Post BREXIT EU Customs Guidelines - 1st January 2021

Until we have further clarity on the impact of Brexit and shipping to Europe, we have suspended deliveries to Europe. If you wish to place an order and you are based in Europe, please get in touch to discuss the costs and possibilities of using couriers to your destination.

New EU Customs Regulations (please note this is written with the best information we have available at this time)

Due to the new Customs arrangements with the EU, all orders sent outside of the UK – including Ireland, may be subject to custom fees at the final destination.

What does this mean?
What this means is that before your goods can be delivered to you, you may be required to pay for any customs charges levied by your countries customs. The charges are calculated by your own countries custom authorities and at this time we do not have any visibility of what these charges may be. The charges will be calculated based on the total value of your goods purchased including delivery. NB. Our delivery charge does not include your customs charge.

How will it work?
Once your goods have arrived at the destination, your courier or postal provider will contact you, either by email or post, to advise what charges are to be paid before the goods can be released for delivery to you. Until the charges are paid, the goods will not be released.

How long will this process take?
This really depends on how quickly your customs office and courier services take to process your goods. As this stage, we have no guidance on how fast the process will be. The key is to make sure you pay your charges as soon as you can to get the goods released to you. Please note that our delivery aims for goods travelling outside of the UK ONLY take into account the time taken to get the goods to the destination but we are unable to control or be responsible for the time it takes for the goods to be cleared and released from customs to your address.

Further help…
If you need to understand how much charges may be levied, please contact your local government customs authorities as each country will have its own calculations.
Please make sure you understand that there is the possibility of an additional charge over and above the delivery charge for your order. If goods are returned to us, refunds will not be issued for goods that were undelivered due to unpaid customs duties.
Please allow additional time for goods to arrive from the UK into Europe (incl Ireland) from 1^st January 2021.
Please note that packages can be opened and inspected by Customs in the destination country.
Parcel Motels in N Ireland have been closed to prevent goods entering into Ireland without the relevant customs checks.
When we have a better understanding of how the process will work, we will update the website with any further information.

The process for ordering and deliveries to the rest of the world remains unchanged.

Delivery Update - 5th January 2021

Deliveries During Covid-19 – Update 5/1/21

With a new national lockdown now in place there will inevitably be more delays experienced in the postal system.

At this time, if you need an order urgently please select the Express/Special Delivery Service. I have reduced the cost of this service at this time. This means that once your order has been processed and/or made for you it will be dispatched with next day delivery….it does not mean (for many items) that it will be delivered the next day after ordering, as you need to allow for the item to be made and/or personalised. Some items take up to a week to be made, (read the item descriptions carefully as it tells you about the processing times in there, or please call if you need clarification) and then when ready it will then be dispatched for Next Day Delivery. For in stock items, I will dispatch the same day if ordered before 2pm.

Please note that some partners, who supply gifts direct to customers on my behalf, do not offer same day or next day dispatch on all of their gifts, so when you pay for Special Delivery I will upgrade your postal option to the fastest option they offer.

Please put a note of the date you require your order at checkout so I can advise if I am able to or not able to make that date for you and offer a refund.
Also note that many orders come through with multiple items from multiple suppliers, therefore during this time I have requested suppliers to ship direct to the customer to speed up the processing time, so you may receive your order in more than one shipment.

Thank you for your understanding at this difficult time and please rest assured that myself and the companies that supply goods on the website are doing everything we can to get your goods to you on time. We cannot however mitigate or compensate for items that do not arrive in time if we have dispatched in agreed timescales.

Postal Service Price Increases - 1st January 2021

As of the 1st January 2021, the Royal Mail has increased it's prices across all of its postal services. We have adjusted our prices accordingly.
Will will continue to use a combination of Royal Mail and Courier Services to ensure you receive the best delivery service at this time.
Please note some couriers are NOT accepting delivery requests to Ireland and Europe at this time.

General Information

First Holy Communion Delivery Information - www.firstholycommunionday.co.uk UK & Overseas Postal Charges

We use a combination of Royal Mail or Courier services.
Delivery timescales are quoted from the date of dispatch and not from when the order is placed.
We dispatch Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays. Out of the busy season we will also post on a Saturday morning.
Please see dispatch service information for details on delivery timescales.
We endeavour to dispatch in stock items the same day if ordered before 11am. However during busy periods this can extend to 1-2 days. We will advise you if we are unable to dispatch within these timescales.

As many of our items are 'drop-shipped' they will be dispatched by our suppliers direct to you, therefore your order may arrive in different packages if coming from different suppliers. Our Drop Shippers have their own delivery timescales and we have endeavoured to include all dispatch information in the item description. If you are unsure whether the goods will reach you in time, please do get in touch before placing your order.

Standard UK Postage Charges

Postage is always a tricky one! We have tried to keep it simple where possible!

STOCK ORDERS

For STOCK Orders (i.e items that are kept in stock with us) under £75 we have calculated the postage based on standard Royal Mail postal delivery services. As standard we have 5 UK postal options. Free postage only applies to Standard UK 2nd Class Postage. You will be given the option to upgrade to Signed For 1st & 2nd, 1st Class, Next Day (if applicable to that item and if ordered before 11am) and for Saturday Delivery Service (if applicable for that item and ordered before 11am).

FREE DELIVERY

This is available for orders over the value of £75, regardless of who the item is supplied by. This will be Standard 2nd Class Delivery by Royal Mail. You still have the option to upgrade to Signed For 2nd & 1st Class,1st Class, Next Day (where applicable) and Saturday Delivery (where applicable).

DRESS ORDERS

We DO NOT recommend choosing 2nd Class for Dress orders, at this time 2nd Class post is not as reliable as using Signed For, 1st Class or Next Day. It is more expensive for post Next Day but it is always recommended.   This guarentees that your dress will arrive by 1pm the next working day. It will require a signature so please ensure that there will be someone home to receive your items.
Collection Service - if you live local to Chertsey and wish to collect your dress, then please get in touch and we can arrange a collection time (call 01932 570486 or 07766 782311 to discuss).

DISPATCH OPTIONS

UK 2nd Class Dispatch - is the standard delivery option. Most deliveries will be received within 3-5 days of dispatch (not order). However it may take longer as this service does not have a guarenteed delivery timescale. Items dispatched by this option are not trackable and not require a signature. If you have not received your parcel after 20 working days, please email us at communionangels@hotmail.com to discuss options.

Royal Mail Signed For™ 2nd Class - aims to safely deliver your letter or parcel in 3-5 working days and give you signed for proof of delivery. The added benefits include:

• proof of delivery including a signature from the receiver
• check online or via your mobile to see when your item has been delivered
• compensation cover up to £50.

UK 1st Class Dispatch - is our faster delivery option. Most deliveries will be received within 1-2 days of dispatch (not order). However it may take longer as this service does not have a guarenteed delivery timescale. Items dispatched by this option are not trackable and do not require a signature. If you have not received your parcel after 20 working days, please email us at communionangels@hotmail.com to discuss options.

Royal Mail Signed For® 1st Class - aims to deliver your letter or parcel within 1-2 days after dispatch  - and gives you the added security of:

• proof of delivery including a signature from the receiver
• check online or on your mobile to see when your item has been delivered
• compensation cover up to £50.

Express UK Monday - Friday - is not available for all items on the website, please check item details or call the office (01932 570486) to check that the items are eligable for this service. For this service you must order before 11am for guarenteed delivery by 1pm next day. This is a tracked and signed for service, please make sure someone is available to sign. If we are unable to fulfil this delivery service we will get in touch to advise you as such. This service is not available to certain areas in the Scottish Mainland and Highlands, please get in touch to check if your area is eligable for this service.

Express UK Saturday Service is not available for all items on the website, please check item details or call the office (01932 570486) to check that the items are eligable for this service. This service is Insured, trackable & guaranteed, next day delivery. Order by11am Friday for delivery before 1pm on Saturday. A signature required. NOT AVAILABLE FOR ALL ITEMS - PLEASE ENQUIRE IF USURE. This service is JUST if you require your package to arrive on a Saturday. If orders are received after 11am on a Friday, the item will be held until the following Friday for dispatch for delivery the following Saturday. If you simply require a fast service then please select UK Express Option.

YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL WHEN YOUR ITEM IS DISPATCHED. ALL DELIVERY TIMESCALES ARE FROM DISPATCH - NOT FROM WHEN YOUR ORDER IS PLACED.
WE ENDEAVOUR TO HAVE YOUR ITEMS READY FOR DISPATCH WITHIN 3 WORKING DAYS - THIS CAN TAKE LONGER FOR HANDMADE AND PERSONALISED ORDERS - please get in touch if you require your item in a hurry and we will do everything we can to help where possible.

EUROPE & REST OF WORLD ORDERS

We ship world wide. Please allow extra time for your orders to be delivered. We can not guarentee delivery timescales only guarentee dispatch timescales. Where items are in stock and available for immediate dispatch we will endeavour to dispatch the same day if the order is received before 11am.

We use Royal Mail Tracked & Signed Service for our overseas deliveries or courier services if more appropriate. Where packages are over 2kg we will employ the services of a courier. We will advise you of the service used in your Dispatch Email, sent at the time of dispatch.

We reserve the right to allocate the best postage and courier option for you based on the value of the goods you have purchased. We will always aim to be fair and seek the most economical way to ship your items to you with the intention of getting your items to you in the fastest and safest way possible. Please do enquire at communionangels@hotmail.com if you wish to discuss postage options before placing your order.

Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed Service

Tracked & Signed is a combination service offering full end-to-end tracking, signature on delivery and an online delivery confirmation.
All our tracking and signature services aim to deliver to Europe within 3-5 working days and worldwide within 5-7 working days.
Tracking and Signature items are processed in a separate network while they’re in the UK. You will be provided with proof of posting and compensation up to £50 as standard with extra compensation up to £250 to protect valuable items against loss or damage.

Signature on delivery

A signature is taken on delivery for items sent using International Tracked & Signed and International Signed. However, we do not provide a copy of the signature to you as part of the service and it is not available to view online.

You will need to ensure that someone is available to sign for your item upon delivery.

DELIVERY TERMS & CONDITIONS

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS - If you request for your order to be delivered to an address other than the card holders registered address ie to a work address and or neighbour or mark parcels with 'leave in porch' (or similar instruction) we will do this however due to possible theft this is entirely at your own risk - we cannot be held responsible for any failings - Royal Mail will not leave packages that require a signature on receipt.

Orders placed with delivery to PO Box addresses, airports and any other similar non residential or work address will be rejected.

OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS - Please check your order that you have selected the correct service at checkout. if you do not select the correct shipping option, we will contact you if you have made an incorrect selection but please be advised that this could slow down dispatch. PLEASE READ THE NEW GUIDELINES ON CUSTOMS CHARGES WITH THE EU FROM 1ST JANUARY 2021.

REDELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS - We can not be liable to you for a redelivery if a "non-signature" service is requested, or written instructions are given to leave goods in a "safe" location, and the goods are subsequently lost or damaged, or we receive written instructions to collect Consignments from a “safe” location in which event we shall not be liable for any loss or damage which occurs prior to such collection, or attempted collection of such Consignment.

NON-SIGNATURE SERVICE - You acknowledge that if you elect to choose a non-signature service or you request that goods are left at, or collected from a ‘safe’ location at your address, that you are aware that these requests have not been recommended by us nor should such methods be used for goods which have high value to you or the Consignee (if applicable). If you require added security and peace of mind, please select our 'Royal Mail Signed For' services.

Please Note: That at busy times, it may take us a little longer to dispatch items to you. Only Express orders are guaranteed as Royal Mail next day service. This option is limited to certain items on the website, please check before ordering if it is unclear if the goods can be dispatched for next day delivery.

ADVANCE NOTICE
March, April, May & June are our busiest time of year and we receive a high volume of orders daily, orders are prioritised by postage option chosen. We do recommend 1st class post during MARCH, APRIL, MAY and JUNE if you require your order within 5 - 7 working days.

Important Information Re Royal Mail & National Courier Delivery Services

The delivery of goods to you is deemed to be a separate contract for services, distinct from your contract to purchase the goods. We use Royal Mail Delivery service for all orders under 2kg, this service is operated by Royal Mail, so we are not responsible if the Royal Mail does not deliver on time.

We must state as part of our terms & conditions that once we have processed and dispatched your order and it has been accepted by the Royal Mail we are completely in their hands to operate their service. Delivery timescales are approximate we regret that we cannot be responsible and no liability whatsoever is accepted in respect of late deliveries or lost packages. If you have purchased a dispatch service that has a tracking number, we will help to track your order, if you have chosen our free standard service, Royal Mail will not assist or help track the package until 15 working days after your order has been dispatched.

Delivery time information is provided by Royal Mail , and exclude weekends and bank holidays. Note that Royal Mail delivery times may vary, particularly during peak period.

Our Royal Mail packages are collected daily by Royal Mail, and we obtain proof of collection for packages collected by Royal Mail

Trackable parcels will require a signature on receipt, if the delivery officer cannot deliver he will leave a calling card to advise what action he has taken if he cannot get a reply.

The Royal Mail postman will return the parcel to your local posting or sorting office and you must collect within 5 - 15 working days, otherwise it will be returned to us. Should any order be returned to us by the carrier after an unsuccessful delivery attempt any additional charges must be paid by the customer. If the order is to be resent, the customer will have to pay for additional postage.

Whilst we make every effort to process and dispatch orders with all possible speed we regret that we cannot accept responsibility if an item fails to arrive by the required date. We as a company do not deliver the orders, we pay a third party company to provide this service for us, so we cannot accept responsibility for the delays that do occasionally occur when using carriers.

DELAYED OR LOST ORDERS
When your order has been processed and dispatched we will send an e-mail to the email address on the order showing that your order has been dispatched.

If you have not received your order within 5 - 7 working days after dispatch please check with your local Royal Mail Office or neighbours before contacting us. Do not assume a calling card will be left by Royal Mail. You must notify us via e-mail to communionangels@hotmail.com stating your name and order number within 20 working days from the date it was dispatched.

After 20 working days from date of dispatch your order status will change to complete. Claims for non delivery cannot be made after this time and we have no liability to you.