Delivery & Shipping FAQs
Need help with delivery? Browse our FAQs for information on shipping rates, collection services, international delivery, customs and taxes, order tracking, and estimated delivery times.
UK Delivery
How much does UK delivery cost?
How much does UK delivery cost?
Orders under £5 are charged £3.50 for delivery. Orders of £5 or more are charged £5.00. Delivery is typically within 3 to 5 working days from the date of dispatch.
How long does UK delivery take?
How long does UK delivery take?
Standard UK delivery usually takes 3 to 5 working days from the date of dispatch.
When should I contact you about a missing UK order?
When should I contact you about a missing UK order?
Please wait 7 working days from the date your order was dispatched before contacting us about a missing delivery.
Are all products eligible for standard UK delivery?
Are all products eligible for standard UK delivery?
No. Standard delivery is not available for custom prints or custom clothing.
Local Collection
Is Click & Collect available?
Is Click & Collect available?
Yes. You can collect your order free of charge from:
- The British Library Shop, St Pancras, London NW1 2DB
- Reception at The British Library, Boston Spa, Wetherby West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ
You will be notified by email when your order is ready to collect.
What time does your shop open for collection?
What time does your shop open for collection?
The British Library Shop, St Pancras opening hours are:
- Monday 09:30 – 18:00
- Tuesday 09:30 – 20:00
- Wednesday – Friday 09:30 – 18:00
- Saturday 09:30 – 17:00
- Sunday 11:00 – 17:00
Please note: if the library closes for any reason then the shop will be inaccessible.
Upcoming British Library closures:
- Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June
- Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September
- Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October
- Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December
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The British Library Boston Spa, Wetherby opening hours are:
- Monday – Friday 09.00 – 16.30
- Saturday – Sunday Closed
How much does local collection cost?
How much does local collection cost?
Local collection is completely free.
Is local collection available for all products?
Is local collection available for all products?
No. Local collection is not available for:
- Custom prints
- Custom clothing
- Custom accessories
When will my London collection order be ready?
When will my London collection order be ready?
Orders placed before 3pm are usually ready for collection from midday the following day, including weekends.
Please wait for an email confirming your order is ready before attempting collection.
When will my Boston Spa collection order be ready?
When will my Boston Spa collection order be ready?
Orders placed before 3pm are usually ready within 2 to 4 working days.
Please wait for an email confirming your order is ready before attempting collection.
International Delivery
Can I order from Europe?
Can I order from Europe?
Yes. Selected products are available for delivery across Europe. Product availability depends on compliance with current EU GPSR regulations.
Can I order from the United States?
Can I order from the United States?
Yes. Selected products are available for delivery to the United States, with additional products being added over time.
Why can't I see some products when browsing internationally?
Why can't I see some products when browsing internationally?
Customers in Europe and the United States are only shown products currently approved and available for delivery in their location.
What shipping method is used for international orders?
What shipping method is used for international orders?
International orders are generally shipped via Airmail.
How long does international delivery take?
How long does international delivery take?
Most international orders arrive within 2 to 4 weeks of dispatch, although customs processing may occasionally extend delivery times.
Are Print-on-Demand products included in international shipping rates?
Are Print-on-Demand products included in international shipping rates?
No. Print-on-Demand Art Prints, Clothing and Accessories are manufactured and shipped separately and have their own delivery charges.
How much does delivery to Europe cost?
How much does delivery to Europe cost?
- Orders under £25: £15
- Orders £25 to £49.99: £25
- Orders £50 to £99.99: £36
- Orders £100 or more: £45
How much does delivery to the United States cost?
How much does delivery to the United States cost?
Shipping costs vary by order and are calculated at checkout.
Are US tariffs and import taxes included in the price?
Are US tariffs and import taxes included in the price?
No. Any applicable customs duties, taxes or tariffs must be paid by the customer when the shipment reaches the United States.
How much does delivery cost outside the UK, Europe and the United States, i.e. The Rest of the World?
How much does delivery cost outside the UK, Europe and the United States, i.e. The Rest of the World?
- Orders under £25: £20
- Orders £25 to £49.99: £30
- Orders £50 to £99.99: £40
- Orders £100 or more: £50
How long does delivery take to destinations outside Europe and the United States?
How long does delivery take to destinations outside Europe and the United States?
Most orders arrive within 2 to 4 weeks of dispatch.
Customs, Duties and Taxes
What does DAP (Delivered at Place) mean?
What does DAP (Delivered at Place) mean?
DAP means the British Library ships your order to the destination country, but any import duties, customs charges, tariffs, VAT or local taxes are payable by the recipient.
Are customs charges included in the product price?
Are customs charges included in the product price?
No. Customs charges, duties, VAT and tariffs are not included in product prices.
Are customs charges included in the delivery fee?
Are customs charges included in the delivery fee?
No. Delivery charges cover shipping only and do not include import fees or taxes.
Who is responsible for paying customs duties and taxes?
Who is responsible for paying customs duties and taxes?
The recipient of the order is responsible for paying any charges requested by local customs authorities.
What happens if I refuse to pay customs charges?
What happens if I refuse to pay customs charges?
If an order is returned because customs duties, taxes or tariffs have not been paid, we will refund the cost of the products only. Shipping costs will be deducted from the refund.
How can I find out what customs charges I may need to pay?
How can I find out what customs charges I may need to pay?
Customs charges vary by country. We recommend checking with your local customs authority before placing an order.
Sustainability
Are British Library Shop deliveries environmentally friendly?
Are British Library Shop deliveries environmentally friendly?
Yes. All British Library Shop deliveries are carbon neutral.
What does carbon neutral delivery mean?
What does carbon neutral delivery mean?
Carbon emissions associated with delivery are measured and offset through approved carbon reduction or offsetting initiatives.
Ordering & Availability
Why are some products unavailable in my country?
Why are some products unavailable in my country?
Certain products may be unavailable because of local regulations, product safety requirements, customs restrictions or supplier limitations.
Will more products become available internationally?
Will more products become available internationally?
Yes. The British Library is continuing to expand its international product offering and expects more products to become available over time.
Can I place one order containing standard products and Print-on-Demand items?
Can I place one order containing standard products and Print-on-Demand items?
Yes, but Print-on-Demand products may be produced and shipped separately and may be subject to different delivery charges and timescales.
Why are delivery charges different depending on order value?
Why are delivery charges different depending on order value?
International shipping rates are calculated using pricing bands based on the total order value to help reflect shipping and handling costs.
Why is the number of Jellycat toys limited to 2 per customer?
Why is the number of Jellycat toys limited to 2 per customer?
Some Jellycat toys are very popular and there have been instances of people buying significant quantities to sell on. This has lead to a small number of customers buying up all the stock in a very short period of time. We are not a wholesaler and we feel this practice is not fair on customers buying the products for themselves or genuinely as gifts for others. Therefore we have limited the purchase of Jellycat products to 2 per customer.