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ABOUT

it's pronounced chew-wow. an easy way to remember is just chew it and you'll say wow!

chuao is a legendary cacao-growing region in venezuela. chuao chocolatier is named after the region as a reflection of our commitment to both high quality and our venezuelan family heritage

chuao chocolatier's intent is to share joy with the world through deliciously engaging chocolate experiences. we realize that, like making the finest chocolate, there are certain ingredients needed in order to accomplish our mission successfully. we believe that our "pantry" is stocked with just what we need: 

free of that "other stuff" - we use recipes in a kitchen, not formulas in a lab, and believe that the best ingredients are found in nature or crafted with care. chuao chocolates reflect our commitment to fresh food, free of artificial preservatives, additives, colorings, flavorings and hydrogenated oils.

ethically sourced cacao - our ancestors instilled in us a respect for cacao and the people who grow it. therefore, we partner with fair trade-certified purveyors who share our interest in sustainable farming and ethical business practices. 

one-of-a-kind experiences - we like to think outside the chocolate box, combining innovation and creativity to deliver sweet treats with delicately balanced layers of flavors and textures. 

artisan handcrafted techniques - we use european chocolate-making techniques, handcrafting our chocolates with close attention to the quality of each small batch from start to finish.

Our mission is to share joy with the world through deliciously engaging chocolate experiences.

self discovery: we seek to actively discover and pursue the best version of ourselves. 

grateful giving: we are conscious of and grateful for the abundance in our lives and seek to share it with others. 

brave honesty: we embrace, and are proactive with, open communication. 

creative wow: we are passionate about and committed to delivering a wow in all we do.

contact our customer service team by chatting us on our website between 9 am-3 pm PST monday-friday or emailing us at [email protected]. 

if you're local, visit us in person at our chocolate shop located at: 

2350 camino vida roble suite 101 

carlsbad, ca 92011 

760.814.6200 

hours: monday-friday,10 am-5 pm PST

EXTENDED HOLIDAY STORE HOURS

11/29 - 12/23
weekdays: 10 am – 6 pm
saturdays: 10 am – 3 pm
sundays: closed
christmas eve, dec 24: closed 
christmas day, dec 25: closed 


weekends: closed



 *tours and events are suspended for 2024

ORDERING & SHIPPING

if for any reason you need to cancel an existing order, please note we are only able to do so if the order has not shipped out. contact us at [email protected] so we can help.
we apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to rectifying this situation promptly. if any item is missing or incorrect, please submit a claim within 24 hours of receipt via email at [email protected]. please note that we document the lot number of each product placed in your order, so we will review each claim and compare it to the packing slip, packing notes, and weight of your order. once we complete our investigation, we will get back to you accordingly. images may be requested to support your claim.
each purchaser is responsible for ensuring the correct address is used on their order. each order will receive an email confirmation that includes shipping and tracking information - if the address in your order confirmation is incorrect, please notify us immediately with the correct shipping address. -if the address is incorrect and the order has not yet shipped, we may be able to change it, but this is not guaranteed. -if the order has shipped and you notice the shipping address is incorrect, we are unfortunately not able to make any changes and are unable to issue a refund. we may extend a promotional discount if you wish to reship your order, but will not reship free of charge. -in the event that a package is lost or stolen because of an incorrect address provided by the purchaser, we will not be able to issue a refund. for additional questions or concerns, please contact us via email at [email protected].
if for any reason you need to cancel an existing order, please note we are only able to do so if the order has not been prepped for shipping or shipped out. if the order is in route and is canceled, the items will be returned at a charge to chuao, and cannot be resold. if any changes need to be made to your order, we need to cancel and issue a new one. we are unable to add or eliminate items chosen and already paid for. we are also unable to change the shipping method already selected.
a gift message can be added on the shopping cart page in the text box "is this a gift? enter a special message for the recipient here." emojis are not recommended. if you forget to add a gift message but want to include one, please chat or email us at [email protected] immediately with your desired message.
our packing slips do not contain any pricing or credit card information.

for assistance and handling times for large orders, please reach out to us via chat on our website or email us at [email protected]. 

bulk discounts are not valid on wholesale orders and cannot be combined with any other coupon, promotion, or item that is part of a promotion deal. for corporate orders that are shipping to multiple addresses, please connect with us for special pricing and delivery time frames at [email protected].

if you have a resale license and are interested in opening a wholesale account, please fill out an inquiry submission here or email [email protected] for more information.

due to the sensitive nature of our perishable chocolate, we currently only ship directly to the contiguous 48 united states. this helps us prevent extended shipping times, which could lead to melting or damage in route. we are unfortunately unable to ship to military bases, alaska, hawaii, and international addresses at this time.
our free shipping offer is valid only where 2nd day shipping is available for orders above $99.99. due to warm weather and temperature-sensitive product, 2nd day shipping is limited to certain regions where temperatures do not exceed 95 degrees. if free shipping is not automatically applied, this might be because you applied a discount code that lowered your order below the $99.95 threshold. all shipping offers are only valid for a single shipping address through chuaochocolatier.com. no rain checks, substitutions, or cash value. sales are not valid on previous purchases. if you are local and would prefer to order online and pick up at our joy factory in carlsbad, ca to avoid shipping costs, please select "pick up" when choosing the shipping method. for any additional questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected].
orders are shipped monday-thursday from our joy factory located in carlsbad, ca. no orders are shipped friday through sunday in an effort to protect the integrity of the chocolate and avoid possible heat damage associated with shipments in transit over the weekend. shipping is currently available to the 48 contiguous united states for web purchases. please note that shipping charges are per delivery address. all packages will be shipped via ups, us postal service, or fedex.

orders placed monday-thursday before 10 am PST will be shipped the same day. orders placed monday- wednesday after 10 am PST will be processed the next business day.* orders placed thursday after 10 am PST will be shipped out on monday. orders placed friday-sunday will be processed on monday.* *please note that it may take us an additional business day to process certain orders (larger quantities, containing bonbons or right before holidays). if you have an urgent order you need help with, please contact [email protected]

If the weather is 70 degrees or higher between our warehouse and the delivery location, ground shipping may not be enabled for you to choose from your shipping options. during warm weather, we may need to contact you to change the shipping method to ensure that your order does not melt in transit. with your approval, we would have to cancel the order to issue a new one with the correct shipping method.

if temperatures exceed 103 degrees at the destination, we cannot safely ship chocolates and may need to refund you order. 

our ice packs and insulated bags may protect the product for up to 48 hours. these are added with no additional cost to your shipping option. 

we advise that you closely monitor your order's progress through the tracking number sent via email. please check your spam folder to avoid leaving your order unattended in the hot sun. if you are unable to get to your order upon arrival, please make sure to add a shipping address where someone can place your order, once received, in a cool, dry place.

if a product is lost in transit due by a carrier, please contact [email protected] for assistance. chuao chocolatier is not responsible for orders with incorrect or missing address info provided by the customer.

we try to be of service to the armed forces, but are currently unable to ship to military bases.

each purchaser is responsible for ensuring the correct address is used on their order. each order will receive an email confirmation that includes shipping information - if the address in your order confirmation is incorrect, please notify us immediately. if the address is incorrect and the order has not yet shipped, we may be able to change it, but this is not guaranteed. if the order has shipped and you notice the shipping address is incorrect, we are unfortunately not able to make any changes and are unable to issue a refund. we may extend a promotional discount if you wish to reship your order, but will not reship free of charge. in the event that a package is lost or stolen because of an incorrect address provided by the purchaser, we will not be able to issue a refund. please email us the correct shipping address (adding company name, suite number, floor number, etc.) and receiver's name at [email protected] with the subject line "incorrect address" so we can address this matter urgently.

we apologize for the inconvenience, but we don't have a multiple shipping address option available while checking out via our website, you would need to place one order for each shipping address, and each will be considered an individual transaction. shipping charges may apply depending on the total of each order. the current weather will determine if the shipping needs to be expedited. 

contact our joy concierge at: [email protected] for general inquiries. 

for corporate gifting: email our corporate event specialist at: [email protected] for bulk discount pricing, delivery & shipping time frames, and other important information so we can support you accordingly.

we can help with corporate orders! special pricing may apply depending on which products are selected. if you are shipping to more than 15 addresses, please connect with our corporate experts at [email protected] with shipping addresses (state/zip codes), the date you need the orders delivered by, and whether you'd like to include a gift message. we can offer some customization such as choosing red/white ribbon, gift box, and customized bar flavors, etc. however, we are unable to print out any additional company logos.

please check the fine print associated with the promotion. there are several instances in which the code may not be accepted such as:

- there is a minimum dollar amount required that does not include shipping charges, if any apply to your order.

- the promotion is expired 

- the promotional product is not in your cart or you are adding them without having to do so (please review instructions on promotion fine print to proceed accordingly).

- the promotional discount will only apply to full-priced items.

- the promotional offer cannot be combined with another offer.

- the item in your cart is already part of a promotional deal, which is why the promotional coupon is not applying to that item.

- the promotional code was limited to one use, and you've already used the code.

 if you need additional assistance, please contact our joy concierge at [email protected]

stay in the loop about current and upcoming promotions by signing up for our newsletter or becoming an SMS subscriber.

you will receive an email confirming your order and another one letting you know when it has shipped. keep a lookout in your spam or junk folder so you don't miss them. please review your order confirmation in case any changes need to be made before it ships out. if there is something wrong with your order, please email us ASAP at [email protected] or chat with us on our website for assistance monday-friday, 9 am - 3 pm PST.

we don't offer free samples at this time. however, if you become a newsletter or SMS subscriber, you will receive a one-time promotional discount code!

we do not have the ability to ship our chocolates internationally.

we'd love to talk to you more about carrying chuao chocolate! please contact our wholesale department at 760.814.6210 or email [email protected] to get started.

We get this question often, especially with orders placed through Amazon.

Items ordered via Amazon are a bit tricky to disclose the information of the buyer because they are VERY protective of their customer's privacy, so all we can see is the buyer's first name in these cases.

We at chuao chocolatier will always be happy to look into your delivery to get you as much information as we can about the purchaser.

Just send an email to [email protected] or message us in the chat box on our website!



please check the fine print associated with the promotion. 

there are several instances in which the code may not be accepted such as:

 • there is a minimum dollar amount required that does not include shipping charges, if any apply to your order
 • the promotion is expired
 • the promotional product is not in your cart or your are adding them without having to do so (please review instructions on promotion fine print to proceed accordingly)
 • the promotional discount will only apply to full-priced items
 • the promotional offer cannot be combined with another offer
 • the item in your cart is part of a promotion deal, that is why the promotional coupon is not applying to that item
• the promotional code was limited to one use, and you've already used the code

if you need additional assistance, please contact our joy concierge at [email protected].


we apologize for the inconvenience, but we don't have a multiple shipping address option available while checking out via our website, you would need to place one order for each shipping address, and each will be considered an individual transaction. shipping charges may apply depending on the total of each order. the current weather will determine if the shipping needs to be expedited. contact our joy concierge at: [email protected] for general inquiries.

for corporate gifting:

email our corporate event specialist at: [email protected] for bulk discount pricing, delivery & shipping time frames, and other important information so we can support you accordingly.
we apologize for the confusion. 

First of all, we would like to let you know that your package has most likely shipped. Please check with us immediately through [email protected] or through our chat window just to make sure. 

When a shipping label gets printed here in our warehouse, it automatically sends a notification to you right away. Sometimes, we will have to cancel the original label for unforeseen reasons and then reprint. When the new label was printed, it failed to send you an update, and we are sorry for this confusion.


PRODUCTS

while we do offer a variety of vegan-friendly options, please note that we do use cane sugar and are therefore not certified vegan. if you click on the "nutrition facts" (on any flavor's product page), you will see a full description of ingredients and nutrition facts. below is a list of our dairy-free products: 

• spicy maya bar and mini chocolate bar

• totally tangy mango bar and mini chocolate bar

• firecracker bar and mini chocolate bar 

• ooh ahh almond bar and mini chocolate bar 

• triple nut temptation bar and mini chocolate bar 

• salted chocolate crunch bar and mini chocolate bar

seasonal bars (available from nov-dec): 

• exploding coal bar and mini chocolate bar

• for the love of peppermint bar and mini chocolate bar

the following flavors have been discontinued: 

• baconluxious (with real bacon) 

• california collective bars 

• caramel apple crush 

• cinnamon cereal smooch 

• cookies all the way 

• joy-filled caramels 

• mintfully brownie 

• moon bark bars

• orange-a-go-go 

• popcorn pop 

• strawberry waffle wild 

if the product you're looking for is on the list, let us know and we'd be happy to help you find your new fave!

these bars do not contain gluten ingredients: 

DARK 

• firecracker 

• honeycomb 

• ooh ahh almond 

• spicy maya 

• totally tangy mango 

• triple nut temptation 

MILK 

• baconluxious with plant-based bacon 

• potato chip 

• ravishing rocky road 

• sweet & salty 

WHITE 

• carrot cake 

• golden goodness 

*we do manufacture in a facility that uses wheat on shared equipment

all of our gourmet chocolate bars, barks, drinking chocolates, bonbons, and truffles are proudly crafted with kosher ingredients. the kosher certification by the union orthodox congregation of america symbol currently appears on all of our bars, mini chocolate bars, bark, and drinking chocolate packaging.
yes! we are a peanut-free facility and indicate this on our chocolate bars, drinking chocolate, and bark packaging. our products are manufactured in a facility that uses tree nuts. the tree nuts only refer to actual tree nuts (almonds, cashews, coconuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios). while we clean everything in preparation for the next product according to proper gmp guidelines and procedures, we want to make sure you have all the information necessary to make the best decision for you and your loved ones.
chuao chocolate has been tested by independent, state-certified laboratories for lead and cadmium. our chocolate tested below california's maximum allowable dose level (madl) for lead (max allowed is 0.5 micrograms) and cadmium (max allowed is 4.1 micrograms). california levels are used because scientists believe they are the most protective available. lead and cadmium are naturally occurring in cocoa solids. researchers have found that cacao plants absorb cadmium from the soil, with lead accumulating in cacao beans as the tree grows. because dark chocolate typically uses more cocoa solids than milk chocolate, lead and cadmium may be more prevalent in dark chocolates, especially those exceeding 70%. for more information and to view specific results by brand, visit: https://www.asyousow.org/environmental-health/toxic-enforcement/toxic-chocolate#chocolate-tables
by clicking on the "nutrition facts" located below the add to cart button on each product page, you can view the ingredient list and nutrition facts for each product. our chocolate bars have at least a 6-month shelf life remaining when they leave our joy factory. you can find the expiration date printed on the back of each bar or mini bar. we recommend that our bonbons are consumed within a week of delivery for the best chew-wow experience possible. your packing slip, included in each chuao order, will also contain the specifics of each item shipped, with the expiration date on gift boxes and chocolate bundles.

our holiday bars are available starting each november until they sell out for the season. for 2023, we will have the following bars available: � exploding coal � for the love of peppermint � hope, joy & gingerbread � snuggle up s'mores

in the event that a product ordered is unavailable, you will be contacted to delay shipment, cancel your order, or refund the out-of-stock item. if an item is out of stock and your order qualified for free shipping, we will ship the available products at no charge. please note that we do not back order out-of-stock items and should you reorder, you will be responsible for the cost of shipping if your order does not qualify for our free shipping promotion.

our chocolate does not contain any fillers or preservatives, so it needs to be stored in a cool, dry place below 68 degrees fahrenheit. we don't recommend refrigerating it, as humidity levels and temperature control of refrigerators vary. also, moving the chocolate from the refrigerator to warmer temperatures may cause condensation water drops to form. if you do choose to refrigerate your chocolate, we advise you to bring it to room temperature prior to biting into it so it won't be too hard. our chocolate bars have at least 6 months of shelf life remaining once they leave our joy factory. you will be able to view this information on the packaging and/or packing slip in your order. we recommend that our chocolate bonbons and truffles are consumed within a week of delivery or purchase for the best chew-wow experience. for any additional questions or concerns, please contact us at: [email protected].

From time to time we feature special chuao products (such as our bark luxe) at costco in limited batches until they are all sold out.

We make this item for specific Costco locations, so they are the only retailer that will carry the item. You can find the stores that carry our bark luxe at the links below: 


Costco West Coast Locations



If you are making a special trip to purchase our product, we always recommend calling the store beforehand to ensure they have the product in stock.

If you cannot find the bark luxe at a costco near you, you can purchase this product anytime from our website.

chuao chocolatier can be found in an ever-evolving list of retail locations across the United States. we understand that it can be sometimes difficult to find a retail location near you, which is why we are here to help.

if you ever find yourself stumped as to where the nearest place to find chuao chocolate near your zip code is, just reach out to us at [email protected] or through the chat window on our website between 9am-3pm PST. 

from there, we can help narrow down the search and find some great places for you to shop for chuao chocolate!

RETURNS

due to health safety and quality regulations, we are unable to accept returns of perishable chocolates. damage, discrepancy, or otherwise must be reported via email within 24 hours of verified receipt with proof of purchase, and we reserve the right to request photo evidence. claims submitted thereafter will not be honored. in the event that the product or original packaging has been discarded, we are not able to issue credit.
due to the perishable nature of the products we sell, we are unable to resale them as we adhere to strict food and safety guidelines. any product that leaves our joy factory and/or store cannot be resold.
we are sorry you are unsatisfied with your gift. unfortunately, we are unable to refund or exchange as it is a perishable item.
we are sorry to hear that your experience was unsatisfactory. if you are not fully satisfied with your purchase, we encourage you to return it for an exchange or refund. products purchased from our retail partners need to be returned to them, with proof of purchase, for a full refund or exchange, even if the packaging is open. we trust that your product will be replaced or refunded on your next trip to your local retailer.
due to health safety and quality regulations, we are unable to accept returns of perishable chocolates. if something is not right with your order, we are happy to support you in any way possible. please contact us via email at [email protected]. damage, discrepancy, or other issues must be reported via email within 48 hours of verified receipt (based on the carrier's tracking information of the delivery of your order). please submit an image to support your concerns and keep the original packaging. for chuao store purchases, proof of purchase is required. do not discard your shipping packaging and chocolates as we may request for them to be returned for quality assurance inspection. we are not responsible for lost or stolen orders or delivery delays due to fedex, usps, or ups. please make sure to monitor your tracking number and email notifications accordingly. once your order ships out, we are unable to cancel it or make any shipping changes to the address or shipping method. we reserve the right to request photo evidence. claims submitted thereafter will not be honored. in the event the product or original packaging has been discarded, we are not able to issue a credit or replacement. purchases from retail partners must be returned directly to them. we can surely follow up on any concerns that you might have regarding your purchase that was made at a retail partner, however, we do need your proof of purchase and an image of the bar (opened) with lot number and expiration date so we can submit a claim. all concerns must be documented via our customer service department and cannot be resolved via phone. please email us: [email protected] at your earliest convenience. you will receive a claim number that is logged for our q/a team to investigate as needed. no other department is authorized to follow up on customer service concerns, only via our established process in this policy. * please don't mail us your chocolate without a proper return authorization number (claim number). we are not held responsible for lost "return orders in transit"; we advise keeping your tracking number and shipping receipt to follow up with the carrier.

if your chocolate was damaged in transit (broken, melted, bloomed- when the cacao fat separates and turns the bar a white appearance, or other concerns), please email us at [email protected] so we can support you as needed. be sure to: 1. notify us within 48 hours of delivery confirmation via the tracking history that the carrier provides. 2. give a brief explanation of your concerns, accompanied by clear images of the packaging of your order and of the chocolates in question. 3. do not discard packaging material or your chocolates as we may need you to return them (for quality assurance purposes). 4. if you discard the damaged chocolates and packaging, we will not be able to submit a claim through the carrier or support you in getting your issue resolved in a timely manner. please note that we are unable to resolve matters via phone or chat assistance as we thoroughly investigate and record each claim for quality assurance purposes.

we are so sorry to hear you are unable to enjoy your sweet order. as per our "returns and refunds policy" stated prior to checkout, we are not responsible for lost or stolen orders. once we ship out your order, we email you the tracking information and send out email notifications once the order has been delivered. please contact the carrier directly to submit a claim accordingly, as we cannot do this for you. fedex/usps/ups investigates and documents these issues. here is some information to help with your claim, as we are unable to issue you a refund if your order was lost or stolen. we will do everything we can to follow up and, if needed, support you in replacing your order at a discounted rate. fedex call 1-800-463-3339 have you tracking number available and notify them there has been an issue with your order, then open a claim. usps call 1-800-275-8777 have your tracking number available to track your package and state that you need to speak with a customer service representative. they will open an investigation number and get back to you within 1-3 business days. you can submit an inquiry regarding your order online at usps.com. select the "help" button on the right, which will prompt you to send an email with your tracking number, zip code, and a brief message explaining the issue. ups call 1-800-742-5877 have your tracking number available to track your package.

if a product is lost in transit due to an address error, theft, or negligence, we are not able to issue a refund. it is the purchaser's responsibility to request compensation from the shipping carrier. this applies to orders being shipped to a home, business, or third party.

if for some reason the gift box was damaged in your order, please let us know within 48 hours of receiving your order (based on the carrier's tracking information history when your order was delivered) so we can investigate accordingly and correct as needed. please email a photo of the damaged article & shipping box to [email protected].

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