We have customers all over the world. Many of them found us because they were looking for something they simply could not find at home like a piece of Anglo-Indian furniture, a Georgian silver teapot or a piece of early English porcelain. The UK remains an extraordinary source for antiques precisely because of its history as so much came here, and so much was made here, that pieces which are genuinely rare elsewhere can still be found in abundance here.
The other reason people buy from us, even when they could find something similar in their own country, is price. By the time a comparable piece has been exported, imported, passed through a dealer’s hands, and put on a shop floor abroad, the cost reflects all of that. When you buy directly from us and arrange your own shipping, you will often find that, even after duties and freight, you are still ahead on cost.
The question we hear most often is “how do I actually get it home?”
The answer depends on the size of the piece. Below is exactly how it works.
How we ship and what you can expect
Firstly, all shipments are insured against damage and loss, so your piece is covered from the moment it leaves us. Most of what we ship falls into one of three categories. Knowing which one applies to your piece tells you almost everything about how the process will go.
Smaller pieces – shipped via DHL
Most items fall into this category: silverware, porcelain, small mirrors, smaller pieces of furniture. We pack them securely and ship via DHL, which is our preferred partner for international parcels. They are fast, reliable, and cost-effective and we can often give you a quote right there in the shop so you can make your decision on the spot.
Internationally, DHL typically delivers in 2–4 days. Once your shipment is booked, you will receive a tracking email directly from them. Please do keep an eye on it there may also be customs documents or duties to settle at your end, and DHL will contact you directly about those.
The most important thing we need from you: let us know when you will be home to receive the delivery. We do not want it sitting on your doorstep.
Large furniture and mirrors – crated and air freighted
Larger pieces like an antique mirror, a wardrobe or a display cabinet, need a custom-made wooden crate and a different freight process entirely. We work with specialist partners who collect from us, build the crate to fit your piece exactly, and handle the air freight.
The crating process typically takes 7–10 working days, so there is a little more patience required at this end. Once the shipment lands in your country, the customs department will be in touch to have you fill in the relevant forms and settle any applicable duties. The shipper will give you a heads-up so you know to expect their correspondence, so keep checking your emails.
One thing worth knowing: crates are sized to your piece, which keeps freight costs lower than you might expect. No paying for a cubic metre of air inside an oversized box.
UK delivery – we match the carrier to the piece
For customers within the UK, the process is simpler and usually quicker. For anything particularly delicate or valuable, we use specialist antiques carriers. They carry fewer items per van, handle everything with more care, and understand that a Victorian bookshelf is not the same as a flat-packed one. For sturdier pieces where budget matters, we work with reliable general carriers instead. In those cases, we pack everything ourselves to a higher standard than usual, precisely because we know the handling will be less specialised.
Either way, we will always recommend the right option for the particular piece and not just the cheapest one.
W and SW London – we may be able to deliver personally
We make two trips to London each month. If you live in a W or SW postcode and the timing works, we will often bring your piece with us directly which is usually more cost-effective than a courier, and means it arrives in familiar hands. We may ask for a small delivery contribution depending on the route. Just ask and we will let you know if we can make it work.
A note on export licences and import duties
We know this can feel like the daunting part. It really is not. Here is the short version.
Export licences
Some items, particularly those containing rosewood, require an export certificate under CITES, the international treaty protecting endangered species. If the piece you are buying needs one, it is our responsibility as the seller to obtain it before anything leaves us. You do not need to chase this. Items containing ivory or tortoiseshell cannot be exported at all, and we do not sell them to overseas buyers.
Import duties
Any duties owed at your end are handled between you and your local customs authority and we cannot pay them on your behalf or predict exactly what they will be, as the rules vary by country and change frequently. What we can tell you is that we always declare antiques as over 100 years old, which typically reduces duty significantly or eliminates it altogether. In practice, even when duty is charged, the total cost of buying from us is usually still lower than buying the same piece closer to home, if you can find it at all.
Between export paperwork, packing, and liaising with our shipping partners, we handle most of the process before your piece even leaves Bath. Your job is simply to tell us when you will be in to receive it. If there is anything customs-related for you to action at your end, our shipping partners will be in touch directly with clear instructions.
Ask us for a quote as it costs nothing to find out
Whether you are across town or across an ocean, get in touch and we will tell you exactly what shipping will look like for the piece you have in mind. We do our best to make it as straightforward and hassle-free as possible and our customers will tell you we usually manage it.
Visit our shop or just drop us a message and we will come back to you promptly.
