Shipping policy

We make every effort to ensure your order is dispatched quickly and arrives safely. Please read the information below to understand our dispatch times, delivery options, and what to do if something goes wrong.

1) Dispatch Times

  • We aim to dispatch orders placed before 12:00pm (Monday–Friday) on the same working day (excluding weekends and bank holidays).
  • Orders placed after 12:00pm are usually dispatched the next working day.
  • Limited orders are dispatched over weekends; this is not guaranteed.

2) Delivery Times & Working Days

  • Estimated delivery times are shown within each product description.
  • If delivery is expected to take longer than the stated time, a member of our team will contact you.
  • Next working day delivery services exclude weekends and bank holidays.
  • Northampton Reptile Centre is not responsible for any additional costs caused by extended delivery times, unless agreed in writing by a member of staff prior to dispatch.
  • All orders are shipped by recognised carriers and/or Royal Mail.
  • We can ship to an alternative delivery address if needed.

3) Frozen Food, Live Food & Live Plants (Important)

Due to the perishable nature of certain items, please ensure someone is available to receive your delivery.

  • Frozen foods, live foods and live plants must be accepted on the first delivery attempt.
  • If these items spoil due to a missed delivery attempt, we cannot offer replacements or refunds.
  • Frozen food dispatch rule: Frozen food will not be dispatched on a Friday unless the order is placed before 12:00pm and Saturday delivery is selected.

4) Delivery Locations & Exclusions

Remote/Offshore Postcodes

Delivery to offshore or remote locations may (but not always) take longer to deliver and/or incur additional delivery charges if you live in one of the following postcode areas:

AB30–56, IV, HS, KA27–28, KW, PA20–49, PA60–78, PH17–26, PH30–50, ZE, IM & TR21–25

Northern Ireland

Unfortunately, we are not currently able to deliver to Northern Ireland.

5) Heavy Items, Pallets & Flats/Apartments

  • Some heavy items may need to be moved from your selected delivery service to a palletised delivery service with a delivery time of 1–2 working days.
  • Pallet deliveries are always curbside.
  • Delivery to a flat or apartment will be made to the access point or lobby; the courier may not be able to carry the items to your door.

Courier Services Used

  • Royal Mail
    • Royal Mail 24 – 1st class service that aims to deliver within 1 day of dispatch (not guaranteed).
    • Royal Mail 24 Tracked – 1st class service that aims to deliver within 1 day of dispatch (not guaranteed).
  • APC
    • Mainland UK – next day courier with pre-12pm or pre-4pm delivery services (excluding some Scottish postal codes).
    • Saturday – aims to deliver before 12pm Saturday to mainland UK if order placed before 12pm Friday (excluding some Scottish postal codes).
  • DX
    • Mainland UK – next day courier with pre-1pm or pre-6pm delivery services (excludes some Scottish postal codes).
    • Saturday – delivers Saturday to mainland UK if order placed before 12pm Friday (excluding some Scottish postal codes).
  • Kings / Tuffnell's
    • Some heavy items may need to be moved to a palletised delivery service with a delivery time of 1–2 working days.

Returns

In the event that there is a problem with the goods, please contact us.

  • We must be informed of the problem with the order within 7 working days, starting the day after delivery.
  • Unwanted, non-perishable items may be returned within 30 days of delivery.
  • Northampton Reptile Centre is not responsible for any additional costs as a result of a faulty product, unless prior consent is given in writing.
  • Products must be returned at your cost and in re-saleable condition.
  • Flat-packed vivariums and cabinets cannot be returned once opened.
  • This does not affect your statutory rights.