Shipping is calculated automatically by the website based on weight and shipping destination.
PO Box Addresses
Please be aware we cannot ship to a PO Box address. All registered mail needs a signature on delivery. PO Boxes that are the norm for international destinations (e.g. UAE) will still be accepted.
Item to the UK
Small Items
Smaller items, up to 1.75kg in weight, will be dispatched with Royal Mail Special Delivery. All goods should arrive before 1pm, the next working day*. We aim to dispatch with a 1-2 day turnaround, although this is dependent on the item. More difficult items may take longer to pack. Any items ordered after 1pm on a Friday will be dispatched on the following Monday, i.e. The next working day.
Other couriers are available should you wish to use them; however additional charges may apply.
Once dispatched, tracking details will be sent to the customer and the order marked as completed.
Please be aware that a signature will be required for all antiquities sent. As is customary with Royal Mail special delivery parcels, if the customer is not available when the parcel is delivered it shall be taken to the closest sorting office. Please be aware we have no control over this and we cannot change company shipping policy for individual cases.
*Please note there may be exceptions to this rule for specific UK postcodes and at particularly busy periods such as Christmas and Easter. We are not responsible for any delays caused by Royal Mail and no time-specific service is 100% guaranteed.
Large Items
The courier used for larger items is at our discretion, unless specified by the customer. We use a number of couriers for larger items, which includes all antiquities weighing over 1.76kg. With items dispatched to the UK we mostly use DPD, DHL or Fedex.
With larger items we aim to dispatch on the next working day, although more complicated items will take longer. Items requiring custom-made wooden crates can take up to 5 working days to dispatch. In this case we shall always inform the customer.
Please be aware that a signature will be required for all antiquities sent. As is customary with items sent via a courier, notification of delivery will be given via email or mobile. There may be options for re-scheduling delivery if the customer is not home to receive the goods. Please be aware we have no control over this and we cannot change company shipping policy for individual cases.
International Items
International shipping is sent with a courier. The courier used is at our discretion, unless requested by the customer and any surcharges paid before shipping. With items dispatched internationally, we mostly use DHL, TNT and Fedex.
With larger items we aim to dispatch on the next working day, although more complicated items will take longer. Items requiring custom-made wooden crates can take up to 5 working days to dispatch. In this case we shall always inform the customer.
Please be aware that a signature will be required for all antiquities sent. As is customary with items sent via a courier, notification of delivery will be given via email or mobile. Such notifications will automatically be sent via the courier company and not Ancient & Oriental. There may be options for re-scheduling delivery if the customer is not home to receive the goods. If you have not been notified of a delivery or attempted delivery this is the fault of the courier company, rather than Ancient & Oriental. Please be aware we have no control over this.
If an item fails to turn up, please do notify us after the expected shipping times listed below:
Europe: 5-10 working days
America, Canada, Asia, Africa and the rest of World Zone 1: 10 – 15 working days
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the rest of World Zone 2: Up to 20 working days
Customs & Taxes
Any item sent international will be fully declared, if such information is needed by the receiving country.
We will include all necessary documents needed for customs, including the full price of the item and its description. If an export license is required, we will notify the customer prior to dispatch.
Please do not request that we under-declare the item. This is firmly against both UK law and international law.
All customs duties and taxes will need to be paid by the receiver. Please note that we have no control over the information required from the receiver by customs. Customs will liaise directly with the receiver if further information is needed. We will however endeavour to do all we can to assist with customs clearance. Please be aware that we will not know the customs import percentage for every country. Please enquire with your national governing body.
For further questions, please contact us and we shall do our best to assist.