Large Gift Baskets consist of 2 soaps, 2 lotion bars, 2 lip balms, 2 bath fizzys,1 air freshener

When you check out there will be a box marked "Add special instructions for your order...". Please list the fragrances of the items you desire in your gift basket there. You can also leave this box blank and I will fill the basket with a selection of my best selling products.

As you may be aware, A Natural Alternative offers free shipping to customers for orders over $70. Over the past few years there have been annual increases in US Priority Mail rates.  I have absorbed the vast majority of these increases because I am passionate about my customers being able to easily obtain my high-quality products when I am not available at local markets/events.
 
The most recent USPS average increases have taken me beyond our limit to absorb the cost again for all items. So I found myself at a crossroads in needing to find a solution.  I identified three options:  1) raise my product prices, 2) eliminate my free shipping program, or 3) implement a small handling fee to certain products.  None of these are ideal.  

After crunching many numbers, I have elected to implement a small $5 handling fee with each gift basket order.  We chose this option because it has the smallest impact to customers while still covering our increase in costs. Gift baskets typically need to be shipped in the largest boxes with special padding and packaging to ensure their safe arrival. This means they cost much more to ship than if the items contained in them had been ordered individually.

This handing fee has been already added into the cost of each basket as it is listed here. I felt it was the most transparent option that could be lowered (or refunded) in the event shipping costs are less than expected. Thanks for understanding!