Delivery

This page sets out how Sun & Spice Ltd dispatches wholesale orders, the carriers we use, the charges that apply, and the process for receiving goods at your premises. Every order is also governed by our Terms and Conditions of Sale, which take precedence over this page in the event of any conflict between the two.

We dispatch from the United Kingdom to United Kingdom trade buyers. Lead times and figures stated below are typical for established trade accounts on stock formats. Exact terms for an individual order are confirmed at the point of pricing once we know the products, volumes, and delivery point.

1. Where we deliver

1.1 Our standard service covers the United Kingdom mainland, including:

(a) all of England, Wales, and Scotland south of the Scottish Highlands;

(b) postcodes in central Scotland reachable on the main pallet networks without surcharge.

1.2 The following regions are outside our standard carriage and are quoted individually on enquiry:

(a) Scottish Highlands and Islands (postcodes AB30 to AB56, IV, KW, PA20 to PA38, PA41 to PA80, PH17 to PH50, HS, ZE);

(b) Northern Ireland (BT postcodes);

(c) Isle of Man (IM);

(d) Channel Islands (JE, GY);

(e) Isles of Scilly (TR21 to TR25).

1.3 We do not currently dispatch directly to addresses outside the United Kingdom. Orders for export to the European Union or the rest of the world are by separate arrangement, on Ex Works (EXW) or Delivered At Place (DAP) Incoterms 2020 as agreed at the time of order. The buyer is the importer of record and is responsible for duties, import VAT, customs declarations, and any regulatory approval required at the destination.

2. Minimum order value

2.1 Standard minimum order value for trade carriage-paid dispatch is £150 net of VAT for parcel orders to mainland Great Britain. Orders below this value are accepted at the Seller's discretion, in which case a flat carriage contribution is added to the invoice and agreed at the time the order is placed.

2.2 First-order minimums for new trade accounts are flexible and reflect the supply route discussed during account setup. The figure in clause 2.1 is the benchmark; we are open to a different first-order shape where it makes commercial sense for both sides.

2.3 Pallet orders are quoted individually. There is no carriage-paid threshold for pallet shipments because the carrier rate depends on the destination, vehicle type, and any access requirements.

3. Lead times

3.1 Lead times stated by us are estimates only. Time of delivery is not of the essence (see clause 7.2 of our Terms and Conditions of Sale).

3.2 Typical lead times for established trade accounts:

3.3 We confirm the dispatch date for your order in writing once the order has been accepted. We will tell you promptly if anything is likely to push the dispatch date later than originally indicated.

4. Cut-off times

4.1 Orders received in writing before 12:00 noon on a Working Day are processed for dispatch in the same week, subject to product availability and the lead times in clause 3.

4.2 Orders received after 12:00 noon are treated as received on the next Working Day for the purpose of dispatch planning.

4.3 Bank holidays in England and Wales shift the dispatch schedule by one Working Day in the relevant week.

5. Carriage charges

5.1 Parcel orders (single boxes and cartons under 30 kg per item):

(a) Carriage paid by us on orders £150 net or above to mainland Great Britain;

(b) Below £150 net, a flat carriage contribution applies, confirmed at the point of order;

(c) Standard parcel service is APC Overnight or DPD, on a next-Working-Day service to mainland Great Britain.

5.2 Pallet orders:

(a) Quoted individually on a per-pallet basis at the time of order;

(b) Standard pallet networks used are APC Overnight Pallets or Palletline;

(c) Pallet rates include kerbside delivery on a 26-tonne rigid vehicle to a mainland Great Britain postcode, with tail-lift available on request at additional cost.

5.3 All carriage charges are stated exclusive of VAT, which is added to the invoice at the prevailing rate.

6. Non-mainland surcharges and excluded postcodes

6.1 Postcodes listed in clause 1.2 are outside our standard service. Where we agree to dispatch to one of these postcodes:

(a) Carriage is quoted individually and confirmed in writing before the order is processed;

(b) Lead times are extended, typically by 1 to 3 Working Days for the Scottish Highlands and Northern Ireland, and longer for the islands;

(c) Tracking and proof-of-delivery may not be available on the same terms as mainland deliveries.

7. Pallet deliveries

7.1 The standard pallet specification is:

(a) Wood pallet, ISPM 15 heat-treated where required for export;

(b) Up to 1,000 kg gross per pallet, depending on product mix and pallet size (UK pallet 1200 x 1000 mm or Euro pallet 1200 x 800 mm);

(c) Shrink-wrapped and labelled with delivery note, consignment number, and any required hazard or food-grade marking.

7.2 If your premises cannot receive a 26-tonne rigid vehicle, you must tell us at the point of order. Options include:

(a) Tail-lift delivery, available on request at additional cost;

(b) Alternative drop-off at a nominated address where access permits;

(c) Buyer collection from our nominated depot, by prior arrangement.

7.3 If a vehicle is sent to a delivery address that cannot in fact receive it, and the limitation was not disclosed by the Buyer at the point of order, the Seller is entitled to recover the failed-delivery costs charged by the carrier, plus a reasonable handling charge, on the next invoice or as a separate charge.

7.4 Booking-in is the Buyer's responsibility where the delivery point requires it. Failure to book in within the carrier's lead window is treated as a failed delivery under clause 11.

8. Receiving goods

8.1 The Buyer must inspect the consignment at the point of delivery, before the driver leaves, including by:

(a) counting the number of boxes or pallets against the delivery note;

(b) examining the outer packaging, shrink wrap, and pallet integrity for visible damage;

(c) confirming the consignment matches the Order reference.

8.2 The Buyer must sign the carrier's proof of delivery accurately. Where the consignment shows visible damage or shortage:

(a) write "damaged" or "short" on the proof of delivery in the driver's presence;

(b) where time does not permit a full inspection, write "subject to inspection" or "unchecked, pending inspection" on the proof of delivery;

(c) take photographs of the consignment before unpacking.

8.3 Signing the proof of delivery clean is treated as confirmation that the consignment was received in good order. Claims raised after a clean signature are reviewed but harder to resolve commercially, and the carrier may decline cover.

9. Damaged or short deliveries

9.1 Visible damage or shortage must be:

(a) noted on the carrier's proof of delivery at the point of delivery, in line with clause 8.2;

(b) confirmed in writing to us within 3 Working Days of delivery, with the order number, delivery note number, batch code (where applicable), photographs, and a description of the affected items.

9.2 Concealed damage or shortage that could not reasonably have been identified on external inspection must be notified within 7 Working Days of delivery, with the same evidence requirements as clause 9.1.

9.3 Pending resolution of any claim, the Buyer must retain the affected goods, the original packaging, and any associated documentation, and must hold them available for inspection or collection. The Buyer must not destroy, alter, on-sell, or otherwise dispose of the affected goods until the claim is resolved.

9.4 Where a claim is accepted, our liability and the remedies available are as set out in clause 9.5 of our Terms and Conditions of Sale. The default remedy is, at our option, a credit note, a replacement, or a refund.

10. Non-delivery and goods lost in transit

10.1 If a confirmed dispatch does not arrive at the agreed destination, the Buyer must notify us in writing within 7 Working Days of the original dispatch notification, providing the Order reference and dispatch notification details.

10.2 On receipt of notification we open a lost-in-transit investigation with the carrier. Carrier investigations typically take 5 to 10 Working Days. Where the consignment is confirmed lost, we replace it at no further charge or, at the Buyer's request, issue a credit note for the affected items.

11. Failed delivery and refused delivery

11.1 If the agreed delivery cannot be completed because the address is inaccessible, no authorised person is on site to receive the goods, the carrier is refused entry, or the Buyer cannot offer the booked goods-in window, the Seller may:

(a) charge the carrier's failed-delivery surcharge as passed through to the Buyer;

(b) charge a reasonable administrative fee, currently £25 or 10% of the carriage value, whichever is the greater;

(c) require the Buyer to nominate an alternative delivery date and pay the redelivery cost in advance;

(d) treat the goods as delivered for the purposes of clause 7.5 of our Terms and Conditions of Sale, in which case risk passes from the time tendered.

11.2 Goods held by the carrier or returned to our premises after a failed delivery may be stored at the Buyer's risk and cost. If the Buyer does not arrange a successful redelivery within 14 days, the Seller may dispose of, resell, or destroy the goods and recover any shortfall from the Buyer.

11.3 Saturday delivery, named-day delivery, timed-window delivery, and any other premium carrier service may be available on enquiry at the time of order. Charges for premium services are quoted individually and added to the invoice.

12. Risk and title

12.1 Risk in the Goods passes to the Buyer on completion of delivery to the address specified in the Order, or on the deemed delivery in clause 11.1, whichever is the earlier. Where the Buyer arranges its own collection, risk passes on loading at the Seller's premises or those of the Seller's nominated carrier.

12.2 Ownership of the Goods remains with the Seller until cleared funds have been received for the Goods and all other sums then due from the Buyer on any account, in line with the retention-of-title clause in our Terms and Conditions of Sale (clause 8).

13. Force majeure

13.1 We rely on the force majeure clause set out in clause 12 of our Terms and Conditions of Sale where delivery is delayed by events beyond our reasonable control. Examples particularly relevant to a food supply chain include port congestion, customs delays, freight network disruption, named storms, raw-material shortage or harvest failure at origin, and government action.

13.2 We will tell you as soon as we are aware that a force majeure event is likely to affect a confirmed dispatch, and we will agree an amended timeline with you in writing.

14. Contact for delivery queries

14.1 For order-status, dispatch, tracking, or delivery-day queries, contact us at info@sunandspice.co.uk. Quote your Order reference, the delivery note number where you have one, and the date of the agreed delivery window.

14.2 For damaged or short deliveries, see clauses 8 and 9 above and follow the process there. Photographic evidence and a copy of the signed proof of delivery materially speed up resolution.

14.3 For returns, refunds, and credit-note queries that go beyond an active delivery, see our Returns page.