Shipping Information
Holiday Shipping 2006
Order Returns Information
Transit Times
International Orders

Shipping To U.S. 48 States
Our shipping fees are based on the total weight of your package(s) and the region where the package will be delivered. 

Time In Transit
We ship from Los Gatos, California (95030).  Ground (regular) shipping time is up to 5 business days depending on your shipping zone. We can also ship Next day, 2nd Day, or 3rd Day.  To find your transit time please View Transit Time Map. See more about time in transit. 

Calculate Shipping Costs
The easiest way to view shipping is to allow our shopping cart to calculate it for you. You DON'T have to go all the way through the checkout just to see your shipping. **Additional shipping fees may apply when purchasing more than 10 of an item or for multiples of large, bulky items.

Here is how to calculate shipping:

*Shipping charges are per individual destination so if you are shipping products to multiple addresses there is a separate charge per address.

**There may be additional shipping charges required when purchasing more than 10 of an item or for multiples of large, bulky items.  You will be contacted prior to shipping with the adjusted cost.

Shipping

Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, All U.S. Territories & Possessions,  Canada and all International destinations.
Your order will ship via USPS (United States Postal Service)  You can uses the same method described above for seeing shipping costs prior to ordering. We can also offer UPS service to Canada (this option is not show in the shipping drop down). In most cases UPS is considerably more expensive than the USPS service but if you are ordering small, "light"  and inexpensive items such as spices or chiles, then they may offer a faster, less expensive option.  Please email us to request these services.

International orders: All orders shipping to International destinations must be confirmed first via email. This is to help protect you against fraudulent orders.   Once your order is confirmed we will ship. Please note. We only ship via "Insured" methods. If the method you select is not "insurable" you will be notified by email and provided with suitable alternatives for your approval. See more information below about international shipments.

Address Error Fees:
Please make sure to check your order carefully for addressing errors. If you are shipping to a business make sure to include suite and/or floor number. Make sure your address number, APT or  Unit number and zip code are all correct.  UPS charges a correction fee of  $5.00 for ground shipment corrections and $10.00 for Express shipment corrections.  It is necessary for us to pass those fees on to the customer.   The fees are also charged if you decide to divert the shipment to another address after the order has shipped.  If you wish to correct an error, please email us or call us:  408-354-8281 to make any corrections.

Ordering And Shipping Confirmations
Orders received before 2:00pm Pacific Standard Time are normally shipped out within 48 hours but there are occasional exceptions.  If you need something by a specific day, please make a note in the "message" section of our order form or email us at  with any specific instructions or requests.

Orders are shipped Monday - Friday. Orders received after 2:00pm Friday will normally ship the following Monday or with 48 "business hours".  UPS does not deliver or ship on weekends.  If you require a Saturday delivery please call for assistance.  Saturday deliveries for UPS are only available to certain areas and a Saturday surcharge will apply.

Refusal of Shipment
An order cancellation may not take place on an item that has already shipped. If a customer places an order and then refuses the package, a 25% restocking fee may apply. The customer will then be re-credited for the return item(s) less a 25% restocking fee and any shipping fees associated with the original shipment and return(s).

Transit Time for US 48 States Orders: (click link for UPS transit times)
We ship from Los Gatos, California, zip code 95030.  The map displays number of business days it will take for your "ground" parcel to arrive.  When calculating shipping time remember that the day it is shipped does not count in the transit days. For example, your parcel ships on Monday and it is 5 days to your location. Transit days begin on Tuesday, so your parcel would arrive on the following Monday.. View Transit Time Map

Transit Time for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S Territories and Protectorates:
Priority Mail - Arrives in approximately 3-5 business days
Parcel - There is no estimated shipping time for this shipping method. Orders ship via ship.
Express - 1 -2 days to most locations. Arrival times are not guaranteed.

Transit Time For Canada
Estimated transit time is displayed when you select your shipping method. Orders shipping to Canada as well as all other international destinations must go through customs. The amount of time this takes can vary tremendously and takes longer during "holiday" seasons. If your shipment is delayed you should contact you local customs office for assistance. 

International Orders
Transit time is estimated. Shipping methods other than "EMS" service are not trackable. Once the shipment leaves our postal office we have no means of tracking your package.  If you are ordering products and arrival time is critical we suggest only using EMS service.  While shipping 4-6 week "parcel post" is most economical, it can be unpredictable and may greatly exceed the 4 - 6 week estimated time and this is due primarily to increased security which in turn causes shipping and dock delays. We can also offer UPS or DHL service to most countries (these options are not show in the shipping drop down). In most cases UPS and DHL are considerably more expensive than the USPS service but if you are ordering small, "light" items then they may offer a faster, less expensive option.  Please contact us via email to request these services.

Order Verification and Tracking #'s
Within a few minutes after ordering you will receive an email confirmation from GourmetSleuth Please email us if you don't receive your confirmation. Then, you will be notified again when your order ships. We use UPS and USPS automated shipping systems. You will be *emailed your tracking information as soon as your order is prepared for shipment.   **Note:   There is no tracking service available for service shipping outside the US 48 states or any non-US destination. 

Multiple Shipping Addresses
Our software allows you to ship to multiple address. So if you wish to ship to someone other than yourself, just type their name in the "recipient" box, and fill in their shipping information on the shipping detail page. 

If you want to purchase multiples of the same item to ship to different locations. Just select the item and type in the recipient name, then select the item again, and type in the next recipient name, etc.

Order Returns
If, for any reason, you would like to exchange or return your purchase within 30 days, we are happy to replace it with another selection or refund the credit card used for the purchase. Just repack the product in its original packaging (if possible) with the packing slip and follow these simple steps:

• Email our service department at . Provide your: Packing List or Invoice #, OR, the first and last name of the person who purchased the product.
• We will provide you with an RMA (return merchandise authorization) and the return shipping address.
• For your security, please return your purchase/gift with an insured courier (e.g., FedEx, UPS, USPS Parcel Post) and retain your receipt. This will protect you in case the gift is damaged or lost in transit. Your carrier will be responsible for your refund should the goods be damaged or lost in transit. (Note: we do not recommend using USPS for returns due to the amount of time it takes for you to received a claim refund).
• Merchandise must be returned within 30 days of purchase.
• Merchandise returned without an RMA number cannot be accepted by the warehouse.
• Food utensils including any baking or cooking tool, as well as molcajetes or metate's, may only be returned if they are unused.
• Shipping and handling fees are not refundable
• We are unable to accept returns or exchanges for final sale items.
• See additional information about refusal returns.
   

International Shipping Claims, Missing or Damaged Shipments
We use United States Postal Service for international shipping.  Shipping times given are estimated and refer to "business days".  While most orders are shipped and received without incident occasionally their can be problems.  If you parcel does not arrive when anticipated please email our service department at or call us (408-354-8281). We will fill out the appropriate forms and provide that to USPS.  The USPS investigation process can take up to 2 months.  Once the USPS verifies that the shipment is lost (or damaged) they will refund us for the shipping and merchandise and we will in turn credit you.  We are unable to credit you before the USPS credits us.

Arrival Times
Important! - while we will make every effort to get your packages to you by your desired date, Gourmetsleuth.com cannot guarantee the timely arrival of your package. To reduce the possibility of the late arrival of a shipment, place your orders early!!