FAQ

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET MY ORDER IF I CHOOSE UPS GROUND? 

Shipping fish depends on when you order and where you live.

• If you are in Washington or Oregon State you will receive your order in one business day once shipped (shipping fish from Alaska only occurs Monday-Wednesday for this region). 
• If you live in California, Utah, Idaho, Northern Nevada, you will receive your package in two business days after shipping (We ship seafood for this region only on Monday-Wednesday.)
• If you are in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Southern Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona, shipments arrive three days after shipping seafood (shipments only occur Monday-Wednesday for this region).
• If you are in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, or Mississippi, you will receive your package four business days after shipping frozen fish. (shipments occur only Monday and Tuesday for this region.)
• If you are in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine, we cannot ship fish from Alaska ground to you. With UPS 3 Day Express, you will receive your package on the Thursday or Friday after shipping (shipments occur only on Monday & Tuesday for this region).

*Orders require 24 hours to process before shipping. Holidays may cause seafood shipping delays. Please send questions on Alaska seafood shipping to info@globalseafoods.com.

"I've tried placing an order and the site says they were declined, but I've been charged for them. What is going on?"

If you are using Paypal, please contact us, and we will take a look at it. If you are using a credit/debit card, then please read below.

The authorization hold is the practice within the banking industry of authorizing electronic transactions done with a debit card or credit card and holding this balance as unavailable either until the merchant clears the transaction (also called settlement), or the hold "falls off." In the case of debit cards, authorization holds can fall off the account (thus rendering the balance available again) anywhere from 1–5 days after the transaction date depending on the customer's bank policy; in the case of credit cards, holds may last as long as 30 days.

When a merchant processes a customer's credit card, the credit card terminal connects to the merchant's credit card processor and verifies with the customer's bank that the customer's account is valid and that sufficient funds are available to cover the transaction's cost. At this step, the funds are "held" by their bank and deducted from the customer's credit limit (or bank balance, in the case of a debit card) but are not yet transferred to the merchant. To protect against credit card fraud, merchants may employ fraud detection measures such as Address Verification Services that match the customer's address information with that on record at their bank.

If you provide the incorrect information, the transaction will be declined on the merchant's site. Still, it may take up to anywhere from 1–5 days after the transaction date to release the funds hold, depending on the customer's bank's policy. Some banks allow the removal of a hold from an account by the merchant. However, many banks do not. Such requests usually require information such as the cardholder's name, card number, authorization number, and transaction amount. Since most banks cannot verify that the merchant's request is someone who has the authority to ensure the charge will not settle, they require the hold to remain, according to their bank policies.

WHY DO YOU HAVE SUCH ODD SHIPPING SCHEDULES?

We ship fish, which are perishable items, and because of that, we have to use stringent schedules for shipping. Following a strict shipping schedule is the best way to ship frozen seafood. Otherwise, we risk the goods arriving very late and spoiled. Delays occur due to weekends and holidays. If you wish to know when your order will be shipped, send us an e-mail, and we will gladly explain our process on how to ship fish. 

HOW MUCH IS SHIPPING?

When you add an item into the shopping cart, you will be able to calculate shipping in your shopping cart. The "calculate shipping" button will ask for your city, state, and zip code. Then it will give you the shipping options.

Last time I ordered, I ordered Pink Salmon Caviar. This time I ordered King Salmon Caviar, and it came out to be much saltier than before, why is this?

Every species of Salmon Caviar holds salt in different concentrations. By law, we have to have a minimum amount of 3.2% salt. Otherwise, the FDA imposes a hefty fine. But every variety of caviar holds salt differently, so it may be 3.2%, but it may taste different. We recommend purchasing smaller amounts of caviar that you have not tried yet to make sure you know whether it fits your liking. 

WILL THE PRODUCTS SPOIL BY THE TIME THEY GET TO MY HOME?

No, we ship all of our products in fish shipping boxes with enough dry ice to last the time it takes to get to your home, plus two extra days. Our Styrofoam fish shipping boxes will insulate your order so that it arrives at your door still frozen. 

WHAT IS DRY ICE? 

Dry ice is what you get when you freeze carbon dioxide to a temperature of −78.5 °C (−109.3 °F), making it go straight from a gas to a solid form. Dry ice will turn back to the gas CO2 as it thaws and will not have a liquid form. We ship our premium seafood using seafood shipping containers packed in dry ice to preserve freshness. Dry ice is safe with food, but due to its very low temperature handling it with unprotected skin will cause frostbite within seconds. Dry ice should only be handled with some thick gloves to protect the hands.

CAN YOU GET ME CAVIAR WITH LESS SALT?

Because the FDA requires a minimum of 3.2% salt quantity in all legal caviar production, we cannot provide low-sodium caviar.  

WHY IS MY RED CAVIAR NOT ACTUALLY RED?

Salmon caviar is called red caviar because as a general color scheme it can be defined as red.  Different types of salmon roe will have hues that are closer to orange.  Some salmon roe like Sockeye Salmon can have a more reddish tone to them.

IS BLACK CAVIAR ACTUALLY BLACK?

Not really.  While there are caviars that look dark black they are usually artificial or colored with food coloring such as black tobiko.  True sturgeon or paddlefish caviar will have other hues in it.  The colors can range from different natural and darker shades of gray, brown, green, gold, red, and at times even white.  Specific species of sturgeon will have different hues of color depending the exact species, their environment, diets, and even maturity of the caviar.  It is called black caviar because from a distance sturgeon caviar has a black tone, yet with closer inspection it can be seen to have other hues and tones within it.

MY LOCAL STORE SELLS THIS YEAR'S FRESH CAVIAR, AND YOUR CAVIAR IS LAST YEARS. DO YOU HAVE FRESHER CAVIAR? 

If it is before August, then "no" because Salmon caviar season is only July-September. So, if your local store promises 2022 season caviar in March 2022, you are either not getting the truth or getting illegal caviar. If it is past August, then "yes," we should have the newest season's stock.

HOW LONG WILL CAVIAR STAY FRESH?

If kept under -18 degrees C, it will last for 24 months, if in commercial freezers, then five more months, if thawed in the fridge, then 30 days. 

DO YOU GIVE FREE SAMPLES?

As an online seafood market, we do not offer free samples. We have an extensive blog section with the latest seafood news and information at your disposal. We do offer a money-back guarantee if you are disappointed in any of our products. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions about our Seattle seafood shipping. 

WHY DON'T YOU SHIP UPS GROUND TO THE EAST COAST ANYMORE?

We used to ship ground to all mainland US states, but due to a change in UPS that results in slower ground shipments, we have had to remove that option for East Coast states. It used to be that we could ship on Monday and have it delivered Saturday, but due to the change, East Coast shipments would arrive Monday, Tuesday, or later. As a result, we had no guarantee of quality and frozen delivery. With over seven days in transit, it is almost impossible to pack enough dry ice to guarantee that the fish will arrive frozen. We want to make sure that our customers can receive premium seafood in good condition, so we can no longer offer UPS Ground shipments to East Coast states.

For any further questions, please e-mail us at info@globalseafoods.com. 

What does it mean when a shipment is pending UPS? 

To ensure quality and freshness, we follow a strict shipping schedule. Shipping delays can occur depending on when you place your order. An order may be pending if ordered before a scheduled shipping day. Please see our shipping page for more detailed information on our shipping policies. 

When will my shipment arrive? 

Shipping days and times vary depending on where you live. We ship to specific regions on designated days. The closer you live to our shipping facility, the sooner your package will arrive. For more detailed information specific to your region, please see our shipping page for more shipping information. 

How to track a shipment

When your order ships, we will send you the shipping receipt with tracking information to your e-mail provided. If you don't receive an e-mail from us, check your spam folder for our e-mails. We will provide a tracking number with each shipment. Please see our shipping page for more details on shipping and tracking orders. 

When will my shipment arrive?  

Your package will arrive in between one and four business days depending on where you live. We guarantee your products will arrive still frozen over dry ice. Our shipping requirements and schedules are strict to maintain the quality and freshness of our products. Please see our shipping page for more detailed information specific to your region.  

How long does ground shipping take? 

We only ship products on certain days. Those shipping days may vary depending on your location. You can expect your shipment to arrive anywhere between one and four business days from the date shipped, depending on your location. Please see our shipping page for detailed information on shipping by location. 

How to calculate shipping costs?  

As you shop for seafood on our website, your shopping cart includes a shipping calculator. You can click on the "calculate shipping" button to estimate your final shipping costs.

How do I make my own shipping label?  

Once you place your order, we will take care of the shipping information. Once shipped, we will e-mail you a shipping confirmation with detailed information and tracking information. Please check your spam folder if you do not receive your tracking/shipping e-mail. 

Please note that once your package has shipped, you are responsible for receiving your package once it is delivered. We will confirm delivery with FedEx. Please be sure to be home at some point on the day your seafood is scheduled to be delivered. If you live in an apartment building or complex, please check with your building management to notify you once your perishable seafood is delivered. 

We recommend that you plan to receive your delivery and refrigerate or freeze your seafood on the day it arrives.  

Seafood FAQ's 

How to Cook Crab Legs:

Crab legs are delicious and easy to cook. From steamed to grilled, there are many ways to prepare our Alaskan king crab legs. Check out our blog section and read our recipe for the best ways to cook crab legs!  

How to Make Crab Cakes:

Crab cakes are fabulous as an appetizer or a main dish. We love making crab cakes using our Dungeness crab! Check out the recipe for Dungeness Crab Cakes Here! 

How Many Legs Does a Crab Have? 

All crabs have ten legs in total. Those ten legs can vary from very small to massive depending on the species of crab. 

How to Eat Crab Legs

Eating crab legs can be a messy affair. The crab meat is delicious dipped in butter or any of our dipping sauce recipes! Crabs have exoskeletons that make their tough outer shell challenging to get through without the right tools. Check out our crab and lobster cracker tools to easily break through those tough shells! 

What Does Crab Taste Like? 

Crab is a mild-tasting seafood with succulent and slightly sweet tasting meat. Crab can be used in a variety of recipes, from crab cakes and crab dips to soups. Crabmeat is delicious by itself dipped in butter or cold in a crab salad!  

Check out this article that gives you detailed information about lobster and crab! 

How to Cook Lobster Tail 

Lobster tail cooks up beautifully using a variety of cooking methods. We have many favorite recipes for lobster. Check out this recipe for Broiled Lobster Tail!  

How to Grill Lobster Tails: 

Grilled lobster is an easy and delicious way to impress your friends and family with a lobster dinner. The outer shell protects the lobster meat from the grill's harsh heat while steaming the lobster meat inside. Check out this article on How to Properly Cook Lobster! 

How to Eat Lobster: 

Like crab, lobster has a tough outer exoskeleton that can be tough to break through. Do your hands and fingers a favor and invest in a set of high-quality lobster and crab crackers to make getting to the lobster meat fast and easy! Check out the crab cracker sets here!  

Why Lobster is So Expensive:  

During the last half of the 20th century, we experienced a boom in lobster numbers. Before the mid 20th century, the number of lobsters caught yearly was much lower than the numbers we saw in the latter half of the 20th century. Lobster fisheries are seeing shifts in lobster numbers, and we expect numbers to return to normal steadily. The demand for lobster continues to remain high, which means prices will rise as the amount of lobster caught each year trends downward.  

What is Caviar?

Caviar is the roe, or fish eggs, from various types of sturgeon fish. The sturgeon is a slow-growing and long-lived fish that lives in both freshwater streams and rivers and the world's oceans.  

What Does Caviar Taste Like? 

Caviar is a total sensory experience. Caviar has a distinct briny flavor with a wonderful texture like tiny beads popping on your tongue. From the vibrant colors to the mouthfeel, caviar is a food that reaches all of your senses. If you want to learn a unique way to eat caviar, check out our caviar pie recipe! 

Why is Caviar so Expensive?  

Caviar is a unique culinary item that is extremely popular among food lovers worldwide. In addition to being popular, caviar comes from a variety of fish that is overfished worldwide. Female caviar sturgeon require anywhere from 5-20 years to reach maturity and produce roe (eggs). All of these factors contribute to a higher price-point for caviar. 

How to Eat Caviar: 

Caviar is a delicacy best enjoyed in small amounts. Caviar is a rich-tasting food that is high in calories. Many people serve caviar as a garnish on appetizers and other dishes. To make an impression on your dinner guests, serve one to two teaspoons of caviar on toast points. For more information on eating and storing caviar, check out this article! 

How to Cook Scallops: 

Scallops are sweet, tender, and delicious when cooked correctly. Unfortunately, many people tend to overcook scallops, which results in rubbery scallops that are tough to eat. For the perfect scallop every time, check out this Scallops Recipe! 

What Are Scallops? 

Scallops are a type of shellfish called a bivalve mollusk. The part of the scallop that we eat is the muscle that opens and closes the scallop's shell. Scallops can be quite large (sea scallops) or small (bay scallops). Scallops are tender and delicious with a slightly sweet flavor. 

How Long should Scallops be Cooked? 

Scallops can quickly go from tender to chewy if overcooked. Scallops cook up quickly. When grilling scallops, expect only needing to cook them for 2-3 minutes per side. Check out our scallop recipe for more information on how to cook scallops! 

What Do Scallops Taste Like? 

Scallops are tender and mild with a slightly sweet flavor. You can use scallops in savory dishes, creamy pasta dishes, and even in spicy meals! Scallops should be so tender they almost melt in your mouth! 

What Do Scallops Pair With? 

Pair scallops with a creamy risotto or a yummy pasta for a delicious and filling meal. If you're looking for something lighter, seared or grilled scallops will be perfect on top of your favorite salad. Pair scallops with a Chenin Blanc or a Chardonnay for a complete meal! 

How to Cook Salmon 

Salmon is a wonderful and healthy seafood that is full of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon stands up well to harsher cooking methods such as pan-searing and grilling because of salmon's higher fat content. For some of our delicious salmon recipes, check out our recipe section! 

How to Cook Tuna Steak 

Believe it or not, tuna is an excellent beginner's seafood. The beautiful deep-red colors fish has a firm texture and mild flavor. Tuna pairs well with a variety of flavors, including spicy and sweet teriyaki tuna. Check out this article on our favorite seafood marinades for some ideas on flavoring your tuna steaks! 

What is Ahi Tuna? 

Ahi is the Hawaiian name for Yellowfin Tuna. Ahi tuna is a popular tuna variety with a pink to red color and mild flavor. We offer large 8oz Ahi tuna steaks for sale on our Tuna Page! 

How Much Mercury is in Tuna? 

As a large fish species, tuna does pose a slightly increased risk of mercury compared to smaller varieties of fish. Due to the increased mercury levels in larger fish, the EPA recommends eating tuna in moderation. 

How to Cook Sea Bass 

Sea Bass is a buttery and tender fish with a higher fat content than other species of fish. The high-fat content helps sea bass stay moist while cooking, even when grilled or seared. Sea bass can be prepared using various cooking methods, including grilled, pan-seared, baked, or broiled. Check out this article on some of the Health Benefits of Sea Bass! 

What Does Sea Bass Taste Like? 

Sea bass has a mild flavor with large flakes when cooked. Sea bass is slightly buttery and moist when cooked due to its high-fat content. Sea bass has a slightly sweet taste when cooked that pairs well with a variety of flavors and marinades. 

What is Chilean Sea Bass? 

Chilean Sea Bass is the common name for the Antarctic Toothfish. Chilean Sea Bass is found off of the coast of South America, South Africa, and Antarctica. Chilean Sea bass can vary in size from small (7lbs) to quite large (220lbs). For more information, visit our page on Chilean Sea Bass!  

How Long Does Smoked Salmon Last?  

Hot smoked salmon generally lasts longer than cold-smoked salmon. Smoking is a method of food preservation as well as a cooking method. Smoked salmon can last unopened for several months to up to a year, but we bet you will eat it much sooner! We have some excellent recipes for smoked salmon and recommendations for wood chips for smoking salmon. Check them out here! 

How to Make Smoked Salmon

Smoked salmon can be made using a charcoal or gas grill and a simple smokebox, but for even better smoked salmon, we recommend using a piece of equipment made explicitly for smoking meats. Check out our recipe for hot-smoked salmon using our Alaskan wild-caught salmon fillets. 

How to Eat Smoked Salmon

Smoked salmon is amazing alone as a quick protein-packed snack, but if you want to get creative, try smoked salmon in mac n' cheese, salads, inside an omelet, or smoked salmon dip! Check out our recipe for smoked salmon for more recommendations on how to serve smoked salmon! 

My Order Is Partially Thawed, Is It Safe To Consume?

Whether or not it is safe to eat partially thawed products depends on the situation. If the items in your order are partially thawed but still cold, it means that the dry ice used to keep them frozen has only recently evaporated and the products started thawing recently as well. In this case, the products are still safe to eat.

The concern arises when there is a significant delay in the delivery process, causing the products to become warm and no longer frozen at all. If the items have been heavily delayed and are warm, it is no longer safe to consume them.

In summary, if the products are partially thawed but still cold, they are safe to eat. However, if they have been delayed and are warm or completely unfrozen, it is best not to consume them as they may no longer be safe for consumption.  In this case we can replace your product at no additional cost.