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We pay all packaging costs ourselves. And we'll work out the shipping costs for you. This page is just to show you how we do that, and who we use.

Last published: 02/04/2004; 13:21:24

Postage & Packing 
 We are acutely aware that the majority of the goods we handle are rare and usually very fragile. We don't charge our eBay customers for packing materials, only actual postage costs, and we ensure that we use only premium quality, modern, light weight, approved shipping containers and packing. 
 We are usually able to provide a shipping estimate before the end of any auction. If you are considering bidding on one of our auctions and would like an estimated cost just email us quoting the eBay sale number. 
Shipping to UK Addresses 
 Our preferred method of delivery to UK addresses is the Royal Mail Special Delivery Service. There's a before 9.00 am and next day service: 
 Royal Mail Special Delivery 9.00am 
 "RMSpecialDelivery9am" 
 Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day 
 "RMSpecialDeliveryNextDay" 
 Occasionally for heavier parcels where speed is not of the essence we use the Parcel Force Standard Parcels Service. This will usually deliver within 3 working days but only offers a basic compensation of £100 per parcel. This can be enhanced up to £500 with a small additional payment. As an example a 5Kg package, with £250 compensation cover would cost £8.01. 
 Parcel Force Standard Parcels 
 "RMStandardParcels" 
 Parcel Force Compensation 
 "RMStandardParcelsCompensation" 
Shipping to the USA 
 We will be pleased to answer any questions you may have about shipping to the USA or provide a shipping estimate for a specific auction item. Please email us and quote the eBay auction number. 
 We can either send it priority, signed or standard airmail. Or, surface mail but at upto 8 weeks to get to the US you could find that Surface Mail is 50% cheaper than standard Airmail. 
 Royal Mail 
 5/6 Days Standard Airmail 
 Costs 
 Zone 1: the Americas, Middle East, Africa, Indian sub-continent, most of SE Asia inc Hong Kong 
 Zone 2: rest of the world 
 "RMAirUSA" 
 From: Royal Mail Airmail 
 Airsure: Next Flight Airmail: Fast with Online Tracking 
 Fast, safe and simple 
 With express service Airsure, your letters small packets and printed papers leave the UK on the first available flight, receive priority handling abroad and are electronically tracked. This means you can check the progress of your item including confirmation of delivery. 
 Tracking your item 
 You can track the progress of your Airsure item by visiting track and trace or by calling +44 (0)845 609 2609. 
 Cost 
 Airsure costs £4.00 per item on top of the Airmail postage. This price includes up to £30 compensation payable in the unlikely event that your item is lost or damaged. An extra £1 per item buys you extra compensation of up to £500 
 Minimum and maximum size limits are: 
 Small Packet Max weight 2Kg 
 Min size 90mmx140mm 
 Max size Length plus depth plus width 900mm and no single side should exceed 600mm 
 Items in the form of a roll 
 Max weight 2Kg 
 Min size Length plus 2 x diameter should be at least 170mm. No single side shorter than 100mm 
 Max size Length plus 2 x diameter should not exceed 1040mm. Length not over 900mm 
 Printed Papers 
 Max weight 2Kg or 5Kg for books, leaflets or pamphlets. 
 Airmail with added security 
 When you¹re sending gifts or other items abroad and need the security of a registered ( signed for ) delivery, but not the extra speed of Airsure, International Signed For is the service to choose. 
 International Signed For reaches destinations worldwide and gives you the peace of mind that any gift you send to your loved one will be registered ( signed for ) on delivery*. 
 Costs 
 International Signed For costs £3.30 per item on top of the Airmail postage. This price includes up to £30 compensation payable in the unlikely event that your item is lost or damaged. An extra £1 per item buys you extra compensation of up to either £250 or £500, depending on the country  
 Insurance 
 For high value items that require full breakage insurance coverage we would use an independent parcel/courier service. We always request quotes from 3 separate operators to ensure we get the best deal for our customers. 
 Customers from the USA should be aware that the British Post Office does not offer any fully insured registered services to the USA. Consequently the services available offer compensation only in the event of the parcel being lost completely and undelivered and not for breakage or damage to contents. 
 Shipments to the USA are therefore considered to be at the customers own risk except in the event of total loss. 
 Customs 
 Orders shipped outside the EEC may have import duties applied by the Customs of that country. Customs duties are the responsibility of the customer. 
 USA only - deliveries via parcel force will be duty free if they are under US $200 in value see customs for more info.  
 Royal Mail - For USA and Canada only. Does not have enhanced customs clearance times as with DHL but deliveries to customer can occur throughout the week including Saturday and Sunday and take 4/5/6 days. 
 Shipments via Royal Mail can be tracked using the "EMS" tracking number. 
 "EMS" tracking noumbers can be used on the postal service web site of the delivery country. 
 USA this is www.usps.com 
 Canada this is www.canadapost.com 
 Surface mail up to 2Kg 
 Surface mail can save you money and is particularly useful for sending heavier items, such as magazines or books. 
 Compensation of up to £28 may be paid for loss or damage. 
 Cheaper surface mail options are available but delivery times on these services are considered impractical. 
 Full prices here 
 DHL - Worldwide Parcel Express 
 The fastest possible customs clearance time. Deliveries to customer are made Monday to Friday only. DHL can be used for most orders. This service is fully trackable on the internet. fully trackable on the internet.' in archive.">
 It is expensive to my mind, but with 1/2 days turnaround, it's very fast. And if you're in New York it's cheaper and one day delivery! 
 UPS - Worldwide Express 
 If you need it super dooper fast... 
 Guaranteed Next-day Business Delivery by 8.30 am 
 Delivery by 8.30 am the next business morning to virtually all major domestic business areas and major business centres in Europe and Canada 
 Delivery between 8:00 am and 8:30 am the next business morning to 65 percent of all businesses in the U.S. 
Shipping to the Rest of the World 
 We will ship to almost any part of the world. Many different services exist, too numerous to detail here. If you are bidding on one of our auctions and would like an estimate of shipping costs please email us and quote the eBay auction number.