Shipping is the final step in delivering my bespoke creations to you. For me, it’s both exciting and nerve-wracking: giving a dress that took hundreds of hours to create into someone else’s hands is always a leap of faith. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot from shipping accidents, and I want to share this knowledge to protect both you and my work.
Shipping requires time, not just to prepare your piece, but also to handle paperwork, communicate with couriers, and ensure safe delivery. I usually ship items in batches every couple of weeks to manage this process efficiently. So in case you need things in a hurry, email me BEFORE placing your order.
Shipping Options
I always use tracked couriers. They may cost slightly more than post offices, but they are more reliable and faster.
I generally choose the most affordable option within a 5-day delivery window, keeping in mind that delivery times are in business days only, no Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. Delays are common, so expect around a week for the first delivery attempt.
International shipping can take longer due to customs and other factors. For example, shipping to the US may now take up to 15 days because of customs fees, even if the paperwork is correct. I expect things will be smoother and faster once customs will be more used to the new tariffs.
If you prefer faster shipping, email me before purchasing. Express shipping may help, but in my experience it does not grant that 48h delivery promised in the title.
Packaging and Handling
As Catherine D’Lish states in her website: we do dresses, not boxes.
If you ask me on which I would like to spend more time, it’s the dress.
Also, pretty packaging costs. And make no mistake: it does not come for free, the one paying for it is you. So, if I have to pick between a pretty box and an extra ribbon for the garment, a few extra minutes of care, handstitching a detail or adding a mock-up… I will pick the latter. I usually add a couple of business cards and a couple of printed postcards to use as book markers. Because ages ago I printed way too many of them by mistake (and that has not been billed to you, don’t worry), so you get some with my first works. And one that depicts a more recent piece.
I use recycled boxes. I live in a small country town, so a lot of supplies are ordered and shipped here with boxes that can be reused and given to you for free. This allows me to only bill you the actual shipping cost, the time it requires and the taxes on top of that. They may not be pretty, I know, but they’re good for your pocket, and the planet as well.
I do my best to pack dresses and wigs so that they are protected and safe. That said, sometimes couriers manage to mistreat everything. I have seen very strong cardboard boxes that had been crushed, despite the inner reinforcements. Don’t know if they play soccer with them. They’re probably just in a hurry and underpaid. Anyway, I add padding paper and cornstarch nuggets. Sometimes wrap the wigs in bags and nets, if they need it. That said, don’t leave the packages out in the rain and such. Please. I have to ship dresses, not prepare them to survive the Titanic.
If you see any damage outside the box, please photograph it before opening it. And make a video of yourself when you open and extract the goods and inspect any possible damage. That is the only way to get any money off the shipping company, if you chose to have insured shipping (that needs to be requested upon purchase, as it has an extra cost).
You can request combined shipping for multiple items via email.
International Shipping
Most of my customers come from outside Italy. Many outside the EU.
If you’re within EU, it’s easy: I put things in the box, I weigh, measure, fill the data, print and attach the label, and the package is ready to go. For delivery times, it requires a couple of days less than getting things outside the EU (3 days delivery is more frequent). I still however ship in batches, so for strict deadlines write me BEFORE purchasing. Not much I can do afterwards.
If you are in a place that does not allow the free circulation of goods with Italy (like outside the EU, or the UK), I need to prepare the package for customs. I am legally required to add a commercial invoice (the receipt you got after the payment). I have then to fill an endless series of sheets with all the data: where the piece was made, codes of the materials used, your contact and address, mine, my business data and such. I have to print them twice (which leads up to 11 filled, signed and printed sheets per package) and upload the paperwork on the website as well. This takes quite some time. You can understand how shipping five boxes outside the EU can easily take a whole working day. No kidding.
Import Duties
Every country has a different custom duties amounts, based on their laws, their relationship with Italy and so on. These things can change over time, reflecting tax changes. So I don’t feel legally comfortable in predicting precisely how much you will have to pay.
Some countries have also handling fees (like Italy, when I import from outside the EU I have to pay for those on top of customs duties, but not in every country that is needed). So, even though I tried to add some plugins to the shipping section of the checkout, I have not gone through. Because even the plugin itself warns you it may not be updated and it may not reflect the final result.
If you’re from the US, you’re probably worried, if not scared about this. You’re not used to your government taking money from you after you’ve made a purchase abroad. But I can assure we’ve been doing that for a long time and we’re used to it. You just have to know how much your local tariffs are, and if there is a handling fee. A quick check on your government’s website will let you know how to ballpark the due amount.
If customs costs are not paid, you won’t be able to get the package. It will be sent back and I will be invoiced for the amount anyway, which I will have to bill to you anyway.
I have added the little mandatory tick box at checkout that tells “I am aware I am required to pay any custom duties upon arrival of the goods” to make sure you are aware and that you do your math before purchasing as a responsible buyer.
The shipping cost is usually not included in the amount you pay the fees upon, only the cost of the goods.
Tracking and Communication
Once I have a shipping label, I will provide you with a tracking code. Please follow it thoroughly, as there is a limited number of delivery attempts. Provide a real phone number, and- if needed- have the piece delivered at your working place, if you don’t plan to be home on delivery hours. Or at a drop point.
Delivery Times and Delays
Delivery times usually go from 3 days to 15. Yes, even with 36h delivery options. Once the package leaves my hands there’s nothing I can do, besides contacting the shipping company.
Shipping Costs: How I calculate them?
My shipping costs are based on an average price for each delivery zone.
How did I come to that price? First I measure and weigh the closed package. Add the selected delivery address to the website, and I am given a starting price. On that, I have to cover the cost of the time I spend preparing the package and the paperwork. And once all of that is set, taxes are to be calculated on top.
At the end of every year I make an average for every shipping zone, and that is the cost you will be presented at checkout.
Workaround
In some cases it’s easier to have an item picked up by a courier booked by you. If it’s in the EU, I can just give you size, weight and address, and you can send me the label. You won’t have to pay taxes on top of that, and the cost will be smaller. There will still be a handling fee for the time I need to do all of that, but it will be less.
This is possible for goods going out of the EU as well, but it’s usually less convenient, as companies that ship multiple times a month get more affordable rates from couriers. It is worth to check, in any case.
Tips for a Smooth Delivery
Make sure to be precise at checkout:
- fill the delivery address with a place where you will be at delivery times
- update me with the new address in case you move
- add a real phone number
- fill the email address section with an address you check at least three times a week
- if you’re Italian, don’t forget to add the Codice Fiscale in the order details
- reply to emails within a couple of days
- make sure to reply to the courier’s calls, or to customs emails
- if you receive an email about the customs duties, promptly pay online
- if not, be prepared to pay for those in person and to have cash, if in your country couriers do not have the portable credit card machine
- make sure you add any needed delivery information in the order details (for example “first doorbell does not work, use the second” and such).
If you have any questions about shipping or delivery, email me at [email protected]
