Shipping policy

SHIPPING POLICY

Running Elephant Gallery | London, United Kingdom

Effective Date: 11 June 2026

 

1. Overview

This Shipping Policy applies to all purchases made through our online gallery. All orders are dispatched from our gallery in London, United Kingdom, and we ship to destinations worldwide. By placing an order, you agree to the terms set out in this policy.

 

2. Artwork We Ship

We ship the following types of original artwork:

      Original paintings and drawings

      Mixed media and framed works

      Prints and photographs

      Sculptures and three-dimensional works

 

Each artwork is assessed individually to determine the most appropriate packaging and carrier for safe transit. Fragile, oversized, or high-value pieces may require specialist art logistics services.

 

3. Shipping Costs

Shipping costs are the sole responsibility of the buyer and are calculated at checkout. Costs are determined by:

      Artwork dimensions, weight, and fragility

      Delivery destination (domestic or international)

      Selected delivery speed and service level

      Specialist packaging requirements

 

Shipping quotes are provided at checkout before payment is confirmed. We do not profit from shipping fees — costs reflect actual carrier and packaging charges.

 

4. Delivery Timeframes

UK Domestic

Orders within the United Kingdom are typically delivered within 1–3 business days from dispatch. Sculptures, large framed works, or bespoke pieces may require additional preparation time before dispatch.

 

International

International delivery timeframes vary by destination:

 

Region

Estimated Delivery

Notes

Europe (EU & non-EU)

3–7 business days

May vary by country

North America

5–10 business days

Standard international transit

Asia Pacific

7–14 business days

Varies by destination

Rest of World

10–21 business days

Remote regions may take longer

 

All timeframes are estimates and begin from the date of dispatch, not the date of order. We will notify you by email when your artwork has been dispatched with tracking information.

 

5. Packaging

We take exceptional care in packaging every artwork to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. Our packaging standards are tailored to each artwork type:

      Prints & photographs — acid-free tissue, rigid backing boards, and protective tubes or flat packs

      Original paintings & drawings — bubble wrap, corner protectors, and double-walled cardboard boxes

      Framed works — foam-lined custom boxes with anti-scratch film and reinforced corners

      Sculptures & 3D works — custom foam inserts, double-boxing, and fragile handling labels

 

For particularly large, fragile, or high-value works, we may use specialist fine art shipping crates. Any additional crating costs will be communicated to you before dispatch.

 

6. Transit Insurance

We strongly recommend insuring your artwork for transit. Insurance is available as an optional add-on at checkout and is calculated as a percentage of the artwork's purchase price.

 

If you choose to add insurance:

      Coverage is provided for the full declared value of the artwork

      In the event of loss or damage, a claim can be raised through our shipping provider

      You will be required to retain all original packaging until the claim is resolved

 

If you decline transit insurance, the gallery accepts no liability for loss or damage that occurs during shipping. We strongly advise all buyers — particularly those purchasing original works, sculptures, or high-value pieces — to opt for insurance coverage.

 

7. Customs, Duties & Import Taxes

European Union

For deliveries to EU member states, we cover all applicable customs duties and import taxes. The price you pay at checkout is the final amount — no additional charges will be levied upon arrival.

 

All Other International Destinations

For all other international destinations (including non-EU countries in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the rest of the world), the buyer is solely responsible for any import duties, customs fees, VAT, or taxes levied by the destination country.

 

We recommend that you:

      Check your country's import regulations for artworks before purchasing

      Consult your local customs authority for applicable rates

      Factor any potential duties into the total cost of your purchase

 

We are required by law to declare the full value of all shipments on customs documentation and cannot under-declare the value of an artwork.

 

8. Returns & Damaged Artwork

Return Policy

We accept returns within 14 days of delivery. To be eligible for a return:

      You must notify us within 14 days of receiving the artwork by emailing our gallery

      The artwork must be in its original condition and returned in original or equivalent packaging

      Return shipping costs are the buyer's responsibility unless the return is due to damage or error on our part

      We recommend using a tracked, insured service for all returns

 

Refunds will be issued to the original payment method within 10 business days of receiving and inspecting the returned artwork.

 

Damaged or Incorrect Artwork

If your artwork arrives damaged or you receive an incorrect piece, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery. You must:

      Retain all original packaging

      Photograph the damage to both the packaging and the artwork

      Email the photographs along with your order details to our gallery

 

We will work with you to arrange a replacement, repair, or full refund as appropriate. Damage claims may be subject to our shipping insurance provider's assessment if insurance was purchased.

 

9. Order Tracking

All orders are dispatched with a tracking number, which will be emailed to you upon dispatch. You can use this number to monitor your shipment in real time via the carrier's website. If you have not received a tracking notification within 3 business days of placing your order, please contact us.

 

10. Contact Us

For any shipping enquiries, please contact our gallery team. We aim to respond to all messages within 1 business day (Monday–Friday, excluding UK public holidays).

 

Gallery Location

London, United Kingdom

 

Dispatch Origin

United Kingdom

 

Policy Last Updated

11 June 2026

 

 

This policy is subject to change. The current version will always be published on our website.