Shipping policy

Standard Delivery

Standard delivery is a Royal Mail untracked second-class service. Whilst Royal Mail claim this is a 48hr service, you should allow at least 5 working days after despatch, especially if ordering for a particular date or occasion.

Worst case scenario - orders received on a Friday evening will be despatched on the Monday after the weekend, and delivered on the following Friday. 

For orders below £25 - 5 day delivery costs £3

For orders £25 or over - 5 day delivery is FREE

Faster Delivery is an upgrade option

If you need guaranteed faster delivery, a DHL Tracked option will be offered to you as an upgrade in almost all areas. You should order allowing at least 3 working days after despatch even with this upgraded service, especially if ordering for a particular date or occasion.

This adds £4 to the Standard Delivery cost:

For orders below £25 - 3 day delivery is £7

For orders £25 or over - 3 day delivery is £4

Order processing and despatch

We despatch every weekday.

We despatch orders received before 9am on the same day we get them.

At peak times (like Christmas, Valentines, Easter), we despatch next-day.

During very hot weather, we sometimes delay despatch to ensure your order won't melt during shipping.

 

Delivery Areas

We ship all across the UK, including to the Isle of Man and Channel Islands (international is coming soon). Please, check you've entered your address accurately, particularly the postcode, as any errors are likely to cause delay and potentially incur additional charges.

 

Shipping Partners

We ship with Royal Mail as standard, but an express tracked option is available via DHL in most areas. When placing your order, the shipping options will be shown according to the value of your order and your address. 

(1) Royal Mail

Orders shipped with Royal Mail are sent using a 48-hour service (untracked) in letterbox friendly packaging wherever possible (so you don't have to be at home to accept delivery). If you ordered hot chocolate as part of your order, then expect a little parcel - please leave any instructions on where the parcel could be safely left if you aren't in to accept delivery, so that we can pass this on to Royal Mail. You will receive an email from us when we despatch your order, and should receive the parcel 2-3 days after this.  

* If ordering for a special occasion, please order as early as possible and allow a couple extra days. Also bear in mind that Royal Mail don't deliver on Bank Holidays.

 

(2) DHL

For orders shipped with DHL, someone will need to be available at the delivery address to accept the package. You will receive an email from DHL on the morning of your delivery date giving you a 1-hour estimated delivery window, and if this be unsuitable, you will have an option to reschedule the delivery (but this won't be for the same day). If there is a safe place where you are happy for the parcel to be left, please give details on the cart page, (but please be aware this is at your own risk as we can't be responsible for missing parcels or spoiled products in this situation).

* If ordering for a special occasion, please order as early as possible and allow a couple extra days. Also bear in mind that DHL also don't deliver on Bank Holidays.

 

Delivery in Summer

In very hot weather, we may have to suspend deliveries to avoid spoiling our chocolate, but we'll be in touch directly if you have an order that will be impacted by hot weather.

 

Delivery FAQs

Can I change the delivery date after I've placed the order?

Maybe.... the earlier you let us know the better chance we'll have.

Can I change the delivery address after I've placed the order?

Maybe..... If you realise you've entered the wrong address, please phone us on 01692 648 917 or email us  at hey@darkroomchocolate.com  Once an order has left us, it's very unlikely that we'll be able to change the address... but we'll always see what we can do.

Important Shipping Terms and Conditions

  1. You are responsible for providing Us with correct and complete delivery details, including a contact phone number. Darkroom Chocolate are not liable for the failure or delayed delivery of your order as a result of being provided incomplete or inaccurate details.

  2. We will take all reasonable steps to deliver your chocolate within 5 working days of your order confirmation. However, occasionally delivery may be affected by Events Outside of Our Control and so cannot be guaranteed, and We are unable to accept liability for delays occurring within the courier's system.

  3. Deliveries made by DHL require a proof of delivery (currently a photo of the parcel in situ and name of receiver) unless you agree for the courier to leave your consignment in a designated safe place. Please be aware the products are food items and We do not recommend they are left unattended outside and We do not accept any responsibility for any quality issues encountered in this situation.

  4. If you choose to delay delivery by moving the delivery date with the courier or if you are not in to receive your parcel or choose not to unpack the order on the day of receipt and store as required, this is entirely at your own risk and We cannot take any responsibility for any loss of quality or degradation of the product. We are unable to offer a refund or a replacement in such circumstances.

  5. If Our couriers deliver your parcel in accordance with your instructions (whether to a 'safe' place, to a neighbour or otherwise) both Darkroom Chocolate and the courier will not be liable for any loss, theft or damage to the Products following delivery. Any such instructions are given entirely at your own risk.

  6. If delivery is not possible, then Our couriers will either leave or post a card with instructions, or email instructions, giving details of how delivery can be re-arranged or the parcel can be collected.