How to Order

You can order via our website or by telephone (please note our business hours).

We ship worldwide. Our shopping basket calculates shipping costs automatically when you select the delivery destination country (you don't have to enter any personal details or log in to get the correct shipping cost).

Orders of in-stock items are usually dispatched either the same day or the following day, depending upon the time of day when the order was placed, but our target is to dispatch no later than 2 working days after receipt of payment (subject to stock availability). Note that sometimes this is not always possible for example if we are ill or closed for a holiday (there will be messages in your shopping basket and on the website if this is the case). If you require something urgently please contact us by e-mail or telephone first (notes on orders are not always seen in time).

If an item is shown as out of stock it will be reserved for you from our next delivery. Please contact us for details if in doubt. Items that are shown as in stock are usually available for immediate dispatch.

We need a valid e-mail address for all orders and we strongly recommend that you register an account rather than check out as a guest (we'll have your details anyway!). If you use GMail, Yahoo, AOL or other webmail service please check your spam folder if you don't think you have received our order confirmation e-mail. To ensure delivery, please add orders@thewritingdesk.co.uk to your contacts list.


VAT and Overseas Orders (including EU)

We do not charge VAT on orders sent outside the UK. However, you will be charged taxes and import duty* when your parcel arrives in your country. The carrier will collect the charges from you and may charge you an admin fee.

VAT does not apply to orders sent outside the UK (including EU countries) but we are required by UK law to display prices including VAT (at 20%). To show VAT-free prices (if you live outside the UK), go to your Shopping Basket and select your delivery country. When you select another country In the Shopping Basket, VAT will be automatically removed from the goods total.

* this depends on the destination country and the value of the order. The Brexit free trade agreement means there are no import duties for parcels sent to EU countries but VAT will still be charged at your country's rate upon import. Please note that since 1st January 2021 there are no VAT-free thresholds.

For BFPO orders we can usually remove the VAT from the total. Please contact us to arrange this service.

For in-store purchases, we used to be able to supply documents for VAT reclaim for those travelling back to non-EU residences. However, since 1st January 2021 (the end of the Brexit transition period) it is no longer possible to reclaim the VAT on goods purchased within Great Britain. Sorry!

VAT receipts are sent with all orders.


Shipping

UK Postage prices

FREE* delivery for orders over £25.

* see section below about heavy parcels.

For orders under £25 goods value, we charge a flat rate contribution of £2.95. Our standard delivery method is Royal Mail 48 which includes delivery confirmation. Tracked 24 is available for £5.70.

Small items, like nibs, converters, refills and most cartridges are charged at just £1.80 and will be sent via Royal Mail 24.

For orders over £25, Royal Mail Tracked 24 is available as an option for an additional £2.70 (free for orders over £80).

Royal Mail Special Delivery (guaranteed next-day) is available for £9.00, but orders over £200 are sent Special Delivery at no additional cost.

We also offer DHL and the price varies with weight and is half price for orders over £200.

Overseas Postage prices*

Japan and Switzerland only: Small parcels priority  air-mail (nibs, converters etc): £4.00

Japan and Switzerland only: Standard priority non-tracked air-mail parcels under 2kg: £5.95.

All countries: Registered (tracked) air-mail under 2kg: Europe £12, rest of world £15.00 (Discounts are applied for orders of pens above £70. Add the items to your basket to get the final figure). Sorry, we no longer send orders by non-tracked air-mail (apart from Japan and Switzerland - you have the best mail services).

We do not ship to the USA or Canada.

* these are minimum prices. Surcharges are added automatically for heavy parcels. Your shopping basket will show the exact price when you select the delivery country.

Heavy Parcels

We reserve the right to add a surcharge for very heavy parcels, even when over any free delivery threshold. Heavy parcels will be sent via Royal Mail Tracked 48 or DHL.

To get an exact price for shipping, add the desired items to your Shopping Basket. You do not need to log in nor do you need to enter any name or address details, just the destination country. There is no obligation to proceed with an order.

We charge what we believe is a fair price to ensure your order is well packed and arrives safely. As a comparison, the retail price for sending a bottle of ink is £3.85 in the UK (price correct 2022).


Customs Declarations

All packages sent to destinations outside the UK (including to the EU) will have an electronic CN22 Customs Declaration attached (CN23 for high value orders). We also upload all customs information to our carriers electronically and the total value of the package will include our shipping cost (this is a customs requirement). Note that you will probably have to pay customs duty and VAT when your package arrives in your country. Please do not ask us to under-value a package.

If you refuse a package or if a package is returned due to non-payment of customs fees we will only refund the goods value upon receipt back to us. You will also be liable for any fees we incur as a result of a return due to non-payment of customs and clearance fees.

We attach Safety Data Sheets to all overseas packages that contain fountain pen ink in case customs or other officials are concerned about the contents. If this sheet is missing and you need to send one your local customs a copy, you can download one here.


When will I receive my order?

We aim to dispatch all items that are in stock within 2 working-days of receipt of payment*. However, we send parcels daily, usually the day after an order is received. Our cut-off for same-day dispatch is 12 noon, so if you order in the morning it is very likely your order will be dispatched the same day.

*Sometimes we have to extend this period, for example when we are on holiday. If this is the case there will be a clear notice on the contact page and in your shopping basket.

If any items are out of stock we will inform you as soon as possible at which time you can cancel or amend your order. For items on special order we will aim to inform you of an estimated dispatch date as soon as we have the relevant information. To keep delivery costs to a minimum it is our standard procedure to send all items ordered together as one delivery.

Please note that orders for ink samples may take a little longer if we may have to make some more stock.

In all cases please check that you have given us the correct delivery address. If you require delivery to a business address, please ensure you put the company name as well as the street address. We cannot be held responsible for missing or delayed parcels when the customer has made an error in the address. If a parcel is returned to us undelivered because of an address error or if a parcel is unclaimed by the customer we will charge postage for its re-delivery.

UK
Most items are sent by Royal Mail 48 which usually takes 2 to 3 working days from day of dispatch (longer for non-mainland addresses). Each parcel is barcoded. Orders of value £80.00 and above will be sent by Royal Mail Tracked 24 for no extra cost which is fully tracked and usually takes 1 to 2 working days. If your order qualifies for our "small items" rate, it will be send by Royal Mail 24 which usually takes 1-2 working days.

Orders of value £200.00 and above will be sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery (guaranteed next-day) for no extra cost. Whilst Royal Mail Special Delivery is a next-day service (Monday to Friday only), please note that next-day delivery is dependent on the time of day you place your order and whether we have all items in stock. If you need your items in a hurry please check with us before ordering.

For orders less than £80.00 we offer Royal Mail Tracked 24 at extra cost. For orders over £80.00 but less than £200.00 we offer Royal Mail Special Delivery at extra cost. Please note the above regarding delivery times. If you order after 12 noon and require next-day delivery please telephone us to confirm.

Your shopping basket will calculate the final shipping price (there is no need to log in at this stage or enter any personal details).

Click and Collect is available from our premises in Bury St Edmunds.

Overseas
International orders are sent by Royal Mail air-mail. Delivery times will vary from 1 week to 6 weeks or more, depending upon customs clearance. Therefore, please leave at least 6 weeks before contacting us about a parcel that has not arrived.

Please allow longer at busy times and during public holidays.

Orders are sent by Royal Mail "International Tracked" or "International Signed" (depending on the destination country). Please refer to the prices above. These are registered and insured services that may require a signature upon receipt. You will be e-mailed the tracking number when your order is ready for been dispatch (check your spam folder!).

Important information regarding overseas deliveries and those to Scotland, NI, CI and BFPO:
Royal Mail introduced new restrictions on hazardous goods as of January 2013. As a result of these restrictions, certain goods, for example, Li-Ion batteries and perfumes, are now prohibited. Although bottled fountain pen ink is not a hazardous substance, it can look like a perfume bottle when x-rayed (all parcels travelling by air are x-rayed first), some parcels may be delayed slightly if they have to be further inspected. Unfortunately, this is beyond our control but we label each parcel accordingly to try to avoid such delays. We apologise for any potential inconvenience.


Testimonials ( 5491 )
(5,0/5)

Review By James,
Fantastic selection of fountain pens and inks. Excellent service. I've placed many orders and been ...
16-03-2024
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Review By Bruce Lyle Blythe,
Very caring about insuring i had exactly the pen i was seeking - and went out of their way to secure ...
12-03-2024
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Review By Jim,
Good repair, sorted quickly. Would use again.
09-03-2024