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Costco Delivery: How It Works and How Much It Costs

We all lead busy lives—and it’s not always easy to find time for grocery shopping. Whether you’re running low on cleaning supplies or you need to stock up on your favorite snacks, Costco delivery has got you covered.

Costco offers same-day delivery through Instacart and Shipt on orders over $35, allowing customers to order groceries without a Costco membership. Costco also offers Costco members free 2-day delivery on orders over $75 through CostcoGrocery, which delivers household essentials and non-perishables.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how Costco delivery works, whether you can order Costco delivery without a Costco membership, and how much you can expect to pay for Costco’s delivery services.

How Does Costco Delivery Work?

Costco offers same-day delivery services through Instacart and Shipt, as well as 2-day delivery through Costco online. To order Costco delivery, all you need to do is add your Costco favorites to your cart and place your order.

With same-day delivery, members in qualifying zip codes can order groceries through Instacart or Shipt, including perishable items like produce, meat, and seafood.

Meanwhile, with Costco’s 2-day delivery, you can stock up on household essentials like cleaning supplies, non-perishable snacks, and laundry detergent.

Costco Same-Day Delivery

Costco offers same-day delivery options through Shipt and Instacart. Here’s how to place an order for same-day delivery.

  • Using the Instacart or Shipt app or website, choose Costco as your retailer.
  • Select the items you want to order to add them to your cart.
  • Review your cart and make any adjustments as needed.
  • Confirm your order details and place your order.

Both Instacart and Shipt offer a wide range of delivery windows. If you’re on a tight schedule, both services offer delivery in as little as one hour. Alternatively, you can choose to schedule delivery for later in the day.

Costco 2-Day Delivery

Costco offers two-day delivery through Costco online. To place an order for 2-day delivery through CostcoGrocery, follow these steps:

  • Visit CostcoGrocery and log in to your Costco account.
  • Add your favorite Costco products to your cart.
  • Review your cart and place your order.

Costco members enjoy free delivery on orders over $75. However, prices are usually higher than your local warehouse to cover the fulfillment cost.

How Much Does Costco Delivery Cost?

If you’re a Costco member and order at least $75 worth of groceries, you will not pay an additional fee for 2-day delivery orders. For Costco Same-day delivery through Instacart, you will pay a delivery fee per order, which is generally $3.99 for orders over $35. There’s also an optional tip for your delivery driver.

With that said, Costco members may face additional charges for certain orders. For example, Costco’s non-perishable pantry items have a $3 per-item delivery fee, but Costco will waive this fee if you spend over $75.

Same-day delivery orders through Instacart involve a per-delivery service fee and delivery fees starting at $3.99 for orders over $35.

When ordering through Instacart, it’s also recommended to leave a tip for your delivery driver to show your support.

Your Instacart service fee will vary depending on your location and specific order, and orders containing alcohol have a separate alcohol service fee.

If you’re an Instacart Express member, reduced service fees and alcohol service fees can help you save money when ordering same-day delivery. 

Alternatively, if you order through Shipt, delivery is free for Shipt members on orders over $35. For smaller orders, Shipt charges a $7 delivery fee to cover the cost of delivery. There’s also an optional tip for your Shipt driver.

Shipt’s prices are also slightly higher than Costco’s warehouse prices, and members can expect to pay an extra “convenience fee” totaling a few dollars for Shipt delivery.

Can You Get Costco Delivery without a Membership?

Non-members can order Costco delivery through Instacart or Shipt. However, Instacart and Shipt charge per-delivery service fees. Therefore, investing in a $60 basic Costco membership may help you cut grocery costs if you are ordering Costco grocery delivery regularly.

In 2017, Shipt partnered with Costco to offer same-day delivery for non-members. When you order through Shipt, you can order all your favorite Costco brands, including Kirkland Signature, and Costco Bakery items, without purchasing a Costco membership.

Like Shipt, Instacart also offers same-day Costco grocery delivery. With Instacart, you can shop at your local Costco warehouse for your favorite products without a membership.

Instacart offers contactless delivery options, and it’s easy to track your order’s progress using the mobile app or website. In addition to delivery, Instacart also offers store pickup options.

Are Costco Delivery Prices the Same As in Store?

When it comes to delivery prices, Costco’s online prices are often slightly higher than Costco’s warehouse due to the shipping and handling fees charged for 2-day delivery. Instacart’s prices are also higher than Costco warehouse prices, while Shipt adds a “convenience fee” to each item for delivery.

According to Consumer Reports, Costco’s member pricing for 2-day delivery is 31 percent higher, on average, than Costco’s warehouse prices.

Shipt also charges a “convenience fee” for each item ordered through Shipt delivery, which typically totals around $0.30 per item.

Costco non-members who order same-day delivery through Instacart Express typically pay less than Shipt members. However, Instacart’s service fee, which totals $5 in most areas, can add up over time.

If you’re ordering Costco through Instacart or Shipt regularly, paying $60 for Costco’s basic membership may be able to help you cut costs.

Do You Tip Costco Delivery?

Tipping your Costco delivery driver is a great way to show your driver how much you appreciate their service. When you place an order for Costco same-day delivery, Instacart calculates the default tip as 5% or the tip percentage you chose for your previous order, whichever is higher.

There’s a minimum suggested tip of $2 for each Costco delivery order. However, Costco does not require customers to leave a tip when ordering delivery.

During the checkout process, you’ll have the option to leave a tip for your delivery driver. If your driver goes above and beyond, it’s possible to change your tip after your delivery is complete.

If you change your mind after your order is delivered, you can use the Instacart app to adjust your tip within 24 hours of the delivery.

Whether you’re placing an order through Instacart, Shipt, or Costco online, it’s worth noting that 100% of your tip goes to your driver.

Does Costco Deliver Alcohol?

Costco delivers alcohol in select states through Instacart. To check whether alcohol is available for delivery in your area, visit the Instacart app or website. To place an alcohol delivery order, you must be 21 or older and provide a valid photo ID showing your birth date at the time of delivery.

According to the Costco website, some legal restrictions apply to alcohol delivery orders. For example, Costco cannot honor special requests for alcohol products, and shoppers can only replace out-of-stock alcohol products with other alcoholic products.

Additionally, Costco cannot deliver alcohol to individuals who are visibly intoxicated.

Conclusion

Whether you’re stocking up for a long weekend or planning your weekly meal prep, nothing beats the convenience of Costco delivery. If you’re on the fence about trying Costco’s grocery same-day delivery service, consider trying Instacart’s 14-day free Instacart Express trial to save on delivery fees.

If you’re interested in finding out more about shopping at Costco, check out the related articles below.

Related Articles:

Costco App: It Has New Features Including the Digital Membership Card

Does Costco Take EBT? (Yes, Here’s What You Need to Know)

When Does Costco Restock? (Everything You Need to Know)

Costco Cakes: Your Guide to Buying Cakes at Costco

The Best Costco Food Court Menu Items, Ranked

About the Author

Samantha Ellsworth is a content writer and an avid foodie who worked as a bakery team member at Whole Foods for three years. In her free time, you can find her trying out new recipes or hiking the trails in Colorado.

May 5, 2023