Shipping policy
SHIPPING POLICY AND COSTS
Orders are shipped daily from Monday to Friday. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm, and our standard shipping times are 8:30 - 16:30. We are not open on Weekends or Public & Bank Holidays.
We request that you place all orders before 2 pm for same-day despatch (subject to items being in stock).
If your requirement is urgent, please call us on +44 (0)1823 413 007, or email us to check that there are no delays.
We process orders arriving after 2 pm during the next working day. Estimated delivery times are from the day of shipping. UPS or Royal Mail will send you tracking details once we despatch your order.
If you’re using the free shipping discount received from signing up to our newsletter, it applies to UK Mainland addresses only and one use per customer. The discount covers 2-3 day standard shipping costs up to £9.99 and excludes oversized items over 2m in length (Colorama rolls and sinks) and orders outside the UK Mainland (such as Northern Ireland, Highlands, and Islands). This offer cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions and is not valid with “Upgrade your service” next day delivery.
UNITED KINGDOM SHIPPING COSTS AND SERVICE
There is no minimum order value required for UK shipments. Shipping to the UK Mainland starts from £4.50, including VAT. Shipping to Northern Ireland is £18, including VAT. Free delivery is available for orders over £150 to the UK Mainland (excluding Northern Ireland).
Orders under £150 and under 2kg are sent via our Small Item Service with Royal Mail (depending on parcel size) for £4.50 (£3.50 + VAT), with an estimated delivery time of 2–3 working days. Orders under £150 and over 2kg use our Standard Service with UPS for £9.00 (£7.50 + VAT), also with an estimated delivery of 2–3 working days. Orders over £150 qualify for Free Shipping, delivered by Royal Mail or UPS (depending on parcel size), with the same 2–3 working day delivery window. Royal Mail Small Item service parcel size: 610mm x 460mm x 460mm.
Customers who need a faster service can choose to upgrade to next working day delivery with UPS for £12 (£10 + VAT). Please place orders for “In Stock” items before 2 pm (Monday to Friday).
Oversize Items: Items over a metre long are charged a surcharge of £12.00, including VAT. Please note that certain Colorama products are charged with shipping at £9.95; please see details at checkout. Colorama rolls are typically delivered within 2 working days.
Sinks are charged an individual shipping fee of £40.00 inc VAT and are classified as freight items. Sink deliveries may take up to 5 working days. Please contact us for a more accurate ETA.
COLLECT FROM OUR BIRMINGHAM WAREHOUSE
You can order by phone or email and collect from our warehouse without a carriage charge. You will receive a notification when your order is ready to collect from our Birmingham warehouse. Please note that our warehouse and office are in separate locations. Opening Times for collection: Monday to Friday 9 am - 4.30 pm except for Public & Bank Holidays. Please bring your order confirmation with you when you collect your order. If your order is not collected within 14 days of notification, the products will be returned to stock and the order will be cancelled.
COLLECT FROM OUR BIRMINGHAM STORE
We stock some of our extensive product range in our store however we would ask you to call or contact the store in advance of visiting to ensure the items you require are in stock.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COSTS AND SERVICE
There is no minimum order value required for overseas shipments. Shipping charges vary by destination and the items ordered and will be shown in your shopping cart before checkout. If all items are in stock, European deliveries are normally sent on a two to three working day service. For destinations outside the EU shipping delivery times vary and may take up to 7 to 10 days.
IMPORT TAXES, DUTIES & CHARGES
Northern Ireland
Deliveries to Northern Ireland are subject to different customs arrangements to mainland UK.
Private residential customers should not normally be charged import VAT, customs duty or handling fees on goods shipped from Great Britain. However, in certain circumstances, including business deliveries or where shipments are incorrectly assessed by carriers or customs, charges may be raised.
Business customers may be required to provide a valid UKIMS number to confirm that goods are not considered “at risk” of onward movement into the EU.
If any charges are applied that you believe are incorrect, please contact us and we will assist by liaising with the courier to have them reviewed. Final assessment of any charges is made by customs authorities and the carrier, not by Firstcall Photographic.
International
Exports outside the UK are supplied without UK VAT. Import VAT, customs duties and courier clearance or handling fees may be applied by the destination country’s authorities and the delivery carrier and are outside of our control. These charges are payable by the recipient and are not included in our prices or shipping charges unless expressly stated. Please check your national tax and customs legislation to understand what charges may be applied by your local authorities.
We are unable to calculate, confirm or guarantee the level of any such charges in advance, as they depend on the destination country, product type, origin of the goods and the applicable regulations at the time of import.
If you are unsure whether customs duties, import VAT or other charges may apply, or would like further clarification before placing an order, please contact us with your requirements. We can provide a full quotation for the goods and shipping, which you may then use to make enquiries directly with your local customs authority or the courier prior to shipment.
Please email us for more information or to request a quote at sales@firstcall-photographic.co.uk.