Shipping Policy

ORDER PROCESSING:  Continental U.S. Shipping Only
Amaral’s Market strives to keep shipping costs reasonable for its online customers by providing various transport options that save you money.  Here is how our online ordering, payment and shipping process works:

1. Place a $20.00 minimum order via our shopping cart checkout and follow shipping selection guidelines.
2. Select your method of payment (we accept MasterCard, VISA and Discover credit cards).
3. Amaral’s assembles your order to establish the most suitable and cost-effective shipment method.
4. We then review your online shipping mode selection against our established guidelines.
5. If we determine a shipping selection adjustment is necessary, we will call to inform you of the revised cost.
6. Only upon your phone approval of any revised shipping costs will Amaral’s proceed to ship your order and charge your credit card.

Non-Perishable Items:
Non-Perishables are generally shipped via Ground transportation service from Monday to Friday to minimize your shipping related costs.  Should you require quicker delivery, please indicate preferred shipping method and delivery date required and we will advise you of the additional cost.

Perishable Items:
Amaral’s Market shipping and handling policies helps ensure your perishable food products reach you with maximum quality and freshness in the shortest arrival time at reasonable cost.  Due to special container and packaging requirements necessary for shipping perishable products, an appropriate handling charge is added to cover such costs.  When ordering perishables online, please be sure to observe the following guidelines when making your shipping mode selection:

1. Reminder… orders received after noontime will be processed the next business day.  Keep this in mind when planning your required product arrival date.

2. Because Amaral’s Market ships from Massachusetts to all parts of the continental United States, we have established TWO perishable product classifications— HIGHLY PERISHABLE & PERISHABLE… each with specific transportation requirements to assure product delivery freshness and quality.  NOTE: To help you identify which products are subject to specific PERISHABLE or HIGHLY PERISHABLE shipping requirements, they are clearly noted as follows:

* HIGHLY-PERISHABLE PRODUCT: (Fresh & frozen seafood; chesses) Be sure to select “NEXT DAY/OVERNIGHT” delivery shipping option when ordering such designated products.

* PERISHABLE PRODUCT: (Smoked meats & breads) Select “2-DAY” delivery shipping option when ordering these designated products.

Should you have any questions or concerns about these policies, please do not hesitate to call us at (508) 996-1222 before placing your order.

To avoid perishable products being in transit over weekend periods, “Perishable” classified products requiring 2 days shipping to a destination are ONLY shipped on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Accordingly, if you order such perishable products Thursday through Sunday requiring 2 days shipment time, your order will then be shipped the following Monday (or Tuesday should a Monday holiday weekend apply).  NOTE:  Saturday deliveries may be an option at an additional cost.

3. In order to help reduce customer shipping costs for our customers… when appropriate, we may ship perishables separate from non- perishables.  For example, customers ordering both Portuguese smoked meats (Linguiça and Chouriço) along with olive oil would get two types of deliveries… 2-DAY shipment for the “Perishable” classified smoked meats and Ground shipment on the “Non-Perishable” olive oil part of the order.

Shipping Selection Safeguard:

Amaral’s Market is generally responsible for making sure all perishables arrive at your door on a timely basis.  For that reason, if your shipment delivery selection does not follow our perishables shipping policies, we will assume you have overlooked our guidelines and will override your choice with accompanying transportation costs added to your total order amount.  You will be notified by phone of any additional shipping costs before your order is processed.

Please be advised, WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE QUALITY OF PERISHABLES WHEN THERE IS NO ONE TO RECEIVE THE SHIPMENT UPON ARRIVAL. KINDLY ARRANGE TO HAVE SOMEONE AVAILABLE TO RECEIVE YOUR SHIPMENT WHEN ORDERING PERISHABLES— particularly during summer months!

Also, please note we are not responsible for delays in shipment outside of our control (i.e. severe weather), when provided with an incorrect shipping address or if a transportation firm at its discretion does not to leave your package for security and other reasons at an unattended shipping address.  Should you have any questions or concerns about these policies, please do not hesitate to call us at (508) 996-1222 before placing your order.

Order Problems:
Although our quality control procedures virtually eliminate this possibility, should a problem occur please contact our Customer Service Department immediately upon receipt.  We will respond within 24 hours to rectify the problem equitably.