Shipping policy

  • 🇬🇧 Domestic UK Shipping

    For our customers within the UK, we offer reliable, tracked delivery services.

    • Small Parts & Books: Shipped via Royal Mail Tracked.

    • Bicycles & Frames: Shipped via specialist couriers such as Parcelforce or DHL (booked through Transglobal Express).

    • VAT Note: As Gunn & Co is a specialist small business and not VAT registered, the price you see for the item and shipping is the final price. We do not add 20% VAT at checkout.

    🌍 International Shipping & Import Charges

    We ship to collectors globally on a Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) basis. Because we do not charge UK VAT on exports, your local government will likely collect import taxes when the parcel enters your country.

    What to Expect on Delivery

    Before your parcel can be delivered, the courier (e.g., Royal Mail’s international partners or Transglobal Express/DHL) will contact you via email or text to collect:

    1. Import VAT / GST: Calculated at your local rate (e.g., 20% in France, 10% in Australia) on the value of the goods and shipping.

    2. Import Duty: A percentage-based fee based on the item type.

      • Note: As of 2026, many regions have introduced small flat-rate customs surcharges (e.g., the EU's €3 per-item fee).

    3. Courier Admin Fee: Most couriers charge a "Disbursement Fee" for processing customs paperwork. This is typically between £10–£20 (€12–€25).

    📦 The Gunn & Co Packing Standard

    I am a collector myself, and I pack every item exactly the way I would expect to receive it.

    • Bicycles & Frames: These require significant time and material to prepare. Every main tube is wrapped in high-grade pipe insulation. We use dropout spacers to ensure frames arrive straight and true. All frames are shipped in heavy-duty, double-walled cardboard boxes.

    • Vintage Parts & Accessories: Rare components are wrapped in moisture-resistant materials with "box-within-a-box" padding to protect delicate vintage finishes.

    • Volumetric Weight: International couriers price larger items based on the space they occupy (Volume) rather than just weight. Our rates reflect the premium, oversized packaging required to keep your items safe during global transit.

    📜 Special Care for Antiques (Pre-1926)

    For bicycles and parts manufactured over 100 years ago, we use HS Code 9706 (Antiques).

    • Reduced Duty: Antiques are often eligible for 0% or reduced duty in many countries.

    • Expert Documentation: We include a formal, signed Statement of Antiquity with every qualifying order. This ensures your local customs office recognizes the item’s age, helping you avoid the higher duty rates typically applied to modern bicycles.

    ✅ Important Checklist for International Buyers

    • Provide a Mobile Number: Essential so the courier can contact you for any import fees.

    • Monitor Your Email: Check your inbox (and spam folder) for customs notifications once you have your tracking number.

    • Refused Shipments: If a shipment is refused due to unexpected customs charges, any return shipping costs or storage fees incurred by Gunn & Co will be deducted from your final refund.