Shipping & Returns

Free Shipping

Orders valued $200.00 or greater may qualify for free shipping within Canada and the United States. There are some exceptions; please read the next section.

Exceptions to Free Shipping

Some shipping locations and oversized shipments may not qualify for free shipping.  While it is our goal to provide free shipping to as many customers as possible, some orders may be subject to a shipping surcharge. We will notify you of any shipping surcharge.

Low Value Shipments

Shipments valued less than $200.00 typically ship for $15.00 to $20.00 within Canada. If the shipping cost on low-value shipment is greater than $20.00, we will email or phone you for your authorization.

We bundle smaller items safely inside the boxes of larger items to reduce shipping costs.

Canadian Shipping Rates

  • Shipping is $15.00 minimum
  • Small boxes often go for about $15.00.
    (one or two eyepieces, small pair of binoculars, etc.)
  • Medium-sized boxes for about $20.00
  • Larger boxes >$30.00
  • Shipping quotes available on request

United States Shipping Rates

  • Shipping is $16.00 minimum
  • Small boxes often go for about $20.00.
    (one or two eyepieces, small pair of binoculars, etc.)
  • Medium-sized boxes up to $40.00
  • Larger boxes >$40.00
  • Shipping quotes available on request
  • Low-value shipments: brokerage, duty and VAT costs (where applicable) are not included in estimates and final bills. They are charged to you as the shipment enters your country.
  • High-value shipments: brokerage, duty, and bond costs will be included in estimates and final bills.
  • If you haven't imported into the US before, we highly recommend you consult your local customs office for complete import details, to avoid surprise charges.

United States Import Fees - High-value Shipments

American customers placing high-value orders greater than $800.00 are processed through our customs broker located in the USA. All duties and customs fees are calculated in advance by us, and disclosed to you before payment is rendered. Once you give the go-ahead, we collect and remit your shipment and import costs to the broker. All you have to do is take delivery, and enjoy, no surprise customs fees upon delivery.

Have any questions about importing from Focus Scientific? Please contact us.

International Shipping Rates

  • For shipments destined outside Canada and the United States
  • Shipping costs vary
  • Shipping quotes available on request
  • Brokerage, duty, VAT and surety bond costs (where applicable) are not included in estimates and final bills. They are charged to you as the shipment enters your country.
  • If you haven't imported into your country before, we highly recommend you consult your local customs office for complete import details, to avoid surprise charges.

Shipping Companies

UPS Ground or Canada Post Expedited is used for most shipments. We optionally ship via FedEx.

In order to reduce theft (porch pirates), a signature is required in most cases. During a pandemic, shipping companies won't collect signatures, but someone must be available to receive the shipment, otherwise the shipment may be sent to your regional pickup point.

For orders qualifying for free shipping, we chose the least-expensive shipper. If you wish to use a more expensive shipper or service level, you may be asked to pay the difference.

Have a preferred shipper, service level or shipping account? Please note your preferences in the comment area during checkout. Please include the shipper, account number (if any) and service level (eg: ground, expedited, express, overnight).

Tracking Shipments

Tracking numbers will be emailed so you can track the progress of your package.

For postal shipments leaving Canada, the online postal service in your country may provide more tracking information once the package leaves Canada.

Please allow at least 24 hours for tracking numbers to appear on the various shipping websites.

Shipment Restrictions

Due to dealership territory restrictions, products from the following manufacturers may be shipped within Canada and/or the United States of America only, no exceptions.

  • Celestron International - Canada and the United States
  • Lunt Solar Systems - Canada and the United States
  • Meade Instruments - Canada and the United States
  • Sky-Watcher - Canada and the United States
  • Swarovski Optik - Canada only

If you reside outside of Canada or USA and wish to purchase a gift for someone located in Canada, you are exempt from this particular shipping restriction. International payment restrictions apply.

Third Party Shipping

We can ship your order to a third party only when payment is made by Western Union, or if you pay for the order in person at our retail store.

Freight Forwarding

Freight forward shipping is not permitted. Direct shipments only.

Damaged Goods

If the shipping box arrives damaged, report the damage with the carrier immediately.

Please check all items for damage and report damage to us within 48 hours of receipt of shipment.

Where possible, document any damage with photos - boxes and contents.

Missing Goods

Please report all missing items to us within 48 hours of receipt of shipment.

Returns

A return authorization number (RA#) must be obtained by email or phone before shipping items back. Have your invoice ready to avoid delays.

Request an RA#.

Print the RA# clearly on all shipping boxes and all correspondence.

Please use a trackable shipping service, add appropriate insurance, signature required, and no safe drop. This is especially important if the value of the goods being returned are greater than $40.00. Focus Scientific is not liable for return shipments that go missing in-transit, left outside the business when closed, or arrive with new damage.

Items must be returned unused and unmarked in their original packaging with instructions.

Shipments returned from outside of Canada must be returned prepaid for all charges (shipping, brokerage, duty).

Shipping costs are not subject to a refund. In the case of free shipping or shipping surcharges, your refund will be the original purchase price less our shipping cost to you. If we made a shipment error, we cover the shipping cost.

Items non-refundable include:

  • Binoculars greater than $1300.00
  • All other products greater than $500.00
  • Special orders
  • Night vision

A restocking fee of 20% may be negotiated for non-refundable items.  Negotiated terms will be written on the original sales receipt.

Software (CD/DVD) must be returned unopened.

 

Return period

  • Picked-up orders within 15 days from the purchase date
  • Shipped orders within 30 days from the purchase date

Return Address

RA# [insert assigned RA# here]
Focus Scientific
1891 Merivale Rd.
Ottawa ON  K2G 1E5
Canada