Shipping Information
Shipping Information
ORDERS PLACED AFTER 12:00 P.M. PST WILL NOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY.
How Our Flat-Fee Shipping Works
The more you buy, the more the shipping cost is spread out across your items—making it more economical.
For just $12.50, you can ship up to 12 pounds (dimensional weight) to most locations within the continental United States—that’s the 48 contiguous states.
We also offer additional shipping options based on weight, location, and other factors to ensure you get the best price possible.
The Details on How It Works
So, what does this mean?
It means that if you buy one small, lightweight item—like Dark Ancho Chile Powder—shipping isn’t going to be a great deal. In fact, if you ask us, we’d encourage you not to order just one small item. Unless you’re in a pinch and need it for a special recipe or a cooking competition (like the chef in New Zealand who needed one jar of red olives—we overnighted it to him!), we generally don’t recommend placing small, lightweight orders.
On the other hand, if you add more items to your cart, flat-fee shipping becomes a pretty good deal—for you and for us.
The shipping and handling charge is based on a combination of weight, volume (dimensions), packaging costs, and destination. While we rarely charge handling fees, it can happen—but don’t worry, we’ll always get your approval first.
Transit Time
Shipping time is based on the day your box leaves the warehouse—not the day you place your order. That ship date determines how long it will take to arrive.
Ground shipping typically takes 7 to 11 days, depending on your location and distance from Seattle. For example, if your order ships on a Monday, it will usually arrive the following Monday—unless you're in Seattle, in which case it may arrive the next day.
Be sure to check the zone map—some areas receive packages more quickly!
Click here to see the Zone Map
ChefShop.com Gourmet Food Zone Map:
You can see your shipping options and choose which shipping option you want during checkout on the shipping page.
click here to see the published rates with UPS.
Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or Outside US: Yes, we ship internationally (and to Hawaii and Alaska) too. But pricing is hard to predict. It may require an email to get it all set.
How dimensional weight works for UPS and FedEx.
What it is:
Dimensional weight, also known as volumetric weight, is a pricing technique used by commercial freight companies to calculate shipping costs. It's a way to account for the space a package occupies during transport, especially for lightweight but large packages.
Why it's used:
Carriers use dimensional weight to ensure they're not losing money by shipping large, empty-feeling packages, as these packages take up significant space even if they don't weigh much. It helps maintain a fair pricing structure for both dense and less dense items.
How it's calculated:
Dimensional weight is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of the package (usually in inches or centimeters) and then dividing by a specific divisor determined by the shipping carrier. The divisor is different for different carriers and modes of transport (air, sea, etc.).
How it's used:
Carriers compare the dimensional weight to the actual weight of the package and bill the higher of the two. For example, if a package weighs 12 pounds but has a dimensional weight of 25 pounds, the carrier will charge you for the 25 pounds.
This pricing is subject to change at any time because our costs change constantly.
Transit Time: Shipping time is determined by the day your box is shipped (when it leaves the warehouse, not when you place your order). The day that determines how long it will take to get to you. Read on to see how the shipping companies count.
Ground shipping takes 7 to 11 days depending on location and how far you are from Seattle. If shipped on Monday, your package will arrive the following Monday—unless you live in Seattle, then you will get it the next day. Be sure to check the zone map; some places are quick! Click here to see the Zone Map.
2 DAY AIR - arrives on the third day. If shipped on Monday, it will arrive on Wednesday.
NEXT DAY AIR - arrives on the second day. If shipped on Monday, it will arrive on Tuesday.
We cannot guarantee shipping times to you, as they are estimates. There are too many variables outside of our control. This includes, but is not limited to, the weather, the shipping carrier, and incorrect ship-to addresses.
The UPS Add-ons:
All packages also have "additional" charges based on service type and delivery location. These include:
Fuel surcharges—which change and are updated monthly.
For detailed information about Fuel Surcharges, click here.
Residential surcharges—which vary, start at $2.90 for ground, $3.40 for air, and up per package.
Special location, Extended surcharges—vary from $2 to $48.
Changes of Address:
Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. We are as likely as anyone to get the ship-to address wrong. If you notice that you have made a mistake, please contact us right away. Hopefully, we can make the change before the order leaves our warehouse. If the package has left our warehouse, then that's a different story. Correcting those mistakes costs us not only time but money.
UPS charges us at least $17 every time we have to call and re-route a package.
So, we encourage everyone to make sure that the ship-to address listed on the order is correct and complete. If not, we reserve the right to pass that UPS surcharge onto you. Of course, if it is our mistake, we will not charge you for re-routing your package. Typically, this does not happen as we do not change the information once you enter it on the website.
We use a specialized paper to pack with.
A quick response to why we don't use...
Cornstarch Peanuts: rodents love to eat them; when they get wet they're like little glue blobs everywhere; and when they're crushed flat (like when we ship heavier items—such as olive oil), they do not "come back," leaving lots of empty space inside the box for those precious bottles of olive oil to rattle around and break. Some now even have rodent deterrent chemicals on them—another word for "poison."
Air Systems: mostly not suitable for what we ship, and the machines required use virgin/newly manufactured plastic.
Call for Help! Have you seen a packing material that knocked your socks off and think we could use it? Let us know, as we are always looking for the next best option!