Shipping policy

At The Chef Store, we are committed to processing and delivering our customers' orders as efficiently as possible. Kindly find below everything you need to know about our shipping process, timelines, and policies.

Free Shipping

We offer free shipping to the 48 contiguous United States and Washington DC.

Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, US territories, and international destinations is available at customer's expense. Please contact us at cs@thechefstore.com for a custom shipping quote. Orders to these locations will be processed outside our standard checkout.

Delivery Time

Total Delivery Time = Order Processing + Transit Time

Delivery times range from 2-15 business days for standard items, with extended processing items (2-3 weeks) taking up to 20 business days.

Shipping Type	Cost	Order Processing	Transit Time
Standard Shipping	Free	1-10 Days (Mon-Fri)	1-5 Days (Mon-Fri)
Extended Processing	Free	10-15 Days (Mon-Fri)	1-5 Days (Mon-Fri)

Important notes:

Orders placed before 5 PM EST are generally processed within 1-2 business days (Mon-Fri).
Each product’s specific processing time is displayed on its product page.
Transit times may be affected by public holidays, weather, or carrier delays.
Order processing and shipping days: Mon-Fri (excluding holidays).
Customer support hours: Mon-Thu (9am-5pm EST).

Tracking Your Order

You'll receive status update emails as your order moves through each stage; from placement to processing to shipment.

Once your order ships, you will receive an email containing tracking information so you can monitor the status of your shipment.

You can also look up your order here at any time.

Delivery Requirements

Standard Ground Shipments (UPS, FedEx, etc.):

Most ground shipments require a customer signature upon delivery.

CRITICAL - Inspect Before Signing:

You should inspect all shipments for visible damage BEFORE signing the delivery receipt.

If damage is visible → Refuse the shipment OR note specific damage on delivery paperwork
If you sign as "received in good condition" → You accept legal responsibility for any damage

LTL Freight Shipments:

All LTL freight shipments require thorough inspection at delivery in the driver's presence.

REQUIRED BEFORE DRIVER LEAVES:

Please ensure you:

Are present for the scheduled delivery
Open the packaging and inspect the product in the driver's presence
Check for damage - both exterior and product itself
Refuse shipment OR note specific damage on delivery paperwork before signing

IMPORTANT: For LTL freight, please open and inspect the product before the driver leaves. Signing without inspection means you accept full responsibility for any damage.

Allow 30-60 minutes for LTL freight deliveries to ensure adequate inspection time.

After your order ships, you will receive an email with detailed delivery instructions. If anything is unclear, feel free to contact us before your order is delivered.

Damaged Shipments

If your shipment arrives with visible damage:

Step 1 - Inspect at Delivery:

Note any visible damage on the delivery paperwork BEFORE signing
Take photos of the damaged product and packaging
Contact us immediately at cs@thechefstore.com

IMPORTANT: Damage must be noted on the delivery receipt at the time of delivery. If you sign the delivery receipt without noting damage, you are accepting the shipment as undamaged, and freight carriers may deny insurance claims.

We are unable to process claims without photos and delivery paperwork showing damage notation.

Step 2 - Resolution Options:

For Significant Damage:

Refuse the shipment - We will file a freight claim and arrange for a replacement to be shipped at no cost to you, OR process a full refund

For Minor Cosmetic Damage:

Accept with damage notation - We will file a cosmetic damage claim with the freight carrier (limited to 10% of product value). This may limit replacement/refund options.

If You Sign Without Noting Damage:

Freight carriers will deny insurance claims
Standard return policy applies if you wish to return (restocking fee and return shipping may apply)

For detailed freight damage procedures, see our Return and Refund Policy.

Cancellations and Address Changes

Cancellations: Orders may be canceled prior to shipping. Once an order has entered processing or shipment, cancellations may no longer be possible.

Address Changes: Updates should be requested within 1 business day of placing your order. Once shipped, changes are not possible.