials
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The shipping label
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Photographs of the exterior damage
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Photographs of the interior packaging
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Photographs of the damaged merchandise
Customers should contact The Vault as soon as reasonably possible, preferably within 48 hours of delivery, if merchandise arrives damaged.
The Vault may request photographs and other documentation to assist with a carrier or insurance claim.
Failure to retain the original packaging or provide requested documentation may affect the ability to pursue a carrier or insurance claim.
10. Lost Shipments
If a shipment appears to be lost in transit, customers should contact The Vault.
The Vault will make reasonable efforts to investigate the shipment and, when appropriate, initiate a claim with the shipping carrier or insurance provider. The Vault will generally wait 7–10 business days after the estimated delivery date before initiating a lost shipment claim, as carriers require this waiting period.
For insured shipments, The Vault may wait for the carrier or insurance provider to complete its investigation before issuing a refund or replacement.
Claim processing times are determined by the applicable carrier or insurance provider and may vary.
The Vault does not guarantee an immediate replacement or refund while an active carrier or insurance investigation is pending.
11. Trading Cards and Collectibles
Trading cards and collectibles require specialized packaging to reduce the risk of damage during transit.
Depending on the type and value of the merchandise, The Vault may use:
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Penny sleeves
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Top loaders
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Card savers
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Team bags
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Bubble mailers
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Cardboard reinforcement
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Protective cases
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Boxes
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Additional internal padding
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Other protective materials
The Vault reserves the right to determine the appropriate packaging method based on the item being shipped.
Higher-value cards and collectibles may receive additional packaging and shipping protections.
12. Sealed Products and Larger Collectibles
Sealed booster boxes, booster cases, Elite Trainer Boxes, collections, and other larger or heavier collectibles may require different packaging and shipping methods than individual cards.
The Vault may use additional padding, reinforced boxes, corner protection, or other protective materials when appropriate.
Orders containing larger or heavier merchandise may have shipping requirements that differ from standard individual-card shipments.
13. Orders Shipped in Multiple Packages
The Vault may divide an order into multiple shipments when necessary due to:
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Item size
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Item weight
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Merchandise value
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Product availability
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Shipping restrictions
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Insurance requirements
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Packaging requirements
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Security considerations
When an order is divided into multiple shipments, customers will receive tracking information for each shipment when tracking is available. Splitting an order into multiple shipments does not affect the customer's right to a full refund on any item that is not received
14. Chargebacks and Payment Disputes
Customers are encouraged to contact The Vault directly regarding any order, shipping, delivery, damage, or product concerns so that we have an opportunity to investigate and resolve the issue.
If a customer initiates a payment dispute or chargeback, The Vault may provide the payment processor with relevant documentation, including:
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Order information
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Payment records
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Shipping information
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Tracking information
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Delivery confirmation
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Signature confirmation
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Photographs
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Customer communications
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Insurance claim information
The Vault reserves the right to contest fraudulent or inaccurate payment disputes using documentation available to us.
Submitting a payment dispute does not automatically guarantee a refund or replacement.
15. Fraud Prevention and Order Verification
To protect our customers and The Vault, certain orders may be subject to additional verification.
The Vault may review orders for potential fraud or unusual activity, particularly for high-value purchases.
We may request additional verification before shipping an order, including confirmation of billing or shipping information.
If The Vault cannot reasonably verify an order or believes an order presents a significant risk of fraud, we reserve the right to cancel the order and issue a refund to the original payment method.
16. Shipping Delays
The Vault is not responsible for shipping delays caused by circumstances outside of our reasonable control, including:
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Carrier delays
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Severe weather
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Natural disasters
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Holidays
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Carrier staffing issues
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Incorrect addresses
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Customs delays
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Government actions
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Other events beyond The Vault’s reasonable control
Carrier delivery estimates are estimates and are not guaranteed unless expressly stated otherwise.
17. International Orders
The Vault currently ships to the United States and Mexico. We are working to expand shipping to additional countries in the future.
International customers are responsible for all applicable customs duties, import taxes, brokerage fees, tariffs, and other charges imposed by the destination country. These charges are not included in the order total or shipping cost at checkout and are collected by the destination country's customs authority.
The Vault is not responsible for delays caused by customs processing, or for packages refused, abandoned, or returned due to unpaid customs charges or taxes. Return shipping costs for refused or abandoned international packages may be the responsibility of the customer.
International shipments may be subject to additional carrier restrictions, insurance limitations, and delivery requirements that differ from domestic shipments.
18. Customer Responsibility for High-Value Deliveries
Customers purchasing high-value merchandise are responsible for taking reasonable steps to receive and secure their shipments.
For high-value orders, customers are encouraged to:
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Use a secure delivery address.
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Use a business address when appropriate.
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Monitor tracking information.
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Be available for required signature confirmation.
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Inspect packages promptly upon delivery.
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Retain packaging until the order has been fully inspected.
19. Policy Changes
The Vault reserves the right to modify this Shipping, Insurance & Delivery Policy at any time.
The policy in effect at the time an order is placed will generally apply to that order unless otherwise required by applicable law.
20. Contacting The Vault
If you have questions about shipping, insurance, high-value orders, or delivery requirements, please contact The Vault before placing your order.
We are committed to providing safe, secure, and reliable shipping while maintaining fair and transparent shipping costs for our customers.
Thank you for shopping with The Vault!