Last updated December 18, 2025

These Community Guidelines (“Guidelines”) describe the standards for shipping using the Milkyway Delivery platform to ensure deliveries are safe, lawful, and compatible with third-party courier networks.

1. Nature of the Milkyway Platform
Platform Status: Milkyway X, Inc. (“Milkyway”) operates a technology platform connecting businesses (“Merchants”) with independent third-party delivery service providers (“Couriers”).
Legal Role: Milkyway is not a carrier, courier, common carrier, bailee, warehouse, or insurer.
No Physical Custody: Milkyway does not take physical custody of packages and does not guarantee specific delivery times.
Independent Relationship: Couriers are independent contractors; Milkyway does not employ them and does not operate a dedicated delivery fleet.

2. Prohibited Items (Zero Tolerance)
‍Merchants are strictly prohibited from sending or receiving the following items via the platform:
Hazardous Materials: Any dangerous goods as defined by U.S. DOT regulations (49 CFR 172.101), including explosives, poisonous, or flammable substances.
Regulated Substances: All cannabis, tobacco, nicotine, vaping products, and recreational drugs.
Financial Instruments: Cash, money orders, gift cards, lottery tickets, or transferable securities.
Anything illegal to possess or transport, including counterfeit or obscene material.
Firearms, weaponry, weapon parts, and all types of ammunition.
Raw meat, dairy products, or highly perishable food/beverages.
Pharmaceuticals & Supplements: Prescription drugs, pharmaceutical products, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements.
People / Animals: Human passengers, live animals, or human remains.

3. Package Restrictions & Packaging
Weight & Size: Packages must not exceed 30 lbs and must fit safely in a standard mid-size vehicle trunk.
Secure Packaging: Merchants must seal and cushion items for last-mile transit. Claims will be denied if damage results from inadequate packaging (e.g., thin-walled boxes or insufficient padding).
Declared Value: Value must be declared at the time of the request. Shipments with no declared value are ineligible for Protection.

4. Merchant’s Absolute Duty to Instruct
‍The Merchant is solely responsible for providing the information necessary for a successful delivery:
Accuracy: Merchants must accurately describe contents and confirm items are lawful.
Merchants must provide complete instructions, including access/gate codes, unit/suite numbers, and concierge preferences if Protection is activated to qualify for refund indicated in Milkyway Protection policy.
High-Risk/Public Locations: If a Merchant fails to provide secure access or a unit number, and the only available drop-off is a public-facing area (e.g., a gate, sidewalk, or main entrance), the Courier is authorized to leave the package at the most accessible point.
Waiver of Liability (Insecure Locations): To the maximum extent permitted by law, Milkyway X, Inc. maintains zero liability for theft, weather-related damage, or tampering if a package is left in a public-facing, high-traffic, or insecure area due to (a) missing or incomplete delivery instructions, or (b) a failure by the Merchant to provide clear, actionable directions for a secure and/or private drop-off location. In such instances, the Merchant acknowledges that leaving the package at the most accessible point of the provided address is done at their sole and absolute risk.

5. Photo Proof of Delivery (PPOD) and Finality
Successful Completion: A delivery is deemed “Successfully Completed” once the Courier marks it complete and uploads a Photo Proof of Delivery (PPOD) at the provided address.
Liability Transfer: After Successful Completion, the risk of loss (including "porch piracy") transfers immediately to the Merchant/Receiver. Theft occurring after a documented drop-off is not eligible for reimbursement under the Package Protection Policy.

6. Delivery Failures and Returns
Undeliverable Packages: If a Courier cannot complete a delivery, they may attempt a "Return to Sender".
Fallback Options: If a return is not possible, the package may be left at the pickup or delivery location based on courier network rules.
Additional Fees: Merchants will be charged for costs associated with return attempts because of delivery failures.

7. Limitation of Liability & Dispute Resolution
Sole Remedy: Any reimbursement under the Package Protection Policy is the Merchant’s sole and exclusive remedy for covered losses.
Milkyway may refuse service, cancel deliveries, suspend or terminate accounts, and cooperate with law enforcement if a Merchant is suspected of shipping Prohibited Items or otherwise violating these Guidelines or applicable courier network rules.
Arbitration: All disputes related to these Guidelines or platform use are subject to the dispute resolution provisions in Milkyway’s Terms of Service, including individual arbitration.