Shipping policy

Shipping Policy

At Patisserie Valerie, every order is carefully crafted, packaged, and delivered with the utmost care to ensure it arrives in perfect condition.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, marking a milestone, or simply sharing a treat, we want every experience — from checkout to doorstep — to be as delightful as our cakes.

1. Delivery Partners

We work with two trusted couriers to provide safe and reliable delivery across the UK and Ireland:

  • DPD – for cakes, hampers, and all larger perishable items (UK & Ireland)

  • Royal Mail – for smaller letterbox gifts such as brownies, cake bites, and macarons (UK only)

2. DPD (UK Delivery)

All cakes and perishable products are shipped via DPD using a fully tracked, temperature-controlled delivery service.

You’ll receive a 1-hour delivery window on the morning of your delivery and real-time updates throughout the day.
We recommend downloading the DPD app to:

  • Track your parcel live

  • Receive push notifications

  • Rearrange or redirect delivery

  • Add a nominated safe place if you won’t be home

DPD Delivery Services & Rates (UK Mainland)

  • Next Day Delivery: £10.95 (weekday) / £14.95 (weekend)

    • Order by 4pm weekdays or 2pm Saturdays for next-day delivery

    • No Monday deliveries

  • Nominated Day Delivery: £7.95 (weekday) / £14.95 (weekend)

    • Choose a delivery date that suits you

  • Pre-12pm Delivery: £22.95 (weekday or weekend)

  • Free Weekday Delivery: Orders over £65 (Tues–Fri, excluding weekends)

Please note:

  • Deliveries require a signature. You may nominate a neighbour to sign unless your order includes alcohol (which must be received by someone aged 18+).

  • Once Nominated Day Delivery is selected at checkout, it cannot be changed to Next Day Delivery.

  • DPD deliveries may arrive any time up to 10pm, so please ensure someone is available to receive the parcel.

3. Royal Mail (UK Delivery – Letterbox Gifts)

Our Letterbox Gifts — including Brownies, Cake Bites, and Macarons — are sent via Royal Mail using a 24–48-hour service.

These items are sent at ambient temperature, without dry ice or coolant packs, and are designed to fit neatly through most letterboxes.

  • Cost: £3.95

  • Service: Royal Mail Tracked 24/48 (signature required)

  • Coverage: UK only

Please note:

  • Refunds cannot be issued if no one is home to accept the parcel or if delivery is delayed by postal disruption.

  • For time-sensitive gifts, we recommend ordering early to allow for any potential delays.

4. DPD (Ireland Delivery)

We proudly deliver to both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland from Tuesday to Saturday
(no deliveries on Sundays, Mondays, or Bank Holidays).

Delivery Options

  • DPD Nominated Day: €6.95 (Tues–Fri) / €30 (Sat)

  • DPD Next Day: €10.95 (Tues–Fri) / €30 (Sat)

Please note:

  • Due to DPD’s Irish collection schedules, next-day delivery cannot always be guaranteed, though all orders will arrive within 2 working days.

  • For special occasions, we recommend ordering 2–3 days in advance to allow for unexpected courier delays.

Cakes are shipped frozen to preserve freshness and can be stored:

  • Up to 6 months in the freezer, or

  • Up to 4 days in the fridge once defrosted.

Letterbox items sent to Ireland cost €6.95, are shipped ambient, and require a signature.
Refunds cannot be issued if no one is home to receive delivery.

5. Delivery Advice & Timing

To help everything go smoothly:

  • For celebrations or events, we recommend ordering early to allow your cake to defrost overnight before serving.

  • DPD deliveries may arrive anytime up to 10pm, so please choose a delivery address where someone will be available.

  • Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive a tracking number by email — use it via the DPD app or website to:

    • Set up a safe place

    • Redirect to a neighbour

    • Manage your delivery preferences

6. Christmas Deliveries (UK) 

During the festive period, courier demand increases significantly.
To ensure smooth and timely delivery, please note:

🎄 A Christmas Premium Delivery charge of £15.95 applies to all orders scheduled for delivery between 20th – 24th December 2025.

We strongly recommend ordering early to secure your preferred delivery date and allow for any seasonal courier delays.

7. Frozen Packaging & Defrosting Instructions

Your cake will arrive frozen, carefully insulated with dry ice and/or reusable ice pack coolants to maintain its freshness and quality throughout transit.

These cooling agents keep your cake at the perfect temperature until it reaches you.
Once delivered, it’s ready to be placed in your fridge or freezer to defrost and enjoy.

Please allow up to 11 hours for full defrosting before serving.
Detailed defrosting instructions are included inside every box.

8. Dry Ice Safety Guidelines

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide (-78°C) — a safe, environmentally friendly material recovered from natural CO₂, used to preserve perishable food in transit.

Please handle with care:

  • 🌬️ Leave remaining dry ice to evaporate naturally in a well-ventilated outdoor space (garden, open doorway, shaded driveway).

  • 🧤 Always use gloves or tongs — never touch dry ice directly.

  • 🚫 Keep away from children, pets, drains, and enclosed areas.

  • ❌ Never place dry ice in your fridge, freezer, or drinks.

Small tears or holes in the dry ice bag do not affect product safety.

9. Ice Pack Coolants

Our coolants are non-toxic, food-safe, and reusable.
You can refreeze and reuse them around the home for lunchboxes, picnics, or first aid.

To dispose:

  • 🧊 Allow to fully thaw

  • ✂️ Snip the corner and rinse the gel down the sink (it’s wastewater-safe)

  • ♻️ Recycle the outer LDPE bag with soft plastics at most major supermarkets

Find your nearest recycling point at Recycle Now.

10. Product Storage & Quality

For full details on ingredients, allergens, and nutritional information, please refer to your product label or visit our website.

Please note:

  • Each cake is handmade, so slight variations in design or colour may occur.

  • Once defrosted, cakes should not be refrozen.

💌 Need Help?

If you have any questions about your delivery, please contact our friendly team at orders@patisserie-valerie.co.uk.
We’re always happy to help make your Patisserie Valerie experience as smooth and delicious as possible.