Shipping Information

At Tastes of Chicago, we make it easy to send your favorite Chicago foods anywhere in the United States. Whether you're ordering for yourself, sending a gift, or shipping to multiple recipients, here's everything you need to know about our shipping services, delivery schedules, and packaging.

Shipping Carrier and Standard Delivery

What shipping carrier do you use?

We ship our packages via FedEx, using the most efficient available service to deliver your order within three business days of your selected ship date.

What is Standard Shipping?

Standard Shipping is included in all package prices, so there are no unexpected standard shipping charges at checkout.

Standard Shipping includes:

• Delivery within three business days of your selected ship date to destinations in the continental United States.
• Shipments Monday through Friday, with weekend deliveries available in select areas.
• FedEx delivery services selected to ensure timely arrival.
• Delivery without a required signature, so the recipient does not need to be home.

If you need your package sooner, expedited shipping options may be available for an additional fee.

Important: Your selected ship date is the date your package leaves Chicago, not necessarily the date it arrives. The shipping calendar at checkout will show the expected delivery date.

Expedited Shipping Options

If you need your package to arrive sooner than our standard three-business-day delivery window, we offer the following expedited options:

Availability varies by destination. Not all expedited options are available in every area.

The shipping calendar at checkout displays the available delivery options and applicable charges for your recipient's address.

Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico

Yes! We ship to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Additional shipping charges apply to certain destinations:

• Alaska: $50 additional fee per package.
• Puerto Rico: $55 additional fee per package.
• Hawaii: Shipping is available; please refer to checkout for applicable charges.

These destinations are outside our standard continental U.S. shipping coverage and may have different delivery options.

Shipping Schedule and Order Cutoff Times

January through November

During our non-peak season, the following same-day shipping order cutoff times apply:

Orders placed after the applicable cutoff may need to ship on a later available date.

December Holiday Shipping

December is our busiest shipping season.

During December, we recommend placing your order at least 24 hours before your desired ship date.

Major holidays, severe weather, and carrier disruptions may affect shipping schedules and delivery availability.

Can I schedule an order in advance?

Absolutely!

Our shipping calendar at checkout allows you to select a future ship date as far in advance as the calendar permits.

Remember that the ship date is when your package leaves Chicago, not the date it arrives. Your expected delivery date will be displayed during checkout.

We strongly recommend ordering early, especially during the holiday season.

Delivery Times and Tracking

How long does shipping take?

Our standard shipping service provides delivery within three business days of your selected ship date.

The shipping calendar at checkout will display the expected delivery date for your order.

Delivery availability may be affected by holidays, weather, destination restrictions, or incorrect shipping information.

Will I receive tracking information?

Yes!

Once your order ships, you'll receive an email containing your FedEx tracking number.

You can use this number to follow your package from our warehouse to its destination.

Do I need to sign for my package?

No. Our packages are delivered without requiring a signature.

The recipient does not need to be home when FedEx arrives.

However, because our packages contain perishable foods, we strongly recommend making sure someone knows when a delivery is expected.

Shipping Addresses and Delivery Requirements

What information is required for delivery?

To ensure your package reaches its destination, please provide:

1. A complete street address, including the correct ZIP code.
2. An apartment, unit, or suite number, if applicable.
3. Correct spelling of the street and city names.
4. A daytime telephone number for the recipient.
5. The business name if shipping to a commercial address.

Please carefully review all delivery information before submitting your order.

Can I change an address after placing an order?

If an address correction is required after your package leaves our facility, a $20 delivery-change fee will apply.

Incorrect or incomplete addresses can cause delivery delays, and delays resulting from address errors void our delivery guarantee.

Where can you not ship?

We cannot deliver to:

• P.O. Boxes
• APO addresses
• HC addresses

Please provide a valid physical street address for delivery.

Shipping to Businesses

Can I ship to a business address?

Yes. We can deliver to business and company addresses.

Perishable orders are delivered via FedEx Monday through Saturday, between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.

When shipping to a business:

• Include the full business name.
• Provide the complete street address and any applicable suite number.
• Make sure someone will be available to receive and properly store the package during delivery hours.

We cannot provide special delivery instructions to the FedEx driver.

Because the contents are perishable, deliveries to closed businesses or unattended locations may result in delays or spoilage.

International Shipping

Can you ship outside the United States?

Unfortunately, we do not currently ship internationally.

We ship only within the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Packaging and Perishable Food Safety

How are perishable foods packaged?

We carefully package our perishable food products in insulated foam coolers with dry ice to help maintain appropriate temperatures during transit.

Our packaging is designed to keep products frozen or cool to the touch when they arrive.

What should I know about dry ice?

Dry ice is extremely cold, with a temperature of approximately -109.3°F (-78.5°C).

Please follow these precautions:

• Avoid direct skin contact with dry ice.
• Handle any remaining dry ice carefully, using appropriate protective gloves.
• Keep dry ice away from children and pets.
• Do not place dry ice in an airtight container.
• Allow remaining dry ice to dissipate safely in a well-ventilated area.

What if there's no dry ice left when my package arrives?

That's normal! Dry ice gradually evaporates during shipping, so there may be none remaining when your package arrives.

We expect the food products to arrive frozen or cool to the touch even if the dry ice has completely evaporated.

What should I do when my package arrives?

We recommend unpacking your order promptly.

If you're not ready to prepare or enjoy your food, place the appropriate products in the freezer according to their storage instructions.

If your package arrives warm, damaged, or in a condition that concerns you, please contact our customer service team for assistance.

Shipping to Multiple Recipients

Can I send packages to multiple people in one order?

Yes! You can send multiple gift packages to different recipients in a single checkout.

Here's how:

1. Add all the packages you'd like to purchase to your shopping cart.
2. Click Assign Items to Recipients at the bottom of your cart.
3. Enter the name of the recipient for each package.
4. Click Checkout.
5. During checkout, enter each recipient's shipping address and select the appropriate ship date.

Each recipient can have their own delivery address and selected ship date.

Helpful tip: Let each recipient know to expect a perishable food delivery so they can retrieve and store it promptly.

Sending a Gift

Can I send a Tastes of Chicago package as a gift?

Absolutely! Our Chicago food packages make wonderful gifts for birthdays, holidays, celebrations, corporate occasions, and anyone missing a taste of Chicago.

Will the recipient see the price?

No. We do not include prices or receipts inside our shipped packages.

Can I include a gift message?

Yes!

During checkout, you'll have the opportunity to include a personalized gift message.

Your message will appear on the shipping label on the outside of the package.

Should I tell the recipient a gift is coming?

Yes, we strongly recommend it.

Because our packages contain perishable foods and are delivered without requiring a signature, it's important that the recipient knows when to expect the delivery.

Giving them advance notice helps ensure the food is brought inside and stored properly as soon as possible.

Need Help With Your Shipment?

If you have questions about shipping availability, delivery dates, address corrections, tracking, or the condition of a delivered package, our customer service team is here to help.

Contact Tastes of Chicago Customer Service

You can also review available shipping dates and delivery options using the shipping calendar during checkout.