Shipping policy

Why do you require my phone number for shipping?

Many international destinations (mostly USA) now require contact numbers to be provided prior to shipping. Shopify doesn't allow area specific rules for shipping information so we have to ask everyone for it. Providing it will speed up our order processing and enable better tracking for your parcels.

How Much will my postage cost?

All postage rates are calculated at checkout and are based on item weight as well as destination. All parcels are sent using tracked or signed for services via Royal Mail, these provide more security and higher levels of compensation in the event of loss or damage. International parcels are handed to local providers.

When Will I receive my Taro Modelmaker order?

All items are shipped from UK mainland via Royal Mail, we aim to process and ship all items within 3 days of purchase. Orders will be shipped Monday, Wednesday and Friday Excluding Bank holidays. Shipping rates and speeds vary and can be chosen at checkout.

Items sent within the UK are expected to arrive within 1-4 working days although Royal mail allows up to 10 working days for delivery regardless of service (excluding special delivery). International orders can be delayed at customs and can take up to 24 working days to arrive. Lost or significantly delayed items can not have a claim made on them until after this 25 working day period.

Does Taro Modelmaker ship internationally?

We currently offer shipping to most countries around the world, some are excluded due to regulations and shipping issues. If you have any concerns regarding shipping to your country please get in touch prior to placing your order.

International tracked has been our most reliable method over the years. Some countries don't offer this service so International Signed for OR Tracked will be provided. Occasionally customers request signed for service is not used but prefer just tracked, if this is preferential please note on your order at checkout.

Customs and Duties

Items are sold as DDU (delivered duty unpaid) Customers are responsible for any additional charges that are incurred due to customs VAT and import duties. For information on these charges please visit your government and customs information sites.

Customs and Duties (USA)

Items are sold to the USA are now subject to customs duties to be paid at checkout, at a rate of 10% . We will then pay these customs duties on the parcel prior to shipping with Royal Mail. Your parcel will then be cleared through customs with no further charge. Please inform us if there are any problems / additional charges prior to delivery and we can resolve the matter. As this is a new system we do expect some teething issues so please bare with us while US authorities learn the new system.

Are you still shipping to the EU?

We are now certified with an authorised EU representative and can continue shipping into the EU. We have signed up with EU waste schemes and are constantly reassessing these as the situation progresses. As there still is no reliable pre-payment import duty scheme here in the UK, customers are responsible for all duties payable prior to delivery.

What if my parcel fails to deliver?

Occasionally parcels are undelivered and returned to us, either due to incorrect postal addresses or simply as unclaimed mail. Once an item has been returned in this manner we will email the customer to arrange resending or a refund. We may ask for additional postage to be payable on a cast by case basis. The exception to this will be if the postal issue has been the result of our own failing. Always get in touch if you have any concerns and we will happily resolve any issues to the best of our abilities.

What about undeliverable and Return to Sender Parcels?

Every once and a while we will receive a parcel that has been marked return to sender as undeliverable. When this happens we will contact the buyer using any information provided when the purchase was made. Usually we will hear straight back and can arrange redelivery or an item refund. In rare instances where we are unable to contact the buyer or never receive a response, we will continue to try and contact the buyer again over a period of 3 months. After which time if no response or contact has been made items from the order will go back into circulation and we will consider the order resolved. IF however we receive a response at a much later date and extraordinary circumstances are provided we will endeavour to resolve the matter accordingly.

EU Authorised Representative

HobbyTrust

23 rue Nollet, 75017 Paris, France