Shipping & Returns

Dispatch Times

Every order has a 2 working day processing window before it leaves our workshop. Orders placed at the weekend or on UK bank holidays start counting from the next working day.

• • Standard specimens: 2 working days to dispatch
• • Framed, mounted, or made-to-order pieces: 3 working days to dispatch (each is prepared by hand)
• • Pre-orders and bespoke items: dispatch date confirmed by email

You'll receive a confirmation email when your order ships, including a tracking link.

UK Shipping

All UK orders are fully tracked and require a signature on delivery for items over £100.

We currently ship to all UK addresses including the Highlands & Islands, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. Remote postcodes may add 1–2 working days.

International Shipping

We ship worldwide via tracked Royal Mail International or DHL/UPS for higher-value or fragile orders. Rates are calculated at checkout based on destination, weight, and dimensions.

Customs, duties & import taxes: orders shipped outside the UK may be subject to local customs charges, import duties, or VAT collected on delivery. These are the responsibility of the recipient, are paid directly to the courier, and are not included in our prices or shipping fees.

If a parcel is refused at customs or returned to us due to unpaid charges, we'll refund the item cost minus any return shipping fees.

Packaging & Protection

We take packaging seriously. Every fossil is:

• • Individually wrapped in acid-free tissue paper
• • Cushioned with bubble wrap or foam
• • Placed in a sturdy postal box
• • Labelled as fragile where appropriate

High-value and particularly fragile specimens receive additional protection including double-boxing and extra cushioning. We use recyclable materials wherever possible.

Returns

Under the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have the right to cancel your order within 14 days of receiving it for any reason. We extend this to a 30-day returns window for added peace of mind — return any specimen within 30 days of delivery for a full refund of the item price.

Return costs:

• • Change of mind / unwanted: you cover the return postage. We recommend a tracked, insured service as you're responsible for the item until it reaches us.
• • Damaged, faulty, or misdescribed items: we cover return postage in full and refund or replace at no cost to you (your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 are unaffected).
• • Original outbound shipping is refunded for full-order returns made within the 14-day cancellation window.

How to return an item:

1. Email james@deeptimefossils.co.uk within 30 days of delivery, quoting your order number
2. We'll reply within one working day with the return address and instructions
3. Repack the specimen carefully in its original packaging (or equivalent protection) and post it back to us
4. Once received and inspected, refunds are issued to your original payment method within 3–5 working days (your bank may take a further 2–5 days to display them)

Items must be returned in their original condition. We may reduce your refund if the specimen has been handled beyond what's necessary to inspect it (chips, cleaning damage, removed labels, etc.).

Non-returnable items: custom-mounted or bespoke commissioned pieces, and gift cards.

Damaged or Lost in Transit

Every order is fully insured in transit. If your specimen arrives damaged, or doesn't arrive at all, we'll put it right at no cost to you.

If your parcel arrives damaged:

1. Email us at james@deeptimefossils.co.uk within 48 hours of delivery
2. Include your order number and clear photographs of the damage to both the specimen and the outer packaging (we need both for the courier insurance claim)
3. Please keep all original packaging until we've resolved the issue
4. We'll arrange either a free replacement (where stock allows) or a full refund — usually within one working day

If your parcel hasn't arrived:

• • UK orders: please allow up to 10 working days from dispatch before reporting as lost (Royal Mail's threshold for a claim)
• • International orders: please allow up to 25 working days
• • Check with neighbours and your local sorting office first, then email us with your order number — we'll open an investigation and either resend or refund