Shipping policy
SHIPPING POLICY
The Great British Shop
The short version: we pack your order at our shop in Halifax, usually within one working day, and the courier takes it from there. Everything else is below, in plain English.
When your order leaves us
- We pack orders Monday to Friday. Nothing is packed or collected at weekends.
- Most orders leave us within 24 hours of being placed. In a busy week, or for a large order, it can take up to 3 working days.
- Fridays: now and then we hold an order packed on a Friday until Monday morning. A parcel that leaves us on a Friday afternoon often spends the whole weekend sitting in a courier depot, which is no good for chocolate in summer or drinks in winter. It reaches you just as quickly, and in better shape.
- Holidays: couriers do not collect on statutory holidays, including holiday Mondays. An order placed before a long weekend leaves on the next working day.
- When your parcel is on its way, we email you the tracking number.
- Local to Halifax? Choose free pickup from our shop at checkout. It is usually ready in 24 hours; bring your confirmation email when you collect.
Orders with something "Arriving soon"
Some products are on sale while they are still on their way to us, and their page says Arriving soon. If your order includes one, it may add a day or two before your parcel leaves, so we can pack everything together the moment it lands on our shelves. You get one parcel, not two.
Christmas pre-orders
Items marked Christmas pre-order are on their way from the UK, and each product page shows when it is expected to ship (for Christmas 2026: early November). If your order has a pre-order item in it, we keep the whole order together and send it in one parcel as soon as the pre-order arrives, and we email you the moment it is on its way. If you would like the rest of your items sooner, place them as a separate order.
Shipping rates and delivery times
Delivery time is how long the courier takes once your parcel has left us, in business days. Add our packing time above.
| Province | Standard shipping | Reduced shipping | Free shipping | Courier time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario | $10 | $5 on orders over $99 | Over $149 | 1 to 4 days |
| Quebec, Prince Edward Island | $15 | $10 on orders over $119 | Over $159 | 1 to 4 days |
| Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador | $20 | $10 on orders over $159 | Over $249 | 1 to 6 days |
| Alberta, Manitoba | $20 | $10 on orders over $165 | Over $269 | 1 to 6 days |
| British Columbia | $20 | $10 on orders over $175 | Over $279 | 1 to 7 days |
| Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut | Calculated at checkout | Varies | ||
Delivery dates shown at checkout are the courier's estimates and cannot be guaranteed.
Remote & Oversized Orders
We cover up to $20 in shipping costs for orders that qualify under our flat-rate or free shipping options, in provinces where those services apply.
In most cases, this allowance fully covers shipping anywhere in Canada. If courier costs exceed this amount slightly, we often absorb the difference.
However, in rare situations, particularly for large, heavy, or remote-area deliveries — courier rates may significantly exceed our standard allowance. If this occurs, we will contact you prior to dispatch to confirm whether you would like to:
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Proceed with shipment and pay the additional shipping cost, or
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Cancel your order for a full refund.
We continuously work with courier partners to provide fair nationwide shipping. Some remote areas may only be serviced by Canada Post, which can result in higher delivery costs.
Incorrect Shipping Address or Missing Information
Customers are responsible for entering a complete and accurate shipping address at checkout, including apartment numbers, buzzer codes, and any required delivery details.
If you notice an error after placing your order, contact us immediately.
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If your order has not yet shipped, we can often update the address.
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If your order has already shipped, you will be responsible for any courier address correction fees (typically $15).
If delivery fails due to an incorrect address provided by the customer, original shipping charges and any courier fees are non-refundable.
Returned to Sender
If a package is returned to us due to:
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An incorrect address
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Refusal of delivery
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Failure to collect from the courier
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Missing delivery information
The order will be refunded minus:
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Original outbound shipping costs
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Return shipping charges billed by the courier
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A minimum 25% restocking fee (calculated on the order subtotal)
Perishable or temperature-sensitive items returned to us are not eligible for resale and may not qualify for refund.
Shipping Chocolate During Warm Weather
British chocolate is made to UK standards and can be sensitive to high temperatures.
During warmer months, our system automatically adds insulated packaging and ice packs to orders containing meltable items. Customers may remove these protective materials at checkout; however:
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Ice packs and insulation reduce the risk of melting but do not eliminate it.
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Temperature-related softening or melting does not qualify as transit damage.
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Melted chocolate is not eligible for refund.
The only guaranteed method of preventing melting is refrigerated courier service, which is significantly more expensive and not included in standard shipping options.
Shipping During Freezing Temperatures
During Canadian winter months, beverages and other liquid products may freeze in transit.
Products susceptible to freezing are shipped at the customer’s discretion during cold weather.
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Freezing-related changes or damage do not qualify as transit damage.
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We are not responsible for products that freeze during shipment.
By purchasing liquids or cold-sensitive products during winter months, you acknowledge and accept this risk.
Delivery Responsibility
Once an order has been marked as delivered by the courier to the address provided at checkout, responsibility transfers to the customer.
If a package is marked delivered but cannot be located, customers must contact the courier directly to initiate an investigation. We will assist where possible, but we are not responsible for lost or stolen packages after confirmed delivery.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding our Shipping Policy, please contact us at:
The Great British Shop
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada