Shipping Policy

Last Updated: April 02, 2025

We strive to deliver your order as promptly and securely as possible. This policy explains how we handle shipping times, methods, costs, and special conditions for oversized items or international destinations.

1. GENERAL PROCESSING

Order Confirmation: After placing your order, you will receive an email confirmation.
Dispatch: Once your items are ready, we will ship them and provide a tracking number (if available).
Delays/Backorders: We will notify you if any product is on backorder or delayed beyond the displayed lead time. You can choose to wait, modify your order, or request a refund if shipping is significantly delayed.
Pre-orders: We do our best to display the most accurate re-stocking date or lead time for pre-orders. Feel free to contact us for information about your order or request a refund.

2. DELIVERY BY REGION

2.1 United States

Standard In-Stock Items: Typically ship via FedEx/DHL with an estimated 2–5 business days transit time.
Free Shipping: Most items to the contiguous U.S. ship “free,” although the actual shipping cost may appear on internal accounting or your invoice.
Oversized/Palletized Cargo: Items over 70 kg or 150 cm in length often require a pallet or crate. Delivery is generally curbside only (to your driveway or gate). If you need in-home placement or white-glove service, contact us before or immediately after placing your order (additional fees may apply).

2.2 United Kingdom

In-Stock Items: Usually arrive in 3–5 business days (parcel carriers).
Duties & VAT: Shipments to the U.K. qualify for Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), meaning no extra charges (duties and VAT) upon delivery. If an item cannot ship DDP (e.g., it’s oversized or the carrier lacks that service), we’ll contact you and offer an equivalent refund.
Oversized Freight: Pallet deliveries typically arrive curbside only.

2.3 Canada

Standard Parcels: Typically 3–5 business days via FedEx/DHL.
Duty & Taxes: Items ship DDP, meaning no additional customs fees for you. If your item requires a different freight method, we’ll notify you if extra taxes/duties might apply and offer an equivalent refund.
Oversized Freight: Similar pallet rules apply as in the U.S. or U.K.

2.4 European Union

EU Warehouse: Orders within the EU ship from our EU warehouse, arriving in 2–7 business days depending on country.
Duty & VAT: Because we pay VAT within the EU, you will not face extra import duties or taxes on arrival. The items ship from our EU warrehouse.
Oversized: Bulky items (over 70 kg) ship palletized and generally only to curbside.

2.5 Australia

In-Stock Items: Usually 5–7 business days by FedEx or DHL.
Duty & Taxes: Items ship duty-paid for Australia. However, oversized freight over 70kg might not allow DDP, so we’ll inform you if local taxes could apply and offer an equivalent refund.
$1000 AUD Threshold: Many orders under this threshold are exempt from import duties in Australia and will cross the border in a speedy manner.

2.6 New Zealand

Delivery Time: Typically 5–7 business days via express carriers.
Duty & Taxes: We attempt to provide duty-paid shipping. Oversized freight over 70kg might not allow DDP and may require a different arrangement. We will offer you an equivalent refund.
Oversized Freight: Pallet shipments typically delivered curbside.

2.7 Other International Destinations

Transit Times: Generally 3–8 business days for standard parcel shipments, though customs or remote locations may extend transit times.
High-Tariff Regions: Some countries in South America, Africa, or Asia may have high import fees or complex customs. We’ll try to offer DDP if possible, but where unavailable, you might be responsible for local duties. We will inform you if any taxes will be applicable. We reserve the right to ban certain countries, due to the risk of getting stuck at customs or customer refusing to pay the duty.
Oversized Cargo: Pallet shipping is curbside delivery only; if you have special requests, please contact us.
Non-EU European countries: Countries like Switzerland or Norway usually ship DDP (delivered duty paid). This information will be displayed on the product page. Feel free to contact us if you want to consult about this.

3. SHIPPING COSTS & METHODS

Displayed at Checkout: If shipping is not free, the cost (or estimate) will appear at the product page and at the checkout (the formal quote is at the checkout). Rates are calculated based on your location, item weight/dimensions, and the carrier.
“Free Shipping”: When free outbound shipping is offered (for example, on orders within the contiguous U.S.), the shipping cost is initially covered by us. However, if you choose to return your order for personal reasons (non-defective or non-damaged item), we reserve the right to deduct the actual outbound shipping cost from your refund, in accordance with our Return & Refund Policy.
Carrier Selection: Most standard parcels go with FedEx, UPS or DHL. We reserve the right to switch carriers if needed (e.g., to ensure faster or safer delivery).

4. PALLET / CRATE SHIPMENTS & CURBSIDE DELIVERY

Threshold: Items above certain weight/size (often 70 kg / 150 cm in length) require pallet or wooden crate shipping via freight forwarder.
Curbside Only: Freight carriers generally do not offer in-home placement. They will deliver to the nearest accessible area, e.g., driveway or fence line.
Delivery Coordination: You may be contacted by the freight company to schedule a delivery window. Please ensure someone is present to receive the shipment.

5. TRANSIT TIMES & BACKORDERS

Lead Times: Product pages usually display a maximum lead time, especially for pre-orders or made-to-order items.
Updates: We’ll email you if an item is unexpectedly delayed or backordered.
Your Options: You can wait for restock, switch to an alternative product, or cancel for a refund if lead times become too long.

6. DUTIES, TAXES & DDP

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP): For many destinations (U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, etc.), we offer DDP service, eliminating customs bills on arrival. If Delviered Duty Paid service (DDP) cannot apply (e.g., oversized freight or certain high-tariff countries), we’ll inform you before processing your order or issue an equivalent refund to compensate for any extra charge.
High-Tariff Regions: If your location has high duties or restricted DDP, you may need to handle local customs fees.
EU & U.S.: Within the EU, no extra duties are charged. In the U.S., import duties generally do not apply under $800, and over that amount orders are shipped DDP, with no additional charges. Additionally, many of the items we sell, are duty-free, such as artificial stone sculptures commodity.
Frictionless Custom Processing: the couriers we work with offer electronic clearance in all developed countries. This means you can expect not to have any delays as the clearance is done even before the items' arrival.

7. TRACKING & RECEIPT OF GOODS

Tracking Information: Once shipped, we’ll email a tracking link (if available) so you can follow the shipment.
Delivery Attempts: Please ensure someone is available to receive your package. If a package is returned to us due to incorrect address or multiple failed delivery attempts, extra re-shipment fees may apply.
Damage on Arrival: If your item arrives damaged, please see our Return & Refund Policy and contact us immediately with photos of the damage and packaging.

8. SHIPPING COSTS & ACCOUNTING TRANSPARENCY

For many destinations, we offer Free Shipping on many products. However, please note:

The actual shipping cost of your order may still appear on your invoice or receipt.
This inclusion is solely for internal accounting purposes and does not result in any extra charge to you when free shipping is displayed at checkout.
Displaying the shipping cost on the invoice allows us to accurately reflect logistics expenses in our financial records and tax declarations.

You will never be asked to pay this cost if your order was advertised with free shipping. It will simply appear as a line item without affecting the total you paid.

9. CONTACT US

For any questions about shipping or special delivery requests, feel free to reach out:

Email: contact@theancienthome.com

We’re happy to assist you with unique shipping requirements, white-glove service inquiries, or any other logistic concerns.

Thank you for choosing The Ancient Home! We appreciate your trust and aim for a smooth, transparent shipping experience no matter where you reside.