Shipping & Delivery
How we ship, what it costs, and what to expect when your order is on its way.
How Much Does Shipping Cost?
U.S. Standard Shipping
- $9 to most U.S. destinations
- $11 to the West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington), Hawaii, Alaska, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida
These rates apply to all order sizes and include the temperature-aware handling needed to ship chocolate safely. There are no surprise fees at delivery.
Canada (prices in USD)
- Rates vary by destination, order size, and seasonal conditions
- Taxes and duties are calculated at checkout and are the responsibility of the recipient
International
We ship to over 80 countries. Shipping cost is calculated at checkout based on total weight. If no shipping options appear at checkout, it may be due to customs restrictions in your country.
When Will My Order Ship?
Orders typically ship Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. We monitor weather conditions and transit times carefully and ship when conditions are safe for chocolate.
During warmer months:
- Orders typically ship Monday through Thursday only
- We may briefly hold an order if temperatures are unsafe for transit
- In extreme heat (generally above 95°F), we reserve the right to delay shipment
These holds are deliberate. We would rather wait a day than send chocolate that arrives damaged.
Do You Ship With Ice Packs or Insulation?
Yes, during warmer months. We use insulation, ice packs, and adjusted transit timing based on season, destination, and expected temperatures. This is built into our shipping process and included in the cost of shipping.
Ice packs may no longer be cold when your package arrives. That is normal. What matters is that they kept the chocolate protected during transit.
We recommend bringing your package indoors as soon as possible on delivery days.
How Do I Track My Order?
Tracking details are emailed as soon as your order ships. You can also:
- Log in to your account to view tracking
- Use our Track Your Order page
- Contact us and we'll resend the information
Can I Choose Expedited Shipping?
Yes. Expedited options are available at checkout. A few things to keep in mind:
- Expedited services apply to business days only
- An order shipped on a Friday with Overnight selected will arrive the following Monday
Refunds for expedited shipping are only issued if the carrier fails to meet its delivery commitment. Standard shipping is not time-guaranteed and is not eligible for delay-based refunds.
What Carriers Do You Use?
We primarily use UPS for standard shipping within the continental U.S., with USPS and FedEx as secondary options. International shipments use the best available carrier for your destination.
Bar & Cocoa is not responsible for delays caused by carrier mishandling. We reserve the right to change shipping methods at any time without notice.
What Should I Know Before Placing an International Order?
All international orders are final sale. We are unable to issue refunds for issues related to customs holds, duties, or carrier delays outside the U.S. If a delivery issue occurs internationally, the buyer should contact the carrier directly.
Please review your country's customs and import duty policies before ordering. You are responsible for any fees or delays related to customs procedures.
Club subscriptions are currently only available within the United States.
How Do You Package the Chocolate?
We use minimal packaging designed to protect your chocolate. During warmer months, insulation and ice packs are added based on season, destination, and transit time.
Recyclability:
- Boxes and paper liners are curbside recyclable
- Foil liners are not recyclable and should go in the trash
Gifting Help
Everything you need to send a thoughtful chocolate gift with confidence.
Can I Send an Order Directly to Someone Else as a Gift?
Yes. During checkout, enter the recipient's shipping address instead of your own. The order will ship directly to them.
Will the Recipient See How Much I Paid?
No. We never include receipts, invoices, or pricing information in any shipment. Because so many of our orders are gifts, this is how we handle every order by default. The only person who sees the receipt is the buyer, and it's sent by email only.
Can I Include a Gift Message?
Yes. You can add a free gift note at checkout. We print it on a card and include it with the order.
What's a Good Chocolate Gift for Someone New to Craft Chocolate?
Our World Chocolate 10 Bar Gift Box is our most popular gift and a strong starting point. It includes a curated selection of bars from different origins and makers, so the recipient can explore a range of flavors without needing to know the category first.
For other options, browse our gift collections for curated sets at different price points.
Do You Offer Gift Cards?
Yes. Bar & Cocoa gift cards are available online and let the recipient choose exactly what they want. It's a good option when you're not sure which bars to pick, or when you want to let someone explore on their own.
What's the Difference Between the Dark & Classic and Adventure Boxes?
The Dark & Classic box focuses on approachable, well-rounded dark chocolate bars. The Adventure box leans toward bolder, more unusual flavors and origins. If you're gifting to someone who already enjoys dark chocolate, the Adventure box can feel more exciting. If the recipient is newer to craft chocolate or you're unsure of their taste, the Dark & Classic box is a reliable choice.
How Far in Advance Should I Order a Gift?
For standard shipping within the U.S., we recommend ordering at least 5 to 7 business days before you need it to arrive. During holidays or peak gifting periods, ordering earlier is a good idea.
You can also select a future ship date at checkout, so you can place your order now and schedule it to ship closer to the occasion. Expedited shipping options are available at checkout if you need faster delivery.
During warmer months, we may hold shipments briefly to protect the chocolate from heat. If timing is critical, reach out to us before ordering and we'll help you plan.
Does the Order Arrive Looking Gift-Ready?
We pack every order with care and use clean, minimal packaging. While we don't include decorative gift wrap, orders are presented neatly and are suitable for gifting as they arrive. If presentation is especially important, pairing with a gift note adds a personal touch.
Can I Gift a Subscription?
Yes. When purchasing a subscription, select the gift option at checkout. We'll ask for the recipient's name and email so they can manage their deliveries and shipping address. You can also print a Chocolate Club Gift Certificate to give in person.
Gift subscriptions do not renew automatically. When the term ends, the recipient is not charged.
Subscriptions
How the Bar & Cocoa Chocolate Club works, from sign-up to your monthly delivery.
What Does a Bar & Cocoa Subscription Include?
Each month, you receive 4 bars of bean-to-bar chocolate selected by our team. The subscription ships once per month.
You can choose between two box types:
- Dark & Classic: Approachable, well-rounded dark chocolate bars
- Adventure: Bolder flavors and more unusual origins for those who want to explore further
How Does Billing Work?
Subscriptions renew automatically on the same date as your original purchase. You can choose a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month term.
Gift subscriptions are the exception. They do not renew automatically. When the gifted term ends, no one is charged.
You can cancel automatic renewal at any time by logging in to your account.
When Does My Subscription Ship?
Your first box ships immediately after sign-up. After that, it ships on the same date each month. If that date falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day.
Can I Switch Between the Dark & Classic and Adventure Boxes?
Yes, at any time. Log in to your account, click on My Subscriptions, and select "Edit" on the subscription line. Use the dropdown menu to choose a new box type, then click "Update" to save the change. You'll receive a confirmation email once it's updated.
Can I Skip a Month, Pause, or Cancel?
Yes. You can skip a month, change your delivery address, pause, or cancel your renewal at any time by logging in to your account.
If you run into any issues managing your subscription, reach out to us using the message bubble on the bottom right of the page.
Can I Buy a Subscription as a Gift?
Yes. Select the gift option during checkout. We'll ask for the recipient's name and email so they can manage their deliveries and shipping address. You can also print a Chocolate Club Gift Certificate to give in person.
Gift subscriptions do not renew automatically. When the gifted term ends, the recipient is not charged.
Are Subscriptions Available Internationally?
Not at this time. Club subscriptions are currently only available within the United States.
Chocolate Safety
What we know about lead, cadmium, and heavy metals in chocolate, and how we approach it.
Should I Be Concerned About Lead or Cadmium in Chocolate?
It's a reasonable question. Studies have found trace levels of lead and cadmium in many chocolate products, including both mass-market and premium brands. These metals occur naturally in soil and can be absorbed by cacao plants during growth. Lead can also be introduced during post-harvest handling and processing.
The levels found in most chocolate are low. For the majority of adults eating chocolate in normal amounts, the exposure from chocolate is a small part of overall dietary intake. That said, people who eat chocolate frequently, or who are shopping for young children or pregnant women, may want to pay closer attention.
Does Bar & Cocoa Test Its Chocolate for Heavy Metals?
Bar & Cocoa is a retailer, not a manufacturer. We do not produce chocolate ourselves, and we do not conduct independent lab testing on the bars we carry.
The makers we work with are responsible for the safety and quality of their products. Many bean-to-bar makers are transparent about their sourcing and production practices, and some test their products or ingredients as part of their quality process. If you have questions about a specific bar or maker, reach out to us and we'll do our best to connect you with the right information.
Why Do Some Chocolate Bars Show Up in Heavy Metal Reports?
Most widely cited reports test for cadmium and lead against California's Proposition 65 thresholds, which are set very conservatively. Many foods, not just chocolate, contain trace levels of these metals.
Cadmium in chocolate primarily comes from the soil where cacao is grown. Some regions produce cacao with naturally higher cadmium levels. Lead is more often linked to environmental contamination during drying, fermentation, or transport.
A bar appearing in a report does not necessarily mean it is unsafe. It means the detected levels exceeded a specific regulatory threshold, which varies by jurisdiction.
Is Dark Chocolate Safe to Eat Regularly?
Dark chocolate generally contains more cacao than milk chocolate, which means it can contain relatively higher trace levels of heavy metals. However, "higher" in this context still means very small amounts.
For most adults eating a bar or a few squares a day, the consensus among food safety researchers is that the risk is low. People who eat large quantities of dark chocolate daily, or those with specific health concerns, may want to moderate their intake or consult a doctor.
We are not health professionals and this is not medical advice. If you have specific concerns, your doctor is the best resource.
Does Craft Chocolate Have Less Lead or Cadmium Than Mass-Market Chocolate?
Not necessarily. Heavy metal levels depend primarily on where the cacao was grown, how it was processed, and how it was handled after harvest. These factors vary by origin and by maker, regardless of whether the chocolate is mass-market or craft.
What craft chocolate makers often offer is more transparency about their sourcing. Many name their cacao origin, their farmer or cooperative partners, and their production methods. That transparency can make it easier for concerned shoppers to research what they're buying.
How Does Bar & Cocoa Choose Which Brands and Bars to Carry?
We select products based on quality, flavor, sourcing practices, and maker reputation. We work with bean-to-bar makers who manage production from raw cacao to finished bar and who are transparent about how and where they source their ingredients.
While we do not make safety claims about any individual product, we pay close attention to the makers we partner with and prioritize those who take their craft and their sourcing seriously.
What Can I Do if I Want to Reduce My Exposure?
A few practical steps:
- Vary your sources. Eating chocolate from different origins and makers can help reduce concentrated exposure from any single source.
- Moderate quantity. Enjoying chocolate in reasonable amounts is the simplest way to limit intake of any trace contaminant.
- Check cacao percentage. Higher-percentage dark chocolate contains more cacao, which may contain more trace metals. Choosing bars in the 55% to 70% range rather than 85%+ can reduce exposure while still offering a rich chocolate experience.
- Research the origin. Some cacao-growing regions have lower naturally occurring cadmium levels. If this matters to you, look for bars that name their origin so you can make informed choices.
Orders, Returns & Account Help
Help with something you've already ordered, or questions about your account.
What if My Chocolate Arrives Melted or Damaged?
Contact us within 24 hours of delivery with your order number and clear photos of the product and interior packaging. We'll make it right.
Our first priority is to replace the item or issue store credit so you can enjoy your chocolate as intended. In cases where a replacement or credit isn't the right fit, we'll issue a refund. For subscriptions, we may add a free month instead.
If requested photos or a return shipment are declined, we are unable to proceed with a resolution.
Can I Return Chocolate I've Purchased?
Chocolate is a food product and cannot be returned. That said, if something isn't right, we want to know. Reach out and we'll work toward a fair resolution.
You can contact us by message or by phone at (888) 336-2136.
Customers are responsible for return shipping costs on approved returns. Original shipping charges are non-refundable.
What if My Order Is Missing Items?
Contact us as soon as you notice. Include your order number and let us know what's missing. We'll look into it and take care of it.
How Quickly Do I Need to Report a Problem?
- Melt, heat, or transit damage: Contact us within 24 hours of delivery
- Other product concerns: Contact us within 7 days of delivery
The sooner you reach out, the faster we can resolve it.
I Got a Delivery Notification but My Package Isn't Here
Carriers occasionally mark packages as delivered before they arrive. Please allow 24 hours. Most packages show up shortly after the initial notification.
If it still hasn't appeared:
- Check nearby delivery locations (side doors, porches, mailrooms)
- Ask a neighbor
- Then contact us and we'll step in
How Do Refunds Work?
Melt or heat damage: Send us a message with photos within 24 hours of delivery. We'll either refund your order, replace the chocolate (depending on stock), or for subscriptions, add a free month.
Other product issues: Reach out within 7 days of delivery and we'll find a fair resolution.
Expedited shipping: Refunds for expedited shipping are only issued if the carrier fails to meet its delivery commitment. Standard shipping is not time-guaranteed.
Where Do I Find Allergen Information?
Each product page includes icons that indicate common allergens and dietary information. We also include photos of the back of every bar so you can review the full ingredient list yourself.
The diet icons use two symbols: a single slash in the circle means "traces of" or shared equipment (for example, traces of tree nuts). An X on the icon means the product is completely free of that allergen.
If you're unsure about a specific product, send us a message before ordering and we'll check the ingredients for you.
How Do I Earn and Use Reward Points?
You're automatically enrolled in our Rewards program when you create an account. Points are honored for all orders placed with the same email address, including orders placed before you registered.
For full details, visit our Rewards page.
How Do I Contact Bar & Cocoa?
We're available 9am to 5pm Eastern, Monday through Friday. Use the message bubble on the bottom right corner of any page to reach us.
Messages sent during business hours are typically answered the same day. Messages sent after hours will receive a reply the next business day.
You can also call us at (888) 336-2136.
I'm a Maker. How Do I Work With Bar & Cocoa?
For partnership, wholesale, or promotional inquiries, send us a message using the chat bubble.
If you're a bean-to-bar chocolate maker and would like to be considered for our club or store, we may ask for samples. We receive many requests, and sending samples does not guarantee inclusion or feedback.