At Cheese Grotto, we care about each and every shipment, from our Cheese of the Month Subscription, to our signature Grottos, to our exciting gift boxes and virtual cheese tasting shipments! In order to ensure your products arrive in the best condition possible, we take extra measures in our packing and shipping procedures. 

Many of our cheeses are cut-to-order by our team, and are hand wrapped. We want to ensure the freshest possible experience, and show these fantastic artisan cheeses as the producers intended. 

To ensure every item arrives in peak condition, additional packing materials are used for the safest transit, such as ice packs to keep your cheeses at the ideal temperature throughout shipping, as well as the newest technology in insulation. These packaging considerations add weight and size to the shipping boxes. All of these factors will impact the costs charged by our carriers. There are so many questions when it comes to shipping, and below you will find additional information on our shipping policies, procedures and helpful information on your Cheese Grotto packages. 

I placed my order, when will it ship? 

You will receive a confirmation email when your order is placed, and another email when it has been shipped out with tracking information. Typically, your order will ship within 24-48 hours. During peak times of the year, especially during the holiday season, there may be a longer lead time for packing your order for shipping. 

Monthly Cheese Subscriptions ship on Mondays and Tuesdays, and your first shipment will be scheduled after you fill out your cheese preferences survey.

What shipping carriers do you use? 

We use a variety of different shipping carriers to ensure the most efficient and cost effective shipping for your Cheese Grotto items. 

We use FedEx and UPS for all perishable shipments.

If you purchase a Grotto and qualify for free shipping, we ship via UPS (1-7 business days).

What is the cost of shipping cheese? 

Shipping costs fluctuate greatly depending on the size, shape and weight of the package as well as the shipping carrier. As the cheeses are a fresh product, we want to ensure the quickest transit time as possible, so your order arrives in the best possible condition. 

Shipping costs range from $20 - $48 depending on the package size, delivery window, delivery location, and carrier. 

We try our best to keep the shipping rate as low as possible for all of our customers. You will see your total shipping charge in your checkout cart.  

Please note: With the exception of our square bamboo board, all hardware items currently ship separately from our cheese packages.  It is very complex to ship perishable items (express shipping necessary) with large hardware items so we've found it is best to ship them separately.

What is the cost of shipping hardware? 

Shipping hardware is less expensive than shipping perishable cheese because we are able to ship via Ground nationwide. We mainly use UPS Ground for hardware orders, unless otherwise specified by the customer at checkout. 

Where do I find my tracking number? 

Your tracking number is found on your shipping confirmation email. You will also receive an email when your package is out for delivery, so you know exactly when to expect it. 

If you created an account during the checkout process, you can log into your account page to check your order status anytime!

What do I do if my package hasn’t arrived? 

If you do not see any updates on your tracking information, please reach out to Cheese Grotto for assistance. 

If your tracking number has shown your cheese has been delivered, but you have not received it, please reach out to the shipping carrier directly, as they often will have a delivery verification system. 

What do I do if my package arrives late or never arrives? 

If your package arrives after the expected arrival time, first check the cheeses for quality. If your ice packs have melted, it may not be a cause for concern. Feel free to reach out to Cheese Grotto (info@cheesegrotto.com) for assistance with late cheese deliveries, as we may be able to ship a replacement. 

What do I do if my package arrives damaged? 

Please reach out to Cheese Grotto (info@cheesegrotto.com) with information on your damaged package. Include description of the damage and photos if possible. This information is helpful in assessing the best packing and shipping methods and helps to prevent issues in the future. We will be sure to follow up with a solution and replacement if applicable. 

What do I do if the ice packs have melted? 

If your package arrives on time, but the ice pack has melted via transit, the cheese is typically completely fine and still safe to eat! The quality of the cheese has not been compromised, as our hand-selected specialty cheeses are resilient, safe and hardy. Look for the included card in your shipment for more information on the best methods for cheese storage. 

Do you ship internationally? 

We currently offer shipping of our Cheese Grottos to Canada, UK, France and Australia, with other countries on a case-by-case basis. 

Unfortunately, due to customs regulations and border restrictions, we are unable to ship cheeses internationally at this time. 

Why do I have more than one tracking number? 

If you ordered a Grotto as well as perishable items, we pack and ship those separately. Each Grotto requires its own special packaging to ensure it transports safely to your doorstep. Cheeses and other perishable items are packaged from our warehouse with extra insulation and ice packs to keep the products as fresh as possible in transit. We also work directly with cheesemakers and farmers in our Shop Cheesemakers section of the store.  Many of these items ship directly from the cheesemaker, providing you with an incredibly fresh delivery straight from the source.