Shipping policy - USA
Last updated: March 2026
Free Standard Shipping on All US Orders
We offer free standard shipping on all orders placed within the contiguous United States, as well as Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, PO Boxes, and APO/FPO/DPO addresses.
Estimated Delivery Times
Once your order is processed and shipped, estimated delivery times are as follows. Please note that delivery times are estimates only and are not guaranteed — actual delivery may vary depending on your location, the carrier, and order volume.
| Destination | Estimated Delivery |
|---|---|
| Contiguous USA (48 states) | 2–5 business days |
| Alaska | 10–15 business days |
| Hawaii & Puerto Rico | 5–10 business days |
| APO / FPO / DPO addresses | 10–15 business days (subject to additional security handling) |
Processing Time: Orders are processed and dispatched as quickly as possible. Processing time varies depending on current inventory levels and order volume. During peak seasons — including Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday period (November–January) — processing and delivery times may be longer than usual. We appreciate your patience and will always notify you if there is an unexpected delay with your order.
Shipping Carriers
We ship via multiple carriers depending on the destination, package size, and order type. Carriers may include USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL. The carrier assigned to your order will be indicated in your shipping confirmation email along with your tracking number.
Order Tracking
Once your order ships, you will receive a confirmation email with a tracking number. You can use this number to monitor your delivery in real time through the carrier's website. If you have not received a shipping confirmation within a reasonable time after placing your order, please contact us at international@hotchocolatedesign.com with your order number.
Package Marked as Delivered but Not Received
If your tracking information shows your package as delivered but you have not received it, please take the following steps before contacting us:
- Verify that the shipping address on your order is correct.
- Check around your property — packages are sometimes left at side doors, garages, or with building management.
- Check with neighbors to see if the package was delivered next door by mistake.
- Visit or call your local carrier office with your tracking number — they can often locate where the package was left.
- Wait up to 48 hours — carriers sometimes mark packages as delivered before the actual drop-off.
If after 48 hours you still have not located your package, please contact us at international@hotchocolatedesign.com with your order number and we will work with you to find the best resolution. We review each case individually.
Please note: once a package has been confirmed as delivered to the correct address by the carrier, Hot Chocolate Design's liability is limited. However, we understand that porch theft and courier errors happen, and we will always do our best to assist you in filing a claim with the carrier or finding a fair resolution.
Lost Packages
If your tracking status has not updated for an unreasonable amount of time and the package has not been marked as delivered, it is possible that the package is lost in transit. In this case, please contact us and we will open an investigation with the carrier on your behalf and work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Incorrect Shipping Address
Please double-check your shipping address carefully before completing your order. We are not responsible for orders shipped to an address entered incorrectly at checkout.
If you notice an error in your shipping address before your order has shipped, please contact us immediately at international@hotchocolatedesign.com and we will do our best to correct it. Once an order has been picked up by the carrier, address changes cannot be guaranteed.
Questions?
Please write to us at international@hotchocolatedesign.com with your order number and a description of your issue. Our team reviews messages regularly and you can expect a response within 48 hours on business days.