Shipping policy

Where we ship

The Cup & Thorn currently ships only to addresses within California. We are unable to ship to other states, U.S. territories, APO/FPO addresses, or international destinations at this time.

Shipping cost

Standard shipping is included with every order. There is no minimum purchase requirement.

Roasting and fulfillment

Coffee is roasted in small batches and prepared for shipment within three business days after an order is placed. This is our fulfillment period—the time needed to roast, prepare, package, and deliver your order to the carrier.

The exact roast date is printed on every bag. Because coffee continues to rest and develop after roasting, your coffee may still be in that process when it arrives.

Business days do not include weekends or postal holidays. If an unusual circumstance will substantially delay fulfillment, we will contact you using the email address provided with your order.

Carrier and transit time

Most orders are shipped using USPS Ground Advantage. USPS generally estimates delivery within two to five business days, but carrier transit times are estimates and are not guaranteed.

Transit time begins after the carrier receives the package and is separate from our fulfillment period. An equivalent or faster shipping service may be used when appropriate.

Tracking information will be provided when your order ships.

Shipping addresses

Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address.

If you notice an error, contact us as soon as possible at cupandthorn@gmail.com. We will correct the address at no charge if the order has not entered fulfillment, but changes cannot be guaranteed after fulfillment has begun or after the package has been transferred to the carrier.

If an address error is ours, we will correct the shipment at no cost to you.

If a package is returned because of an incomplete or incorrect address supplied with the order, the customer is responsible for the actual postage required to send it again. Returned coffee is not automatically refunded or resold because we cannot verify how it was stored after leaving our control. Unusual circumstances will be considered individually.

Damaged, incorrect, or incomplete orders

If an order arrives damaged, contains the wrong item, or is incomplete, contact us at cupandthorn@gmail.com.

Damage must be reported within seven calendar days of delivery. Please include:

  • Your order number
  • A description of the problem
  • Reasonable photographs of the shipping box, packaging, and affected product

If we made an error, we will correct it at no additional cost. Depending on the circumstances and product availability, the appropriate resolution may be a replacement, refund, or another mutually reasonable solution.

Please do not discard damaged products or packaging until we have responded, as the carrier may require additional information.

Delayed or lost packages

Carrier delays can occur after an order leaves our hands. If tracking has not updated or a package appears substantially overdue, contact us and we will help investigate.

A package confirmed lost by the carrier will be replaced or refunded. Limited and seasonal coffees may not always be available for replacement; when an equivalent replacement cannot be provided, a refund will be issued.

Packages marked delivered but not found

If tracking shows that a package was delivered but you cannot locate it, please:

  1. Confirm that the shipping address on the order is correct.
  2. Check entrances, porches, parcel lockers, mailrooms, and other secure delivery locations.
  3. Ask household members, neighbors, building staff, or anyone else who may have accepted it.
  4. Allow one additional business day, as some carrier scans may occur shortly before physical delivery.
  5. Contact the carrier or local post office for available delivery details.

If the package still cannot be located, contact us. Delivered-but-missing claims are reviewed individually and do not automatically qualify for replacement or refund.

Contact

Questions about an order or shipment may be sent to cupandthorn@gmail.com. Please include your order number so we can assist you promptly.